To tint or not to tint...

Grant1210 · 01-26-2018, 01:43 PM

Picking up my SS F80 in a few weeks. Thinking that I am definitely going to tint the windows but as I was looking around it appears that quite a few have not done so. Curious as the rational and it feels like a good topic for a poll (if this has already been done just let me know).

Huligan · 01-26-2018, 01:58 PM

I'd tint everything if tint tickets aren't your biggest worry and by that I don't mean pitch black. I'd keep it somewhat light and go with ceramic tint. 50% windshield and 35% all around or if you are more into a darker look, go 20% all around. Also, keep in mind some states check for tints during inspection. I know they recently put that in effect, in NY.

JibSTir13 · 01-26-2018, 02:04 PM

I would do light tint all around (excluding windshield).

Have never tinted the windshield, although it seems to be fairly popular here for those that have tint.

Clark_Kent · 01-26-2018, 02:12 PM

I usually tint the windows on my cars but I haven't tinted my most recent that I picked up last month. It being the winter coupled with not having much time or driving it, it hasn't been a priority. I had my 2016 tinted with Formula One Pinnacle (35% all around) and Air80 on the windshield. I'll eventually get around to tinting my 2018.

Jockey · 01-26-2018, 02:14 PM

Tint. My tint is perfectly legal and really contrasts with the light SS color. Looks fantastic

Killed by Death · 01-26-2018, 02:19 PM

I know I'm ODD

but those little black dots at the edge of the windows makes tint on a BMW look like $hit!!! In My Humble Weird Opinion.

If those dots weren't there I'd roll with legal tint like in my truck

How weird is that? M4 = no tint / truck =tint

gatorfast · 01-26-2018, 02:51 PM

Always tint. Aside from sun and heat protection I enjoy the privacy it provides. Never done the windshield though.

drgmt · 01-26-2018, 03:24 PM

I want people to see me in an expensive car.

ljzimm · 01-26-2018, 03:58 PM

I always vote tint.
BUT as a fellow Pennsylvanian, windshield tint will technically not pass PA state safety inspection unless you have a prescription from a doctor. Or if you have a tech that will put blinders on when writing the stickers.

SkhDO · 01-26-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modaddict79

I want people to see me in an expensive car.

lol

///M4ster Yoda · 01-26-2018, 04:02 PM

20% all around. It's the first thing I do when we get a new ride.

I'm just not into the whole fishbowl thing

DrtyJrze · 01-26-2018, 04:09 PM

Tint is such a relatively inexpensive, major cosmetic upgrade that it should be a no brainer.

Windshield tint as well, ftw.

RickFLM4 · 01-26-2018, 04:16 PM

I haven't done it but would only consider tinting the windshield for heat blocking (with appropriate tint, not cheap regular tint) and even then a very high % that doesn't make it noticeably darker (like 75% or as high as you can find). Looks like OP is in PA. I wouldn't bother tinting windshield there but would tint all other windows within legal limits.

uniqueMR · 01-26-2018, 05:23 PM

I always tint my car, 20-30% all around but never on windshield.

sleepdoc · 01-26-2018, 05:59 PM

I have 3M Crystalline on all my windows, including windshield. The heat rejection and UV protection are a must for me. I had the tint installed in the first week of ownership.

Windshield can be done in almost clear (90%), and makes a big difference IMO. My car has 70 on the windshield, 20 on the other windows. Makes a huge difference in comfort and aesthetics.

rakusak · 01-27-2018, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepdoc

I have 3M Crystalline on all my windows, including windshield. The heat rejection and UV protection are a must for me. I had the tint installed in the first week of ownership.

Windshield can be done in almost clear (90%), and makes a big difference IMO. My car has 70 on the windshield, 20 on the other windows. Makes a huge difference in comfort and aesthetics.

Agreed. 90% on windshield for me. Besides UV and Aesthetics, I want the leather dash to last here in Texas. That said, added a bit of PPF for the windshield registration we needed here.

gatorfast · 01-27-2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 666MorDeath

I know I'm ODD

but those little black dots at the edge of the windows makes tint on a BMW look like $hit!!! In My Humble Weird Opinion.

If those dots weren't there I'd roll with legal tint like in my truck

How weird is that? M4 = no tint / truck =tint

Sounds like an installation error. I have no dots on mine.

Refined · 01-27-2018, 03:33 PM

Tint tickets = luxury tax.

I get about one per year, so I just consider it another cost associated with driving.

