Tints

[dbs600]

hello all:

i do not like dark tinted windows. what is the most classy looking tint percentage i should opt for. this may be my first car with tinted windows. overall, i want that 'look' or 'effect' and for other drivers not to be able to readily identify me - although being able to see that someone is in the car is fine.

also, what should i expect the dealer to charge and should i haggle it down to anything less?

thank you.

[AWESOM3]

Tinted my Mineral White on Oyster/Black 20% all around.......looks awesome!!!
Gives u anonymity and just changes the appearance completely....almost shrinks the car....makes it look more aggressive...perhaps like an overblown M3 imho!!!
Does darken the interior significantly at night though.

[xDrive50i]

I had mine tinted with 35% (the legal limit for the passenger and driver windows where I live) and I am quite happy with it. The power shades in the back are usually up most of the time and add quite a bit more to the 'tinted' look. The tint helps a LOT to keep the car cooler on sunny days.

Don't remember exactly what I paid for, but I do remember that I actually paid the guy extra, so he took his time and he did an excellent job!

You also want to get a high grade tint material (mine is ceramic based)!

[bmr760]

35% Ceramic Tint is the way to go

[dbs600]

thank you everyone for sharing. i understand 35% is lighter than 20%, but would it still be too dark for what i am looking for? i really just want that minimal yet still there look... would 50% be better?

[xDrive50i]

You should find out what the legal limit is in your state. The last thing you want is getting pulled over and get a ticket because you tinted your windows too dark. Some places allow you to put as much tint on the rear windows as you like (e.g. 5%) but have a limit on what you are allowed to put on the driver and passenger windows. Mainly so that the police officer approaching your car can see you and see what you are doing...

I had posted some pictures of my car with the 35% tint here. Please note that the reason the back windows look darker are because the power shades are up. I opted to do the 35% all around so that I can make it darker in the back 'on-demand'...

[dbs600]

thank you again, but i do not want dark, i want light, but not too light that its a waste of time, money, someone fooling around w/ my car, etc. ill have to find samples to see in person i guess. anyway, how much would something all around set me back if done at the dealership?

[xDrive50i]

As far as I know, most dealerships don't actually apply tint to the cars they sell. They use another shop to do the work and either just pass the cost on to you or even mark it up!

My SA referred me to the company they use and so I contacted them direct. Ask your dealership if they use a 3rd party installer and if so if they can recommend a good shop to you!

[LAB F01]

Originally Posted by dbs600

thank you again, but i do not want dark, i want light, but not too light that its a waste of time, money, someone fooling around w/ my car, etc. ill have to find samples to see in person i guess. anyway, how much would something all around set me back if done at the dealership?

it's probably better to take your car to a specialty window tinting shop rather than the dealership.

ceramic tint would be ideal, but expect to pay $400-$500 for all windows (minus the windshield).

based on what you've said, i think the best for you would be:
50% = front sides
35% = rear sides / back window

[dbs600]

thanks for the added info gentlemen. im thinking either 40's or 50's are the way to go all around. as far as keeping the car cool, im going to get the car with climate comfort glass, so i dont believe ill need the ceramic tint, as it wont be that much of an added benefit.

[xDrive50i]

You should still consider the ceramic over the metallic tint. Ceramic is usually more expensive, however it also causes less interference with radio signals. Unless you are going for the snap-in adapter for your phone and always put the phone into the adapter, metallic tint may interfere with your cell phone reception inside of your car!

[dbs600]

A dealer is quoting me $499 plus tax for tinting the windows of a 7 Series.

Is this amount absolutely overpriced, or not unheard of?

The film is not ceramic.

Thank you!

[xDrive50i]

If I recall I paid the guy somewhere around $400 (and that was more than what the guy had actually asked for...). If it's not ceramic and they are still asking for almost $500, I think you are paying too much. I assume that is through the dealership? They are most likely marking it up too!

Get it done after you take delivery of the car (which if you are doing euro delivery will be the case anyway!). Do a 411 search for your area and a few places should pop up. Call and get some quotes.

[dbs600]

Thank you for your reply.

In all, I think I'd prefer the dealership to do the work, so that if anything goes wrong, I'd have better leverage in terms proper service (car damage, tint warranty, etc.)

Still, $500 plus tax is A LOT!

[xDrive50i]

I usually prefer to have the dealership do the work too. The only time I had someone else do something on the car was when I got it tinted.

Honestly, I highly doubt that your dealership is doing the actual work (tinting). If you ever have a problem with the tinting, I am sure that your dealership will refer you to the shop that actually installed the tint, so you are basically just paying the markup for them to drive your car over to the tint shop

Maybe you should ask your dealership how any 'issues' that may arise later will be handled, if they will refer you to the installer or if they will do that on your behalf ?!?