[Flyingdwarf]

Does anyone actually know the percentage tint for rear and rear side windows if you spec 'Individual Sun Protection'? I only ask as one of the insurance companies I got a quote from asked me, and not knowing the answer I just said that whatever it was it would be within the legal UK levels. That said I then contacted my dealer, who didn't know, but being a good chap he asked around. Turns out nobody at the dealership actually knew, but they believed it was maximum allowable within UK regs. So, does anyone actually know what BMW actually say the % tint is, and what is the UK limit?

Thanks, FD

[mjh93sa]

From VOSA: Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, www.vosa.gov.uk


Windscreen must transmit 75% of light and the front side windows 70% (see attached pdf).

I guess that this is why all the manufacturer dark tints are applied to the rear half of the car only.

[Flyingdwarf]

Thanks for the help, but it doesn't really answer the question, since I was asking about the level of tint on the rear and rear side windows. As you say though, this document does explain why the fronts aren't tinted in the UK. Seems strange to me that the document makes no mention of rear tint, as I pressume their is some limit to this as well. Thinking about it, maybe there isn't though. I understand that if you have a rear window its nice to be able to see out of it, but since there is obviously no requiremnet to have a rear window, trucks/vans etc don't have them, maybe the law only applies to front and front side windows so you can see your wing mirrors (for rear vision) and in front of you, which is obviously helpful at least 10% of the time.

Thanks for the info though Oilburner.

[ghosey115]

There is no limit on the rear door windows or rear screen. If you are considering tinting your windows, you can go as dark as you want on the rear ones. You cant put anything on the front door windows and can put up to a six inch deep sunstrip along the top windscreen. Dont quote me on the 6" but im sure thats the limit.

[Flyingdwarf]

THanks. That would make sense since VOSA only states regulations for the front. Also explains why most insurance companies didn't bother asking.

[Bry_Guy]

On the topic of tinting windows, I just got my VIN from the dealer and am now in countdown mode! I was wondering if anyone has used or knows of a good shop for tinting my new 335i coupe? Also, I hear what you've said about tint laws, but the vehicle will be leaving the UK in under one year and if I get it tinted, I want them all done 30% (except the front windscreen of course).

Can anyone help out? Hard to tell what a shop's like and how good their work is from looking online or in the phonebook.

[matlough]

Originally Posted by Bry_Guy

....I just got my VIN from the dealer and am now in countdown mode!

Sorry to be but did you ask for your VIN and if not what does it mean re delivery dates?

Just been told by my dealer that my car has finished production and awaiting transport or something like that, he recons about 2 weeks before delivery

[sheps]

If I were getting tints done again I would go to Pentagon.

Without a shadow of a doubt these guys are superb and are undoubtedly the best in UK at what they do. They are potentially going to charge more than many people out there, but I think you'll struggle to find anyone better.

Besides, if you're spending upwards of £30k on a car, a couple of hundred pounds difference for something so quality-sensitive is a small price to pay.

http://www.pentagonglasstech.com/index.php

[Bry_Guy]

Thanks for the info on the shop, I'll have to check them out and see if they'll be able to do what I want.

As for the VIN, basically it just means that my car's finally on the production line and that I'm realistically looking to pick it up from the dealer in under 4 weeks...hopefully! Longest wait of my life (it seems)

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by Bry_Guy

On the topic of tinting windows, I just got my VIN from the dealer and am now in countdown mode! I was wondering if anyone has used or knows of a good shop for tinting my new 335i coupe? Also, I hear what you've said about tint laws, but the vehicle will be leaving the UK in under one year and if I get it tinted, I want them all done 30% (except the front windscreen of course).

Can anyone help out? Hard to tell what a shop's like and how good their work is from looking online or in the phonebook.

Where will you be taking your car "in under one year"?

[Bry_Guy]

Not sure where I'll be moving, but I'm US military, so they move us around every so often. Trying to stay in Europe, wouldn't mind having the autobahn a little closer though

[ShereKhan]

You reason you can't tint the front screen or side windows is so that the Police can indentify who is driving the vehicle from both passenger/driver side or head on (forward facing speed camera).

