Tints. Does ceramic matter

phil.harlow · 09-19-2011, 04:46 PM

Hey guys,

I have 2011 E90 335xi with Comfort Access. I've read that to not interfere with CA I need ceramic tint. I have a couple buddies who recommended me to Ice Tech in Bothell but they only have "non-metallic" tints, and I'm wondering if that will work just as well with CA. I've also read that the ceramic films block heat better, so I may be willing to pay more for a quality ceramic film tint. Ice Tech quoted me at $150 for all of the windows. Does anyone have any recommendations? I keep reading bad things about Bellevue Accutint so I think I'll shy away from them.

Also, does anyone have pictures of 35%? 30%? 20%? I still cant decide how dark I want it.

Thanks!!

Nuke335i · 09-19-2011, 07:01 PM

Hey Phil, as far as I know "non-metallic" should work just fine with your CA. Like you said, the ceramic films would block heat better and cost more, and they also work with CA. Only the metallic films have been reported to interfere with the CA, from what I've heard.

As for where to get it done, I went to Seattle Accutint with a group buy that Johnny Lin set up and they did a pretty good job. I got 20% and am pretty happy with that. Sorry, I don't have a picture of it. Maybe I can take one a little later and post it. Anyway, good luck!

phil.harlow · 09-19-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke335i

Hey Phil, as far as I know "non-metallic" should work just fine with your CA. Like you said, the ceramic films would block heat better and cost more, and they also work with CA. Only the metallic films have been reported to interfere with the CA, from what I've heard.

As for where to get it done, I went to Seattle Accutint with a group buy that Johnny Lin set up and they did a pretty good job. I got 20% and am pretty happy with that. Sorry, I don't have a picture of it. Maybe I can take one a little later and post it. Anyway, good luck!

Thanks for the reply nuke! Do you have any reservations about 20%? It's enough light for night time driving? Using your side mirrors? I think I'm leaning towards 35% as it's legal and I would prefer to be able to see at night

But I think the darker the better looks wise.

reddemon73 · 09-20-2011, 12:44 PM

I had 15% ceramic on my E92 done at Accutint of Seattle. I brought my car back there twice to have the bubble fix in the rear window. They end up replacing the film the second time. Overall, they did a good job.

Will 15% tint, I have to lower y window while backing out at night time. My only other alternative with ceramic is 35%, way too light.

Nuke335i · 09-20-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.harlow

Thanks for the reply nuke! Do you have any reservations about 20%? It's enough light for night time driving? Using your side mirrors? I think I'm leaning towards 35% as it's legal and I would prefer to be able to see at night

But I think the darker the better looks wise.

I really like the look of the 20%. For the most part driving with it is fine at night, and during the day it is perfect. It actually helps dampen the brightness of headlights in the rear and sideview mirrors at night. The only difficult thing with this dark of a tint is backing up at night, especially if there are no street lights around. Like red demon said above, you just have to be real careful and maybe roll your window down if you are having trouble seeing while backing up. Since backing up at night is such a small part of my driving time, I don't really mind this small inconvenience.

phil.harlow · 09-20-2011, 11:48 PM

Thanks reddemon and nuke for your replies!

I do think the dark tints look much better, so that may be a sacrifice I'm willing to make as well. Thanks for your thoughts!

Now I just need to set up my appointment

m34SPD · 09-21-2011, 12:59 AM

Give John or Ben at Metropolitan a call and tell them TJ sent you. They use 3M film and do a good job.

E92ML · 09-21-2011, 01:36 AM

I have 30% ceramic tint and it is much better at blocking heat than the metallic tint I used to have on my E38. The brand of the tint is Formula One Ceramic tint and it was installed by accutint in Seattle.

I'd recommend the 20% tint though. Even with my black interior the 30% doesn't look dark enough. Hope this helps!

WU99WU · 09-25-2011, 12:15 AM

My buddy jeff from imperial tint is really good too, he's in Kirkland. I dunno what fil
He uses but it looks coo. Nit u have the large strip of dot matrix on the top of the rear windshield he can put a stop of gloss blk vinyl up there so it doesn't look like the tint is sweating. His # +1 (360) 601-3373

N0OS3 · 09-25-2011, 01:21 AM

here's my 15% even though you were looking for 20%+

I got this done locally in Oak Harbor... i'm pretty sure you won't want to drive over deception pass or take the ferry just to get your windows tinted. The guy here runs a shop out of his garage called "Island Tinting" but he's DAMN GOOD. He used to have his own shop in FL but he sold that and moved here. He's got it made because he's the only tint shop on the island so he gets 90% of the business...

phil.harlow · 09-27-2011, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the tips guys! And thanks lync for the picture!

I just need to bite the bullet and get this done!

