To tint or not to tint?

Kennyd6 · 03-08-2011, 02:17 AM

Hi guys,

Thinking of getting a tint done this week and really not sure what to go for. Here's my car:

Ideally I'd love to get a light 35% all round but don't want hassle from the cops over it. I've a full year until the NCT (MOT) is due so I was thinking maybe get 35% rear/back and 50% front to reduce any chance of being pulled over for the fronts. It won't look as good as the full 35% though. Other choice is just the rear/back done in 35% or 50% all round. Or even 50% on all side windows and 35% back windscreen.

Car will most likely fail the NCT on the front windows as you need a VLT of 35% to pass so if I was to go 35% all round it would most likely be only for a year then they'd be taken off for the test. Or if I got pulled over for the fronts and had to remove them.

Would love to hear some feedback so:

Option A: 35% all round
Option B: 50% all round
Option C: 35% rear/back only
Option D: 50% front and 35% rear/back
Option E: 50% all 4 side windows with 35% back windscreen
Option F: No tint

Cheers

PurpleMonkey · 03-08-2011, 08:17 AM

I'm looking to get mine done soon, what's the legal amount on the front side windows?

R80TER · 03-08-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleMonkey

I'm looking to get mine done soon, what's the legal amount on the front side windows?

0. the standard glass has a mild tint and i believe any "upgraded" tint would be illegal and an MOT fail.

Personally, i would look at 15/20% front windows and 35% all round the back. Subtle without looking like a drug dealer / limo driver.

KadeSdad · 03-08-2011, 08:57 AM

Leave it, looks fine as is.

jimmylimmy · 03-08-2011, 10:02 AM

15% all round - darker rear windows make it look like a van imo.

ETA I also think it looks fine as is..

Candy 01 · 03-08-2011, 01:22 PM

If i was you i would get darker tint's on the back and lighter tint's on the front. I wouldn't go any darker than 50% because it doesn't look right. I had a peugeot 307 and tinted the the back window's limo black (as dark as the tint get's) and the font's a shade lighter. As you can imagine you couldn't see in the car even in the day. I had it one my car nearly 5 year's with the tint's without a problem. The garage were my MOT's were done was my friend's so never had a problem.

But now that i'am " abit " grown up i wouldn't get any darker than 50% on the back and a even light shade on the front.

CarAbuser · 03-08-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

Leave it, looks fine as is.

+1

Kennyd6 · 03-08-2011, 04:41 PM

Cheers lads, she's staying standard since I cant make up mind :P

11ker · 03-08-2011, 05:33 PM

Lower the percentage darker the tint....35% back 50% front I reckon would look stupid if you gonna get it get the same percentage all the way round looks better..I have 35% all round and it looks way better than stock haven't had any trouble with police even with the number plate on the front missing like yours on the piks.. Flew past mot no problem...visibility at night is good..20% would reduce the visibility at night..one thing To know when getting tints is that you make sure the tints are carbon tints rather than metalized coz they would interfere with the radio signal and key..

m1bjr · 03-09-2011, 01:20 AM

Don't forget to tell the insurance company too.
It IS classed as a mod as it impacts upon visibility (in their eyes).

And if you run illegal tints (anything really) forward of the A-pillar you might run into big issues with any insurance claim where you may be deemed partially liable for third party damages.

I like tints, had them on my last two cars, but unless you are a 'celebrity' don't do the fronts...

Candy 01 · 03-09-2011, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11ker

Lower the percentage darker the tint....35% back 50% front I reckon would look stupid if you gonna get it get the same percentage all the way round looks better..I have 35% all round and it looks way better than stock haven't had any trouble with police even with the number plate on the front missing like yours on the piks.. Flew past mot no problem...visibility at night is good..20% would reduce the visibility at night..one thing To know when getting tints is that you make sure the tints are carbon tints rather than metalized coz they would interfere with the radio signal and key..

Opp's go it the wrong way around lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Don't forget to tell the insurance company too.
It IS classed as a mod as it impacts upon visibility (in their eyes).

And if you run illegal tints (anything really) forward of the A-pillar you might run into big issues with any insurance claim where you may be deemed partially liable for third party damages.

I like tints, had them on my last two cars, but unless you are a 'celebrity' don't do the fronts...

