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      10-29-2018, 06:41 AM   #1
shamik84
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Window Tints

Recently purchased a '17 340i (black sapphire) and need some tint recommendations. I live in southeast Michigan and would like to know...

1) where do you recommend I get them done?
2) what %? I was thinking 35% sides/rear and 50% on the windshield
3) is there a type (I.e. brand, material...etc) of film you would recommend?

Thanks in advance!
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      10-29-2018, 03:27 PM   #2
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I got nano ceramic on mine. I’m in Ohio so I can’t help you with a place. Just vette them and check reviews.

70% front windshield and the rest at 20%.





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      11-06-2018, 04:08 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chowser51 View Post
I got nano ceramic on mine. I’m in Ohio so I can’t help you with a place. Just vette them and check reviews.

70% front windshield and the rest at 20%.







Hey where did you get this done, I'm in the Cleveland area. Do they carry 3M film?
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      11-06-2018, 04:24 PM   #4
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Rehab in Bedford Hts did it for me. I’m not sure he’s doing tint anymore. He had trouble keeping a good tint guy. He’s switching to more expensive projects (he normally does wraps, mods, etc.) He recommended a place in Mentor. Fastlane? You can call the store and ask what he’s still doing or if he can recommend a shop.
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      11-13-2018, 06:32 AM   #5
ndx6spd
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shamik84 View Post
Recently purchased a '17 340i (black sapphire) and need some tint recommendations. I live in southeast Michigan and would like to know...

1) where do you recommend I get them done?
2) what %? I was thinking 35% sides/rear and 50% on the windshield
3) is there a type (I.e. brand, material...etc) of film you would recommend?

Thanks in advance!
I'm in Oakland county, and Sunshades in Troy is usually everyone's go-to, unless you're on a budget. I've had multiple cars done there over the years, and they're always perfect.

I have 30% all around and 50% on windshield. Light enough to see the silhouette but not details. I'll probably get pulled over for it but I see enough tinted cars around here yet cops don't seem to care much; but do keep in mind tinted fronts will give cops a reason to pull you over and search in Michigan.

There's another place in Keego Harbor/Sylvan Lake, but I cannot personally vouch for that one, but I almost went there because they had good reviews and they're little bit cheaper than Sunshade (which cost a little over $500 for all/windshield for my f30).
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      11-13-2018, 06:38 AM   #6
shamik84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndx6spd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by shamik84 View Post
Recently purchased a '17 340i (black sapphire) and need some tint recommendations. I live in southeast Michigan and would like to know...

1) where do you recommend I get them done?
2) what %? I was thinking 35% sides/rear and 50% on the windshield
3) is there a type (I.e. brand, material...etc) of film you would recommend?

Thanks in advance!
I'm in Oakland county, and Sunshades in Troy is usually everyone's go-to, unless you're on a budget. I've had multiple cars done there over the years, and they're always perfect.

I have 30% all around and 50% on windshield. Light enough to see the silhouette but not details. I'll probably get pulled over for it but I see enough tinted cars around here yet cops don't seem to care much; but do keep in mind tinted fronts will give cops a reason to pull you over and search in Michigan.

There's another place in Keego Harbor/Sylvan Lake, but I cannot personally vouch for that one, but I almost went there because they had good reviews and they're little bit cheaper than Sunshade (which cost a little over $500 for all/windshield for my f30).
Do you have pics you can share?
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      11-14-2018, 04:33 AM   #7
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I'll snap some pics today after a quick wash.

Edit: didn't get a wash due to snow but here it is. 50% windshield, 30% all around.

View post on imgur.com

Last edited by ndx6spd; 11-15-2018 at 02:32 PM.. Reason: adding pics
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      11-14-2018, 08:12 AM   #8
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35% all around.