Personally I always think of all round tinted windows in the UK makes the car look cheap. In hot countries I can definately agree it is needed.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Flyingdwarf

Does anyone actually know the percentage tint for rear and rear side windows if you spec 'Individual Sun Protection'? I only ask as one of the insurance companies I got a quote from asked me, and not knowing the answer I just said that whatever it was it would be within the legal UK levels. That said I then contacted my dealer, who didn't know, but being a good chap he asked around. Turns out nobody at the dealership actually knew, but they believed it was maximum allowable within UK regs. So, does anyone actually know what BMW actually say the % tint is, and what is the UK limit?

Thanks, FD

I say the 'Individual Sun Protection' is about 40%. I have a tint sample thats 40% and it looks like its as dark as the OEM tint.

[rjs]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

You reason you can't tint the front screen or side windows is so that the Police can indentify who is driving the vehicle from both passenger/driver side or head on (forward facing speed camera).

Personally I always think of all round tinted windows in the UK makes the car look cheap. In hot countries I can definately agree it is needed.

I think the tint law was changed as tinted windows were being blamed for causing accidents as they impare the vision of the driver.

I agree that dark all round tinting looks a bit daft. Leave that to the yanks, they love it on here. I'm not a huge fan of the individual sun protection either, think it looks a bit odd being behind the b pillar only. that's just me though

[ChrisMWard]

I was in Japan recently being driven around in the back of a Camry with fully tinted rear windows. I asked my Japanese colleauge why everybody was giving us a wide berth? He replied that it was because it looked like a mafia car!

[rjs]

not a fan of this e92 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54725

[Lydiamight]

After my 3 Series Touring was written off I have purchased a second hand 335D Coupe---pretty much every option on it that I wanted. One of the exceptions was Option 761, Sun Protection Glass. Can anyone tell me if the same effect could be acheived by having the windows proffessionally tinted, and if so what is the colour of the tint and the percentage of light transmission? Car is Sparkling Graphite and Black interior

[dxb335d]

Not seen many quality aftermarket tinted cars mate. Its a risk they may balls up!

I have the factory tints and they do look good. I would personally worry about it and would not take the risk.

Congrats on the new car. Good choice!

[Carrera RSR]

Factory tints do look best especially on the rear glass with the heater elements showing through which doesn't show up on the factory glass.

I had my touring done. Fronts at around 35% which is just about legal. Rears around 45% so didn't look too dark or drug dealer looking. Cost was GBP200 and quality was good. Improves looks, sun protection, security as its a bugger to to smash through for an oportunist thief and harder to see in.

New car will have factory rears but will get the fronts done again. I believe the factory glass to be around 45 - 50% on rear sides and 50 on the rear.

[m33porsche]

I had mine done by Pentagon - top quality, really cannot tell the difference to the rears that are factory tinted.

Not normally into tints (pimp effect) but the car was already spec'ed with the rears and I personally don't like the mis-matched look of rear tints without the fronts.

Pic attached was as I picked it up from the dealer

[Cafe.Racer]

This is an interesting thread - I'm going to get mine done soon (e91 SG SE) so tht pic is spot on for me.

I'd decided on the lightest tint on the fronts, and the next darkest on the rears. Not sure what percentage they are.

@carrera - £200 seems cheap... What's the rear screen like, esp. around the dots?

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer

This is an interesting thread - I'm going to get mine done soon (e91 SG SE) so tht pic is spot on for me.

I'd decided on the lightest tint on the fronts, and the next darkest on the rears. Not sure what percentage they are.

@carrera - £200 seems cheap... What's the rear screen like, esp. around the dots?

Yes I thought after the post someone would spot the price. A good friend of mine started his own business some years ago and would offer me a very competitive price. For a Touring it should be 250 - 300. Still he is charging me 25 per front window on the new car due July. 25 x 6 sides and 50 for the rear adds up to 200 cash, no VAT.

The dots on the edge of rear glass is a real pain. When hot in the summer sun you need to keep running a finger around the edges to compress into the dots and screen heating elements. Poor quality film and poor quality installs show this up even more. This is one reason this time going for factory tints instead of film.