Yea good point in some case's it does invalidate insurance!

muffking · 03-09-2011, 05:35 AM

I'd consider tinting the rears, maybe 50%, to stop people peering in the boot as I carry a lot of stuff and don't think the load cover meets the tailgate very well.
+ I think it looks good on darks cars.

ray313 · 03-09-2011, 10:27 AM

im considering tinting the rear windows on my SG to a dark smoked level....the only thing that puts me off is the dot matrix outline that will probably not tint properly =S

Steve vRS · 03-09-2011, 10:35 AM

Does the E90 have the dots around the rear and back windows?

Steve

mowflow · 03-09-2011, 10:50 AM

I had mine done. Both front and back with a darker shade on the back. Not sure of the actual percentages but the front is very slight and the rear is still possible to see into the back of the car as you walk past. I've not had any trouble with MOTs or Police stopping me.

The rear window on the e90 & e91 has a small area of dots but it's not that bad. The e92 has a large area and is much more of a problem apparently. The fitter also told me that the e90 is a bit of a pain as it's really hard to get to the lower part of the rear window.

I'll try to get some pics of mine if the sun ever comes out again.

muffking · 03-14-2011, 08:27 AM

I just test fitted 35% light smoke film to the boot side window of my E91. There were dots around the edges, but they did't bubble when tinted. Either way it was still too light for me, so I puled it off and cleaned off the residue as I'm gonna buy 15% dark smoke for the rear windows from this guy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-WINDOW-TIN...item4155acc855

E92ML · 06-01-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

I'd consider tinting the rears, maybe 50%, to stop people peering in the boot as I carry a lot of stuff and don't think the load cover meets the tailgate very well.
+ I think it looks good on darks cars.

+1

Carjack · 06-02-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyd6

Cheers lads, she's staying standard since I cant make up mind :P

Your best move! It looks very nice as it is!

chrissbmw · 06-02-2011, 05:05 PM

Has anyone tried these shades instead of tinting which someone asked about a while ago?

http://www.vanstyle.co.uk/shop/index...2784_2791_2793

gIzzE · 06-03-2011, 07:49 AM

This was my e61 touring with staggered tints....

60% fronts
55% rear
50% boot sides
20% back window

briers · 06-03-2011, 08:04 PM

Don't tint - it ruins the look unless it's very subtle (like the above).

I can't talk as mine is factory tinted. It's not that bad on the coupe in the end but tints can really spoil the look of nice cars.

Rethw · 06-04-2011, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrissbmw

Has anyone tried these shades instead of tinting which someone asked about a while ago?

http://www.vanstyle.co.uk/shop/index...2784_2791_2793

Not those ones but I got the OEM BMW ones great quality and easy to put on and off

