Why do most new cars lately have that chrome trim?

Sesame

Just pondering the reason? Its the trim around the side windows. Is it just the fashion or is there a reason for it?
It appears as something that would lose its shine quite quickly and age the car. Some have it on the lower ledge and other have it on all sides of the window. I noticed some have a very think strip of it, which to my eyes is overly blingy.

Toyotafanboi

I think it looks an awful lot better than the black rubber weather strips and is argue it probably wears better than them too.

DaveyDave

I've noticed a lot of higher spec cars have it over lower/mid spec models and personally I don't like it. I like the chrome strips in my Golf bumper though but that goes into the headlights to separate the DRL and it's not really in your face.

Sesame

I'm not sure I like it either. Because I've noticed it now I am seeing it everywhere! It is on nearly all new SUV type cars and a lot of smaller cars now too. And getting more prominant it appears!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Sesame wrote: »

Just pondering the reason? Its the trim around the side windows. Is it just the fashion or is there a reason for it?
It appears as something that would lose its shine quite quickly and age the car. Some have it on the lower ledge and other have it on all sides of the window. I noticed some have a very think strip of it, which to my eyes is overly blingy.

It doesn't lose its shine quickly and in the vast majority of cases, the paint has faded long before the chrome trim does.

I like it on some cars and then it just looks wrong on others.

Sesame

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It doesn't lose its shine quickly and in the vast majority of cases, the paint has faded long before the chrome trim does.

I like it on some cars and then it just looks wrong on others.

Maybe it depends on the quality, but I've got chrome taps in my bathroom, about 18 months old and they are already dotty with that roughness from being damp.

Atlantic Dawn

Call me old fashioned but I love chrome on a car.

Zubeneschamali

DaveyDave wrote: »

I've noticed a lot of higher spec cars have it over lower/mid spec models and personally I don't like it.

Traditionally, chrome was used to mark out dearer models in a range, up to the point where they make even sportier versions where they blacken all the chrome bits again to make it look more aggressive.

Chrome can look tacky or even American if done badly.

MetzgerMeister

I think the fact that a lot of cars from German manufacturers especially are some form of black or grey and the silver trim is there to add some contrast. It's cheaper to keep the same trim on all colour cars rather than changing. Economies of scale and all that.

My BMW has shadow line trim i.e. it's black and looks a lot better given that the car is Estoril Blue.

I suppose if you went back a good few years you could ask why cars had plain black plastic bumpers. Design of the time.

vicwatson

Why do so many new cars have blacked out back windows - I think they all look gross

Comhrá

vicwatson wrote: »

Why do so many new cars have blacked out back windows - I think they all look gross

Agreed. Imho the hallmark of a scanger's car.

Paudee

Comhra wrote: »

Agreed. Imho the hallmark of a scanger's car.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Its a matter of taste and fashion. Sporter cars tend to be blacked out and luxury cars have chrome. Personally I am not a huge fan of a lot of chrome, but it does add contrast to some colours. As for tinted windows I think they can look ace but others obviously do not.

I think that we are going the way of the US, where people are starting to customize their cars so they are not all the same looking.

DaveyDave

Blacked out windows are a pain in the arse, I can never see through people's windows when pulling out of roundabouts (where the car beside me is further forward) or one of the junctions going to work. I was never a fan of them, although I like the look of them on my white Golf, I wouldn't go out of my way to spec then on another car. Handy for leaving my bag on the bag seat when going to the shop before work though.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Handy too if you like to pick your nose in the car...:)

bazz26

vicwatson wrote: »

Why do so many new cars have blacked out back windows - I think they all look gross

Comhra wrote: »

Agreed. Imho the hallmark of a scanger's car.

If you had passengers or young kids in the rear complaining about the sun in their eyes, you'd understand.

Scangers normally have alloy wheels too, should be go back to 1990s Ireland with steel wheels and plastic wheel trim?

Stallingrad

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

the paint has faded long before the chrome trim does.

Not in the case of VAG chrome.

jetsonx

I read somewhere before that chrome trim is much liked by consumers in Asian countries like India and China.

Seeing that these are massive growth markets for car manufacturers, it might have something to do with this.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Blacked out rear windows are a godsend if you have young children in the back during bright sunny days.

As to whether it looks or not is a matter of taste. I love blacked out rear windows. The last 8 or 9 card I’ve owned either had them or I got them done shortly after buying it.

vicwatson

bazz26 wrote: »

If you had passengers or young kids in the rear complaining about the sun in their eyes, you'd understand.

Scangers normally have alloy wheels too, should be go back to 1990s Ireland with steel wheels and plastic wheel trim?

I did, 4 if them, and never heard them moan once, as the had those pull down blinds. No need for blackout glass, looks ****e imo

Is this standard on the likes of Mazdas now? Or optional extra?

bazz26

Rear blinds or rear privacy glass, they both serve the same purpose.

vectra

Sesame wrote: »

Just pondering the reason? Its the trim around the side windows. Is it just the fashion or is there a reason for it?
It appears as something that would lose its shine quite quickly and age the car. Some have it on the lower ledge and other have it on all sides of the window. I noticed some have a very think strip of it, which to my eyes is overly blingy.

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It doesn't lose its shine quickly and in the vast majority of cases, the paint has faded long before the chrome trim does.

I like it on some cars and then it just looks wrong on others.

I had it on my Passat
You all probably know how I really care for my cars.
That chrome was godawful.
Completely dulled in less than 12 months.
After 2 years I hated it and swore never again would I buy a car that has it.
Maybe it is different with other brands of cars !
I have the black around the mondeo. Much better and easier to look after.

Duke O Smiley

vicwatson wrote: »

Why do so many new cars have blacked out back windows - I think they all look gross

I wouldn’t have a car without tinted windows!

EPAndlee

If I buy a black car which I normally do, I'll change all the chrome to gloss black, get all the windows tinted except the front windscreen,black plate surrounds,black disc holder etc

ofcork

I like the chrome have it on my avensis some makers use one continuous strip while others don't.

vicwatson

bazz26 wrote: »

Rear blinds or rear privacy glass, they both serve the same purpose.

Yes but ones permanent and other isn’t

bazz26

But what difference does that make?

Wailin

All personal taste of course. Myself I don't like the chrome and will always go for the dark or shadowline trim. Sun protection glass looks far better than pull down blinds too imo!

vicwatson

bazz26 wrote: »

But what difference does that make?

When the kids get older you can take out the blinds

btkm8unsl0w5r4

vicwatson wrote: »

When the kids get older you can take out the blinds

you can take off a tint too

vicwatson

Camron Freezing Mars wrote: »

you can take off a tint too

You can? a factory installed one?

I like the chrome on cars.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

factory privacy glass no, but a tint yes, its easy and takes a few minutes.

ThisRegard

Tint on the rear beats window blinds every time.

jca

I have both the sunset glass and the chrome on my Octavia I like it, it suits the car.

Eric Cartman

I think rear privacy glass and chrome trim looks really well. The chrome trim holds up quite well even as cars age.

Personally I'd even like to see up to 50% front tints coming out of the factory (aware its not legal) . I had them on my old truck and they looked well.