To Tint or not to Tint...that is the question

shragon · 12-13-2007, 03:14 PM

35%

OC Guy · 12-13-2007, 03:18 PM

25-35% is perfect IMO. I have 35%.

sky18188v · 12-13-2007, 03:22 PM

to a single college student like me, i really like 20% all around, although i still got a ticket for that...either remove them all or get 35% all around, half and half is just ugly imo, if u do get front windows tinted, just watch out for the cops...

poser · 12-14-2007, 01:34 PM

So for all you guys who did get pulled over by cops for tinting the front windows, did you guys actually have them removed or did you get around it somehow?

poser

BK · 12-14-2007, 03:46 PM

You'll only get pulled over for tint on your front windows if it's really dark tint or if you're doing something else suspicious IMO.

Biz · 12-15-2007, 05:59 AM

You know what's weird? The general consensus/suggestion around here is to get 35% all around (which I completely agree with) and yet, I almost never see anyone with this setup around here. The two most common setups I see are limo tint all around or light front/dark rear.

poser · 12-15-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

You'll only get pulled over for tint on your front windows if it's really dark tint or if you're doing something else suspicious IMO.

Okay. But what happens if you get pulled over for something else ie. speeding? Would they also add on a fix it ticket for the windows?

poser

E92sports · 12-16-2007, 06:30 AM

35% or 20% all around.

Match the colors front and back~!!!!

cycler · 12-16-2007, 07:26 AM

I agree with the other posts. Remove the tint you have now and just add 35%. Its not to dark and not to light.

BK · 12-16-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poser

Okay. But what happens if you get pulled over for something else ie. speeding? Would they also add on a fix it ticket for the windows?

They may. FWIW, I got a speeding ticket soon after I got my E90 (first ticket in 15+ years

) and the officer didn't mention the 35% tint. 50% or lighter is legal on the front windows in VA.

poser · 01-16-2008, 05:06 PM

Just wanted to update you guys. Yesterday I removed all of my tint. If I decide to put on tint, Im gonna go with the 30% all around as the most popular votes suggested in the poll.

poser

Tommy420 · 01-16-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poser

Hey guys! I just got my black BMW 330i sedan and need your help.
I bought my car from a college student and it currently has black limo tint on the rear window and the 2 back windows. The front 2 windows are also tinted and are still really dark (probably illegal in CA). Sorry about the above picture. There's too much glare so I couldnt take a better picture.

Im a family man and dont want to be considered a gangsta so Im thinking about removing ALL of the tint entirely. Not to discriminate against gangsta's but I think you all know what I mean

Here are my options:
Option 1: No tint - The car will look nice and clean. My wife can drive the car.
Option 2: Remove the tint on the front windows, leaving the rear and back windows tinted. - Not too sure about this two toned half and half option. Might look ghetto.
Option 3: Remove all tint and put a lighter tint all around. The tint will be the same on all windows. Probably 30% or whatever is legal in CA.
Option 4: Leave it as is - Drive around with my two kids in the back and pretend that Im a gangsta. No one will see me anyways as they cant see through the tint.

Please vote and post your thoughts.

poser

Just to give you a heads up, in CA, it is illegal to have a tint below 70% on the front two windows. That being said, most people go with the 35% and have no problems from the cops...but you should know that even if you get 35% on the front side windows, it is still illegal.

Mr. 5 · 01-16-2008, 06:31 PM

I'm one of the few that hate tinting.
I don't like the fact that my view for cops just got obstructed.
I know it's a minor obstruction, but it's enough to not notice them and get pulled over.

poser · 01-17-2008, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy420

Just to give you a heads up, in CA, it is illegal to have a tint below 70% on the front two windows. That being said, most people go with the 35% and have no problems from the cops...but you should know that even if you get 35% on the front side windows, it is still illegal.

Yup. After reading all of the replies, I realized that I incorrectly stated that 30% is legal in CA in the poll. Thanks for the further clarification. Its confusing because I get mixed up on what the percentage refers to.

