3 dr golf owners question

[Snoopy]

That looks like its suppose to be there to me looks the same as the stone guard stuff they use and the same stuff they use under sill trims to stop them rubbing through the paint.
The flex in the doors due to there length its probably there to reduce the risk of the door rubbing through the paint.
Remove it if your one of these people who changes cars regular or its a lease car but if your keeping the car for long term ownership I would leave it there. Its there for a reason.

[JoeGTI]

I'd rather live with a few minor marks than leave nasty plastic stickers on. Same goes for mudflaps, seat covers, phone covers (!) or any of that nonsense. Safe to say if the doors are dropping off the hinges enough to cause paint damage then I've got more problems than these plastic strips will prevent.
I'll keep an eye on the sills and watch for rubbing. Never been an issue on any car for me before.