Member Since: 08 Nov 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 38
To fit Side Protection Tubes....or not
I've been given a pair of stainless steel side protection tubes off a D4 if I want them for my D3. Four questions for you all tonight...
1. Do they serve any genuine use or are they purely cosmetic?
2. Does anyone else have them and if so are they worth having?
3. I have two young boys (6 & 7). Will the Tubes make it easier or harder for them to get in?
4. The tubes have come without fittings or instructions. Presumably if the answers to 1 & 3 are positive, this is a minor hurdle?
Thanks for your advice/comments/suggestions as ever.
Cheers
14th Jan 2011 8:38 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
Purely cosmetic, got a pair rusting in the shed somewhere. If you want side protection get a set of Uncle Ray's sill guards.
I have them fitted on mine by the previous owner so can answer most questions!
1. They do offer some protection - mine are pretty battered from going offroad (Mostly the previous owner). Better than nowt, but better options out there.
2. If they are free, then worth having. I wouldn't pay for some
3. No. No help at all getting in - the tops are round and when wet, slippery.
4. Not fitted mine, but fairly easy I believe - 3 or 4 bolts a side, though a mod to the existing trim is required - but that is easy too.Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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1. Cosmetic, and they reduce clearance. They aren't cantilevered off the chassis and have no structural strength. Offroad, they increase the risk of damage to the rest of your car.
2. Had them, still got them, banana shaped, dented and rusty, leaning against the compost bay
3. Nope, but they will collect all the mud and gunk off the road and let you wipe them clean with your trouser leg
4. When you see the instructions (LR Owner Info) you'll see they are pretty straightforward to fit, but you have to cut your sill covers.
Talk to RLD for proper sill protection.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
14th Jan 2011 9:07 pm
Chicken Duck
Member Since: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Italy
Posts: 1387
"To fit Side Protection Tubes....or not " NOt if your planning to go off road . Ok for posing but not much else EDIT= get real Tree sliders
Member Since: 05 Oct 2007
Location: Gone
Posts: 2466
I've got RLD sills. Top kit. Very tough.
14th Jan 2011 9:52 pm
Devon72
Member Since: 08 Nov 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 38
Thanks. Not really doing much off roading, so they're not needed for protection - albeit if that changes, thanks for the RLD advice. Will look them up.
As for the freebies now in my garage I think I'll pass then by the sound of it. Too many of you have them by the compost heap, and the final straw was the idea of me/wife/kids wiping the mud/grime off them as we get into the car.
Thanks again
Cheers
15th Jan 2011 10:28 am
Gazellio
Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
Sorry new to D3 parts so can anybody point me to link for RLD Sills or similar?
Member Since: 25 Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 8491
They look too 'angular' poncy and overpriced to me for a bit of metal.
Anyone got the RLD link I can look at, I was thinking of perhaps trying going up a kerb in a couple of weeks time and need protection just in case. Does he do group buys?
15th Jan 2011 11:45 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
Why oh why didn't you buy a RRS and be annoying on The Dark Side instead?
15th Jan 2011 11:59 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Another negative for tubes is that you can get crap all over the calf area of your trousers when getting out 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
15th Jan 2011 12:07 pm
Discotres
Member Since: 25 Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 8491
DSL wrote:
Why oh why didn't you buy a RRS and be annoying on The Dark Side instead?
If that is aimed at me then what do you want, a forum of little following each other? I am entitled to my view and honest opinion, a link was posted to review, I looked, you have my view, so take it or leave it.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
following each other? I am entitled to my view and honest opinion, a link was posted to review, I looked, you have my view, so take it or 
leave it.