So now I know that when someone says a 35% tint, that means that there is a 35% of light transmission going through the window. I use to think that 35% tint means that 35% of the window is dark...if that makes any sense.

poser

jbttum3 · 01-17-2008, 01:28 PM

If you're not gonna keep the original then go for 35% all around. It looks lame to have the different levels front and rear. FYI, I had limo tint all around on my car in the Bay Area for 2 years and never got messed with.....I only think its an issue if the rest of your car supports the gangsta image, haha (i.e. rims, body kits, exhaust and the ever popular decals)

Heat00 · 01-17-2008, 01:41 PM

wow, I have 20% all around and it's really too light.

I guess I may be in the minority on this one. Actually, the 20% all around is not too bad. Can still see out at night and it gives a little bit of darkness lol.

remember, limo is usually 5% or 8% and although I love it, it is hard to see out at night sometimes. Nice though that no one can see in, you don't have to be a "gansta" as you put it, to have dark tint. Maybe I just don't want everyone looking into my interior?

good luck.

35% to me is like not having any tint at all.

jbttum3 · 01-17-2008, 03:03 PM

I'm the same way man.....just don't like people being able to see in my car. Especially on long road trips when people try and piggyback off your radar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heat00

wow, I have 20% all around and it's really too light.

I guess I may be in the minority on this one. Actually, the 20% all around is not too bad. Can still see out at night and it gives a little bit of darkness lol.

remember, limo is usually 5% or 8% and although I love it, it is hard to see out at night sometimes. Nice though that no one can see in, you don't have to be a "gansta" as you put it, to have dark tint. Maybe I just don't want everyone looking into my interior?

good luck.

35% to me is like not having any tint at all.

aut0sh0cker · 01-25-2008, 11:12 PM

i have lived in CA for years and i have NEVER heard of anyone getting pulled over just for tints. on the other hand, i have a couple of friends with obnoxious 5-10% tints and when they get tickets, there is always an supplemental fine for tints, i think around $100. Its not a really big deal unless you speed a lot, but as you said, you are a family man. You wont have any issue as long as you stay above 25%. I am in the same sort of position as you, "to tint or not to tint" and i will probably go with 25% or 30%...

hope this helps,

scott

faze335i · 01-26-2008, 01:52 AM

It's always good to have privacy you know but limo tint might be a little to dark if that what you think go with 15% or 21% it be perfect! I have 21% on my Cadi atm and I have never been pulled over or cause problems for being too dark. Oh yeah that half and half tint does look wack period lol and no tint just feels naked hahaha.

koreez88 · 01-26-2008, 08:50 AM

I had 20% all around and loved it until i got pulled over. Removed the tints from the front and guess what – love it. The car may not look as slick as before, but just the notion of being legal feels great, I have nothing to worry about now. I won't do tints for the front windows in the future.
San Francisco is not easy on tints, and it's illegal to have it here. So, since you are a family man, I would suggest removing the tints on all windows and just have one less thing to worry about. You have kids, I'm sure there's enough stress in your life already.

View Poll Results: Which tint would you choose on a black on black BMW?
No Tint	8	9.30%
Half - Limo Tint only the rear and back windows	3	3.49%
Light Tint All Around - This would make it legal in CA. 30% all around.	64	74.42%
Limo Tint All Around	11	12.79%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll

