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      07-23-2012, 11:05 PM   #1
soopra
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Any Advice on Tint?

Did a search and am surprised there isn't that many topics on window tinting. My 328i is currently on a ship on it's way to California so I still have a couple of weeks to figure out what kind of tint to get on my car. Any advice on brands and %'s?

I'm currently debating between 20%-30%. From what I've gathered on other forums, the biggest complaint about 30% is that its too light and at 20% some people complain it's hard to see at night. What do you guy's think?
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      07-24-2012, 12:45 AM   #2
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darker is better ....

i have not problem seeing at night....

Actually i really regret for not going full limo on the car


(pictures of my car coming)
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      07-24-2012, 02:22 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soopra View Post
Did a search and am surprised there isn't that many topics on window tinting. My 328i is currently on a ship on it's way to California so I still have a couple of weeks to figure out what kind of tint to get on my car. Any advice on brands and %'s?

I'm currently debating between 20%-30%. From what I've gathered on other forums, the biggest complaint about 30% is that its too light and at 20% some people complain it's hard to see at night. What do you guy's think?
I have 20% all the way around. 30% is way too light. I should have gone limo tint especially with the parking package. If you have it go for the limo. I dont think youre gonna have issues at night, youre just gonna have issues with the cops.
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      07-24-2012, 05:14 AM   #4
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I still have the option to do a tint, my car is still in build phase. I've read that LLumar tinting is the best out there and that 35% is the best - legal wise and practical. Any suggestions?
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      07-24-2012, 07:44 AM   #5
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I got it on my car, smash and grab with 35% tint front and back.
As my previous car e90 didn't have a tint I was a bit hesitant over how dark it would be and the thought did cross my mind as to how it might appear when looking outside at night in dark areas where there are no street lights. (I do have this habit of looking at all my mirrors getting a view of what's going on around me when stopping at traffic lights etc....a bit of OCD but I like to have a good clear view)
All I can say is I am extremely happy with the lumar smash and grab 35% tint.
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      07-24-2012, 07:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mith View Post
I got it on my car, smash and grab with 35% tint front and back.
As my previous car e90 didn't have a tint I was a bit hesitant over how dark it would be and the thought did cross my mind as to how it might appear when looking outside at night in dark areas where there are no street lights. (I do have this habit of looking at all my mirrors getting a view of what's going on around me when stopping at traffic lights etc....a bit of OCD but I like to have a good clear view)
All I can say is I am extremely happy with the lumar smash and grab 35% tint.
Thank you Mith, being a fellow Gauteng'er I also have the habit in constantly using my mirrors. I will now definitely go for the Lumar 35%, LeoHaese here in Pretoria only fits Lumar smash&grab tint..
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      07-24-2012, 08:57 AM   #7
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Tint % choice is totally dependent upon the exterior and interior color of your particular car.... 20% on a black car with light interior will look the same as 35% on a white car with dark interior.... i've always had black on black cars and have always gone with 20% myself cause i like it a bit dark (no where near limo though), but it really is personal preference... go to your tint shop of choice and see ones they've done in different lighting circumstances (outside, in a garage, etc.) then go from there
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      07-24-2012, 09:03 AM   #8
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I used to automatically go 20% because I wanted it to be dark. This time, I wanted something a bit different by not totally blacking things out and I got the 35% and its perfect for me. Its defintely tinted but you can still see through the car a bit which is what I was looking for. Ultimately its like the color choice, personal for everyone.
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      07-24-2012, 09:09 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateDog07V View Post
Tint % choice is totally dependent upon the exterior and interior color of your particular car.... 20% on a black car with light interior will look the same as 35% on a white car with dark interior.... i've always had black on black cars and have always gone with 20% myself cause i like it a bit dark (no where near limo though), but it really is personal preference... go to your tint shop of choice and see ones they've done in different lighting circumstances (outside, in a garage, etc.) then go from there
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      07-24-2012, 09:10 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arktctr View Post
I used to automatically go 20% because I wanted it to be dark. This time, I wanted something a bit different by not totally blacking things out and I got the 35% and its perfect for me. Its defintely tinted but you can still see through the car a bit which is what I was looking for. Ultimately its like the color choice, personal for everyone.
Great advice guys, thank you
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      07-24-2012, 09:11 AM   #11
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i went with 35% rubber 3M tint.
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      07-24-2012, 10:30 AM   #12
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2014 BMW 335 Xi  [10.00]
5% rear and 20's all around. do NOT tint windshield, at night while raining you will hate urself
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      07-24-2012, 10:45 AM   #13
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On our project car we have 35 percent all around, kinda light but we did that so we dont get pulled over in Chicago lol, but I think 30 would be alittle too light

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      07-24-2012, 11:38 AM   #14
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Huper Optik Ceramic 30 - works well on TX summer
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      07-24-2012, 12:03 PM   #15
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I had 20% all around on my jet black E92, looked great but if you live in Norcal, around the bay area the CHP will get you every time. I will agree with others that 30% is a tad light which is what I have on my current car, but its nice not getting pulled over for it every few weeks.
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      07-24-2012, 12:21 PM   #16
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Here in sunny Florida, 25% ceramic all around. Works and looks great.
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      07-24-2012, 12:36 PM   #17
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Thanks for all the replies. Anyone have any advice on brands? Would it be fair to say all the big brands (3M, Suntek, Huper, etc.) are all pretty much the same quality?
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      07-24-2012, 12:54 PM   #18
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I actually think light tint can look really good on the right car... say on white or silver, I've seen 50% that looks amazing.

The most important thing to how dark it looks from the outside is your interior color. 35% on a tan interior will look very light, 35% on a black interior will look quite dark.

I'm a fan of 35%.
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      07-24-2012, 01:16 PM   #19
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Yeah, I had 50% on my Imola M Coupe, it worked great. The wife's black on black 1er is 30%, and it borders on too dark for my preference.
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      07-24-2012, 04:20 PM   #20
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I don't like the look of solid black windows and bought tint mainly for the heat and UV rejection. That being said, my black/black Sport Line has 40% on all the windows and 80% on the windshield. You cannot even notice the windshield unless I park next to an untinted F30 but it still blocks 43% of the heat and 99% of the UV rays. I also really like the 40% on the sides because it's not too dark. All my of friends have 35% and there is really no difference between 40% and 35% in terms of looks or heat rejection.

My only real suggestion is definitely go with ceramic tint. It may cost $100-200 more, but it's worth it for the extra heat rejection.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VSmotorsports View Post
On our project car we have 35 percent all around, kinda light but we did that so we dont get pulled over in Chicago lol, but I think 30 would be alittle too light
30% tint would be darker than 35%

Did you mean 40% would be a little too light?

Last edited by Mahzari; 07-24-2012 at 04:26 PM..
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      07-26-2012, 03:45 AM   #21
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I've had 20% Lumunar on my current car for the last 10 yrs. No loss of color either. I've rarely any issues around Chicago and no issues in CA. The only thing about 20% is that it can be hard to see outside when there are no street lights. If you are in a rural area, I'd suggest going lighter. I have great night sight, but usually end up putting down my front windows when I'm on side roads in the middle nowhere. Urban night there's no issue.

Right now I'm toying with the idea of 35% on my 335i, but I don't like that it does appear a bit lighter with a light interior. I'm not sure what effect the auto dimming side mirrors with have. 20% + auto dimming could be dark.
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      08-06-2012, 05:02 PM   #22
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+1 on the ceramic tint
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