Tinting

[cwliew]

I live in Australia. I believe our legal tint is around 30% or something.
I have an sdrive30i coming in a week, in sapphire black with the M sports pack etc on it and other trimmings.
But was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to tinting?

I have read that tinting can be a small issue if done at places like tint a car etc because of the auto window down when opening and closing the doors. (I hope you know what I mean there)

Apparently it stuffs up the tinting at the bottom of the window as the windows apparently need to be left up for 24-48hrs after tinting, which is obviously spoiled the first time your window moves when you open the door.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

BMW want me to pay for tinting. I got a fairly good price from them, so may not have much room to bargain since I've already paid the deposit etc, and its been on a build for the last 5 months.

Have people done side and rear tinting?
Does anyone do front windshield tinting?

I reakon going as dark as possible would be terrific. I don't really like people looking into the car when I'm driving it...and I like the protection it gives if I leave stuff on the seat, and I like the exterior appearance of it.

Is BMW tint ANY different from other tint specialists? Or is it usual make money off the gullible kind of thing...

[Mr Breeze]

I've had tinting done on all my cars here in Arizona - for obvious reasons, it's pretty common here. When I ordered my Z4 back in June, the dealer included it as part of our negotiation at no cost. This dealership contracts out the tinting so they have a lot of experience with this particular contractor. There isn't much cost in materials and labor, so a dealer may use tinting as a high-margin dealer-installed option, or as a "value-add" to close a deal like they did in my case. They did a very nice job, and there is a special edge detail to prevent the tint material from catching. You are right that it is best to let the material set for a day or so before operating the windows. I have seen some poorly done tinting - I suspect either do-it-yourselfer's or someone who isn't that experienced or using lesser quality materials. Things to ask your dealer is the number of vehicles the contractor has done and to take a look at another car they have done and see for yourself.

The % of tint and which windows can vary here in the U.S. based on each state laws. Here in AZ it is 33% plus or minus 3% on the side windows and any percentage on the rear window (as long as you have 2 side mirrors) and NO tint on the front windshield. Some obviously don't follow the laws, and take the risk of being pulled over and cited. I did 35% on the side and rear window. The dealer most likely wouldn't do any tinting that wasn't legal there in Australia.

I'll take a pic of the edge detail I was talking about and include in another post, but here's a pic of the car with windows tinted at 35%

[Arizona Z4]

Originally Posted by Mr Breeze

I've had tinting done on all my cars here in Arizona - for obvious reasons, it's pretty common here. When I ordered my Z4 back in June, the dealer included it as part of our negotiation at no cost. This dealership contracts out the tinting so they have a lot of experience with this particular contractor. There isn't much cost in materials and labor, so a dealer may use tinting as a high-margin dealer-installed option, or as a "value-add" to close a deal like they did in my case. They did a very nice job, and there is a special edge detail to prevent the tint material from catching. You are right that it is best to let the material set for a day or so before operating the windows. I have seen some poorly done tinting - I suspect either do-it-yourselfer's or someone who isn't that experienced or using lesser quality materials. Things to ask your dealer is the number of vehicles the contractor has done and to take a look at another car they have done and see for yourself.

The % of tint and which windows can vary here in the U.S. based on each state laws. Here in AZ it is 33% plus or minus 3% on the side windows and any percentage on the rear window (as long as you have 2 side mirrors) and NO tint on the front windshield. Some obviously don't follow the laws, and take the risk of being pulled over and cited. I did 35% on the side and rear window. The dealer most likely wouldn't do any tinting that wasn't legal there in Australia.

