Tinting Choices

[Harlequin]

I am looking to get my windows tinted in the next week...

I was offered tinting at the BMW Dealership as part of a Paint Protection and Leather Protection pack but thought I would get some feedback from you guys about it before going ahead...

On my last car I had the Tint-a-Car Formula One and it was perfect - 3 years and still looked brand new...

Spoke to Tint-a-Car this morning and they have a new product called "Octane" which is supposed to be ridiculously dark... and they're offering it to me for $395 ($100 off normal).

I want it to be as dark as possible but don't want to sacrifice quality or visibility to get it. Do any of you guys have any experience with either or both of these products? Or maybe a better one? I'm open to suggestions...

[Bimmer_Freak]

I got the dealer to do it. Yes, i got shafted on the price but i came from a car (Evo X) that was notorious on the forums for scratching any aftermarket tinting no matter where it was done.

So i thought i'd play it safe and let the BMW dealer do it.

[woosh]

Dark tints ftw! Especially when you can get it done for $150.

Parking at late night is a hassle when there is little to no light, so I just put down my windows to see the side mirrors better. Also, when I drive past a police car (or even rbt), I open my sunroof visor to allow more light in, hoping to not look that suspicous lol. But lately I haven't heard of anyone getting done for darker than legal tints, so all is good I think. I'd say go for it if you're willing to put up with a few more precautions.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Dark tint without sacrificing visibility is a bit of an oxymoron.

I think the 'octane' tint is darkest legal. Which isn't really very dark at all.
35% = darkest legal
15/20% = best compromise and my recommendation
5% = gangsters, pimps, drug dealers only.

Many modern day cars will scratch the window tint - all comes down to the film and who is installing it.

My E92 has started to bubble at the top of the rear windscreen.

Oh and $395 is VERY expensive. 200-250 is the going rate.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

5% = gangsters, pimps, drug dealers only.

One of my friends has 5% tint on his IS250. Freakin ridiculous you can't see crap as soon as it hits dusk.

I'd say go with 20%. 35% really isn't that much at all.

[BMWDave]

I struggled for a while choosing between 35% and 20% but ultimately went with the darkest legal of 35% because should an incident occur and insurance steps in and they determine that my tint contributed to the accident, I don't want to have the insurance company be able to come back and say they weren't covering the accident because it was an "illegal" modification. It's a bit of a stretch but they absolutely can ping tint too dark on you.

I've got plenty of experience with Midnight Express - never had any problems. $200 sounds cheap but $250 cashie sounds like the going rate.

[MrBlonde]

Formula One is the nicest, don't get anything illegal.

[sbce90]

I went 35 just to stay legal. People say mine looks darker though, but if i had the choice again I'd probably go for 20%.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by SBC

I went 35 just to stay legal. People say mine looks darker though, but if i had the choice again I'd probably go for 20%.

for the record SBCs "35%" is equivalent to 20%... so if you can get "35%" that looks like 20%, get it.

Which basically means he was sold 20% but told it was 35.

I got 35% done the first time.. and regret it. Ripped it off and got 15-20% done, much happier.

My current car (bought second hand) has 35% and when I find the extra $, I'll get 20% done.

[cozza]

I've always had 20% on my cars, however opted to stay legal this time around and get 35%. Wish I'd stuck with 20%!

[Brissie]

While we are talking about the darkness of the tint, does anyone know if the legalilty of the tint is applicable to all windows? Do all windows need to comply with 35% rule? I have seen some cars having really dark tint on back windows, but lighter tint on front windows.

[TimMc]

I got darkest legal tint (35%?) at discounted/haggled rate from BMW & then installed three rear BMW interior shades. Must remember to rip them off if I have an accident...
Dark tint is good in the Qld sun - but not so good at night. I'm pretty sure you can use darker tint on the windows behind the driver.

[BMWDave]

I've heard talk of being able to have darker tint on rear windows but all the legislation I've read has been to the contrary, stating that light vehicles can only have 35% as the darkest legal tint on all windows (except the windscreen, where you're allowed a strip of no more than 20% or something in width of tinted film)

[Harlequin]

I'm definitely not going with more that 35%... Darkest legal is plenty for me... Also don't want to lose excess visibility at night and certainly don't want any possible insurance issues down the track...

Only question really is OEM or not?

- Harlequin

[Brissie]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Only question really is OEM or not?

- Harlequin

I think the dealer will charge you LCT on top of their retail price for the tinting?
If the tinting is part of the paint/leather protection, how much are they charging you, $1500-$2000? If so my view is just to get Tint a car or someone reputable to do it. After all, most dealers just subcontract out their tinting anyway.

[Harlequin]

BMW want just under $2000 for the whole package. Tint/Paint/Leather.

[woosh]

Originally Posted by BMWDave

I struggled for a while choosing between 35% and 20% but ultimately went with the darkest legal of 35% because should an incident occur and insurance steps in and they determine that my tint contributed to the accident, I don't want to have the insurance company be able to come back and say they weren't covering the accident because it was an "illegal" modification. It's a bit of a stretch but they absolutely can ping tint too dark on you.

Although that is a possibility, there are ways around it. First and easiest one being to leave the windows down when the inspector comes to visit.

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

While we are talking about the darkness of the tint, does anyone know if the legalilty of the tint is applicable to all windows? Do all windows need to comply with 35% rule? I have seen some cars having really dark tint on back windows, but lighter tint on front windows.

My tinters have told me it is ok to have any % tint you'd like on the back windows.

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

I think the dealer will charge you LCT on top of their retail price for the tinting?
If the tinting is part of the paint/leather protection, how much are they charging you, $1500-$2000? If so my view is just to get Tint a car or someone reputable to do it. After all, most dealers just subcontract out their tinting anyway.

The gentleman who used to tint our cars was the subcontracted window tinter for a BMW dealership in Southern Sydney. He charged $150 and did the installation in our garage. Top bloke. (Solartint)
Dealers have a big margin with this stuff..

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

OP no need to go OEM, plenty of reputable aftermarket places.

Only the front windows need to be 35% or lighter. B-Pillar back can be blacked out if you like.

20% doesn't really give you visibility issues at night anyway. Wind down your window when parallel parking so you can see the kerb better, that's about it.

[MrBlonde]

With a small car like a 135 even a modest tint looks pretty darn dark.

[Harlequin]

Got my tinting done on Wednesday... Very happy... Looks ridiculously hot..

Went with the Tint-a-Car Octane tint. They did a really nice job.

Will post pics on the weekend...

- Harlequin

[Liub]

Sorry to bring this thread up again, but I got a big scratch on my rear windscreen tint and am thinking I might as well re-tint it to a darker film. How much was your total costs Harlequin and which tint-a-car did you go to? Thanks matey.

Michael

[SpaceG135i]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

I am looking to get my windows tinted in the next week...

I was offered tinting at the BMW Dealership as part of a Paint Protection and Leather Protection pack but thought I would get some feedback from you guys about it before going ahead...

On my last car I had the Tint-a-Car Formula One and it was perfect - 3 years and still looked brand new...

Spoke to Tint-a-Car this morning and they have a new product called "Octane" which is supposed to be ridiculously dark... and they're offering it to me for $395 ($100 off normal).

I want it to be as dark as possible but don't want to sacrifice quality or visibility to get it. Do any of you guys have any experience with either or both of these products? Or maybe a better one? I'm open to suggestions...

Wow you people in Australia are def getting ripped off. I got my whole car tinted including windows, roof, tailights and headlights all for $230