All, what are thoughts on window tinting for a Space Grey car? Do you think it looks bad to do like 15% on the rear windows, and 25% or higher on the driver and passenger doors? Or should I go with the same all around like a 20-25%. I don't want limo, especially since they are illegal in my state. What percent tint ins the sunroof, my service advisor thought the tint should either match the black coloring on the rear side windows, (really dark) or match the tint of the sunroof.

Also, what should it cost to tint all 5 windows with like a ceramic 3M tint on my 335i coupe? The dealer was asking 395 from there tint person, i have no clue if that is a good price or not. I figured I would ask as I am leaving my car there today to get the windshield replaced.

You should get 3M for about $225, the dealer rips you off.

20% is a good "darkness" if you want it on the dark side, and their lighter one will allow you too see in pretty well. Mine is currently 28% because I don't like black cars with black windows.

BG do you have a pic of your car with the 28%? "Legal" limit here in CO is 27%, so it will obviously be very close. I plan on getting mine tinted as soon as I get it back from the body shop.

Mine isn't 3M it's solar guard (I think)...I posted pics when I got it done, but here you go.


One thing to remember is technically your windows have some tint value (I think about 12% maybe less) so if you get 28% it's usually less than what the tint value is.

Wow Beer Goggles, that is an amazing tint job. You said 28% solar guard? I will have to look for that. I have gunmetal grey and been wanting to get some tint on it, but haven't found a decent place. Silly question also, this won't ruin my warranty will it?

Wow Beer Goggles, that is an amazing tint job. You said 28% solar guard? I will have to look for that. I have gunmetal grey and been wanting to get some tint on it, but haven't found a decent place. Silly question also, this won't ruin my warranty will it?


No they offer tint at the dealer so it wouldn't make sense.

Wow Beer Goggles, that is an amazing tint job. You said 28% solar guard? I will have to look for that. I have gunmetal grey and been wanting to get some tint on it, but haven't found a decent place. Silly question also, this won't ruin my warranty will it?
I would guess you'd only run into warranty coverage issues if it is a bad tint job that ends up ruining the window mechanism (peeling, getting stuck, ruining motor or snapping latches). Otherwise, what warrant are you worried about? They can't blame anything else for tinting. This should never be a conversation that doesn't end with you punching the service rep:
Service Rep: Sorry Mr Alex, the engine blew up because you have tinting, you owe us 10K parts + labor.
Alex: :ar15firin

Hello "mryakan",

LOLROFL, that's great

A light ceramic tint can block out the same amount of solar rays as much darker traditional tint. It is more expensive, but if you don't want super dark and still want superior sun protection, pay the extra for ceramic. Also, a good shop can put vinyl behind the "dots" of the glass and it gives it a much better finished look. I went with 20% traditional 3M on mine and love it btw!

33-35% would be my suggestion, also the dealer should pay for this. Mine just said yes when I asked, they didn't even haggle. Get a good ceramic tint like the Pinnacle series and you'll be fine.

33-35% would be my suggestion, also the dealer should pay for this. Mine just said yes when I asked, they didn't even haggle. Get a good ceramic tint like the Pinnacle series and you'll be fine.

Am I to understand that your dealer paid for your tint job at no charge to you? Why would he feel obliged to offer this?

Yah, my dealer ain't gonna due it, especially since I bought the car private party used.. lol. I can imagine if you buy it new you could definitely get them to throw it in as part of the deal. If I can spend like 200-250, it might be worth it to me, but over 400, that seems ridiculous.

Anyone know what percent the sunroof is? That is a good tint percentage.

Am I to understand that your dealer paid for your tint job at no charge to you? Why would he feel obliged to offer this?

He asked me if I was going to tint the windows. I asked if he was going to pay for it, I'm quite sure he knew where I was going so he said sure, it would normally cost me $500 and he could get it at $200 - I said okay and went to the shop and picked out my tint. He flat out offered to tint the windows on my wife's new car as well as soon as I brought her in to test drive and X5s and we said we'd buy one. I have a great sales guy, the others there are left over from the old stealership that was here in town. I flat out don't trust any of them but I trust this guy. I even sent a co-worker over and he bought a new car, offered it to him as well when he said I had referred him.

Thanks for the pics BG, nice looking, definitely getting that done as soon as I get my car back.

I'll be doing 35% non-metallic tint on space gray.... I know ceramic is way to go... but the installer I like doesn't carry 35% ceramic and I don't want metallic as it will hinder my radar just like my E55. Plus comparing side by side... ceramic looks a little lighter than non-metallic given the same %.

Will post pics (if I could :nix: heck, I couldn't even use smilies) soon... she'll be tinted tomorrow.

BG, have you ever had troubles w/ cops? I got into troubles once w/ my C55... it has 20% all around.

I'll be doing 35% non-metallic tint on space gray.... I know ceramic is way to go... but the installer I like doesn't carry 35% ceramic and I don't want metallic as it will hinder my radar just like my E55. Plus comparing side by side... ceramic looks a little lighter than non-metallic given the same %.

Will post pics (if I could :nix: heck, I couldn't even use smilies) soon... she'll be tinted tomorrow.

BG, have you ever had troubles w/ cops? I got into troubles once w/ my C55... it has 20% all around.

Can you post pics tomorrow? I'm assuming your space gray car is a 535, not 335. Anyhow, it will be nice to see how it looks, thanks!

Tomorrow will be a bit tough.... the car will go in for clear bra & tint... according to the installer, it'll be ready by 5-6PM tomorrow. So if the sun is still out, I can take some pics.

Saturday is tough also.... will do more mods on my E55.... :D

Yes, the car is 535xi sports wagon (wifey's grocery getter)... not 335. But at least you could see how tinted space gray looks like.

well i was quoted between 150 and 250. However, I did not need it because the tinter for the dealership tinted the wrong car before taking delivery and that was my car :)

I'm in the Bay Area also. Can you tell me 1) who you used for your tinting; 2) how much they charged [if you don't mind my asking]; and 3) how'd it turn out?

I'm looking to tint my windows, and like any fussy BMW owner, I only want the best and most experienced installers (and I don't mind paying more.) Like you, I was thinking of 35% ceramic.

TIA.

Sorry for late response.... somehow in this forum I am not automatically subscribed....

I did it at Premier in Fremont. They're absolutely artists when it comes to tinting and clear bra. PLUS they have lifetime warranty against bubbling, peeling, fading, etc. etc. etc.

I paid $350 for tints (non-metallic) minus x% discount (sorry, can't tell you that number... just ask yourself. If you mention my name, I think they could give you a little discount).

If you want ceramic, I think it's around $590. Is $240 worth it? To me yes... but unfortunately, ceramic is a little lighter given the same light transmission (%) and I want more privacy.

Just to give you some idea on how ceramic rejects heat:
- Directly under the sun: 265 BTU
- Non-metallic: 55-59 BTU
- Metallic (they don't carry - interfere w/ your radar and cell phone): 30 BTU
- Ceramic: 19 BTU

How it turns out.... here she is... judge it yourself :D The day was a little cloudy when I took the pics.

http://home.comcast.net/~arinca/2008_535xi_small19.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~arinca/2008_535xi_small21.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~arinca/2008_535xi_small22.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~arinca/2008_535xi_small24.JPG