F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior & interior) > Tint Advice
ARMA SPEED
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-19-2012, 09:06 PM   #1
Monaco
Private First Class
United_States
24
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: 2013 Jaguar XF Portfolio Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Scottsdale

iTrader: (0)

Tint Advice

Unusual these days, but my car did NOT come pre-tinted from the dealer. Here in Phoenix, window tints are something you cannot live without, as our summers are generally spent at temps in excess of 110-120.

Thus, I need to have my windows tinted, but I was hoping for some feedback about what tint brands are better than others. My dealer wants to charge me close to $400 for 3M, which seems crazy high to me.

Looking for any recommendations, and if you know a tinter in Phoenix, that would be great too.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 09:15 PM   #2
EnerJi
Second Lieutenant
United_States
15
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: '13 BMW 335i M-Sport EB-II
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monaco View Post
Unusual these days, but my car did NOT come pre-tinted from the dealer. Here in Phoenix, window tints are something you cannot live without, as our summers are generally spent at temps in excess of 110-120.

Thus, I need to have my windows tinted, but I was hoping for some feedback about what tint brands are better than others. My dealer wants to charge me close to $400 for 3M, which seems crazy high to me.

Looking for any recommendations, and if you know a tinter in Phoenix, that would be great too.
Which 3M tint, they have several? If the Crystalline, that seems to be a reasonable deal, based on what others have posted. It's expensive, but has superior heat rejection, which is probably what you're looking for? If you search the forum you'll find several other recommendations, although most recommendations seem to be for the color / "look" and not necessarily for how effectively they reject heat.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 09:48 PM   #3
bnekic
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
371
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (1)

Remember though on the F30 a felt strip has to be installed on all for windows to prevent scratching which means removing the door panels.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 10:04 PM   #4
claykin
Brigadier General
United_States
1579
Rep
4,543
Posts

Drives: various BMW
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bnekic View Post
Remember though on the F30 a felt strip has to be installed on all for windows to prevent scratching which means removing the door panels.
Serious? They didn't fix that after learning from E9x issues and customer complaints?

How about Llumar CTX?
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 10:55 PM   #5
bnekic
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
371
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (1)

^ guess not. When I dropped my car off the tint guy called and said you have triple seals on your BMW so the door panels had to be removed and the felt liner installed.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 11:09 PM   #6
SoFlo_Nick
Lieutenant
SoFlo_Nick's Avatar
United_States
36
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: Current (392 Widebody Charger)
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Miami,Fl

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monaco View Post
Unusual these days, but my car did NOT come pre-tinted from the dealer. Here in Phoenix, window tints are something you cannot live without, as our summers are generally spent at temps in excess of 110-120.

Thus, I need to have my windows tinted, but I was hoping for some feedback about what tint brands are better than others. My dealer wants to charge me close to $400 for 3M, which seems crazy high to me.

Looking for any recommendations, and if you know a tinter in Phoenix, that would be great too.
That's ridiculously overpriced, My guy is going to give the top of the line Nano-Film best on the market for $250 3m by the way
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2012, 11:38 PM   #7
nano10
Lieutenant Colonel
nano10's Avatar
448
Rep
1,846
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Lake Forest, CA

iTrader: (6)

3m crystalline for $250! May have to make trip from CA with my car instead of plane in Jan just fro the deal
__________________
2018 M3 Imola Red Competition package/Executive package/M Performance suspension
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 06:22 AM   #8
claykin
Brigadier General
United_States
1579
Rep
4,543
Posts

Drives: various BMW
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bnekic View Post
^ guess not. When I dropped my car off the tint guy called and said you have triple seals on your BMW so the door panels had to be removed and the felt liner installed.
Triple seals? The door seals don't have anything to do with whether the interior glass guides have felt or are hard plastic (like the e90).

I'm gonna hope your tint guy got this wrong or was just trying to sell you something you didn't need.

I google'd F30 tint felt and moleskin and have not found anyone saying the F30 requires it. Many references to the E90.

Last edited by claykin; 12-20-2012 at 06:30 AM..
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 09:04 AM   #9
bnekic
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
371
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (1)

He was possibly referring to triple seals inside/below the windows.

