View Poll Results: MULTIPLE CHOICE: Why do people seem to hate OEM Chrome Trim on their E60?

I think Chrome trim looks good only if your windows aren't tinted

3.94%

I think Chrome trim looks bad with tinted windows

3.15%

I think Chrome trim is classy-looking

21.26%

I think Chrome trim takes away from the look of the car

11.02%

Chrome trim is ugly as hell, shadowline trim rocks

50.39%

I like Shadowline trim because it darkens the car

20.47%

Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 127. You may not vote on this poll

The Seemingly Unanymous Hatred of OEM E60 Chrome Trim.

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08-14-2008, 10:24 PM

#21

Presley348

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My Ride: 2004 e60 M5 Replica Titanium Silver Premium Package Premium Sound Package Adaptive Xenon's Apple iPhone cell interactive pared with iDrive Bluetooth setting 19 inch BMW OEM 166M rims, Michelin tires Sprint Booster - V2 Fidelity / BMW Extended Warranty 7 year / 100,000 miles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='646967' date='Aug 14 2008, 09:02 PM

I'm a bit curious as to what the deal is on this one. Whenever you see an E60 pic with chrome trim ppl are very quick to say "ok, now you need to slam it and get rid of that chrome trim" EXPLAIN!

===============

I have BMW factory chrome trim on my e60, and just as soon as I get some extra money, I am buying and installing the shadowline trim from Garry at BMW of Newport, (approx: $625.00 + S&H, but internet sales with no SALES TAX!!!), although there is nothing wrong with the chrome trim, and many like it, but for me it is just personal preference.

Eddie Presley aka Presley348

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08-14-2008, 10:46 PM

#22

evo42

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OK - Had to confirm. I see chrome...

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?...leadExists=true

ShadowLine for me please, black grille and euro stickers on the way. Wish my e60 clings were...

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08-15-2008, 06:03 AM

#23

Howitzer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by davepham671' post='647173' date='Aug 15 2008, 12:57 AM

So what if trim color was reversed. Chrome for sport, and shadowline for non-sport.

Would it still be an issue?

Thats a very good point and thats what I am assuming here. If chrome came with sport package, people would love it, right?

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08-15-2008, 06:14 AM

#24

providenceleaf

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='647316' date='Aug 15 2008, 10:03 AM

Thats a very good point and thats what I am assuming here. If chrome came with sport package, people would love it, right?

Nah...I don't think so. I still think shadow line trim would be more popular. It's a vicious circle though...a few years from now chrome might be the more popular choice. Remember the awful "gold package" trim that every single car company offered in the early 90's?

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08-15-2008, 06:26 AM

#25

CWS530

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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Coversï¿½ from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='647316' date='Aug 15 2008, 09:03 AM

Thats a very good point and thats what I am assuming here. If chrome came with sport package, people would love it, right?

You may be right about that. It seems this whole chrome vs. shadowline debate is limited to the e60 when some people say chrome (silver) isn't sporty. I mean, look at all the sports cars--Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, etc. that currently have or have had chrome trim of some sort. Are those cars not sporty? Give me a break. Also, open the door of most of those "sporty" shadowline-clad e60s and you'll see wood trim. Is THAT sporty? To me, not really--more luxury. The e60 to me is a bit of a blend.

I have the silver trim (it isn't exactly "blingy" chrome) on my car because that's what it came with and I'm just not that concerned about changing it. Also, my car is silver with silver wheels and no tints, so it blends in well to me. And, I happen to think my car looks sporty. It would with shadowline as well, as that would add some contrast. It's just a matter of the theme/look you're going for. I guess I just don't understand the need to label an entire car's identity based on window trim.

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08-15-2008, 06:29 AM

#26

BlaSTiWi

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For 8 pieces of parts surrounding both side of door windows, right? Are you sure $625

?!?!?!
If they are then you might wanna check again, I only paid $205 + s/h from Garry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presley348' post='647181' date='Aug 15 2008, 01:24 AM

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08-15-2008, 06:51 AM

#27

545felix

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shadowline is nice when its glossy (a la the E39 sport package and the E60 M5). In flat black it just screams "318" to me. Note that the 3er coupes have chrome even with the sport package.

that said, I like chrome on the darker colors, white too. For some reason, on silver, not so much. Maybe it's just because it doesn't stand out as much.

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08-15-2008, 06:53 AM

#28

Howitzer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaSTiWi' post='647335' date='Aug 15 2008, 09:29 AM

For 8 pieces of parts surrounding both side of door windows, right? Are you sure $625

?!?!?!
If they are then you might wanna check again, I only paid $205 + s/h from Garry.

I was gonna say the same. Garry charges $205 for E60.Net members plus shipping.

In regards to Shadowline trim vs Chrome....... I'll tell you a short story.

Yesterday driving through a strip mall parking lot I saw a jet black E60 545i parked. I couldn't help myself so I parked next to it and got out of the car and started staring at both. Mine had chrome, his had shadowline trim and what looked to be 50-60% tints on the rear 3 windows. After gazing from a distance, MY CAR looked much more interesting with the chrome. It had some contrast to it. The 545 with shadowline just looked like a black blob with no real distinctive curves on the side of the car, it all just meshed together to form a black matte. I don't know, but I personally think that the chrome is more fitting and adds some otherwise missing flare. I'm going to try the electrical tape trick on one side of my car and just keep walking around it comparing until I make a damn decision. haha

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08-15-2008, 07:36 AM

#29

bigbadbull

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My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi Grey/Grey Budapest 18" Lost to HPFP issues: 08 535i sport pkg Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks: 07 E61 530Xi

I hate chrome.... If I wanted my BMW to look like a Silverado, Ram , or F-series, I would have bought a truck...
My R32 had no chrome on it, and brushed AL on the inside.

I got the sport package so Shadow lie was a plus, then got CF Kidneys up front. Only chrome I got left is the exhaust tips ( going to the black 550 sport pack tips soon) and that stupid bar that runs the length of the lower grill, If some on had a blacked out one or a CF, Black chrome one I would order it today.... rush delivery.

All the Trucks down her are just stupid blinged out with chrome , and now the dealers have chrome editions....

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08-15-2008, 07:44 AM

#30

garylewa

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Here are some comparison shots when I installed Shadowline Trim.
IMO, the chrome didn't look so hot with the tinted windows rolled up but........ with the windows all the way down, the chrome trim really outlined the window openings well. I just liked the darker look.
The price was 205.00 for the trim package and 20 bucks for UPS shipping c/o Garry Romani.
His email: <gromani@bmwofnewport.com> & his phone #: 401-847-9600 ext 2448.

HALF/HALF DRIVER'S SIDE SHOT