Window Tint
 

I want to tint the car. So far it only has the stock tint in the back.

What should I tell the shop this weekend when I go in for tint?

Do you just want the front to match the factory rear. If so it would be about 35%. Or you could do it all around. That is what I did, check out my X page for pics.

your X looks nice. I have the same color setup.

Does the 35% tint all around help protect from the sun?

Yes, plus even over the factory, it is not so dark that you can't see out of the windows. Plus it helps with headlights from the rear at night. The percentage is the amount of light that is still allowed to pass through the tint, hence a 5% tint would be considerably darker.

if you want slightly more tint...i would go with 20% tint...looks good and easily pretects from sun

i just told the guy to "match it up."

if he knows whay he's doing you should walk out of the place pleased.

ps don't forget--you can't roll down your windows for a couple of days.
with the warmer weather it's easy to forget. :)

YES, tint always makes a car look better... for some reason. :thumbup:

I love the cloudy days when the suns not out; it makes tint look darker...

i've got 5% rear window; 10% rear sides; 50% front sides

creates a real nice subtle gradient effect that's somewhat unique

the tint is done using Lumar i believe.... got hooked up at an LA shop and had it done for $150 :)

I found a shop that will do the entire car for $99. It's a tint shop so I'm assuming they have plenty of experience adding tint to cars.

Does this sound like one of those "you get what you pay for" deals?

Depends really on what brand film they use. Don't settle for anything less than 3M or Madico.

Dealerships charge about $450. You can get a great tint job for under $250 for sure. But the $100 ones; make sure they have a warranty and it's written. Most places wont give a written warranty for tint less than 35%.

LOL, 99 bux, why don't you wait in the shop to see what type of job they do on other cars. But hey 99 bux, can't go wrong... or can you?

Yes it does. Call Matt at TNT Tinting and tell him JV sent you. (703)239-2460
He tints the windows in all the Fairfax County police vehicles, he's excellent and affordable.


JV

get 5%. its worth it

What happens if you have an accident while driving a car that has tints darker than is legal and and you are charged with causing the accident?

Any chance your insurance company can say--too bad, so sad?

hmmm...good point, i have never heard of this happening but good thing to look into

i base whatever i do to my cars on the type of cars that go to the shop in question: if there's a car wash working on ferraris, benzes, and bentleys, i'm fine taking my car there. same with window tint: the shop i went to was working on only the finest of cars. same with the exhaust shop i went to: Shaq had his ride done there.

so honestly, i'd say that's the safest way to judge whether a shop is good or not.

I haven't quite gotten the tint yet on my front windows but for the rear quarter windows and the rear window hatch, I just purchased the sunshade screens that match the rear passenger window screens and it makes a big difference. It makes the X5 looked tinted. Maybe one of these days I'll actually get my front windows tinted to 35%.

I would not go any darker than 35% on the front side windows or you may have some troubles with your local police. I have 35% on the fronts and it matches the rest of the factory tint almost perfectly.