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      07-22-2015, 11:04 AM   #23
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I, too, am concerned about the tint look matching from the outside when I take my X5 to a BMW recommended shop tomorrow.

I did not take notes, but I was told the factory rears on my X5 only tint at about 25%. However, if I go with 20% on the fronts apparently they would look uniform on the outside as the difference can be seen only from inside the vehicle.

I am reading forum threads trying to decide about tinting the sunroof and/or adding a windshield strip. Advice on all points would be welcome.

I think I had 20% on fronts of my 2012 X5 and I was happy with that.

Edited to add that my installer tells me he uses Johnson. When I asked about the windshield, he talked about something that would be rated at 77% and would not interfere with BMW electronics or my radar detectors. In terms of the sunroof, he suggested I go with the 'limo' tint.
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Last edited by Xeno; 07-22-2015 at 11:36 AM..
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      07-22-2015, 12:08 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
I, too, am concerned about the tint look matching from the outside when I take my X5 to a BMW recommended shop tomorrow.

I did not take notes, but I was told the factory rears on my X5 only tint at about 25%. However, if I go with 20% on the fronts apparently they would look uniform on the outside as the difference can be seen only from inside the vehicle.

I am reading forum threads trying to decide about tinting the sunroof and/or adding a windshield strip. Advice on all points would be welcome.

I think I had 20% on fronts of my 2012 X5 and I was happy with that.

Edited to add that my installer tells me he uses Johnson. When I asked about the windshield, he talked about something that would be rated at 77% and would not interfere with BMW electronics or my radar detectors. In terms of the sunroof, he suggested I go with the 'limo' tint.
I noticed the color variation the most when it was in a bright area with a white wall. I looked (from the outside of the car) through the rear and front windows (and at the white wall) at the same time... that gave me the most drastic look at the color difference.
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      07-22-2015, 03:52 PM   #25
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Thanks. I saw the film in its original package and can see the blue but hope it will not be problematic in regular sunlight.

I returned to the shop this afternoon and I am scheduled to do 20% fronts, 80% windshield, and 5% sunroof.
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      07-23-2015, 07:07 AM   #26
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front windshield tint with HUD

Edited to report initial impressions should others search for like issues with Johnson 20 fronts, Air Blue 80 windshield, Johnson 5 sunroof:

There is a noticeable difference with managing the heat inside the cabin, both after entering the X5 even if it has been out for hours and driving in 100 temps with the sunroof open. I have the BMW sunshade but will need this less often.
I have no problems with HUD day or night.
I do not see halos from headlights or street lights at night and have no problems seeing out the windows or using rear view mirrors at night. I can see clearly through the sunroof during the day and all that I need to see at night.
The dot matrix looks okay to me and I have not yet noticed any trapped dust particles on the windshield. This is a shop that this week had a Maserati then a Lamborghini.
All my BMW stickers are gone, but my OK Turnpike "Pikepass" was rescued. However, I have been told to wait one week before sticking the Pikepass back on the windshield.
An assistant used a meter to check my rear factory windows and came up with a reading of 15%. From the outside, all the windows appear to match although I have the rear shades up now which makes the rear windows look darker (than the fronts) from the outside.
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Last edited by Xeno; 07-24-2015 at 12:31 PM..
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      08-12-2015, 04:49 PM   #27
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Still happy with the Johnsons? That's what I've done on my last several cars but was thinking of trying something different. Most important to me is that they're the same tone. Since I just picked up a black X5 and a different tone will be that much more noticeable.
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      08-12-2015, 06:57 PM   #28
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Just got a quote for the fronts to get replaced and the meter surprisingly read the factory tint at 14%.
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      08-12-2015, 07:38 PM   #29
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What brand you going with this time?
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      08-12-2015, 07:41 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayX5
What brand you going with this time?
The place that has done all my audio upgrades has a 12% non-ceramic Solar Guard that seems to be a good match. I'm going to take another look at it before committing, but I'm most likely going with it.
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      08-12-2015, 08:31 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayX5 View Post
Still happy with the Johnsons? That's what I've done on my last several cars but was thinking of trying something different. Most important to me is that they're the same tone. Since I just picked up a black X5 and a different tone will be that much more noticeable.
I am happy with the Johnsons but I have no other point of reference to compare to the other major players.

