The running boards should be a recall item. I just got my E70 a few days ago and this is the first time that I actually got a close look at the running boards. I'm one of the few people who actually got one because I will use it (loading bikes and skis on the roof). I installed my roof rack this weekend and noticed my shoe stains on the running board. It was not easy to remove a simple shoe print. I have to really give it some effort and use an Armour All to get it out. For a part that you actually have to step on, BMW used the worst possible finish on the running board. I can just imagine when it starts to rain here on the Los Angeles freeways and I get all that nasty oil slick and other crap from the road on the running boards. It will be a real pain to get em off. Now I totally understand all these talks about the stain from the car wash. I will definitely complaint to BMWNA about this and hopefully others will do so to make them think about it. I don't think they will recall them since it's not really a safety issue. They might replace them, but they will replace it with the same running boards unless they design a different one for 08 or 09. Will not help me to take em off and demand a refund since I need it and I like the looks also.