I recently asked if I I could remove the (formerly) chrome (now ugly brown)
strips and received feedback from the list that it was OK to remove them.

We're having a lot of rain here in N. CA. and I haven't notice any leaks so
far.  The van looks a lot better without the ugly faded and brown strips.

So IMHO, if you're buying new, I would get the new one with no chrome
strip.  Then pull the strip out of all your other windows.

Warren C.