09-19-2011, 04:46 PM	#1
phil.harlow Driving Enthusiast 152 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2021 F90 Comp Frozen Bluestone Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00]	Tints. Does ceramic matter Hey guys, I have 2011 E90 335xi with Comfort Access. I've read that to not interfere with CA I need ceramic tint. I have a couple buddies who recommended me to Ice Tech in Bothell but they only have "non-metallic" tints, and I'm wondering if that will work just as well with CA. I've also read that the ceramic films block heat better, so I may be willing to pay more for a quality ceramic film tint. Ice Tech quoted me at $150 for all of the windows. Does anyone have any recommendations? I keep reading bad things about Bellevue Accutint so I think I'll shy away from them. Also, does anyone have pictures of 35%? 30%? 20%? I still cant decide how dark I want it. Thanks!! __________________ 2021 Frozen Bluestone ///M5 Comp - Ordered 9/6/20 \| Finished Production 10/19/20 \| Delivered 12/13/20 2018 Mineral Grey ///M3 - Ordered 7/24/17 \| Euro Delivery 9/1/17 \| US Delivery 10/31/17 2015 Mineral White ///M3 - Ordered 4/6/14 \| Finished Production 8/28/14 \| Delivered 10/11/14 2011 Black E90 335xi - Ordered 7/10/11 \| Finished Production 7/20/11 \| Delivered 9/3/11
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09-19-2011, 07:01 PM	#2
Nuke335i Private First Class 6 Rep 103 Posts Drives: '08 335i e92 BSM Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murrieta, CA iTrader: (2)	Hey Phil, as far as I know "non-metallic" should work just fine with your CA. Like you said, the ceramic films would block heat better and cost more, and they also work with CA. Only the metallic films have been reported to interfere with the CA, from what I've heard. As for where to get it done, I went to Seattle Accutint with a group buy that Johnny Lin set up and they did a pretty good job. I got 20% and am pretty happy with that. Sorry, I don't have a picture of it. Maybe I can take one a little later and post it. Anyway, good luck! __________________ '08 e92 335i, 6MT, BSM, 19" iForged Estoril II's, Cobb AP Stage 1+, Mr.5 Intake, Helix FMIC, M3 rep side skirts, M-Tech rep front bumper.
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09-20-2011, 12:44 PM	#4
reddemon73 Major 103 Rep 1,392 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	I had 15% ceramic on my E92 done at Accutint of Seattle. I brought my car back there twice to have the bubble fix in the rear window. They end up replacing the film the second time. Overall, they did a good job. Will 15% tint, I have to lower y window while backing out at night time. My only other alternative with ceramic is 35%, way too light. __________________ 2014 435i M Sport //AW, CR//premium, tech, lightening pkgs//20% tint//full clear bra//ppk//blk grills//20" Vertini wheels//digital gauge//Apple Carplay//MPE with catted DP//VSRF charge pipe//Wagner FMIC//
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09-20-2011, 11:48 PM	#6
phil.harlow Driving Enthusiast 152 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2021 F90 Comp Frozen Bluestone Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00]	Thanks reddemon and nuke for your replies! I do think the dark tints look much better, so that may be a sacrifice I'm willing to make as well. Thanks for your thoughts! Now I just need to set up my appointment __________________ 2021 Frozen Bluestone ///M5 Comp - Ordered 9/6/20 \| Finished Production 10/19/20 \| Delivered 12/13/20 2018 Mineral Grey ///M3 - Ordered 7/24/17 \| Euro Delivery 9/1/17 \| US Delivery 10/31/17 2015 Mineral White ///M3 - Ordered 4/6/14 \| Finished Production 8/28/14 \| Delivered 10/11/14 2011 Black E90 335xi - Ordered 7/10/11 \| Finished Production 7/20/11 \| Delivered 9/3/11
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09-21-2011, 12:59 AM	#7
m34SPD Picture me rollin' 307 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: e36 m3, e39 m5, f80 m3 CS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: At the gas station iTrader: (0)	Give John or Ben at Metropolitan a call and tell them TJ sent you. They use 3M film and do a good job.
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09-21-2011, 01:36 AM	#8
E92ML Captain 33 Rep 886 Posts Drives: E92 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	I have 30% ceramic tint and it is much better at blocking heat than the metallic tint I used to have on my E38. The brand of the tint is Formula One Ceramic tint and it was installed by accutint in Seattle. I'd recommend the 20% tint though. Even with my black interior the 30% doesn't look dark enough. Hope this helps! __________________ Performance: JB4 ECU, CP-E DP's, WW BMS Meth Kit, AR meth elbow, BMS DCI, AFE Intake Scoops, Exterior: Enkruez 19" H8R, H&R Spacers, Aero Lip, Tint, ACS Roof Spoiler, HID AE's, HID Fogs, Black Grills, Sport Pedals
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09-25-2011, 12:15 AM	#9
WU99WU Banned 23 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (2)	My buddy jeff from imperial tint is really good too, he's in Kirkland. I dunno what fil He uses but it looks coo. Nit u have the large strip of dot matrix on the top of the rear windshield he can put a stop of gloss blk vinyl up there so it doesn't look like the tint is sweating. His # +1 (360) 601-3373
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09-25-2011, 01:21 AM	#10
N0OS3 Colonel 141 Rep 2,217 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oak Harbor, WA iTrader: (5)	here's my 15% even though you were looking for 20%+ I got this done locally in Oak Harbor... i'm pretty sure you won't want to drive over deception pass or take the ferry just to get your windows tinted. The guy here runs a shop out of his garage called "Island Tinting" but he's DAMN GOOD. He used to have his own shop in FL but he sold that and moved here. He's got it made because he's the only tint shop on the island so he gets 90% of the business...
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09-27-2011, 08:47 PM	#11
phil.harlow Driving Enthusiast 152 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2021 F90 Comp Frozen Bluestone Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00]	Thanks for the tips guys! And thanks lync for the picture! I just need to bite the bullet and get this done! __________________ 2021 Frozen Bluestone ///M5 Comp - Ordered 9/6/20 \| Finished Production 10/19/20 \| Delivered 12/13/20 2018 Mineral Grey ///M3 - Ordered 7/24/17 \| Euro Delivery 9/1/17 \| US Delivery 10/31/17 2015 Mineral White ///M3 - Ordered 4/6/14 \| Finished Production 8/28/14 \| Delivered 10/11/14 2011 Black E90 335xi - Ordered 7/10/11 \| Finished Production 7/20/11 \| Delivered 9/3/11
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