Honestly, OEM is too small for the cash. I'd grab WeatherTech MudFlaps for better coverage or just apply 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series to the rockers yourself to save money.

In my experience, I honestly found the Mazda CX-50 Genuine OEM Splash Guards to be a bit of a letdown. I was sooo excited for that clean factory look on my Polymetal Gray build, but unfortunately, they're just way too small to handle real road debris. Basically, they look great but dont actually PROTECT much because the tires on the CX-50 poke out so far. I still noticed tons of grime on my rocker panels after just one rainstorm... it was pretty disappointing tbh.

If you want real coverage, you're better off looking at Rally Armor Mud Flaps for Mazda CX-50 or even getting some XPEL Ultimate Plus Paint Protection Film for those high-impact areas. The OEM ones are okay for light city driving, but for backroads? Nah. Also, for the install, you can definitely do the fronts with the wheels on, but the rears are tight—I ended up having to use a right-angle screwdriver cuz there wasnt enough clearance. GL with the new ride though, they look amazing regardless! peace

> For those of you who have already installed the OEM splash guards, do they actually do a good job of protecting the rocker panels and the rear quarter panels from kick-up? Also, how was the installation process?

Hey! So i actually went ahead and did the install on my Polymetal CX-50 about a month ago. Honestly, I'm pretty satisfied with how they look, but like, from a technical perspective, they are definitely more about aerodynamics than heavy-duty protection. I noticed they cover the immediate inner lip of the fender well, but since the tires poke a bit, stuff still splashes up past them if you're hitting mud or deep puddles at speed.

As for the install, it was actually pretty easy! You definitely DONT need to take the rear wheels off if you have a right-angle screwdriver or a small offset ratchet bit. It’s tight, but doable on the ground.

If you're worried about those pebbles, I'd suggest looking at RokBlokz Mud Flaps for Mazda CX-50 as a middle ground. They're stiffer than some rally ones but offer way more coverage than the Mazda CX-50 Genuine OEM Splash Guards. Also, maybe check out Meguiar's Mirror Glaze M21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 to give your lower panels some extra slickness so the grime doesnt stick as bad? Gl with the new ride! 👍

Honestly, I had the same worries when I got mine. For your situation, I'd really think twice about the OEM ones if you're hitting backroads. I went with the factory guards because I wanted that clean look, but unfortunately, they've been kinda a letdown for me. They're basically just plastic trim pieces... like, they barely stick out at all!

My biggest safety concern is that because they're so small, they don't actually stop the larger pebbles from flying up. I've already noticed some tiny pockmarks on my rockers after just a few months. It's super frustrating cuz you buy them for peace of mind, right?? But if they aren't catching the debris, they aren't protecting your paint or the person driving behind you.

Regarding the install, you actually can do it with the wheels on if you have a right-angle screwdriver, but honestly... it's a total pain in the neck. I ended up just taking the rear wheels off anyway to make sure everything was tightened down properly for safety. If they aren't perfectly secure, they can rattle or even catch wind at highway speeds, which is sketchy af.

If you're worried about the 'aggressive' look of the bigger brands already mentioned, maybe look into some of those medium-profile splash guards from generic manufacturers on Amazon or eBay? They usually offer a bit more 'hang' without looking like a full-on rally car. Just make sure they use existing bolt holes cuz drilling into a new car is a big nope for me! GL with the choice, but yeah... OEM is mostly just for show imo.

Same setup here, love it

> Also, how was the installation process—did you have to pull the rear wheels off to get them on securely, or is there enough clearance to do it with the car on the ground?

Having run various setups on my Mazdas over the last decade, I can tell you that installation is usually the easy part if you have the right gear. I managed to get mine on without pulling the rear wheels by using a small offset ratcheting screwdriver, but if you want to be *super* precise with the torque and fitment, popping the wheels off gives you way better visibility and leverage.

From a long-term perspective, I've had my current setup for over 20k miles now. What I've noticed is that while they look integrated, they really only protect the very leading edge of the wheel well. Tbh, the CX-50 has such a wide track that the spray pattern actually clears the guards at highway speeds. I've seen some pitting on my lower doors regardless. Its basically a design trade-off for the aerodynamics. If your hitting gravel daily, you might find that the factory option is more of a "styling" piece than a functional debris shield. Ive found that the paint on these modern Mazdas is notoriously thin, so even with the guards, you still have to watch that kick-up trajectory.

Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.