its so damn hot (getting some tint)

[Kulasstar]

i went to get some window tint for all my windows. they had 2 types, limo style which was dark and not too reflective and an executive type which was less dark but more reflective. my friend picked limo because his 325 is black. He chose 5% on the back windows and 20% on the driver and passanger. i am thinking about getting the executive type at 15% all around but i am afraid it will come out too dark. then im also afriad to get it one grade less which i think is 25% and then come out too light. anyone have some input on this issue?

[Evan]

ask your local police

[trumpetr]

ask your local police

I agree. Most reputable tint shops wont put on tint that is darker than the local laws allow. Most local po-po's get real nervous about very dark tint- most local law allow a little darker tint on the rear glass,,,and the rear windows, but require something around no more than 25% on the drivers and front pasg windows.

20% isnt bad,,,,,is dark, and still allows you to see out to back up, and see traffic from the sides. Just make sure that the tint shop you choose, uses a good quality tint film, and not the crap that winds up looking purple after a few months. A good tint job should run in the neighborhood of 200-250$.


The other thing to do, is get an accordion-fold wiindshield sun shade, (7 bucks at any auto parts store) for when your car is parked- since you cant tint the windshield, thats the weak spot for heat to get into your car- not to mention the sun damage to your dash and seats.

[SnakeyesTx]

I did this the 2nd day I bought my 525. Texas (Houston actually) won't allow darker than 35% on the front windows, but you can go as dark as you want anywhere else. I did 5% limo on the back window and back doors, and the 35 on the front doors. Its like wearing sunglasses on the inside looking out, but from outside, you can barely see inside from the front doors, and its almost impossible from the back doors/window.

The tint, coupled with a reflective windshield shade, and one of those "as seen on tv" solar fan vents dropped my interior temperature from about 140+ to around the mid 90's which is somewhat tolerable and the car cools off a lot quicker. Couple that with the fact that vagrants can't see inside the car for security, and its compliant with the local laws, *and* 125 bucks for it installed.... I'm a happy camper! :D

[brosher]

I hate the looks of 5%. It makes it look like you spray painted the inside of your glass.

My previous car had 25% and I thought that was about right. Dark enough to look good and keep the truck from being 1000 degrees in the summer. But light enough to see out fine and the cops never bothered me. Really dark tint is just begging to be pulled over. It plants the seed of "what's this guy hiding...".

[trumpetr]

I did this the 2nd day I bought my 525. Texas (Houston actually) won't allow darker than 35% on the front windows, but you can go as dark as you want anywhere else. I did 5% limo on the back window and back doors, and the 35 on the front doors. Its like wearing sunglasses on the inside looking out, but from outside, you can barely see inside from the front doors, and its almost impossible from the back doors/window.

The tint, coupled with a reflective windshield shade, and one of those "as seen on tv" solar fan vents dropped my interior temperature from about 140+ to around the mid 90's which is somewhat tolerable and the car cools off a lot quicker. Couple that with the fact that vagrants can't see inside the car for security, and its compliant with the local laws, *and* 125 bucks for it installed.... I'm a happy camper! :D

*and one of those "as seen on tv" solar fan vents*

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what is your experience with that solar powered vent thingy-- Does it work? Do you have to put on the 'spacer' trim?

[VentoGT]

Don't forget that darker interiors will make the windows appear darker. My M5 has 20% on all windows but it looks like 35 from the outside because my interior is light silvergrey, practically white. If you have black interior you could do a 30 or 28% something around there and it would look darker than 20% on mine.

As far as the police, roll your window down when you get pulled over. I have never had problems in any of my older cars, and I had tint on all of them [and I got pulled over at least once in all of them too :)]

[Qube]

*and one of those "as seen on tv" solar fan vents*

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what is your experience with that solar powered vent thingy-- Does it work? Do you have to put on the 'spacer' trim?

Hey, that's a neat idea! I have two foldable solar panels... 6.6w and 12w... I can run a compact fan on those...

Anyway.

If you get too dark, you'll have hell of a time driving in the dark :)

[SchnellE34]

The tint shops around here will put whatever tint you want on your car. Its not against state law to have tint in PA but there are counties and some towns that are more likely to pull you over and make you peal it and show up at the station a week later to avoid fines.

When I was pulled over for tint, the cop told me that I could only have the rear window 30% thats it. I called another station and they told me if its not factory its not legal. A lot of cars around my area have tint on all windows.

I had 5% on the back and 20% on the front of my Red 89 535i. It was feakin dark and hard to see at night in the rear view mirror. But it looked mafia, I loved it.