I should also mention that a light meter was used on one of my rears and the factory tint was read as 15%. From the outside the windows look the same except when I have the rear screens pulled up to cope with excessive heat.
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      08-13-2015, 11:10 AM   #32
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3m color stable

tint my two front window with 50% color stable
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      08-14-2015, 01:09 AM   #33
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I'm getting Johnson's done tomorrow. I've usually always done fronts in 35% to be a little lighter than the back since tint is illegal here in California. I've only been pulled over once before for tint and the doctors note my wife has for sensitive eyes worked to get it signed off. Might just do the 20 so it matches the rear...
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      08-14-2015, 06:42 AM   #34
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Here is my 20s front, 80% windshield. The fronts do not appear as a perfect match to the rears because I have the screens up when we hit triple digit heat. However, when the screens are not up the windows look the same from the outside.
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      08-14-2015, 11:07 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Here is my 20s front, 80% windshield. The fronts do not appear as a perfect match to the rears because I have the screens up when we hit triple digit heat. However, when the screens are not up the windows look the same from the outside.
Absolute drooling at the dark tints. Looks so stealthy and clean. Does your state have no tint darkness restrictions? Wish I could do the same...
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      08-14-2015, 11:33 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kanvas
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Here is my 20s front, 80% windshield. The fronts do not appear as a perfect match to the rears because I have the screens up when we hit triple digit heat. However, when the screens are not up the windows look the same from the outside.
Absolute drooling at the dark tints. Looks so stealthy and clean. Does your state have no tint darkness restrictions? Wish I could do the same...
Most tints look pretty dark when looking directly to the windows from the side. The true test is looking from an angle, through the front windows when light is coming through the windshield.
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      08-15-2015, 03:21 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kanvas View Post
Absolute drooling at the dark tints. Looks so stealthy and clean. Does your state have no tint darkness restrictions? Wish I could do the same...
OK law is 25% so I am not far from that if correct. Sorry but I got up at 3 am to fly to Greece and I am preoccupied at the moment.
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      08-15-2015, 02:54 PM   #38
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Most people don't tint the windows all around? Huh?
Is there a reason why? If there isn't a need that makes sense, but I assume you benefit from the heat rejection.
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      08-15-2015, 10:32 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leo95se View Post
Most people don't tint the windows all around? Huh?
Is there a reason why? If there isn't a need that makes sense, but I assume you benefit from the heat rejection.
I believe in CT tint is allowed for front windows (with tint darkness restrictions, of course). Here in CA, absolutely no tinting of front windows allowed. That's why
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      09-14-2015, 06:55 PM   #40
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I had the fronts tinted today using Sun Tech ceramic 20s and they look phenomenal. There is a slight color variation in the view from the inside out but from the outside they look identical.
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      09-14-2015, 07:17 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trojanlaw
I had the fronts tinted today using Sun Tech ceramic 20s and they look phenomenal. There is a slight color variation in the view from the inside out but from the outside they look identical.
That's exactly what I have (maybe 18) and the color variance drives me nuts.
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      09-14-2015, 07:23 PM   #42
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So is 20 or 25% 3m the correct match for an x5?
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      09-14-2015, 10:54 PM   #43
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That's exactly what I have (maybe 18) and the color variance drives me nuts.
Your post said you got the carbon which is totally different. The ceramic has the same color, its just a little darker from the inside than the rears. Outside it looks perfect. There is no color variation as you described.

My shop wouldn't even let me consider the carbon because of the color difference.
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      09-14-2015, 10:58 PM   #44
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So is 20 or 25% 3m the correct match for an x5?
Have them light meter the rears but mine came back as 20's and it appears to be a perfect match at least for the SunTech film.
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