My new Q5 does not have the optional mud flaps. According to some Audi source material, "they protect the underbody, bumper and rear of the vehicle against heavy soiling. In addition, dangerous stone chipping and spray water dispersion are minimized." However, I've heard they're not all that attractive. Anyone out there with thoughts and/or pictures? After only 10 days of driving (4 of them in the rain), there's a fair amount of dirt on the doors and rear bumper. I'm of course able to wash dirt off, but the less work the better. And avoiding stone chips would be great.

Thanks in advance for your time and opinions.

 

The OEM mudflaps are definitely ugly. All mudflaps are. They may be a bit protective, but they are definitely not cool.

If you are dead set on some kind of mudflap you could always get the S Line fender sills to gain a little bit of protection with minimal eyesore-ness.



If you really want to protect the paint, (whether you go with mudflaps or not) you want to have 3M Stone Guard installed anyhow. To prevent stone chips along the side of the car, the kit I went with covers the rockers and the lower rear bumper behind the wheel. I had quite a few other areas done as well. If you're interested, it's all detailed here:

https://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7/45406...q5-s-line.html