Don't take this stuff too personally...nobody is questioning your tastes. True, the responses should have stayed within the realm of finding a source for you to get the plating done, as opposed to criticizing your desire to do so...

...I had a 94 Honda Passport with the "gold" package, and I thought it looked great. I had considered applying the same on my ML and on my 300E when first purchased, but changed my mind.

I think you will find that the true luxury marques have shied away from doing the gold treatment on their cars...see any Bentleys, Jaguars, or Porsches with the "treatment"? The same is true for MB.

It seems too, that the plating is turning into just another "fad", as I saw the trend of "plating" offered by the dealerships fade around the latter part of the 90's.

I think you can personalize your car however you wish, but keep it tasteful. I think the reference of "pimping" is a bit unfair, but good points were made as far as making your car more attractive to theft and vandalism.

As far as plating goes, there should be local shops that do this sort of work. Places that do tint, body customizing, and such, are places that might be able to accomodate...

Good Luck!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car