Is there any downside to fitting side steps
At present i have a HSE TD4 2.2 Auto
Always liked the look of the side steps - but thought ill ask if there was a knock on effect to having them fitted

 BETTER looking half of the famous Twinlanders
The wanna be other half - http://www.freel2.com/forum/member-carriec.html

They make the car look worse.

I have had a loaner with them, I am too tall to use them and they stick out too far to make you have to step into the car from too far away Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

In terms of looks, I'm 50/50 about them. The missus wants a set ( a 5ft shortie ) ... I'm not so sure.

Do they compromise ground clearance?

In this weather they wipe salt and grime down your trousers

Main gripes seem to be less ground clearance if off roading and the fact that if you aren't carefull and they are dirty you can get mud on the back of your trousers when getting out. I like 'em as I think they make the FL look a bit chunkier. I've got 'em as I dont plan to do any serious off-roading and I've learned to be careful when getting out. If you like 'em, get 'em and make your own mind up. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

The side tubes look better to me for the chunky look

I was considering the side tubes as well

And i can understand where your coming from Steve about getting trousers dirty i had em on my JEEP
Plus when i took it to get cleaned they always jumped on em to clean the roof
Don't think ill be taking the freely to the £10 in & out car wash this time round

Ill have to photo-shop a few images of the steps and tubes to see if i like em or not

Thanks for all your advise Boys BETTER looking half of the famous Twinlanders
The wanna be other half - http://www.freel2.com/forum/member-carriec.html

I'm not keen on them myself but some say they are excellent in stopping car park dings as most car doors will catch the steps/tubes before your door.
If I were to get them it would be more for protection than for show so would choose the tubes.

I had 3 sets on the Defender in 14 years, 2 OE " raider bar tubes" and one pattern set that were on when it was nicked. plus point is they do stop other peoples doors banging you in car parks, down side is that they also trap all sorts of muck and crap, I left them off of the Freelander as our 09 GS has nice sensible plastic covered sills. If you do buy a set I would buy stainless, rather than powder coated mild steel. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Nearly 6 months in, parked in public car parks daily....to date, no dings. In London as well, I might add! Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles