[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Will take car to tint shop for discussion, he is 3M only shop - likely go ceramic to save few bucks if tint tone and density will get me what I desire for cosmetic look and more importantly lighter rear tint density. That 3M ceramic tint is what i had in mind, but sounds like color tone wont work, darn. I'm age 68, wear contacts, night vision not exactly stellar ��. I should have gotten this tint thing redone 2+ years ago when purchased the car, it's uncomfortable/unsafe for me driving at night. Been lucky I guess, haven't backed into or hit anything yet...and no rear view camera or PDC system on this truck, ugh!

Is 'privacy glass' standard on these F30 sedans?

It’s only the CR40 that has the bronze shade, others are gray - you’ll see them all displayed in the shop and can judge for yourself. I think 3M has other ceramic tints as well that are cheaper, so win-win lol.

I saw comments that the X3 (and probably all the X’s now) have standard privacy glass in the rear, so might not show up on a VIN check. The regular cars like the 3-series have clear glass standard.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

It’s only the CR40 that has the bronze shade, others are gray - you’ll see them all displayed in the shop and can judge for yourself. I think 3M has other ceramic tints as well that are cheaper, so win-win lol.

I saw comments that the X3 (and probably all the X’s now) have standard privacy glass in the rear, so might not show up on a VIN check. The regular cars like the 3-series have clear glass standard.

Thanks again; shop charges $375 for 3M 'ceramic'; $600 for Crystalline. Plus $100+ to remove old tint. His prices seem reasonable in Calif based on couple other local quotes, no free (or cheap) lunch here, but....we get what we pay for.

[orbE46]

I have Llumar Pinnacle 30% ceramic all around.

[AspektUSA]

The thing with tint, is rapidly diminishing returns:

3M Crystaline 40 TSER = 60%
Formula One Pinnacle 40 TSER = 53%

Is 7% worth the extra $ to you? Then go for it.

Simply getting a good quality ceramic tint, installed by pros who stand by their work is such an improvement over stock it's unreal.

[Wgosma]

Going ceramic on the X3

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by AspektUSA

The thing with tint, is rapidly diminishing returns:

3M Crystaline 40 TSER = 60%
Formula One Pinnacle 40 TSER = 53%

Is 7% worth the extra $ to you? Then go for it.

Simply getting a good quality ceramic tint, installed by pros who stand by their work is such an improvement over stock it's unreal.

Totally agree - if you don't live in an extreme climate then the extra cost for a small gain isn't worth it.

In my case this is why I shelled out $$$ for that extra 7%:

[Wgosma]

Arizona, ugh. I go visit my daughter in Gilbert...in November 😉

[SquareWheels]

Hi,

I was thinking of getting tinting, I do a lot of night time driving. Would I be unhappy with Formula1 Stratos by Llumar tinting that claims to allow 35% light transmission?

I've never owned a car with window tinting before, but I think a nice car like this deserves it.

Thanks

[Yiolli]

Here is a 30% tint on my old car. Kinda looks dark in the pictures but I always felt like you can easily see through if your sitting in a car next to mine. 20% or less will probably be too dark for what you're looking for. Sounds like you want heat reduction and to make the car to look a little more sleek but you don't value privacy as much.

Based on these, I'd say 35% ceramic is perfect for you. No experience with the windshield tints but that is definitely essential for the heat

[tardboi]

Originally Posted by orbE46

I have Llumar Pinnacle 30% ceramic all around.

Is there a stock tint on the 3 series? Rear looks quite a bit darker. Did 35 all around mine and the rear looks a little darker too.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

Hi,

I was thinking of getting tinting, I do a lot of night time driving. Would I be unhappy with Formula1 Stratos by Llumar tinting that claims to allow 35% light transmission?

I've never owned a car with window tinting before, but I think a nice car like this deserves it.

Thanks

I always do about 35% ceramic on my cars and never have had issues in the dark. I never do my windshield since the windshield already has a UV blocking layer and could interfere with the various electronics up front.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Check the options to make sure your car doesn’t have a factory tint package. Or if you can’t figure it out you can always have your installer check with a light meter once they pull the film. (make sure they check a rear window, not a front).

Here’s a before and after photo. This particular shade of CR has a bronze look to it that’s pretty distinctive and would probably look great on your white X3.
[IMG]https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/pi...ictureid=39160[/IMG]

[IMG]https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/pi...ictureid=39156[/IMG]

Is factory "privacy glass" and "factory tint" two different things? I'm obviously bit confused.

VIN decoder of my 2012 X3 shows privacy glass/glazing option code. I don't see anything else related to car's glass. I used my digital SLR camera light meter to measure rear windows light transmission with (bare, no film) just privacy glass, looks to be blocking about 50% of visible light...That sound correct?
thanks
bill

[jared21927]

Originally Posted by tardboi

Is there a stock tint on the 3 series? Rear looks quite a bit darker. Did 35 all around mine and the rear looks a little darker too.

Yes, My installer told me the windows come about 70% from the factory.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Is factory "privacy glass" and "factory tint" two different things? I'm obviously bit confused.

VIN decoder of my 2012 X3 shows privacy glass/glazing option code. I don't see anything else related to car's glass. I used my digital SLR camera light meter to measure rear windows light transmission with (bare, no film) just privacy glass, looks to be blocking about 50% of visible light...That sound correct?
thanks
bill

Yes, privacy glass is factory tint - it’s darkened glass instead of a film. 50% is probably accurate - I’d trust your light meter.

[BeerHerder]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

Hi,

I was thinking of getting tinting, I do a lot of night time driving. Would I be unhappy with Formula1 Stratos by Llumar tinting that claims to allow 35% light transmission?

I've never owned a car with window tinting before, but I think a nice car like this deserves it.

Thanks

I have 35% Stratos on my 335 and love it. I put 35% Pinnacle on my wife's X3 and it looks just as good, but it's a lease so I didn't want to pay the higher $. Theoretically the Stratos is higher quality with lower heat pass. You can't go wrong with either. I've used LLumar for all my cars since 2005 (I think...?)

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I took a look at X3 pics on the BMW site and it looks like around 35-45% tint on the rears with the privacy glass. Assume it’s 40%, then if you stack a 70% tint you end up around 28%. There’s a CR90 which would give you 36% using the same calculation.

The CR40 I have won’t work for your fronts since the BMW privacy glass has a gray tint - you’ll want a gray front tint to match.

Visited pretty nice tint shop yesterday, bit disappointing as owner did not have light meter, ugh....isn't a meter a common tool one in this tint biz would own???

With the 3M CERAMIC (not the Crystalline) they offer 6 grades: 'IR5" to "IR70"....light transmission ranges then from as low as 6% up to max of 76%; so I can find some combo of films that will work for front/rear windows. I think I just need shop w/more technical expertise, or experience, etc.

Thanks/Bill