Careful on the windshield.
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      03-22-2019, 12:04 PM   #9
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Any good places in Columbus to get tinted? How much should I be paying for ceramic tint on a sedan?
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      07-26-2019, 09:06 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fronttwelv View Post
Any good places in Columbus to get tinted? How much should I be paying for ceramic tint on a sedan?
I know this is an old thread, but nobody responded to you. I just had my 335 sedan done with 35% LLumar Stratos (their top line dual layer infrared reflecting tint) for around $900 including 70% Stratos on the front windshield and 15% on the sunroof. Doing Pinnacle (single layer ceramic) would have been around $600-650 for the same.

LLumar has another line of products that are pretty similar, but called CTX and IRX. Pinnacle and Stratos are available only at LLumar Formula One SelectPro certified dealers. Likely more of a marketing thing than any real difference.

Can't help you with an installer near Columbus, but you can use the LLumar dealer finder: https://northamerica.llumar.com/find...&film=AutoTint

I've used LLumar on all my cars. Brand loyalty maybe? All I know is that it never fades and my car is a lot cooler.
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      08-07-2019, 01:55 AM   #11
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Is it possible to get a factory type tinting that doesn't show a gap around the window sill. I have a 430i Gran Coupe and film tinting looks awful when the doors are open.

Also, how durable and permanent are these aftermarket tinting especially going over rear defogger element. Factory tinting in the X class are permanent inside the glass coating and they look great.
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      08-08-2019, 03:58 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GenXer View Post
Is it possible to get a factory type tinting that doesn't show a gap around the window sill. I have a 430i Gran Coupe and film tinting looks awful when the doors are open.

Also, how durable and permanent are these aftermarket tinting especially going over rear defogger element. Factory tinting in the X class are permanent inside the glass coating and they look great.
I'm assuming you're talking about the gap at the top of the window where they stop the film so it won't peel back. I've had tint on every car since like 2005 and when you get a good shop, they will slide the tint all the way up to the very top so you won't have a gap or it'll be so minimal that it's barely noticeable. After install you shouldn't roll your windows down for about 3-5 days to give it time to dry completely and you'll be fine.

For your 2nd question, aftermarket tint can be removed. There's a small risk that you'll damage the rear defogger lines. I just had old tint removed on my 335 and it wasn't an issue.

My main suggestion is to make sure you get high quality fade resistant or fade free film. I've had really good luck with LLumar. My last 2 cars had LLumar CTX Ceramic, my current 335 has LLumar Stratos dual layer infrared rejection film, and my wife's leased X3 has LLumar Pinnacle Ceramic. Other people swear by 3M.

Go to a good shop in your area and talk to them about it. Where are you located? I got mine done at Chicago Auto Pros in Lombard and they have a 2nd shop in Glenview.

*edit* You asked about durability as well. As long as you're not picking at it with sharp fingernails or something, I don't think you'll ever have an issue with durability. I don't have kids, so I don't have to worry about them being jerks, but they always seem to be very durable...
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Last edited by BeerHerder; 08-08-2019 at 04:05 PM..
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      08-10-2019, 08:22 PM   #13
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The Gran Coupe windows automatically go up and down every time you open the car doors. When the doors are open, the windows are partially down. There is no window frame. Unless the tinting is done perfectly and is extremely durable, the edge will wear out.
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      08-17-2019, 02:27 PM   #14
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The tint on my daughter's car is 11 years old and the rear window is finally bubbling. I'm not going to fix it. You can't see it from the inside of the car, the rear view is clear. She doesn't complain because it's a free car. She's waiting for me to retire so she can have my F33 since I plan on buying two retirement cars as a present.

1,356 days to go...


I'm regretting the 20% on the sides and back. My street is not lit and driving out of my driveway at night requires me to open the windows so I can see if anyone is on the sidewalk before entering the street. I'll stick with 35% since my last four cars had that.
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      08-22-2019, 10:41 AM   #15
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There's a high end shop in Metro Detroit called Tint World. They do excellent work, 10/10 would recommend. They also do ceramic coatings and PPF too
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      08-28-2019, 08:09 AM   #16
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Can also recommend Dr. Tinto in Livonia. They did a good job on my last 2 cars
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      09-14-2019, 04:21 PM   #17
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A2 Customs in Ann Arbor does a great job for tints. They also do vinyl wraps.
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