Like I said, to each their own. The Rearguard is there to do a job, first and foremost.
I probably wouldn't be so anti if the piece was really made of carbon fiber. I'm looking at the i3 door sill and thinking, yeah, maybe I would could have gone with that. I'm pleased BMW didn't try to put an applique over to hide it since it's not the prettiest and a bit organic-looking.
My college roommate went to work as a designer for a very small startup (early 90's) making hardshell backpacks for cyclists and motorcyclists. They offered two versions of the pack, an injection molded ABS plastic pack, and an in-house, hand-laid carbon fiber version. The ABS was the everyman pack, and the CF was the "premium" piece that sold for twice the price. But guess which one cost more to produce?
I know it's not realistic, but a legitimate CFRP Rearguard would be pretty cool.
Then again, the plain black ABS Rearguard compliments the ABS scuff plate just inside the tailgate, with the thin piano black strip running between the two. As I wrote, it's so close to a factory look.
In any event yours looks fantastic after two years installed. Mine is already filthy, too. All the dew drops like to collect there and leave dirty spots behind.