I'll take a pic of the edge detail I was talking about and include in another post, but here's a pic of the car with windows tinted at 35%

Scott,
I ordered tinting to be put on by Camelback BMW. I did not tell them what percent of tint. Is 35% "standard" from the dealer or did you tell them to make it darker? Your car looks amazing. I don't know if that dark of tint would look as good on the DSB. I will have 2 1/2-3 months to think about it before the car arrives.
Vance

[Mr Breeze]

Originally Posted by Arizona Z4

Scott,
I ordered tinting to be put on by Camelback BMW. I did not tell them what percent of tint. Is 35% "standard" from the dealer or did you tell them to make it darker? Your car looks amazing. I don't know if that dark of tint would look as good on the DSB. I will have 2 1/2-3 months to think about it before the car arrives.
Vance

Vance,
That's their "standard" tint. If you want something other than that, just let them know. I don't know if they would go darker than legal since it could be considered a dealer-installed option. (even though they contract it out)

I think the tint will look awesome on your DSB! Is that DSB car still at the dealership in Chandler? I thought that had window tint you could check out.
Scott


On the topic of the tint edge, I've attached pics of the matrix I was describing - this is suppose to reduce the chances of the edge catching while up against the weather striping between the two side windows. Hope that helps.

[mcbeee]

Nice looking job, I haven't tinted mine yet but now I'm thinking , Hmmmm, I'll see what the price is at Chapman in Phoenix compared to here as I'll be there in a couple of weeks

[Officer Dibble]

Nice job.

Has anybody applied tint on a Sapphire Black and have pics to show? I would be interested to do the same and still have time as i am still waiting for delivery.

Cheers!

[Memphis1]

Mr breeze, that looks nice, might have to do it too.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by cwliew

I live in Australia. I believe our legal tint is around 30% or something.
I have an sdrive30i coming in a week, in sapphire black with the M sports pack etc on it and other trimmings.
But was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to tinting?

Hi cwliew,

I decided against the tint, and I'm in Queensland.
The tinters can easily handle the window issue, they either remove the fuse or disconnect the battery, and leave the tint to cure before they return it.
Its only an extra day.
Easy if it is done at the dealer. Small inconvenience if done at TAC.

My plan is to keep the roof down unless it is raining anyway.
If the heat gets too bad in Summer I may reconsider, and I would then go and talk to the dealer's tinter and the TAC guys about their experience levels with the windows.

Note: it is illegal in all Australian states to tint the front windscreen.

[Alext]

CWLiew: Go to Tint-a-car and get the Midnight Express tint. It is $295 or so for a sedan. They often do specials too. It is the darkest legal (35%). They also have another tint now that is also 35% called Octane. But having looked at samples, it is a bit bluish in colour and not as dark-looking as Midnight Express.

I have had Midnight Express on all my recent cars. It isnt particularly dark to be honest.

If you really want darker than 35% then you got two options: ask really really nicely and they might put a double layer of tint on your car or go for a 20% tint film (that's what I had on the Lotus btw). Although it faded a bit. NB: I never drove the car on the street

I was able to negotiate tinting from BMW into the price so am not sure what they will give me (they said it was in-house installed and darkest legal).

Also note that the darker you go, the hotter your car will be as black tends to absorb heat.

They will put 'Do not open for 48hrs!' stickers on the electric controls to prevent you from opening them.

Good luck!

[cdeslandes]

For those of us living in the U.S.:

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

[juhap]

Originally Posted by Mr Breeze

On the topic of the tint edge, I've attached pics of the matrix I was describing - this is suppose to reduce the chances of the edge catching while up against the weather striping between the two side windows. Hope that helps.

I have that matrix even on my non-tinted windows

[BLKZ]

Originally Posted by cwliew

I live in Australia. But was wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to tinting?

I have read that tinting can be a small issue if done at places like tint a car etc because of the auto window down when opening and closing the doors. (I hope you know what I mean there)

Have people done side and rear tinting?
Does anyone do front windshield tinting?

I reakon going as dark as possible would be terrific. I don't really like people looking into the car when I'm driving it...and I like the protection it gives if I leave stuff on the seat, and I like the exterior appearance of it.

Is BMW tint ANY different from other tint specialists? Or is it usual make money off the gullible kind of thing...

I have had our 35i for three weeks now, with windows tinted by the dealer's preferred supplier using a product called "Street Legal" tint. I selected this tint because it is the blackest in colour and our car is sapphire black. I had only the 4 side windows tinted, because I didn't want anyone playing around with the roof while struggling to tint the rear window from inside the car.