Currently I have 20% all around. Its dark but not too dark. My car is black so it looks very good. I would suggest 20% and as reflective as possible.

[SnakeyesTx]

yeah, I clipped on the weatherstripping on both sides of the fan. I put the fan on the back door window since its "Flatter" at the top (less curvage, better seal for the stripping and fan) and it pulls a lot of the stiffling hot air out. Its about 100-104 nowadays in Houston, and I park under an oak tree, but with everything working together, the interior was noticably cooler than with nothing at all.

As for the dark grade of tint I used and visibility (which was mentioned later down the thread) I have that almost white colored interior so it was very bright inside, and its still pretty gangsta' in the back, but its not as dark as say a black on black car with limo tint. (Mines white with almost white and light grey interior)

[saj3n]

I have seen alot of the 2.5% tints on the cars here in Philly too. I went with 15% all around, with Tan interior, seems pretty light from the outside. i like it though.

[Kulasstar]

ok so i think im going with the 25%. i have tan interior so i think it wont look too dark. and the cops im not too worried about i ride with the windows down most of the time anyway. its just to keep the heat out when im parked all day. im getting it done on saturday for 200 bucks. ill post some pics next week.

[SnakeyesTx]

Its 3:30 central time so I went out in the brighter part of the day to take these.

This is the side view showing the 35% front window and 5% rear (note ability to see thru on front)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/Tenki-Kun/IM000151.jpg


This is the through-rear window view (note reflectivity showing the lens reflection)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/Tenki-Kun/IM000152.jpg

This is the through-front, alot clearer thru-view, but still reflective (me behind the camera)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/Tenki-Kun/IM000153.jpg

Last is the view from the inside looking back through the 5% area. Its just like wearing sunglasses and since its almost White colored interior, it traps/reflects off a lot of the light that still gets inside.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/Tenki-Kun/IM000154.jpg

[saj3n]

A bit overcast here, but 15% all around, looks dark.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/saj3n/blk.jpg

And now a sunny day from the rear.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/saj3n/IMG_0331sm.jpg

from the side, passenger windows down.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/saj3n/IMG_0356sm.jpg

[Kulasstar]

A bit overcast here, but 15% all around, looks dark.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/saj3n/IMG_0356sm.jpg

wow thanks for the pics. i think thats alittle too dark for my taste.
gonna go with a 30. sweet ride tho. thanks again

[saj3n]

wow thanks for the pics. i think thats alittle too dark for my taste.
gonna go with a 30. sweet ride tho. thanks again

:-P No problem! Thanks! I knew I wanted to go lighter than what I had on the 89, 5% sides, 10% rear. it was too dark! Especially with the black interior. And pretty hard to see out of at night. 30% is nice though! Good choice.

[Airborne001]

Got any pics of the white one?

[Jeff N.]

Post some pics of the 30% when done. I'd like to see that on a black on black car. They are a bitch to keep cool...

[DallasBill]

Ya know, it's not just the darkest tint that is going to keep your car cooler. In fact, the darkest normal tint is actually going to make you car hotter inside. Why? Because said dark windows absorb more heat from the sun than lighter colors... duuuh! ;-) Like black paint vs. white paint.

What you want are two things -- UV rejection to keep the insides from eventually rotting, and heat reflection, the keep the heat out. A metal film-based tint is the best for that. I have used Formula One (http://www.formulaone.com/) Premier 35 for 8 years now and it is great. It also has a lifetime warranty -- if it ever lifts it gets replaced free.

[Alexlind123]

Ya know, it's not just the darkest tint that is going to keep your car cooler. In fact, the darkest normal tint is actually going to make you car hotter inside. Why? Because said dark windows absorb more heat from the sun than lighter colors... duuuh! ;-) Like black paint vs. white paint.

What you want are two things -- UV rejection to keep the insides from eventually rotting, and heat reflection, the keep the heat out. A metal film-based tint is the best for that. I have used Formula One (http://www.formulaone.com/) Premier 35 for 8 years now and it is great. It also has a lifetime warranty -- if it ever lifts it gets replaced free.

If you use your radio, you probably dont want metal film tint on your rear window. I have a metal film tint on the rear window and the radio barely works.

[Kulasstar]

interesting. i was going to get that reflecive film to reduce heat (i think it blocks 60% of the heat) but i dont want my radio disturbed....hmm??? i gonna get it anyway. ill have some pic up on the 24th.

ps. sorry cant show ya a pic of black on black cus my car is gold. sorry

[SnakeyesTx]

did you mean mine? I could go out and take a few if you need better angles?

