Tinted Widows

[lux good]

I'm thinking of getting my windows tinted but would like to know what it will look like.
I'm sure some of you guys have had tints done and posted pics somwhere!! But can anyone show me pics to save me trawling through everyones posts to find 'em.

Thanks a lot.

[matt_435xi]

16% on all 5 windows, now i just got figure out how to install painted reflectors

[Memphis1]

one of the guys that has a e92 basically cover them with wiring tape (the black one)... you can't even tell, i'm searching for the DIY

[Memphis1]

here you go:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39382

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

here you go:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39382

yeah i followed that DIY a couple of years ago on my e92. unfortunately that doesnt' directly apply to our e89s because the refelctor is not accessible. hence

[Memphis1]

oh sorry mate...

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

oh sorry mate...

no worries, i am just a little leary pulling on my wheel wells to pry the orange reflectors off of my $65k car.

[flpnout]

Mine is 35% on all 5 windows:

[Z4 Beemer]

flpnout - your car looks stunning.

[MilitaryE89]

flpnout...where did you get your stubby antenna? Haven't found a good one in germany...bout to get a peugeot antenna

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by MilitaryE89

flpnout...where did you get your stubby antenna? Haven't found a good one in germany...bout to get a peugeot antenna

I got it here on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/O-Bla...#ht_2826wt_941

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

flpnout - your car looks stunning.

Thanks! Keeping it clean is the key.

[mrboon]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

16% on all 5 windows, now i just got figure out how to install painted reflectors

looks good! I might just do mine as well. Just gotta find out if its legal.

[Toodeep]

Originally Posted by lux good

I'm thinking of getting my windows tinted but would like to know what it will look like.
I'm sure some of you guys have had tints done and posted pics somwhere!! But can anyone show me pics to save me trawling through everyones posts to find 'em.

Thanks a lot.

Do it! But bear in mind the law here in good old Blighty says your tints must let through 70% of light. I have regularly flouted this law in the past but have escaped the attention of the Police as I'm not of the age group and nor do I drive in a manner that attracts them. I have the Ivory interior and plan to do 50% tints in the knowledge that they won't look quite as dark with the white seats clearly showing through. If you have the black interior you might be able to stay within the law and rely on your interior to make your tints look darker.

Unless you have somewhere in mind, phone around. Relatively speaking, the z4 is a really simple car to add tints to. The rear glass is shallow making its compound curve a non-issue compared to some and the side glass is pretty much flat. I find that some places seem to think they can charge according to the price of the car! There is no reason why even a VW Polo should cost any more to tint.

You might find that the top, most reputable places will refuse to do it because of the law. I look forward to you posting the results.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by Toodeep

Do it! But bear in mind the law here in good old Blighty says your tints must let through 70% of light. I have regularly flouted this law in the past but have escaped the attention of the Police as I'm not of the age group and nor do I drive in a manner that attracts them. I have the Ivory interior and plan to do 50% tints in the knowledge that they won't look quite as dark with the white seats clearly showing through. If you have the black interior you might be able to stay within the law and rely on your interior to make your tints look darker.

Unless you have somewhere in mind, phone around. Relatively speaking, the z4 is a really simple car to add tints to. The rear glass is shallow making its compound curve a non-issue compared to some and the side glass is pretty much flat. I find that some places seem to think they can charge according to the price of the car! There is no reason why even a VW Polo should cost any more to tint.

You might find that the top, most reputable places will refuse to do it because of the law. I look forward to you posting the results.

Unfortunately 70% is factory OEM auto glass. So 70% implies NO tint be installed on your glass. In most USA states 70% is req'd on the front windows and the rear windows and rear can be very dark ~35% range.

If you install 50% and you have light interior, it will barely be noticable, BUT it will block most harmful sun rays and protect your ivory leather....plus it will keep it a couple of degrees cooler in your interior. Personally I would go the next step with ivory to 35% grade. Good luck!

[Toodeep]

You're probably right, Matt, about the OEM glass but most people can get away with adding a further 70% and claiming the law confused them or even that they didn't realise the factory glass was tinted.

In my own case, going to a more noticeably dark 35%, which is in clear breach of the law, would draw too much attention and some UK traffic cops take pleasure in making you remove the tints at the side of the road. You can get away with it for months then suddenly they mount a road block to check documents, emissions and/or windows. Any problem not fixed there and then can result in your car being impounded and a lonely walk home.

As in most of your country, UK law does not limit the level of tint behind the 'B' pillar. It would be hard to justify doing so on safety grounds since many vehicles have zero visibility behind the driver.

By the way, in the permawinter wonderland that is the UK, the last thing anyone needs in their car is the temperature lowered by a couple of degrees!

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by Toodeep

You're probably right, Matt, about the OEM glass but most people can get away with adding a further 70% and claiming the law confused them or even that they didn't realise the factory glass was tinted.

In my own case, going to a more noticeably dark 35%, which is in clear breach of the law, would draw too much attention and some UK traffic cops take pleasure in making you remove the tints at the side of the road. You can get away with it for months then suddenly they mount a road block to check documents, emissions and/or windows. Any problem not fixed there and then can result in your car being impounded and a lonely walk home.

As in most of your country, UK law does not limit the level of tint behind the 'B' pillar. It would be hard to justify doing so on safety grounds since many vehicles have zero visibility behind the driver.

By the way, in the permawinter wonderland that is the UK, the last thing anyone needs in their car is the temperature lowered by a couple of degrees!

sounds like you and your car need to rellocate to the USA!
just kidding, i enjoyed working/playing in England. cheers!