Bump - same question here

> Quick question before I dive into the technical side—can you clarify if your G80 is the 2.5T or the 3.5T Sport Prestige?

Seconding the recommendation above! Knowing your trim is HUGE because the Sport Prestige has those aggressive side sills that make fitment tricky. Honestly, I went through this exact stress when I got mine. I was looking at the bill from the dealer and thought "no way am I paying that for plastic flaps."

I think the OEM ones are technically superior in terms of the plastic grade—they match the texture of the lower trim perfectly so they kinda disappear into the lines of the car. I've heard some of the cheap eBay stuff can fade or turn greyish after a year of road salt, which would look terrible on Alta White. Not sure but IIRC, someone told me the OEM install involves some clips that are way sturdier than the tape-only aftermarket ones. It’s basically a balance of cost vs. longevity... but yeah, protecting that paint is a MUST. Gl!

Curious about one thing before I dive into the safety stuff: are you mainly worried about the big chunks of road salt and slush, or is it more about those tiny, annoying rock chips from the gravel? In my experience, those two things actually need different levels of protection to keep your paint safe.

1. Do you do a lot of high-speed highway driving?
2. Or is it mostly slower backroads where the mud builds up?

Lmk, cause that totally changes how I'd look at the risk-reward for the OEM guards!

Honestly, after having mine for a couple of years now, the biggest thing I noticed isnt just the rock chips, but how much easier it is to wash the car. Without them, you spend like way too much time scrubbing road tar and those annoying black streaks off the white paint. It gets reallyyy tedious after a while, especially on a car this nice. If you are worried about the look, they basically disappear into the wheel well after a week of driving and you wont even notice them anymore. One tip though, if you go the official route, I would highly recommend getting some ceramic coating or a sealant from a brand like Meguiars or Chemical Guys and hitting the guards before you install them. It keeps the plastic from looking gray or chalky after a few seasons of road salt. Tbh, I was also worried about them trapping dirt, and yeah, a little bit of silt gets in there, but its nothing a quick blast with a pressure washer cant fix during your normal wash routine. Definitely worth it for the long-term paint health if you plan on holding onto the car for more than a few years. Just stick with the official parts from the manufacturer and you will be fine.

yo, congrats on the new ride! Alta White is literally the best color for the G80, it looks sooo classy. so check it out, I was in the exact same boat as you a few months ago with my 2023 G80. I live in the rust belt where they dump tons of salt and gravel, and i was totally stressing about the paint too.

I ended up biting the bullet and getting the Genesis G80 OEM Mud Guards and honestly? They’re lowkey amazing. I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to specs, and I noticed the fitment is 100% perfect because they use the existing mounting points in the wheel well. No drilling required! The plastic is a high-grade automotive polymer that matches the lower trim textures perfectly.

I mean, i guess they change the lines a tiny bit, but since they’re pretty small and slim, they basically disappear into the wheel arch... especially on white cuz the contrast actually looks kinda sporty! Performance-wise, I’ve seen a HUGE decrease in that annoying 'sandblasted' look on the rockers. It blocks probably 80-90% of the kick-up.

Wait, actually, one thing to watch out for: if you're worried about dirt trapping, just put a small strip of 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series underneath where the guard touches the paint. That basically solves the friction issue! Honestly, skip the cheap aftermarket stuff... the fitment is usually trash and looks cheap. Go with the OEM guards, you won't regret it!! gl with the new car! 👍

Quick question before I dive into the technical side—can you clarify if your G80 is the 2.5T or the 3.5T Sport Prestige? Basically, the body kits and side sills differ slightly between those trims, and it actually affects how the Genesis G80 OEM Mud Guards sit against the rocker panels.

So, from a technical perspective, mud guards aren't just about blocking big rocks; they're about managing the "spray angle" of high-velocity road grit. When you're driving, your tires act like centrifugal slingshots. Without guards, that grit sandblasts your paint's clear coat, leading to that "cloudy" look over time. Honestly, the OEM ones are engineered specifically for the G80's aerodynamics, so they shouldn't cause too much drag or weird wind noise, which is a big plus.

If you're worried about the "clunky" look, you might want to look into Dr. ColorChip Squirt 'n Squeegee Paint Chip Repair Kit just in case, or even consider a hybrid approach. Some guys run the guards during the winter salt season and take 'em off for the summer. But yeah, let me know your trim level because the fitment on the Sport models is a bit more finicky than the standard ones! Also, have you looked into Xpel Ultimate Plus Paint Protection Film as an alternative for those high-impact areas? It's basically invisible compared to plastic guards. lmk!