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

poser · 12-12-2007, 05:51 PM

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

jpsimon · 12-12-2007, 05:54 PM

Remove limo tint and just get 35%

BMW335icDDS · 12-12-2007, 05:58 PM

35% is best. Classic and not too dark. No tint is ugly.

BK · 12-12-2007, 05:59 PM

I, too, am a family man and older than the majority here on the forum. I have 35% FormulaONE Pinnacle ceramic tint on my black E90 and IMO it doesn't look overly "baller." The compliments I get on the tint are that it looks classy or sporty, which is exactly the look I had hoped for.

I debated no tint, then debated 50% tint only, but in the end, I think the 35% Pinnacle looks better than no tint, and there's no question it keeps the car cooler. I think 50% looks good, too. I wouldn't go darker than 35%. If you have a black interior, I would consider 40% or 50% (darker interior makes the tint look darker).

carchrism5 · 12-12-2007, 06:00 PM

do not take the tint off the front and leave on the rear, will look really weird/ suspicious. Since ur a family man and you are driving a black sports sedan, limo tint is not the best idea. i would remove and go for a reasonable tint, maybe do like 35% all around, i would prob say to stay away from doing different %'s on the front and rear, looks weird IMO. so my vote is remove and do 35%

carchrism5 · 12-12-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I, too, am a family man and older than the majority here on the forum. I have 35% FormulaONE Pinnacle ceramic tint on my black E90 and IMO it doesn't look overly "baller." The compliments I get on the tint are that it looks classy or sporty, which is exactly the look I had hoped for.

I debated no tint, then debated 50% tint only, but in the end, I think the 35% Pinnacle looks better than no tint, and there's no question it keeps the car cooler. I think 50% looks good, too. I wouldn't go darker than 35%. If you have a black interior, I would consider 40% or 50% (darker interior makes the tint look darker).

overly "baller" i like that

wj4 · 12-12-2007, 06:02 PM

I have 35% tint all around now, but am thinking about going 50%.

FYI to the OP, in California..you're not suppose to have any tint at all on the windshield and front windows. The rear windows and rear windshield, there is no limit on those.

Rising · 12-12-2007, 06:07 PM

35% all around is perfect, imo.

SJNESH · 12-12-2007, 06:12 PM

my last car had 20 all around and for some reason with my new ride I have no desire to tint

poser · 12-12-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wj4

I have 35% tint all around now, but am thinking about going 50%.

FYI to the OP, in California..you're not suppose to have any tint at all on the windshield and front windows. The rear windows and rear windshield, there is no limit on those.

You sure about that? Im seeing that you can tint your front windows in CA as long as it has 70% light transmission. So I guess that is 30% tint.

poser

checuervo · 12-12-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poser

You sure about that? Im seeing that you can tint your front windows in CA as long as it has 70% light transmission. So I guess that is 30% tint.

poser

I've read that same 70% visible light transmission rule, but I don't think your math works so well. If your math was accurate, then 5% tint (limo tint) would mean 95% light transmission and therefore even better!

What does the 70% VLT translate too, then? Maybe 70% tint? Don't really know...

montreal red · 12-12-2007, 06:36 PM

remove old tint then put on new tint that is legal in your state so you dont run the risk of getting pulled over.

dmz · 12-12-2007, 06:39 PM

70% light transmission is 70% tint not 30%.
70% tint is not noticeable by most human eyes. Since the lightest aftermarket tint you can get is 50%. This means all aftermarket tint are illegal for the front windows in CA. But then again, who's car is 100% legal here anyway.

wj4 · 12-12-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poser

You sure about that? Im seeing that you can tint your front windows in CA as long as it has 70% light transmission. So I guess that is 30% tint.

poser

You're looking it at the wrong way. Example: 30% tint=30% light transmission. The lower the tint percentage..the darker it is.

montreal_bimmer · 12-12-2007, 08:24 PM

30% tint all around looks awesoem

renegade · 12-12-2007, 08:27 PM

So the percentage of one's tint determines if they're gangsta or not

Family man or not but personally I feel naked driving in a car without at least 35%, Limo is too dark for me but not because I don't think it looks good but visibility at night - I say strip it and re-tint @ either 30% or 35%

BK · 12-12-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wj4

You're looking it at the wrong way. Example: 30% tint=30% light transmission. The lower the tint percentage..the darker it is.

Yup. You've already been told three times, poser, but the higher the number, the lighter the tint. I think you should consider anywhere from 50% to 35% all around. And nothing on the windshield IMO.

