Tinted Windows

welkerbrads · 07-20-2011, 07:50 PM

Just got my windows tinted today. Wow looks alot better and helps keep the sun from baking you. Went with 35% in the front and 20% in the back. $215

TiAg135 · 07-20-2011, 08:02 PM

waiting on my white x3 at the moment, would love to see the tint job.

Mako · 07-20-2011, 09:41 PM

With tinting the lower the percentage the higher the tint, right?

How much darker is 20% compared to factory tint?

I am thinking of skipping the $500 shade option and using the cash for darker tinting instead.

turbotoy4me · 07-20-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welkerbrads

Just got my windows tinted today. Wow looks alot better and helps keep the sun from baking you. Went with 35% in the front and 20% in the back. $215

Sounds awesome. Would you mind posting some PIC's? I am waiting for my car and would like to tint the windows also.

northwestern · 07-20-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mako

With tinting the lower the percentage the higher the tint, right?

How much darker is 20% compared to factory tint?

I am thinking of skipping the $500 shade option and using the cash for darker tinting instead.

Right on. If I'm right, the % is percent light that comes through the tint?.

20% looks really great, and is definitely darker than factory tint.

Personally I wouldn't go any lower than 20%...when it gets dark out you will have trouble seeing out of the back windows of your car if you did something like Limo tint (I think 5%).

509trooper · 07-21-2011, 12:30 AM

Does anybody happen to know the factory tint % on the back windows? Would love to tint the front windows, but it's illegal in California.

Radioactive · 07-21-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 509trooper

Does anybody happen to know the factory tint % on the back windows? Would love to tint the front windows, but it's illegal in California.

I believe you can tint 70% on the front side windows in CA.

JBG · 07-21-2011, 04:44 AM

I found the below link helpful regarding the tinting laws. When I had mine done, 35% in the front essentially duplicates the rear window tint, as there is existing tint to start with on the front. Have them use their meter to double-check though.
http://tintlaws.com/

mtlcruisin · 07-21-2011, 09:23 AM

Car looks amazing with tints

tank531 · 07-21-2011, 03:47 PM

The factory tint value is normally etched on the glass as a '%'. It may be darker for the US than EU specs? The UK police have started carrying light meters to check on the rising cases of heavily tinted fronts that are not allowed. I think the front side and front screen must pass 75% of the light (so 25% tint only) - this must be a EU standard as they would not change the spec. just for the UK?

509trooper · 07-21-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

I believe you can tint 70% on the front side windows in CA.

It's my understanding that front window tint must be factory/OEM in CA. No after market product/film can be attached to the front windows.

Nahoa · 07-21-2011, 06:34 PM

Front as in windshield or front side windows? (Or both?)

509trooper · 07-21-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Front as in windshield or front side windows? (Or both?)

Windshield and the front side windows.

See the section regarding tinting windows:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

welkerbrads · 07-21-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAg135

waiting on my white x3 at the moment, would love to see the tint job.

I would love to show you some pictures when I figure out how to post them.

welkerbrads · 07-21-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mako

With tinting the lower the percentage the higher the tint, right?

How much darker is 20% compared to factory tint?

I am thinking of skipping the $500 shade option and using the cash for darker tinting instead.

With 35% in the front you can see the out line of the seat and cannot tell the color of the interior. I have the oyster interior and you could see the color of it before.

With the 20% in the back standing beside can barley see an image. I wouldn't go any darker than that. The 2 tints flow together real well.

beto_L.A. · 07-21-2011, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 509trooper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

I believe you can tint 70% on the front side windows in CA.

It's my understanding that front window tint must be factory/OEM in CA. No after market product/film can be attached to the front windows.

In CA is against the LAW to tint the front windows. The only way that is allowed to tint the front windows is if you have some sort off skin problem, a DR. can write a letter for you to carry in your car in case you are pulled over by the police. Having said that I have my windows tinted @ 35% and I haven't had any problems....

07-20-2011, 07:50 PM	#1
welkerbrads Private First Class 10 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2011 white X3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: cape girardeau mo iTrader: (0)	Tinted Windows Just got my windows tinted today. Wow looks alot better and helps keep the sun from baking you. Went with 35% in the front and 20% in the back. $215
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07-20-2011, 08:02 PM	#2
TiAg135 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2008 TiAG 135i, 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	waiting on my white x3 at the moment, would love to see the tint job.
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07-20-2011, 09:41 PM	#3
Mako (Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC 1547 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: '23 M3 comp Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	With tinting the lower the percentage the higher the tint, right? How much darker is 20% compared to factory tint? I am thinking of skipping the $500 shade option and using the cash for darker tinting instead.
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07-21-2011, 12:30 AM	#6
509trooper Staff Sergeant 6 Rep 138 Posts Drives: X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Does anybody happen to know the factory tint % on the back windows? Would love to tint the front windows, but it's illegal in California. __________________ AW/BLK leather 35i \| premium \| tech \| sports pkgs \| 19" 309 wheels
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07-21-2011, 04:44 AM	#8
JBG Enlisted Member 24 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2012X3 35i, 2018 X3 30i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I found the below link helpful regarding the tinting laws. When I had mine done, 35% in the front essentially duplicates the rear window tint, as there is existing tint to start with on the front. Have them use their meter to double-check though. http://tintlaws.com/
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07-21-2011, 09:23 AM	#9
mtlcruisin Private First Class 44 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: montreal iTrader: (0)	Car looks amazing with tints
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07-21-2011, 03:47 PM	#10
tank531 Deckhand 5 Rep 389 Posts Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coventry - UK iTrader: (0)	The factory tint value is normally etched on the glass as a '%'. It may be darker for the US than EU specs? The UK police have started carrying light meters to check on the rising cases of heavily tinted fronts that are not allowed. I think the front side and front screen must pass 75% of the light (so 25% tint only) - this must be a EU standard as they would not change the spec. just for the UK?
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07-21-2011, 06:34 PM	#12
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Front as in windshield or front side windows? (Or both?) __________________
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