When ordering my 2002 F-150 I wanted the Sport package because it came with painted bumpers/grill/mirror caps. I did not like the chrome on the regular XLT. A guy I work with had an XLT Sport and talked me out of the Sport package, the painted front bumper of his did the same as yours. My salesman told me about a no cost package for the F-150 that gave me the painted grill, mirror caps and the chrome bumper.
I do not like the chrome grill on the current F250's. Earlier in 2009 I priced out an FX4 vs a similarly equipped XLT, the FX4 had everything I wanted/needed at a better price and looked better IMHO.