The tint was fitted on a Friday and we collected the brand new car from the dealership on Saturday morning. The windows were allowed to drop the 15 mm each time the doors were opened with no impact on the tint. The dot-matrix pattern on the edge of the glass has not caused any issues or bubbling in the tint. The tint has a lifetime warranty and only cost A$225. Very happy with the result.

It is illegal to tint the front window in every state in Australia.

[cwliew]

Very nice mate. I like it. 225 seems like a good deal. I wonder how much the bmw guys will charge...and to get them to do the back window as well would be nice.

Thanks for the picture.
Hey, wondering - how come you don't have the M sports pack on there?

[Dr Stig 2]

Quick clarification for the non Australians.

We define:
Windows are the side of the car.
Windscreen or Windshield are on the front above the bonnet (hood).

We can tint any window but we are not allowed to tint the windscreen / windshield...

[cwliew]

Also, I want to go darker than street legal if possible. Maybe a 25% or something. The darker the better.

[BLKZ]

Originally Posted by cwliew

Also, I want to go darker than street legal if possible. Maybe a 25% or something. The darker the better.

I wanted the darkest tint and was concerned about the colour of the tint, as I wanted the colour to go with our sapphire black car. I was recommended to use "Street Legal" tint.

You can get "Titanium" tint @ 35%, which is the darkest legal tint in Victoria.

I have samples of both "Titanium" and "Street Legal", and selected "Street Legal" as it is more of a black tint than the "Titanium".

If you want sun protection, then go with the Cancer Council "UV Shield" tint which has a UPF rating of 50%+!

[BLKZ]

Originally Posted by cwliew

Very nice mate. I like it. 225 seems like a good deal. I wonder how much the bmw guys will charge...and to get them to do the back window as well would be nice.

Thanks for the picture.
Hey, wondering - how come you don't have the M sports pack on there?

A$225 is the BMW charge. I wasn't interested in tinting the rear window so didn't get a quote from BMW. I didn't want to risk scuffs etc on the interior of a brand new car from them trying to tint the rear window. Of course I didn't tint the front window (windscreen) as that's illegal in Australia.

I have a sapphire black 35i with black kidney grilles, black tinted side repeaters, black window tint, and will be fitting black front lower grilles, and black rollbar hoop covers this week. The rego is BLKZ, and it has M Adaptive suspension and sits on 296 19"s, so is 10 mm lower than std, plus M leather wheel, DCT, etc. It has no badges, and is exactly the Z4 clean look & style that I wanted to develop, besides I don't really like the BMW body kit anyway. Each to his own! (No offence to Dr Stig's 35is).

[cwliew]

Very nice.
I do want to tint the back window, but read somewhere about some issues with tinting cars which have the demister things on the back.
As long as BMW do it, they have to sort out any damage done whilst doing it, which is partly the reason why I want them to do it.

Are you in Adelaide? Cos I want to go with whatever is the hardest to see into. In adelaide, Tint a car did a midnight express on my last car, which was ok - but probably not quite dark enough. Its 35%.

I get my car in a week, so will let you know then.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by BLKZ

If you want sun protection, then go with the Cancer Council "UV Shield" tint which has a UPF rating of 50%+!

LOL

Three words for you:

Con

Vert

Ible!

[cwliew]

I just ordered the tint today.
What Adelaide BMW claim is that the tint is already on a slightly shaded window colour, so apparently, its quite dark. The tint they offer is a carbon tint which has 99% UV protection, 45% heat reduction, 65% glare reduction and is a 35% for visible light transmission.

Apparently insurance companies won't cover you if the tinting is darker than legal - which is obviously a crock, but a good loophole for insurance companies.

The aftersales consultant also sprouted the fact that the car mechanics etc can be damaged by poor tinting jobs, which I suppose is possible - plus I don't want chumps to be doing the rear window wrongly - especially if there is the possibility of damage. Any damage done by BMW will have to be fixed by BMW I suppose.

BMW cover their tinting job for life which I suppose is good - especially if the rear ones get damaged, which I have heard may cause damage to the demister coils when the tinting is removed.

Their price is fairly crazy though. RRP is $695 for the little Z4.

But they offered $450, so I just said yes. Pricey I know, but hey, what's $450 between friends when you're already spending over $100K!

Can't wait til this saturday now!