To tint or not to tint?

neilk0630 · 09-29-2013, 08:43 AM

I live in TX, and as you might imagine the sun down here is a killer. To make matters worse my 2013 335i has black leather. When I ordered the car I knew it was a risk, given the sun & heat, but tan & gray were out of the question. I say Tint. The new ceramic tints are great! I’m very happy.

Before I took delivery, I did as much research as I could, and I talked to anyone who would share some knowledge with me. I looked at Formula One, 3M, Huper and Llumar. In the end I concluded that Huper provided the best protection from the sun, but they were able to accomplish this with a lighter looking tint. In other words, the windows didn’t look as dark. I wanted both… I wanted great sun protection in a dark tint. I went with Formula One which was darker than Huper, but provided almost as much sun protection. In the end… that worked for me. I did 35% on the sides & 15% on the back…. They offered to tint the front window, but I’m not so sure I like that. It looked good from out outside, but I didn’t go for it.

At first I wasn’t sure about tinting the sides & back with different degrees of tint. I didn’t want to see a mismatch between the sides & back. That would look weird. As you’ll see from the photos, you can’t tell. It looks great! I’m very happy.

328AL · 09-29-2013, 12:20 PM

Looking great! The back is most likely not huper optik. What type of huper optik did you use?

neilk0630 · 09-29-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328AL

Looking great! The back is most likely not huper optik. What type of huper optik did you use?

Thanks for the complement. I'm really happy with it. And you're right, it's Not huper. Sorry... my answer is deep in the middle of my big long post. I should keep my post a bit shorter.

It's Formula One 35% on the sides, and 15% on the back. I shoulid also mention in the photos above I have all my sun shades up, so it does make the tint look a littler darker. ( I Love my factory built-in sun shades )

DannyP · 10-03-2013, 09:05 PM

40% all around 3m crystalline. Here in Caribbean sun is unbearablenot to have tinted windows.

328AL · 10-06-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

40% all around 3m crystalline. Here in Caribbean sun is unbearablenot to have tinted windows.

Looks good from a distance, how do you find the purple hue of this tint play with your silver car? I wanted to do it, then I saw this tint on a black car and did not like it, nor the tint shop recommend it for GS car. They did recommend 50% because it has grey hue, but I'm concerned it's going to be too light.

DannyP · 10-06-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

40% all around 3m crystalline. Here in Caribbean sun is unbearablenot to have tinted windows.

Looks good from a distance, how do you find the purple hue of this tint play with your silver car? I wanted to do it, then I saw this tint on a black car and did not like it, nor the tint shop recommend it for GS car. They did recommend 50% because it has grey hue, but I'm concerned it's going to be too light.

The tint is actually black. 3m will not get purpleish with time. Also is a bright sun almost year round is brutal not have them. Crystalline lowers the heat inside the car. Is very notable.

328AL · 10-06-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

40% all around 3m crystalline. Here in Caribbean sun is unbearablenot to have tinted windows.

Looks good from a distance, how do you find the purple hue of this tint play with your silver car? I wanted to do it, then I saw this tint on a black car and did not like it, nor the tint shop recommend it for GS car. They did recommend 50% because it has grey hue, but I'm concerned it's going to be too light.

The tint is actually black. 3m will not get purpleish with time. Also is a bright sun almost year round is brutal not have them. Crystalline lowers the heat inside the car. Is very notable.

Sorry, I'm not talking about fading over time. It has a very noticeable purple hue when it is under the sun at 40%, at 50% does not have this hue. However, your car on that picture, looks darker than I would expect from any crystalline, are you sure it is a crystalline as opposed to 3m colorstable 35%, which is darker and black?

DannyP · 10-06-2013, 06:23 PM

Yes it is crystilline.

328AL · 10-06-2013, 07:44 PM

As long as you like it, that is all that matters, enjoy!

Mayor118 · 10-09-2013, 08:17 PM

Thanks to this tread I did my 328 in 35% and I'm very happy!

