<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by samw2001:
I'm getting my MB EX-L RES in about 2 weeks from a dealer. I already bought my accessories beforehand, including the air deflector. It looks easy to install. Can anyone confirm the ease of installation? What's impression of the Honda stock deflector? Is it too big? Does it look goofy?
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Hi Samw2001,
I've got the factory bug deflector on me '01 LX. Some have stated that it doesn't help protect the hood and windshield as well as it should but I went ahead a sprang for one after finding two rock chips in my hood and a rock defect in the windshield. I had the windshield repaired at a glass shop in the hopes that it doesn't spread. So far, so good.
I haven't received any other chips in the paint since installing the deflector, so far. The installation was very easy. The main thing you need to be accurate on it the placement of the two support towers on either side of the hood. The three middle brackets can be repositioned but those end supports are there once you stick them down. Mine turned out to be close enough but they're not perfect. I had to hold one end out of line slightly to get the bolt holes to line up. It's not anything you can see, looking at the installation after the fact. I've also had the deflector off the car a couple of time for cleaning (it catchs leaf and road litter very effectively
) and it's much easier to install now. It seems the part had adapted to the slight misalignment after the fact.
As for the looks, I don't think it looks that bad. The Ody isn't a small vehicle so I wouldn't say it's too big. My van is Starlight Silver, the deflector is a dark green (the only color it comes in) and I don't think it looks that out of place. While I wouldn't say it enhances the looks of the van, I don't think it detracts that much either. Then again, I've had it on the Ody for quite a while now and have gotten used to it. FWIW!
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Drive Safe,
Steve R.
'01 SS LX
Cargo tray, leather steering wheel, mud guards, alarm, fog lights, transmission cooler, in-dash CD player, Kelton subwoofer, under seat storage tray.
[This message has been edited by Intrepid175 (edited 01-19-2002).]