Looking for must-have exterior accessories for a new Volkswagen ID.4.

Question

Hey everyone! I just finally took delivery of my new Volkswagen ID.4 last week and I’m absolutely loving the electric life so far. It’s such a smooth ride, but now that it’s sitting in my driveway, I’m realizing I want to add a few things to keep it looking sharp and add some extra utility.

Living in an area with frequent rain and some gravel roads, I’m specifically looking for high-quality exterior accessories to protect the paint. I’ve been looking into getting a set of mud flaps (splash guards) because I’ve already noticed road grime kicking up onto the side panels. I’m also a big fan of weekend trips, so I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for roof rack bars that don't create too much wind noise or significantly impact the car's range.

I’ve checked out the official VW shop, but the prices are a bit steep, so I’m definitely open to reliable aftermarket brands that fit perfectly. I’ve also seen some people mention door handle pocket protectors to prevent scratches, which seems like a smart move. I want to make sure whatever I add matches the sleek aesthetic of the car without looking too 'tacked on.'

What are the absolute must-have exterior mods or accessories you’ve added to your ID.4 that you’d recommend to a new owner?

xtvpznohdg · Accepted Answer

Yo! Congrats on the ID.4, it's a sweet ride for sure. I've had mine for about a year now and I basically went through the same hunt for gear. For the mud flaps, honestly don't waste your money on the official VW ones if you want full coverage... I installed A-Premium Splash Guards Mud Flaps for Volkswagen ID.4 2021-2023 and they've been solid plus they're way cheaper and actually keep gravel from eating the paint on those lower panels. For the roof rack, Thule WingBar Edge for Volkswagen ID.4 is lowkey the best for noise. It's pricey but the aerodynamic profile is super efficient so you barely lose any range, maybe like 2-3% at highway speeds iirc. Also, definitely grab the Lamin-x Door Handle Pocket Guards for VW ID.4 cuz scratches show up SO fast in those pockets. Hope that helps, gl with the new car!!

rnotvggjys · Answer

> I’m also a big fan of weekend trips, so I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for roof rack bars that don't create too much wind noise or significantly impact the car's range. Ok so for the roof rack, I'm super happy with my setup but you gotta be careful about safety and reliability. If you go too cheap, the mounting brackets can loosen up on long trips which is a huge risk... I'd basically compare the Thule WingBar Edge 95952 against the Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Black 2 Bar Roof Rack. The Thule is seriously quiet... like highkey you wont even hear it. It's basically the gold standard for range cuz it's so aerodynamic, plus the locking system is top notch so nobody can just walk off with your gear. The Rhino-Rack is also a solid choice if you want something that feels a bit more "set and forget" with a really secure mounting system. Just make sure whatever you get, you check the torque specs twice!! Losing a box on the highway is a nightmare scenario tbh. Oh and for the mud flaps, maybe look into Rally Armor Mud Flap Set for VW ID.4 if you want that extra durability for gravel roads. They're more flexible than the ones usually suggested so they wont snap off... stay safe out there!!

neusypsuto · Answer

Ok so I actually have a slightly different take on the paint protection side of things. Most people here are suggesting professional PPF, which is great if you have the budget, but honestly I think for a lot of us it might be total overkill. If youre a bit of a DIY enthusiast, you can get some really solid protection for way less money by doing the work yourself in your driveway. Anyway, here are a few things I would look at that wont break the bank:

AvalonKing Armor Shield IX Ceramic Coating

This stuff is amazing for making the water bead right off during those rainy days, and you can definitely apply it yourself in a few hours. It helps keep that road grime from sticking too hard.

Farad Beam Roof Bars

These are a great middle ground... they are pretty quiet and a lot cheaper than the big name setups mentioned earlier.

VViViD Clear Paint Protection Wrap

Instead of a pro shop, you can buy a roll of this and do the door sills or the area behind the wheels yourself. It is a bit tricky to get the bubbles out, but it saves a fortune. I am not 100 percent sure if the Farad bars are as aerodynamic as the super high-end ones, but for weekend trips they work fine for me without totally killing the range... basically just take them off when youre not using them to be safe.