328AL · 10-10-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayor118

Thanks to this tread I did my 328 in 35% and I'm very happy!

Glad to hear, some pics would be nice!

MunnyGuy · 10-10-2013, 09:09 PM

I just got my new Glacier Silver tinted with 20% all around. This thread had me worried but it looks great!

reedo302 · 10-10-2013, 11:14 PM

55% tint level with a black interior.

328AL · 10-10-2013, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo302

55% tint level with a black interior.

Not bad at all! What tint did you use?

328AL · 10-10-2013, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunnyGuy

I just got my new Glacier Silver tinted with 20% all around. This thread had me worried but it looks great!

It is illegal in Arizona, but I would like to see it, thanks!

v1k1ng01 · 10-11-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328AL

It is illegal in Arizona, but I would like to see it, thanks!

Are the sun shades illigal? Tint is illigal here in Germany to, so I see a lot of bimmer's driving around with sunshades. My friend has them in his 135i and it looks good and works well.

Sedan_Clan · 10-15-2013, 10:25 PM

What do you guys think of SolarGard tint? Any suggestions on reputable tint shops in So.Cal?

09-29-2013, 08:43 AM	#45
neilk0630 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	I live in TX, and as you might imagine the sun down here is a killer. To make matters worse my 2013 335i has black leather. When I ordered the car I knew it was a risk, given the sun & heat, but tan & gray were out of the question. I say Tint. The new ceramic tints are great! I’m very happy. Before I took delivery, I did as much research as I could, and I talked to anyone who would share some knowledge with me. I looked at Formula One, 3M, Huper and Llumar. In the end I concluded that Huper provided the best protection from the sun, but they were able to accomplish this with a lighter looking tint. In other words, the windows didn’t look as dark. I wanted both… I wanted great sun protection in a dark tint. I went with Formula One which was darker than Huper, but provided almost as much sun protection. In the end… that worked for me. I did 35% on the sides & 15% on the back…. They offered to tint the front window, but I’m not so sure I like that. It looked good from out outside, but I didn’t go for it. At first I wasn’t sure about tinting the sides & back with different degrees of tint. I didn’t want to see a mismatch between the sides & back. That would look weird. As you’ll see from the photos, you can’t tell. It looks great! I’m very happy. Attached Images
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09-29-2013, 12:20 PM	#46
328AL Lieutenant 19 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2014 F30 Loaded Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0)	Looking great! The back is most likely not huper optik. What type of huper optik did you use?
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10-03-2013, 09:05 PM	#48
DannyP Private First Class 18 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2013 Glacier Silver F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	40% all around 3m crystalline. Here in Caribbean sun is unbearablenot to have tinted windows. Attached Images
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10-06-2013, 06:23 PM	#52
DannyP Private First Class 18 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2013 Glacier Silver F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	Yes it is crystilline.
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10-06-2013, 07:44 PM	#53
328AL Lieutenant 19 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2014 F30 Loaded Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0)	As long as you like it, that is all that matters, enjoy!
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10-09-2013, 08:17 PM	#54
Mayor118 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2013 328xi Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Thanks to this tread I did my 328 in 35% and I'm very happy! __________________ 13 328xi Sport, 13 X5 Sport, 11 328xi Sport, 07 328xi Sport, 06 X5, 06 328xi, 04 X3, 02 325xi
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10-10-2013, 09:09 PM	#56
MunnyGuy Bimmer Fan 42 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M5 Competition Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2013 Porsche Carrer ... [0.00]	I just got my new Glacier Silver tinted with 20% all around. This thread had me worried but it looks great!
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10-10-2013, 11:14 PM	#57
reedo302 Estorilblau Member 27 Rep 252 Posts Drives: Dinan Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	55% tint level with a black interior.
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10-15-2013, 10:25 PM	#61
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25085 Rep 22,283 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	What do you guys think of SolarGard tint? Any suggestions on reputable tint shops in So.Cal? Last edited by Sedan_Clan; 10-15-2013 at 10:36 PM..
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