03-08-2011, 02:17 AM	#1
Kennyd6 New Member 2 Rep 29 Posts Drives: e90 320d Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ireland iTrader: (0)	To tint or not to tint? Hi guys, Thinking of getting a tint done this week and really not sure what to go for. Here's my car: Ideally I'd love to get a light 35% all round but don't want hassle from the cops over it. I've a full year until the NCT (MOT) is due so I was thinking maybe get 35% rear/back and 50% front to reduce any chance of being pulled over for the fronts. It won't look as good as the full 35% though. Other choice is just the rear/back done in 35% or 50% all round. Or even 50% on all side windows and 35% back windscreen. Car will most likely fail the NCT on the front windows as you need a VLT of 35% to pass so if I was to go 35% all round it would most likely be only for a year then they'd be taken off for the test. Or if I got pulled over for the fronts and had to remove them. Would love to hear some feedback so: Option A: 35% all round Option B: 50% all round Option C: 35% rear/back only Option D: 50% front and 35% rear/back Option E: 50% all 4 side windows with 35% back windscreen Option F: No tint Cheers Last edited by Kennyd6; 03-08-2011 at 02:50 AM..
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03-08-2011, 08:17 AM	#2
PurpleMonkey Private First Class 22 Rep 169 Posts Drives: BMW 335D SE / BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I'm looking to get mine done soon, what's the legal amount on the front side windows?
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03-08-2011, 08:57 AM	#4
KadeSdad Colonel 128 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: E350 CDI Sport Cabriolet Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (3)	Leave it, looks fine as is.
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03-08-2011, 10:02 AM	#5
jimmylimmy Captain 19 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 'charged VXR8 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	15% all round - darker rear windows make it look like a van imo. ETA I also think it looks fine as is.. __________________ E92 335d Stealth Edition \| Gone VXR8 Wortec Carbon Edition \| Gone Golf R \| Incoming...
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03-08-2011, 01:22 PM	#6
Candy 01 Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 3 series E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: West Midlands iTrader: (0)	If i was you i would get darker tint's on the back and lighter tint's on the front. I wouldn't go any darker than 50% because it doesn't look right. I had a peugeot 307 and tinted the the back window's limo black (as dark as the tint get's) and the font's a shade lighter. As you can imagine you couldn't see in the car even in the day. I had it one my car nearly 5 year's with the tint's without a problem. The garage were my MOT's were done was my friend's so never had a problem. But now that i'am " abit " grown up i wouldn't get any darker than 50% on the back and a even light shade on the front.
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03-08-2011, 04:41 PM	#8
Kennyd6 New Member 2 Rep 29 Posts Drives: e90 320d Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ireland iTrader: (0)	Cheers lads, she's staying standard since I cant make up mind :P
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03-08-2011, 05:33 PM	#9
11ker Private 2 Rep 70 Posts Drives: e90 320d M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: london iTrader: (0)	Lower the percentage darker the tint....35% back 50% front I reckon would look stupid if you gonna get it get the same percentage all the way round looks better..I have 35% all round and it looks way better than stock haven't had any trouble with police even with the number plate on the front missing like yours on the piks.. Flew past mot no problem...visibility at night is good..20% would reduce the visibility at night..one thing To know when getting tints is that you make sure the tints are carbon tints rather than metalized coz they would interfere with the radio signal and key..
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03-09-2011, 01:20 AM	#10
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	Don't forget to tell the insurance company too. It IS classed as a mod as it impacts upon visibility (in their eyes). And if you run illegal tints (anything really) forward of the A-pillar you might run into big issues with any insurance claim where you may be deemed partially liable for third party damages. I like tints, had them on my last two cars, but unless you are a 'celebrity' don't do the fronts... __________________
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03-09-2011, 05:35 AM	#12
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	I'd consider tinting the rears, maybe 50%, to stop people peering in the boot as I carry a lot of stuff and don't think the load cover meets the tailgate very well. + I think it looks good on darks cars. __________________
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03-09-2011, 10:27 AM	#13
ray313 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 325i M sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SE London iTrader: (0)	im considering tinting the rear windows on my SG to a dark smoked level....the only thing that puts me off is the dot matrix outline that will probably not tint properly =S
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03-09-2011, 10:35 AM	#14
Steve vRS Private First Class 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 320d ED Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Does the E90 have the dots around the rear and back windows? Steve
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03-09-2011, 10:50 AM	#15
mowflow Colonel 62 Rep 2,472 Posts Drives: Golf 7R Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (2)	I had mine done. Both front and back with a darker shade on the back. Not sure of the actual percentages but the front is very slight and the rear is still possible to see into the back of the car as you walk past. I've not had any trouble with MOTs or Police stopping me. The rear window on the e90 & e91 has a small area of dots but it's not that bad. The e92 has a large area and is much more of a problem apparently. The fitter also told me that the e90 is a bit of a pain as it's really hard to get to the lower part of the rear window. I'll try to get some pics of mine if the sun ever comes out again.
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03-14-2011, 08:27 AM	#16
muffking Regular user 224 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	I just test fitted 35% light smoke film to the boot side window of my E91. There were dots around the edges, but they did't bubble when tinted. Either way it was still too light for me, so I puled it off and cleaned off the residue as I'm gonna buy 15% dark smoke for the rear windows from this guy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-WINDOW-TIN...item4155acc855 __________________
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06-02-2011, 05:05 PM	#19
chrissbmw New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 320d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	Has anyone tried these shades instead of tinting which someone asked about a while ago? http://www.vanstyle.co.uk/shop/index...2784_2791_2793
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06-03-2011, 07:49 AM	#20
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	This was my e61 touring with staggered tints.... 60% fronts 55% rear 50% boot sides 20% back window
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06-03-2011, 08:04 PM	#21
briers Ben 62 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: Tesla p85d Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midlands,UK iTrader: (0)	Don't tint - it ruins the look unless it's very subtle (like the above). I can't talk as mine is factory tinted. It's not that bad on the coupe in the end but tints can really spoil the look of nice cars.
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