[itwasepic]

Hi all,

Figured I would post up my thoughts on the 3M Crystalline series window film. I have the 40% tint, which is the lowest % you can go in Crystalline. I was a little reluctant to go with Crystalline because 40% appears to be visually "light". But after I compared the equivalent percentage I would need to come comparably close to the same heat rejection, etc. I would need limo-grade tint. Yikes.

I got my sunroof and all windows (minus the dash) in 40%. It is perfect for me and the performance/functionality of it is well worth the money in my opinion. Highly recommend this film from 3M.

Kind of cool: the film, when viewed from an angle with water on the windows, looks amber'ish. After the windows are dry, the film looks silver'ish-to-clear. I do not mind the color at all. But seeing as some people like to offset their tint from front versus rear, I recommend going the same % all the way around if you can tolerate it.

[doublevanosrc]

In for pics.

[m2michael23]

I have CS for all around and Crystalline for the windshield. They are so good!!! Worth every penny.

Show us some pictures!

[npgatech]

Yes! Pictures please! OP, you must deliver

[revshab]

It may be too soon to tell, but can you please update with any info on whether or not the tint seems to affect your Comfort Access (assuming you have it)?

Just got my 335 last month and I was sold on Huper Optik until I started reading about all kinds of people having issues with Comfort Access. The guy that tinted my E46 (Llumar metallic) says he pretty much only works with 3M Crystalline or SolarGard Ultra Performance now.

I'm looking primarily for heat rejection (and about 40% tint), but I really don't want to sacrifice Comfort Access performance.

Also, can't wait to see pics!

[Frogman]

I've have 3M Crystalline all around (70% on the front doors, 50% on the rear doors and window) since last June and have had no issues with CA at all.

[itwasepic]

Originally Posted by revshab

It may be too soon to tell, but can you please update with any info on whether or not the tint seems to affect your Comfort Access (assuming you have it)?

First, just curious how tint would affect Comfort Access? Aren't the Comfort Access points all on the exterior?

To answer your question: Yes, I do have ComfAcc. No, the tint does not affect how it operates.

[itwasepic]

Originally Posted by npgatech

Yes! Pictures please! OP, you must deliver

Delivered.

[npgatech]

Originally Posted by itwasepic

Delivered.

Looks beautiful! Mind if I ask you for how much you paid for it?

[itwasepic]

Originally Posted by npgatech

Looks beautiful! Mind if I ask you for how much you paid for it?

Paid for the tint?

[npgatech]

Originally Posted by itwasepic

Paid for the tint?

Correct. How much did they charge you for the tint + installation?

[claykin]

Originally Posted by revshab

It may be too soon to tell, but can you please update with any info on whether or not the tint seems to affect your Comfort Access (assuming you have it)?

Just got my 335 last month and I was sold on Huper Optik until I started reading about all kinds of people having issues with Comfort Access. The guy that tinted my E46 (Llumar metallic) says he pretty much only works with 3M Crystalline or SolarGard Ultra Performance now.

I'm looking primarily for heat rejection (and about 40% tint), but I really don't want to sacrifice Comfort Access performance.

Also, can't wait to see pics!

Don't use Metalized tints. Period. I wouldn't listen to a tint shop that tinted an E46 with metal tint. That's wrong as the E46 has a rear window radio antenna.

3M Color Stable or Crystalline are just fine. Will not affect CA or any other systems in car. I have Color Stable for months and all is great.

[revshab]

Originally Posted by itwasepic

First, just curious how tint would affect Comfort Access? Aren't the Comfort Access points all on the exterior?

To answer your question: Yes, I do have ComfAcc. No, the tint does not affect how it operates.

I wondered the exact same thing, but there were enough posts about it (mostly on the E9x and E8x) to make me second guess my options (examples).

Originally Posted by claykin

Don't use Metalized tints. Period. I wouldn't listen to a tint shop that tinted an E46 with metal tint. That's wrong as the E46 has a rear window radio antenna.

3M Color Stable or Crystalline are just fine. Will not affect CA or any other systems in car. I have Color Stable for months and all is great.

To be fair, I was aware of the effects that the metallic tint would have (and he reminded me as well before installing them). It was the first car I'd ever had tinted, and I was concerned about dyed films fading, so I just went with the installer that the local dealership used. That being said, I just found a shop about an hour away that appears to have really great ratings and does both 3M and Huper Optik; I'll probably check them out instead.

Back to the original thread though, pics look great!