[E92-Lighting]

always tint if possible, i went with 35% tint all around

[Gavin@MMW]

Tint.

No tint = Fail

[hipnotic]

tint makes a difference

[mathu.bala]

Don't tint....if you decide otherwise then don't go passed 35%

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by JuryTM

It seems like there are a ton of films offered out there. Are there any manufacturers that folks have found to be particularly great? Or is this likely to vary by locale and installer?

I've been using Llumar films since the late 90s, and have had very good success. The shop I go to locally also has FormulaOne and Venture Films, but it will likely vary from shop to shop and state to state. It pays to shop around, even if just on the internet, but beware of "cheap" deals. I know my e92 has the "dot matrix" gradient pattern on the rear window, and only the really good pros know how to make it stick to that uneven surface and not peel or bubble. They should also give you a guarantee for at least 5 years or more.

[Alexo]

Check with your local BMW dealer - where do they get tints done? Don't go too dark, not only will you look like a thug if you do, you've got a much higher chance of being in a smash if you do. And please put same tint all round - darker at the back looks uncool.

[Craig@SupremePower]

35% and its a must imo!

[lstoker]

Originally Posted by Laosboixx781

Definitely go with TINT!

Here's mines with Madico 35% All Around

That looks real dark for 35%, looks good just surprising how dark it looks unless it's just the picture

[Olagüe]

welcome!

[JuryTM]

Originally Posted by Olagüe

welcome!

Thanks, Olagüe!

I totally agree that Laosboixx781's 35% looks way dark for the other 35's I've come across. That seems to be the ultimate problem with the pictures — the lighting conditions make a huge difference in how dark these really appear to be.

Sounds like I'll probably just need to see these in person.

Few things for sure:

1. I'll do the tint
2. I'm doing all 5 windows the same amount

After that, I think something between 25 and 35 is likely.... probably closer to 30, but I'll have to see it in person to really know for sure.

Also from the pics, I really like the look of the flat black as opposed to the slightly more metallic, reflective tints that some have.

[Str8eye]

Originally Posted by lstoker

That looks real dark for 35%, looks good just surprising how dark it looks unless it's just the picture

Nahh it's just the pic and the surroundings.. Plus I took Few Steps back to take the pic with my phone i'll prolly post a new pic taken with my camera instead of iphone.. it's Def 35% well Ma Legal that is... I would love to go dark but don't want to deal with cops... and tickets.

[JuryTM]

Originally Posted by Laosboixx781

Nahh it's just the pic and the surroundings.. Plus I took Few Steps back to take the pic with my phone i'll prolly post a new pic taken with my camera instead of iphone.. it's Def 35% well Ma Legal that is... I would love to go dark but don't want to deal with cops... and tickets.

Quick request — do you mind taking a couple pics from inside the car looking out while you're at it?

Bonus points if you can use the same exposure time as the outside to at least give some indication of the difference in light....

[RoundelM3]

I went by the Dealer's today and drove a 335d to see just what it was like. I was VERY impressed - lots of power, quiet, and no "diesel-ness" at all. Stood next to it while it was idling and could hardly hear it. I hope one of these shows up in CPO sometime in the not-too-far-off future...I think this would be an excellent garage-mate for my E92!

Congrats on your choice of the 335d! Just be careful when you fill it up...one poster on the "general" forum accidently put a fair amount of gasoline in his before he realized what he was doing and he's in quite a pickle now.

[Str8eye]

Originally Posted by JuryTM

Quick request — do you mind taking a couple pics from inside the car looking out while you're at it?

Bonus points if you can use the same exposure time as the outside to at least give some indication of the difference in light....

Here are some pics i just took a few minutes ago.. prolly not that best because of the sun but you get see that it's not that dark..

[JuryTM]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I went by the Dealer's today and drove a 335d to see just what it was like. I was VERY impressed - lots of power, quiet, and no "diesel-ness" at all. Stood next to it while it was idling and could hardly hear it. I hope one of these shows up in CPO sometime in the not-too-far-off future...I think this would be an excellent garage-mate for my E92!

Congrats on your choice of the 335d! Just be careful when you fill it up...one poster on the "general" forum accidently put a fair amount of gasoline in his before he realized what he was doing and he's in quite a pickle now.

Thanks, Roundel335!

It really is a joy to drive. Granted, this is my first BMW and my first real sports vehicle, but it's just obvious to the feel that it excels at what it does. The real amazing part about the 335d is that you get more torque than the M3, every bit of agility and handling, and 36mpg highway. It's a mind-boggling and awesome combination. Alas, most American motorists don't bother taking notice precisely because it's a diesel engine. They forget that diesels have come a long way in the past 20-30 years, that they're incredibly popular in Europe, and that they're way more efficient than comparable gasoline engines.

While I was in Germany I had the chance to take the 335d on the Nürburgring - even on that legendary track it was clear that this was a real sports vehicle. I'd recommend the 335d to just about anyone.

I also hope that next time I'm in the market (probably many years away), we'll either see some crazy BMW electric vehicles or at least way more diesels offered in the States.

[JuryTM]

Thanks for all those shots, Laosboixx781! That's really helpful!

[Str8eye]

Originally Posted by JuryTM

Thanks for all those shots, Laosboixx781! That's really helpful!

Not a problem..

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by JuryTM

For those of you with 35% tint — do you find that this offers any degree of privacy, or does it really just act as a glare reducer? Is 35% still dark enough that the charcoal tints don't end up looking brown?

Yes, definitely some good privacy without the problem of having to roll the windows down to parallel park of back up at night (usually the problem with 20% or darker tint).

Just make sure you get a ceramic tint, like the Madico 35%.

[dcg71]

I went 18%.. and it looks great, but if I did it all over again I'd probably go with 35%. That's the darkest legal where I live, not that I've had any problems with my current tint. I also tend to agree with previous comments that it looks a bit classier if you don't go too dark. And definately do front and rears the same tint.. I personally can't stand different shades of tint on a car.