///M4ster Yoda · 01-27-2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by 666MorDeath

I know I'm ODD

but those little black dots at the edge of the windows makes tint on a BMW look like $hit!!! In My Humble Weird Opinion.

If those dots weren't there I'd roll with legal tint like in my truck

How weird is that? M4 = no tint / truck =tint

Sounds like an installation error. I have no dots on mine.

Everyone has dots. It's called Dot Matrix. It's around the windshield and rear window. The tint has a hard time adhering to it.

rarlyl8 · 01-27-2018, 03:49 PM

Definitely 50% on windshield if tinting at all. It is a game changer.
I would go light tint on silverstone as the contrast will not do the paint justice.

Also, interior will not 'pop' unless you have black and then it does not matter.

I loved my SSII M5 w/o tint and rear and side sunscreens.

boss2k · 01-27-2018, 05:41 PM

I maybe wrong but had read somewhere that if u have windshield tinted and get into a front end accident you are in big trouble in addition to the issue of at fault accident, is that true?

Dr. Who · 01-27-2018, 06:06 PM

Hey,

Ok.,

I personally don't like window tint.

There are two principal reasons to get a cars' windows tinted:

_* Heat rejection
_* Privacy

Darker does not necessarily mean "Better."

Some darker window tints will actually make a cars' interior hotter, as darker colors
absorb more heat than lighter ones and therefore, can (radiation?) elevate the
temperature of the (once cooler inside) cabin of a parked car.

And, as for privacy...

It's my car. I don't care.

I'm not cute and If you want to see me pick my nose in traffic, that's up to you!?!

Darker tints also, cannot only be an impediment to those looking in, but can also
hamper the drivers' vision looking out at night or even more so, in the rain.

With all that being said, to protect my interior, I too went with the "3M Crystalline"
("CR90") on the sides. None on the windshield (- Refracts light differently/HUD) and
none on the rear (- Came tinted from Factory, Electrochromatic & the Defrost -
sticker/elements).

Cheers!

Oh! And as far as the "Black Dots" - A good installer will know to slightly heat up the
film in this area on application and it will adhere better and turn out just fine.

View Poll Results: Do you have your windows tinted?
Yes, and the windshield	21	19.44%
Yes, no windshield	51	47.22%
Not yet but planning for it	10	9.26%
Nope	26	24.07%
Voters: 108. You may not vote on this poll