He does a lot of luxury/exotic vehicles so I would expect he knows what he's talking about.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 09:26 AM   #10
tdizzle
Colonel
United_States
107
Rep
1,997
Posts

Drives: 2017 F80 ZCP
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Memphis

iTrader: (0)

I got mine with a lifetime warranty for around $200. Obviously, places that say they cater to luxury cars feel they can charge a lot more for the same product. It's not rocket science, nor does it take long if you have someone that knows what they're doing, but like everything else where a labor cost is involved, people are going to charge premium prices if they can get away with it.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 09:34 AM   #11
NiceNotRiceBMW
Private
15
Rep
79
Posts

Drives: 2012 Mineral Grey Sport 328i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdizzle
I got mine with a lifetime warranty for around $200. Obviously, places that say they cater to luxury cars feel they can charge a lot more for the same product. It's not rocket science, nor does it take long if you have someone that knows what they're doing, but like everything else where a labor cost is involved, people are going to charge premium prices if they can get away with it.

+1... Well said
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 10:20 AM   #12
bnekic
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
371
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (1)

Ok let me know if scratch lines start to appear later on...
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 10:33 AM   #13
NiceNotRiceBMW
Private
15
Rep
79
Posts

Drives: 2012 Mineral Grey Sport 328i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bnekic
Ok let me know if scratch lines start to appear later on...

I've had tints (WITHOUT FELT STRIPS) since I got my car 7 months ago... Not a single scratch yet...
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 10:50 AM   #14
G16grancoupe
Second Lieutenant
G16grancoupe's Avatar
9
Rep
266
Posts

Drives: 2019 f90
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: So CAL, LA

iTrader: (0)

I have 3M limo tint every window plus banner across front. Lifetime warrantee. 140$
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 11:30 AM   #15
Z4
Private
5
Rep
64
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

I have Wincos IR tint and it really helps reducing the heat in the summer of Texas. Compared it with Llumar and Huper Optik under InfraRed light and Wincos is the coolest among all of them(HO is very close). Wincos cost a bit more than HO but I think it worth every penny.
__________________

2013 F30 328i Alpine White Sportline / Black Leatherette / Tech / Xenons (Timeline)
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 11:46 AM   #16
bcl0328
Major
127
Rep
1,185
Posts

Drives: 2012 328i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Abingdon, MD

iTrader: (0)

i have 3M ceramic tint with no felt strips. got it done over the summer. no scratches at all.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 12:07 PM   #17
jddssc121
Second Lieutenant
11
Rep
271
Posts

Drives: vroom
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (1)

Forumla One Pinnacle
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 12:43 PM   #18
bnekic
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
371
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (1)

My tint guy said he could have done my car without the felt/moleskin strips but if the tint scratched later on the tint manufacturer wouldn't honor the lifetime warranty because it wasn't installed properly.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 01:10 PM   #19
DarkTrigger
Professional
DarkTrigger's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
977
Posts

Drives: 335i MPPK
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LB, SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jddssc121
Forumla One Pinnacle
+1

What transmittance did you get?
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 01:59 PM   #20
NateDog07V
Second Lieutenant
30
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: 15' M235i BSM Auto
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Northern VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NiceNotRiceBMW View Post
I've had tints (WITHOUT FELT STRIPS) since I got my car 7 months ago... Not a single scratch yet...
This.... Solargard 18% all around (minus windshield) for $270 in DC area... not a single scratch... lifetime warranty
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 02:49 PM   #21
VSmotorsports
Lieutenant Colonel
VSmotorsports's Avatar
156
Rep
1,624
Posts

Drives: e92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Schaumburg, IL

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jddssc121 View Post
Forumla One Pinnacle
+1 on that, seeing that you are out in Phoenix this is the tint that I would highly recommend. Thicker and works very well in your area
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2012, 03:54 PM   #22
Monaco
Private First Class
United_States
24
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: 2013 Jaguar XF Portfolio Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Scottsdale

iTrader: (0)

Just called the shop that does all the tinting for the high end dealers in town. There are 3 options I would consider:

Pinnacle Formula One (Nano-Ceramic) - $299
Huper Optik Stark (Ceramic) - $499
Huper Optik Drei - $699

The two HO lines supposedly reflect away the heat in the summer time, leading to cooler temps within the car. They have a heat lamp demonstration of each tint line in the store that I am going to check out this weekend.

Spending that much on tint seems nuts, but I don't want to regret my decision in July when it is 118 degrees outside.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:25 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST