Got the Z Tinted Up

[BMWZ4RIDER]

The weather finally broke here in New England over the weekend, so I could finally get the Z into the Tint shop. I chose a tinter who uses Johnson Film as I had great luck and durability from this film on my Acura Type S over the past 4.5 year with no scratches and/or issues. Mass State laws allow 35% tint, but I went with 20% all the way around, (side windows and rear). For my annual state inspection, I will just put the top and windows down.
The only thing that there is nothing that can be done is with the DOT matrix that shows through along the rear edge of the F Drivers and Passenger window and outline of the rear window defroster. I wish this DOT Matrix was not visible, BUT nothing I can do. I will live with my perfection disorder.

Also installed are my 2 brand new 293 rear wheels, BMW supplied under warranty. In the sun you can see my 4 year-old 2 front wheels have a darker shade and/or fading of the Hyper silver and or clear coat vs the 2 brand new rear wheels. What are you gonna do?

Next on the upgrade list
Carbon Ficer Mirror Caps
Front CF Splitters for NON M bumper
Rear CF diffuser

[ManiacGT]

Looks good but how on earth do you see out? Esp at night?

[nicknaz]

Are the auto dimming mirrors functioning as normal?

[jparnes1]

I'm assuming your inspection is in the fair weather time of year? Otherwise having your windows down will look kind of suspicious. Nice look, though.

[army_men]

nice tint! did you do the front wind screen too? thats a bit brave.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

I have not had it out at night yet, but based upon my last ride, the Acura TL Type S with the same film, same tint, seeing at night was not an issue.
Auto Dimming Mirrors- I will have to find out. Again I did not have it out at night yet.
My Inspection is in Oct so with a nice warm fall, I can get it through for inspection, no issues. My guy who has been doing my cars for the past 5 years has let many things slide on the Acura like the 20% tint, tinted head lights, NO Front license plate required in Mass. and others. In nay case it is not driven in the winter, so if my inspection ends, i can gets it at any time the car is on the road during the year. Not concerned.
I did not tint the windshield- that would be over kill. The 20% on all other windows makes it look dark enough from all viewing angles including the front, without the need for the tint.

[Paul S]

UK law is max tint 30% side and 25% front windows. So, with the standard manufacturer's tint on the windows already what you have there would likely get you a tug from the Boys In Blue, a fixed penalty and a possible immediate car seizure. So, in the UK, best to avoid really even if you're a fan of the drug dealer look :-)

[VailM3]

love to but its illegal here in to tint front windows..Ie only a 4 door back to windows can be tinted and the rear glass...Looks nice though

[williakz]

Originally Posted by Paul S

UK law is max tint 30% side and 25% front windows.

Do you mean front side windows can be no less then 30% VLT and rear side windows are limited to 25%? What about rear window and front windshield? I thought most factory glass is already at 70-75% VLT (even lower VLTs if factory tint option available). Thanks for any info.

[Rafale]

Most factory windows have already some tint. I got mine tinted a few weeks ago too but with the CXP 18% which according to their spec is only 15% VLT. It looks nice and I have no vision problem looking out. I believe that the VLT is not symmetrical.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by williakz

Do you mean front side windows can be no less then 30% VLT and rear side windows are limited to 25%? What about rear window and front windshield? I thought most factory glass is already at 70-75% VLT (even lower VLTs if factory tint option available). Thanks for any info.

As I understand it there is no UK legislation regarding either rear side windows (that's the little ones on the Z4 obviously) or the rear window itself, they can be as dark as you like I believe. Front side windows must allow in 70% light and the front screen 75%.

[williakz]

70% VLT on the front side windows!! Wow, I guess you guys really DON"T ever see the sun. And here I always thought it was just a vicious rumor started by the French...

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by williakz

70% VLT on the front side windows!! Wow, I guess you guys really DON"T ever see the sun. And here I always thought it was just a vicious rumor started by the French...

Ha! No it's just that here it's safe to drive around at night without getting shot. So we do. Of course, at night, 70% of very little light is almost no light and no visibility at all. So you get to see stuff like cyclists and pedestrians: not things you get much in the States after dark!
Here's something for you to consider too: Alabama: population around 5mn, road deaths around 1100 per year. UK: population around 65mn, road deaths around 3300 per year! Perhaps if you guys could see where you were going you'd stop crashing into things?

[BMWZ4RIDER]

The Z doesn't look as good without the tinted windows. Not being able to see is just the price to pay for having a cool looking car.

[ManiacGT]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER

Not being able to see is just the price to pay for having a cool looking car.

In that case, it won't look good for long...

[mbetoni]

I've always had 35% on side/rear windows on all my Zs, and never felt it affected visibility (day or night) looking out of the car much at all. Looking in from the outside, the tint provides a nice, classy 'smoked' effect to the windows. When the new IS comes, that will be the first thing I do.

[fl_cyclist]

Do the Zs have a similar problem that I found on my 335, the lining on the window gaskets would create scratches in the tint over time? I would like to get my Z tinted but I am not going to waste the money if the same problem exists.

[williakz]

Originally Posted by mbetoni

I've always had 35% on side/rear windows on all my Zs, and never felt it affected visibility (day or night) looking out of the car much at all. Looking in from the outside, the tint provides a nice, classy 'smoked' effect to the windows. When the new IS comes, that will be the first thing I do.

I typically put 35% on my family cars as well. On my recent cruiser, I went a bit darker and am flirting with the legal limit. When the Z arrives, I'll make absolutely sure it passes muster legally as I'm planning for the odd encounter with law enforcement (just part of the Z package from what I hear).

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

In that case, it won't look good for long...

But that won't matter - they'll be too dead to notice!

[fl_cyclist]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER

The weather finally broke here in New England over the weekend, so I could finally get the Z into the Tint shop. I chose a tinter who uses Johnson Film as I had great luck and durability from this film on my Acura Type S over the past 4.5 year with no scratches and/or issues. Mass State laws allow 35% tint, but I went with 20% all the way around, (side windows and rear). For my annual state inspection, I will just put the top and windows down.
The only thing that there is nothing that can be done is with the DOT matrix that shows through along the rear edge of the F Drivers and Passenger window and outline of the rear window defroster. I wish this DOT Matrix was not visible, BUT nothing I can do. I will live with my perfection disorder.

Also installed are my 2 brand new 293 rear wheels, BMW supplied under warranty. In the sun you can see my 4 year-old 2 front wheels have a darker shade and/or fading of the Hyper silver and or clear coat vs the 2 brand new rear wheels. What are you gonna do?

Next on the upgrade list
Carbon Ficer Mirror Caps
Front CF Splitters for NON M bumper
Rear CF diffuser

Another quick question there are some older posts about Johnson's ceramic product causing comfort access issues. Did you get ceramic and have you noticed any issues? Thx

[BMWZ4RIDER]

I went wi the Non ceramic tint and have no CA issues.

[HANDSOME BOB]

Love it