01-26-2018, 01:43 PM	#1
Grant1210 Private 61 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 MT6 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Philadelpia, PA iTrader: (0)	To tint or not to tint... Picking up my SS F80 in a few weeks. Thinking that I am definitely going to tint the windows but as I was looking around it appears that quite a few have not done so. Curious as the rational and it feels like a good topic for a poll (if this has already been done just let me know). Last edited by Grant1210; 01-26-2018 at 01:53 PM..
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01-26-2018, 01:58 PM	#2
Huligan Private 19 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Manual Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: The pothole infested city...NYC iTrader: (0)	I'd tint everything if tint tickets aren't your biggest worry and by that I don't mean pitch black. I'd keep it somewhat light and go with ceramic tint. 50% windshield and 35% all around or if you are more into a darker look, go 20% all around. Also, keep in mind some states check for tints during inspection. I know they recently put that in effect, in NY.
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01-26-2018, 02:04 PM	#3
JibSTir13 Major 603 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: F80 / FJ Cruiser Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I would do light tint all around (excluding windshield). Have never tinted the windshield, although it seems to be fairly popular here for those that have tint.
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01-26-2018, 02:12 PM	#4
Clark_Kent Lieutenant Colonel 2228 Rep 1,897 Posts Drives: Retired Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I usually tint the windows on my cars but I haven't tinted my most recent that I picked up last month. It being the winter coupled with not having much time or driving it, it hasn't been a priority. I had my 2016 tinted with Formula One Pinnacle (35% all around) and Air80 on the windshield. I'll eventually get around to tinting my 2018.
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01-26-2018, 02:14 PM	#5
Jockey Brigadier General 3450 Rep 4,983 Posts Drives: 992 C4S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Park City, UT iTrader: (1)	Tint. My tint is perfectly legal and really contrasts with the light SS color. Looks fantastic
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01-26-2018, 02:19 PM	#6
Killed by Death Brigadier General 12428 Rep 3,521 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I know I'm ODD but those little black dots at the edge of the windows makes tint on a BMW look like $hit!!! In My Humble Weird Opinion. If those dots weren't there I'd roll with legal tint like in my truck How weird is that? M4 = no tint / truck =tint
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01-26-2018, 02:51 PM	#7
gatorfast Major General 4995 Rep 6,862 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Always tint. Aside from sun and heat protection I enjoy the privacy it provides. Never done the windshield though.
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01-26-2018, 03:24 PM	#8
drgmt Lieutenant Colonel 985 Rep 1,885 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Australia iTrader: (1)	I want people to see me in an expensive car.
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01-26-2018, 03:58 PM	#9
ljzimm Private First Class 106 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 2004 Volvo V70 R M66 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I always vote tint. BUT as a fellow Pennsylvanian, windshield tint will technically not pass PA state safety inspection unless you have a prescription from a doctor. Or if you have a tech that will put blinders on when writing the stickers.
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01-26-2018, 04:02 PM	#11
///M4ster Yoda Banned 4602 Rep 4,265 Posts Drives: '16 F82 M4 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	20% all around. It's the first thing I do when we get a new ride. I'm just not into the whole fishbowl thing
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01-26-2018, 04:09 PM	#12
DrtyJrze Captain 707 Rep 816 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Tint is such a relatively inexpensive, major cosmetic upgrade that it should be a no brainer. Windshield tint as well, ftw. __________________ IG: Car_Pe_DM
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01-26-2018, 04:16 PM	#13
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10971 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	I haven't done it but would only consider tinting the windshield for heat blocking (with appropriate tint, not cheap regular tint) and even then a very high % that doesn't make it noticeably darker (like 75% or as high as you can find). Looks like OP is in PA. I wouldn't bother tinting windshield there but would tint all other windows within legal limits. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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01-26-2018, 05:23 PM	#14
uniqueMR Colonel 1883 Rep 2,924 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I always tint my car, 20-30% all around but never on windshield. __________________ Currently: '24 Mercedes G63 \| '24 Porsche GT3 RS \| '24 Volkswagen GTI Previous BMWs: 340i, 740i, 745Li, M3, M4 Previous Others: Audi, Ducati, Honda, Infiniti, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen
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01-26-2018, 05:59 PM	#15
sleepdoc Lieutenant 258 Rep 475 Posts Drives: 2022 M3CX DG/Blk Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (1)	I have 3M Crystalline on all my windows, including windshield. The heat rejection and UV protection are a must for me. I had the tint installed in the first week of ownership. Windshield can be done in almost clear (90%), and makes a big difference IMO. My car has 70 on the windshield, 20 on the other windows. Makes a huge difference in comfort and aesthetics. __________________ Sold 2018 F80 M3 Sold 2010 Nissan GTR Sold: 2008 335i
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01-27-2018, 03:33 PM	#18
Refined Private First Class 181 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW M4 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Tint tickets = luxury tax. I get about one per year, so I just consider it another cost associated with driving.
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01-27-2018, 03:49 PM	#20
rarlyl8 Private First Class 89 Rep 136 Posts Drives: M5/328it/Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Definitely 50% on windshield if tinting at all. It is a game changer. I would go light tint on silverstone as the contrast will not do the paint justice. Also, interior will not 'pop' unless you have black and then it does not matter. I loved my SSII M5 w/o tint and rear and side sunscreens.
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01-27-2018, 05:41 PM	#21
boss2k Colonel 1089 Rep 2,797 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	I maybe wrong but had read somewhere that if u have windshield tinted and get into a front end accident you are in big trouble in addition to the issue of at fault accident, is that true?
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01-27-2018, 06:06 PM	#22
Dr. Who Banned 303 Rep 509 Posts Drives: Tardis Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: ?? iTrader: (0)	Hey, Ok., I personally don't like window tint. There are two principal reasons to get a cars' windows tinted: _* Heat rejection _* Privacy Darker does not necessarily mean "Better." Some darker window tints will actually make a cars' interior hotter, as darker colors absorb more heat than lighter ones and therefore, can (radiation?) elevate the temperature of the (once cooler inside) cabin of a parked car. And, as for privacy... It's my car. I don't care. I'm not cute and If you want to see me pick my nose in traffic, that's up to you!?! Darker tints also, cannot only be an impediment to those looking in, but can also hamper the drivers' vision looking out at night or even more so, in the rain. With all that being said, to protect my interior, I too went with the "3M Crystalline" ("CR90") on the sides. None on the windshield (- Refracts light differently/HUD) and none on the rear (- Came tinted from Factory, Electrochromatic & the Defrost - sticker/elements). Cheers! Oh! And as far as the "Black Dots" - A good installer will know to slightly heat up the film in this area on application and it will adhere better and turn out just fine. Last edited by Dr. Who; 01-28-2018 at 11:14 AM..
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