Car Door Guards

[Charlieboo30]

I'm fairly new to mumsnet and this is my first post - please be gentle with me!

I recently purchased a brand new car and I get paranoid that someone might hit it in a car park, especially with doors, as the spaces can be so ridiculously close together! This was made worse when my nana called me to say she'd noticed her door was chipped (she has the same car, just 6 months older.)

Anyway, she bought some door guards and asked if I wanted some. Due to my paranoia, I said yes. They are basically 10cm black strips that you stick onto each front door.

We fitted them yesterday and they look great, so I should be feeling much better shouldn't I? EXCEPT, the one on the passenger side is about 1 inch higher than the one on the drivers side. It's driving me mad and I feel like I've ruined my car. My other half says you can't even tell.

I've looked into removing them and it's a right pain - heating up with a hair dryer and even then it might take the paint with it.

So, will I get used to it?

They're on opposite sides of the car, how can you even see them at the same time to compare?

That is bloody annoying (it would be easy to remember the position of the strip on the opposite side in relation to the various parts of the doorframe etc.). Take them off - carefully.

I can't see them at the same time but we went to my aunties who commented on them and said they were different heights. We then measured them and it's about an inch worth of difference.

I now know they are different heights and can see they are from the wing mirrors.

God, I'm being ridiculous aren't i?!

I think I need to take them off but it'll be a nightmare. My other half says I am being ridiculous so I doubt he will help.

Apparently, you need to warm them with a hair dryer so the glue softens. We don't have a drive and park opposite the house so would involve an extension lead and a bit of a faff. My main concern is if I pull the bloody paint off.

UncleT - we thought we'd lined them up with the door handle but apparently not the same on both sides. If we get any more a tape measure will be used!

"God, I'm being ridiculous aren't I?"
Yes, yes you are! You will not forgive yourself if you cause damage to the paint work while trying it remove them. Give it a month and see if you still think about it every time you glance in your wing mirrors.

More than that though, try to ease up a bit. At some point your car is going to get a dent or a scratch. It will happen. Do you really want that to completely ruin your day? It is just a car. Admittedly a very expensive investment, but try and take more pride I. It's reliability and performance than it's looks. I think you will enjoy it more.

*pride in its reliability

BoomBoomsCousin - I know you're right. My other half said exactly the same thing and that I will be glad I have them on if someone hits it with a door.

I worry so much about cars as my last one was a 52 reg Clio and scratched to bits. It was also so unreliable. My new one (a 14 reg Toyota Aygo) has meant lots of sacrifices and it's my pride and joy. The thought of it getting scratched or dented makes me feel sick but I know its going to get some!