12-13-2007, 03:14 PM	#23
shragon Moderator 511 Rep 27,440 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	35% __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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12-13-2007, 03:18 PM	#24
OC Guy General 558 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	25-35% is perfect IMO. I have 35%. __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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12-13-2007, 03:22 PM	#25
sky18188v Lieutenant 23 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 335iS Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 E90 325i [0.00]	to a single college student like me, i really like 20% all around, although i still got a ticket for that...either remove them all or get 35% all around, half and half is just ugly imo, if u do get front windows tinted, just watch out for the cops...
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12-14-2007, 01:34 PM	#26
poser New Member 7 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Black BMW 330i sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	So for all you guys who did get pulled over by cops for tinting the front windows, did you guys actually have them removed or did you get around it somehow? poser
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12-14-2007, 03:46 PM	#27
BK Smiling politely 176 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	You'll only get pulled over for tint on your front windows if it's really dark tint or if you're doing something else suspicious IMO. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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12-15-2007, 05:59 AM	#28
Biz Private First Class 12 Rep 192 Posts Drives: '99.5 Pathfinder Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	You know what's weird? The general consensus/suggestion around here is to get 35% all around (which I completely agree with) and yet, I almost never see anyone with this setup around here. The two most common setups I see are limo tint all around or light front/dark rear.
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12-16-2007, 06:30 AM	#30
E92sports New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (0)	35% or 20% all around. Match the colors front and back~!!!! __________________ [ E92sports ]
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12-16-2007, 07:26 AM	#31
cycler Major General 137 Rep 8,067 Posts Drives: 2011 Streetglide and 2011 Dyna Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	I agree with the other posts. Remove the tint you have now and just add 35%. Its not to dark and not to light.
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01-16-2008, 05:06 PM	#33
poser New Member 7 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Black BMW 330i sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Just wanted to update you guys. Yesterday I removed all of my tint. If I decide to put on tint, Im gonna go with the 30% all around as the most popular votes suggested in the poll. poser
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01-16-2008, 06:31 PM	#35
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 799 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	I'm one of the few that hate tinting. I don't like the fact that my view for cops just got obstructed. I know it's a minor obstruction, but it's enough to not notice them and get pulled over. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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01-17-2008, 01:28 PM	#37
jbttum3 Captain 27 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i coupe 6MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TEXAS B*TCH!!! iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 e92 335i [0.00]	If you're not gonna keep the original then go for 35% all around. It looks lame to have the different levels front and rear. FYI, I had limo tint all around on my car in the Bay Area for 2 years and never got messed with.....I only think its an issue if the rest of your car supports the gangsta image, haha (i.e. rims, body kits, exhaust and the ever popular decals) __________________ SOLD!!! :-(Space Gray Metallic - Coral Red - 6MT - Sport - AA Exhaust - UR Catted Coated DP's - Procede V3.1 PnP - Stett CAI - BMW Group SSK - M-Tech Sides/Rear- OEM Aero Lip - GP 8500K Angels - Vorsteiner Boot Lid - Miro M6 Reps
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01-17-2008, 01:41 PM	#38
Heat00 Major 52 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Weston, Florida iTrader: (0)	wow, I have 20% all around and it's really too light. I guess I may be in the minority on this one. Actually, the 20% all around is not too bad. Can still see out at night and it gives a little bit of darkness lol. remember, limo is usually 5% or 8% and although I love it, it is hard to see out at night sometimes. Nice though that no one can see in, you don't have to be a "gansta" as you put it, to have dark tint. Maybe I just don't want everyone looking into my interior? good luck. 35% to me is like not having any tint at all.
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01-25-2008, 11:12 PM	#40
aut0sh0cker meh 125 Rep 1,752 Posts Drives: E92 335i, 997.2 C4S Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 91362 iTrader: (2)	i have lived in CA for years and i have NEVER heard of anyone getting pulled over just for tints. on the other hand, i have a couple of friends with obnoxious 5-10% tints and when they get tickets, there is always an supplemental fine for tints, i think around $100. Its not a really big deal unless you speed a lot, but as you said, you are a family man. You wont have any issue as long as you stay above 25%. I am in the same sort of position as you, "to tint or not to tint" and i will probably go with 25% or 30%... hope this helps, scott
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01-26-2008, 01:52 AM	#41
faze335i Kimber in da Trunk 1 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	to TINT It's always good to have privacy you know but limo tint might be a little to dark if that what you think go with 15% or 21% it be perfect! I have 21% on my Cadi atm and I have never been pulled over or cause problems for being too dark. Oh yeah that half and half tint does look wack period lol and no tint just feels naked hahaha.
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01-26-2008, 08:50 AM	#42
koreez88 Всем привет ;) 149 Rep 3,358 Posts Drives: Tesla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (12)	I had 20% all around and loved it until i got pulled over. Removed the tints from the front and guess what – love it. The car may not look as slick as before, but just the notion of being legal feels great, I have nothing to worry about now. I won't do tints for the front windows in the future. San Francisco is not easy on tints, and it's illegal to have it here. So, since you are a family man, I would suggest removing the tints on all windows and just have one less thing to worry about. You have kids, I'm sure there's enough stress in your life already.
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