[CachacoF80]

Hi. I've an X3 M40i and thinking about some tinting for windshield and front windows. More worried about keeping the car cool than looks; as a matter of fact, I'm not a fan of the very dark rear section tint. I'm considering 3M Crystalline. A few questions:

1. Does anyone know what the rear windows factory tint % is (and brand)?

2. Has anyone installed 3M Crystalline in the front that doesn't look too dark, like the CR50,60,70,90 type percentages? If so please share some pics

3. Can tint affect the Heads Up Display?

Any other advice or tips plus pics on what you went with would be appreciated. Again, not a fan of too dark and curious how lighter in the front would look relative to factory rear section tint.


Thanks

[bmtespar]

Hi. I’m not sure where you are located but most states in U.S. have legal limits for the two front side windows. Most states prohibit the use of tint on the front windshield unless you install a brow and the tint does not fall below the marker line on the windshield. Also, in the U.S. the rear doors and tailgate glass are tinted from the factory and are actually dyed when the glass is produced so no film is used. That being said, I had my two front windows tinted the legal limit in Georgia which is no less than 32%. I went with a ceramic film and the heat coming through the side windows has been greatly reduced. It is slightly less dark than the rears but does a good job of letting light in while blocking heat. Here is a pic.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

Hi. I’m not sure where you are located but most states in U.S. have legal limits for the two front side windows. Most states prohibit the use of tint on the front windshield unless you install a brow and the tint does not fall below the marker line on the windshield. Also, in the U.S. the rear doors and tailgate glass are tinted from the factory and are actually dyed when the glass is produced so no film is used. That being said, I had my two front windows tinted the legal limit in Georgia which is no less than 32%. I went with a ceramic film and the heat coming through the side windows has been greatly reduced. It is slightly less dark than the rears but does a good job of letting light in while blocking heat. Here is a pic.

Thanks, that's helpful. Will research more the legal limits (although I don't intent to approach them!). I'm in California.

Summer is just starting but I feel the hear is coming straight from the windshield.

[darrylo]

Originally Posted by CachacoF80

Summer is just starting but I feel the hear is coming straight from the windshield.

If you have the moonroof, you might want to also consider getting some ceramic tint for the moonroof. Note how the moonroof lining is just a thin mesh, which insulates very little against the outside heat.

[TreDirtyFive]

I am in Los Angeles & did exactly the same...Lumarr Formula One Stratos Tint. The driver and passenger side match the rears perfectly in shade and temperature but let through more light and the front windshield is clear while, all, offering immense hear defiance.

Also, something to note about BMW's privacy glass tint on all their cars (and most likely all other manufacturers as well).
Unlike window tint/film, factory tint is a pigment within the glass that's installed during the manufacturing process. There is no way to remove the tint from the glass. Of course, there are clear window films for heat rejection you can use over the factory tint if you wish to do so.

Here’s a quick look with my new reflector swaps as well.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

https://www.tinting-laws.com/california/

[CachacoF80]

Seems like most of you have tried to match the front. I wonder if it will look odd if I go fairly light.

Good idea about moonroof, liner itself gets horribly hot

[TreDirtyFive]

I worry about tinting the moonroof as, in the past, other cars have reported problems with glass cracking since the moonroof bends and moves so much over time and the tint causes restrictions and tension on those glass panels potentially causing cracks and spidering. I suppose, if it’s a lease it may not matter as mich considering the short term.

[darrylo]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

I worry about tinting the moonroof as, in the past, other cars have reported problems with glass cracking since the moonroof bends and moves so much over time and the tint causes restrictions and tension on those glass panels potentially causing cracks and spidering.

Do you have any links for this? All I can find are stories about "spontaneous" shattering moonroofs (probably due to rocks or glass defects), and posts about how "tint causing moonroofs to shatter" are an urban legend. This legend supposedly started when a design defect in some cars caused moonroofs to shatter, but the manufacturer blamed the tint instead of a bad design.

[TreDirtyFive]

I believe it's more precautionary considering you trap the heat behind the sunshade most the time instead of letting it breathe like most tint from the interior side. Then again, why not try it and let us know :P

[CachacoF80]

Hahaha can't we get a straight answer from BMW about the moonroof cracking?! Not sure very convinced by now

[EsquireKnight]

ceramic tint is worth the extra cost IMO

[darrylo]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

Then again, why not try it and let us know :P

I will be. Unfortunately, the installer is really backed up, and my appointment isn't for some time.

Edit: my appt isn't for a while, because I'm also doing PPF in addition to tint.

[tenflyer]

I was one of the 'lucky' ones that had a spontaneous glass roof shatter. Was in a Ford Edge, only 1 day after purchase. Literally thought someone used a shotgun it was that loud, scared the crap out of me.

I 'think' I am going to tint my X3 roof glass in a week or two. If I end up doing that I'll post/report.

[Jhnwlkx86]

I went with a 50% ceramic tint on the sunroof and have had no issues. I asked my installer about the mythical tale of spontaneous sunroof combustion..never heard of it happening either. I live in Tucson and the car sits in a parking lot while at work daily.. no problems and keeps the sun from baking my interior.. 100+ here daily. Also have 20% on front windows with 35% around the rest, plan to do 90% on the windshield my next trip.. ceramic is awesome..and a good investment..

Hoping someone will chime in that has had their front done to see how it works with the HUD

[TreDirtyFive]

My fronts are done and the HUD is perfectly fine

[pcmike]

Does anyone know what the standard VLT (darkness) and reflectance is on the various windows on the X3 M40i? My goal will be to have all windows appear the same.

[nxa]

BMW provided me this when I asked how it comes from the factory including the rear sun protection glass.

Apologies for the image, but I couldn't get it to retain the formatting on a copy/paste of text....

[tenflyer]

I didn't see a direct answer so figured I'd post since I had my fronts done today. The installer used that tint calibration tool on the X30 rears and they were 20%. So in my case I said screw it and had the front's matched to that.

This is pushing the legal limit in VA by a lot (50% only on the fronts). I typically had 35% installed without a problem. But I just hate when they don't match, so I'll risk the fine

[tenflyer]

This is what matched 20% front tints looks like. I do have a front windshield shade in and the roof closed up, so it isn't normally quite this dark looking (or at least I hope it won't appear that way to the police).

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by tenflyer

This is what matched 20% front tints looks like. I do have a front windshield shade in and the roof closed up, so it isn't normally quite this dark looking (or at least I hope it won't appear that way to the police).

Thanks, good to know that's what 20pct looks like. I really don't want it to match...I want the front as similar to stock with the benefits of keeping as much heat out if the car. That's why I thought 3M crystalline could be helpful. But not sure if 70 or 50 and whether it would look off...

[DW_x3m40i]

Originally Posted by natd

BMW provided me this when I asked how it comes from the factory including the rear sun protection glass.

Apologies for the image, but I couldn't get it to retain the formatting on a copy/paste of text....

Do aftermarket tints improve SPF blocking?

I know it blocks UV rays but according to this chart most UV rays are already blocked by the factory tints but not much SPF.

If that's the case, is there any need to tint the rear? Meaning would ceramic tint over the factory tint improve heat rejection and better block SPF?