[anom3]

Coming from my E92 M3, I have decided to do things 'right' this time around.

One let down with my M3 was the after market tint.

Don't get me wrong, it was well done, but even the highly skilled folks that did mine had a hard time with the dot matrix.

So:

Has there ever been factory tint for the F30?

Is there anything besides the standard tinting methods that can be done to combat the dot matrix our rear windsheilds have?

Thanks!

[HotTea69]

I believe Factory tint is not done at the dealer, as in the spray on tint you see on SUVs. I believe they are done when building the car. If its done at the dealer they are still putting a film on, just like the professionals at the tinting shop.

Someone correct me if Im wrong.

[metallicpea]

There is no option for factory tinted glass on the 3 series. Any tint sold by the dealer is the same aftermarket process used by any professional shop. Might be different on the SUVs, but I wouldn't know about those.

[.BMW.]

Depends on which market we discuss?

In Europe there is definitely a factory tint option for F30!

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

Depends on which market we discuss?

In Europe there is definitely a factory tint option for F30!

Yes "behind the wheel" isn't very specific. I was referring to the US market.

That's cool. Almost standard on SUVs in the US, but not available on any cars I can think of. There must be some regulation against it.

[Wires]

I'm thinking BMWNA wants to sell that overpriced retractable rear and side shades instead...

One thing my tint guy mentioned is factory tint typically offers zero UV protection. I did the ceramic tint on my 340.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Yes "behind the wheel" isn't very specific. I was referring to the US market.

You are correct. One should not have to play detective when someone asks a question.

I only know the answer because I remembered this post.

Originally Posted by anom3

I live in Europe, getting a JB4 is a bit of a pain.

[Mauricio Palacios. MD]

Option S420A Abgedunkelte Verglasung - Sun Protection Glazing

[beanbaguk]

That's weird. You get factory tint in Europe. It's built into the glass laminate.

I've just bought the wife a new 2 series Grand Tourer and went for the dealer tint as it was added free of charge.

I'm waiting on the 4 series LCI to order a Grand Coupe and will also get the free dealer tint. (it's the difference between paying almost $500 or using that for more options)

[RoundelM3]

The legal percent of light admitted by window tint (i.e. 30%, 35%, etc.) varies from state to state in the US. Moving from TX where it's 30% maximum to North Carolina where it's 35% maximum (and they check this at annual inspection time) required re-tinting both of my cars.

Imagine your surprise if the "factory tint" didn't meet your state's maximum allowable tint laws that would preclude passing yearly inspection which would then prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. The only place there is "dot matrix" on my 2013 F30 is on the rear window - very small and narrow strips along the extreme edges on the right and left sides and a small strip along the bottom edge. Hardly noticeable, and the tinting outfit I used employed a heat gun to make it adhere as best as possible. Unless you get right up on it, you'd never see it.

[Orion4]

I had LLumar automotive window tint installed after buying my 13 335i. Absolutely no issues with the install over the rear window dot matrix. Dot matrix windows have been around long enough that it should not be a "challenge" for any qualified installer.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by roundel335

The legal percent of light admitted by window tint (i.e. 30%, 35%, etc.) varies from state to state in the US. Moving from TX where it's 30% maximum to North Carolina where it's 35% maximum (and they check this at annual inspection time) required re-tinting both of my cars.

Imagine your surprise if the "factory tint" didn't meet your state's maximum allowable tint laws that would preclude passing yearly inspection which would then prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. The only place there is "dot matrix" on my 2013 F30 is on the rear window - very small and narrow strips along the extreme edges on the right and left sides and a small strip along the bottom edge. Hardly noticeable, and the tinting outfit I used employed a heat gun to make it adhere as best as possible. Unless you get right up on it, you'd never see it.

States allow an exception for factory tint, which is regulated under federal law (NHTSA). For passenger cars that's 70% max, but that doesn't include SUVs, trucks, etc.

If you pull up the NC DOT regs, you can see it says only non-factory tint is required to be checked during inspection.

https://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/i...dowtinting.pdf

"All windows with applications of after‐factory window tinting must be checked during the safety inspection. (See exceptions below)"

[RoundelM3]

[QUOTE=chiefneil;21003060]States allow an exception for factory tint, which is regulated under federal law (NHTSA). For passenger cars that's 70% max, but that doesn't include SUVs, trucks, etc.

If you pull up the NC DOT regs, you can see it says only non-factory tint is required to be checked during inspection.

https://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/i...dowtinting.pdf

"All windows with applications of after‐factory window tinting must be checked during the safety inspection. (See exceptions below)"[/QUOTE

It doesn't say that factory-tinted windows won't be checked, however - just that aftermarket tinting MUST be checked. Not worth the risk IMO. I had an NC State Trooper look at my car from about 100 feet away and he could immediately tell it was too dark - and he asked if it was that way from the factory or if aftermarket tint was applied. So yes, maybe you could pass inspection, but you could also get stopped by law enforcement if your vehicle isn't covered under the list of exceptions.

I used to be in Law Enforcement, and personal (not for-hire or otherwise excepted) vehicles were always stopped and checked if their windows were exceptionally dark. Aside from Limos or other purpose-built vehicles, it's doubtful you'd find a US-Spec car with factory tint dark enough to attract attention from an LEO.

[hannah.m.pad]

[QUOTE=RoundelM3;21003942]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

States allow an exception for factory tint, which is regulated under federal law (NHTSA). For passenger cars that's 70% max, but that doesn't include SUVs, trucks, etc.

If you pull up the NC DOT regs, you can see it says only non-factory tint is required to be checked during inspection.

https://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/i...dowtinting.pdf

"All windows with applications of after‐factory window tinting must be checked during the safety inspection. (See exceptions below)"[/QUOTE

It doesn't say that factory-tinted windows won't be checked, however - just that aftermarket tinting MUST be checked. Not worth the risk IMO. I had an NC State Trooper look at my car from about 100 feet away and he could immediately tell it was too dark - and he asked if it was that way from the factory or if aftermarket tint was applied. So yes, maybe you could pass inspection, but you could also get stopped by law enforcement if your vehicle isn't covered under the list of exceptions.

I used to be in Law Enforcement, and personal (not for-hire or otherwise excepted) vehicles were always stopped and checked if their windows were exceptionally dark. Aside from Limos or other purpose-built vehicles, it's doubtful you'd find a US-Spec car with factory tint dark enough to attract attention from an LEO.

Tried opening the link to the NC Department of Transportation and it looks like they dropped the file.

I'll post a working link to the form if anyone is interested.

https://www.templateroller.com/templ...xceptions.html