[weazman187]

this is my e34

2% all around, life time warranty,65% heat reduction...
but yeah it is very difficult to drive at night haha, especially backing up, i always have to roll down my window.

but man it looks good.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/weazman187/Picture176.jpg

[angrypancake]

dude you really need shadowline wiht tint that dark. wow and i thought 20% was bad for seein at night. how the hell can you even see during the day?! :p

[weazman187]

shadow line?

driving during the day is pretty easy, but at night its hard but you get used to it, i only have to roll down my windows to back up...

[casurfer911]

i think im gonna have to install a backup cam after i get my windows tinted

[genphreak]

i think im gonna have to install a backup cam after i get my windows tintedOne bump/scratch and you'll be regretting it... (a little) I love the tints, but I can see why the laws are there. Mine is 30%. After driving it I think 20% is about as high as I'd go if I were commissionig the job.

O yes, and clean your windows first, the tint people often don't do it properly- leading to **** in the film. I'd vacuum the car really well beforehand too. :) Nick

[1995 525i]

i went to get some window tint for all my windows. they had 2 types, limo style which was dark and not too reflective and an executive type which was less dark but more reflective. my friend picked limo because his 325 is black. He chose 5% on the back windows and 20% on the driver and passanger. i am thinking about getting the executive type at 15% all around but i am afraid it will come out too dark. then im also afriad to get it one grade less which i think is 25% and then come out too light. anyone have some input on this issue?

Mine are tinted but aren't as dark as I would like because of the tint law here in NC. I did get a tint that was made with metal flakes in it so that it reflects the sunlight. I would love 20% but it would cause me more problems than it is worth.

Check the law in your state and be prepared to oay extra for inspections as there is a charge now for inspecting tint.

[Ausmpower]

If you use your radio, you probably dont want metal film tint on your rear window. I have a metal film tint on the rear window and the radio barely works.

I hear ya!! I now have an e30 style roof mount aerial seeing as the PO had 35% metal reflective tints fitted all round..... I had zero Fm reception prior to going the roof mount option.

Certainly is cooler than the wife 525 with 20% regular film though.

[Kulasstar]

Sorry it took so long to post these pics guys.
well i got 35 all around for about $200
it is the metal film and i did lose some radio reception but not enough to make me regert getting it. so what do ya guys think?
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/7460/tintsqt3.jpg

[Alexlind123]

It looks nice!

[saj3n]

I like it! Adds a nice touch without being dramatic. Also great visibility from within!

[Evan]

I'm getting 35% done Monday morning... my car is almost all the way back together... I need some door handles.. any suggestions?

[hatched91]

i have 35% front and i think 15% rear..10 if they make it. i got the car tinted. i'm going to have 15% done in front if i can get anyone to do it that shade of tint. in illinois, usa, any front tint is illegal. but if you're not hotrodding about you're pretty much good to go. cops often use it as an excuse to pull you over or if they think you are hiding something. i've had 20% done up front, which is fairly dark and 5% rear which is really dark.

[Jeff N.]

Was there a particular brand of tint they used?



Sorry it took so long to post these pics guys.
well i got 35 all around for about $200
it is the metal film and i did lose some radio reception but not enough to make me regert getting it. so what do ya guys think?
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/7460/tintsqt3.jpg

[Kulasstar]

sorry i dont know. they called the type of film EXECUTIVE, but im not sure if thats the brand name. sorry

[Gayle]

Miss Librarian here with a helpful link on the subject.:)


State Window Tinting Laws (http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html)

[1995 525i]

Miss Librarian here with a helpful link on the subject.:)


State Window Tinting Laws (http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html)

:)

[weazman187]

nah screw all those weak tints,
2%

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/weazman187/devilscar.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/weazman187/Picture2776.jpg

[saj3n]

nice, i wish it didn't cost me so much to get done ($370), I wouldn't have minded having lower than 15%, just incase i'd get pulled over and have to take it all off.

[hatched91]

i'm pretty sure i'm running 15% rear and 35% front, i'm going to have the front retinted at 20%. it's more difficult to drive at night with 20% tint than none of course, but not near as bad as 5%. it just all depends, i live in the city for 20% works out fine, in the country where the roads aren't lit, you need lighter tint or things like deer. haha

[weazman187]

wow almost 4 bills for a tint, i got a lifetime warranty, and an old tint removed for less then 2 bills.

i love my 2%. ive had it for almost half a year and ive only been followed ,once, ive been lucky i guess.