[weez]

Yes I have searched, but search sucks on this forum.

I really want to get the front windows tinted, but Im scared of the fading displays. Has anyone figured out a fix for this? Is there something I can do in the iDrive settings, or do I need buy bimmercode before tinting so I can code a fix? Or perhaps the fading isn't too bad?
Please advise! Thanks.

[teaston]

The main reason I wouldn’t do it is courtesy to other drivers, when you’re sitting at a junction, drivers approaching you can’t tell if you’ve seen them or not, it’s quite disconcerting when you’re the other driver!

[weez]

Originally Posted by teaston

The main reason I wouldn’t do it is courtesy to other drivers, when you’re sitting at a junction, drivers approaching you can’t tell if you’ve seen them or not, it’s quite disconcerting when you’re the other driver!

That's pretty much a non issue for me and I'm an ultra defensive driver. I lived in England for 5 years too and I didn't need tint at all. But having lived in all hot states and southern Spain, it's a necessity in the Summer.

[bmtespar]

I tinted my front windows and suffer from the faded display. From my research, it’s the same for 5 and 7 series as well. BMW has yet to fix the issue. I was able to code my control display so I can adjust it manually for day brightness but the instrument cluster and hvac display are still dim. It isn’t the most awful thing in the world. You can still see them, but depending how the light outside is coming in, they are dim. One possible solution would be tinting with a good ceramic tint that is not very dark. That way you can reduce interior heat without reducing light.

[AnOldBiker]

If it's due to the suns uv, they have very high quality tints that are clear and reflex uv and the bright lights.

My daughter lives in Las Vegas where the sun is a major problem on a daily basis. She tinted it in clear and does nothing but praise it.

[weez]

Not gonna lie, it will be just as much for aesthetic. I can't stand the rears being dark and the front being clear.

[TXSchnee]

I had tint put on the front windows (not windshield) rear windows, sunroof and rear hatch window, have no issue with fading displays. I did go with ceramic tint, sorry cannot remember the percentage tint I went right now, so maybe you do not get the fading with the ceramic tint. I live in Central TX, so it was more for heat/comfort than it was for privacy, although it does help with that as well.

[SteveX3M40i]

Hi,
It is essential where we live - 50 degrees C plus in the summer months!
We have 40% tint all round, except the windscreen.
High quality 3M tint.
No fading of displays.

Cheers
Steve

[Matt1002]

No window tint at all on mine. Find it to be very dark in the cabin with most tints. 220i loaner I have now is tinted very dark on the rear doors and rear window, it almost looks completely black.

Since I live in the Netherlands I don't think tint is essential.

I do hope the pano roof has some tint to it though, because it might get very sunny if it doesn't! But I guess we have the shade that covers it up if it's too much.

[tonyb15re]

Originally Posted by teaston

The main reason I wouldn’t do it is courtesy to other drivers, when you’re sitting at a junction, drivers approaching you can’t tell if you’ve seen them or not, it’s quite disconcerting when you’re the other driver!

Dont forget its illegal in Blighty also

[KAP8]

Originally Posted by weez

Not gonna lie, it will be just as much for aesthetic. I can't stand the rears being dark and the front being clear.

I agree. I would like our fronts to be legal, but the same or close to matching the rears.

[tastes jigga]

I put 20% on my fronts and experience the fading display issue, but to be honest it's not bad enough to remove the tints. I hope BMW fixes the issue though... it is kind of annoying when noticed.

[FCBayernFTW]

Fading displays?

[Bob in IL]

I put 50% on my front side windows (legal in Illinois) and have the fading. It's not as bad as on our 2017 X1 though.

[smanji]

Originally Posted by tonyb15re

Dont forget its illegal in Blighty also

You can legally tint the front side windows, but it must allow for 70% light transmission.

[weez]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

Fading displays?

The tinted windows are darkening the cabin enough to trick the display sensors into thinking its night time and therefore dimming the displays. This is making it difficult to see the displays in daylight.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by smanji

You can legally tint the front side windows, but it must allow for 70% light transmission.

I think that's near enough what the standard tints on the front windows are isn't it?

[smanji]

Originally Posted by teaston

I think that's near enough what the standard tints on the front windows are isn't it?

Due to the nature of glass there is a reduction in transparency of the front windows but no more then a few percent.

video below shows the difference quite well

anything darker then the first square would be illegal in the UK.

[No1Cares]

have window tint on the front and never had any issues other owners have claimed to be an issue of fading displays. maybe my vision is just better

[antjones21]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

Fading displays?

I was thinking the same thing lol.

[Replicant]

Didn’t even have the option. Dealers where I live tint every car. Anytime I see a car that doesn’t have tinted windows it really stands out. It’s strange to go to areas of the country that don’t generally tint. Cars look weird.

[MechX3M40i]

well, the old thread just got bumped and bubbled back up...

Factory tint + front tint https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1502221