So, from lightest to darkest, the typical tint % you see are:

50% - light tint
40%
35% - most common around here, not too dark
30%
20% - fairly common around here, dark tint
15%
10% - limo tint
5% - very dark limo tint
0% - black paint

thekurgan · 12-12-2007, 09:30 PM

The darker the tint, the more light will be absorbed and the less cool the car will become, just like if the windows were painted black, you'll just attract heat.

Vannak · 12-12-2007, 09:59 PM

Actually tint helps keep you cooler when you're driving. It act like a shield from the sun, kinda like sunglasses for your car

npb · 12-12-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

The darker the tint, the more light will be absorbed and the less cool the car will become, just like if the windows were painted black, you'll just attract heat.

ceramic tint works better than regular tint as well. anyone here with ceramic wanna give us some more info?

poser · 12-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Thanks for all of your inputs and clarification with the tint percentages. So I called a tint specialist and he said what you guys said.

He said his lightest tint is about 55% and that usually people who tint their windows all around, get the 35% tint. But he also said that ANY tint on the front windows is illegal in CA. Is that true?

He said he will charge me $150 to remove the tint and $275 to put the all around 35% tint. Is that a good price?

Does anyone have an pics of their cars or of other people's cars that have any of the tint variations I mentioned above?

Im getting really close to narrowing down my decision.

thanks
poser

mmm def · 12-13-2007, 02:47 PM

35%

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

12-12-2007, 05:51 PM	#1
poser New Member 7 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Black BMW 330i sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	To Tint or not to Tint...that is the question 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 Last edited by poser; 12-12-2007 at 06:18 PM..
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12-12-2007, 05:54 PM	#2
jpsimon Team Zissou 3154 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	Remove limo tint and just get 35%
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12-12-2007, 05:58 PM	#3
BMW335icDDS Doctor 32 Rep 634 Posts Drives: RRSport, 335vert, 997 S, Sc430 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles and New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Porsche 997S [0.00] 2007 Porsche 997S [0.00] 2007 BMW 335 E93 [9.00]	35% is best. Classic and not too dark. No tint is ugly. __________________ 2002 Lexus Sc430 2007 BMW 335i Convertible Space Gray on Coral Red 2007 Porsche Carrera S 2011 Range Rover Sport HSE Lux UCLA D.D.S. Columbia University Dental Specialist
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12-12-2007, 05:59 PM	#4
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]	I, too, am a family man and older than the majority here on the forum. I have 35% FormulaONE Pinnacle ceramic tint on my black E90 and IMO it doesn't look overly "baller." The compliments I get on the tint are that it looks classy or sporty, which is exactly the look I had hoped for. I debated no tint, then debated 50% tint only, but in the end, I think the 35% Pinnacle looks better than no tint, and there's no question it keeps the car cooler. I think 50% looks good, too. I wouldn't go darker than 35%. If you have a black interior, I would consider 40% or 50% (darker interior makes the tint look darker). __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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12-12-2007, 06:00 PM	#5
carchrism5 Lieutenant Colonel 390 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: M2, X3 M40i, 911 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (3)	do not take the tint off the front and leave on the rear, will look really weird/ suspicious. Since ur a family man and you are driving a black sports sedan, limo tint is not the best idea. i would remove and go for a reasonable tint, maybe do like 35% all around, i would prob say to stay away from doing different %'s on the front and rear, looks weird IMO. so my vote is remove and do 35%
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12-12-2007, 06:02 PM	#7
wj4 Major General 356 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	I have 35% tint all around now, but am thinking about going 50%. FYI to the OP, in California..you're not suppose to have any tint at all on the windshield and front windows. The rear windows and rear windshield, there is no limit on those.
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12-12-2007, 06:07 PM	#8
Rising Colonel 35 Rep 2,597 Posts Drives: AW E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [0.00]	35% all around is perfect, imo. __________________
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12-12-2007, 06:12 PM	#9
SJNESH Private First Class 26 Rep 164 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: fairfax, VA iTrader: (0)	my last car had 20 all around and for some reason with my new ride I have no desire to tint __________________ 08 E92 335i l BLK SAP/BLK l BURL l STEP l CA l NAV l ZPP l ZSP l ZCW l SAT l 6FL
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12-12-2007, 06:36 PM	#12
montreal red chris 291 Rep 12,142 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	remove old tint then put on new tint that is legal in your state so you dont run the risk of getting pulled over. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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12-12-2007, 06:39 PM	#13
dmz Captain 39 Rep 645 Posts Drives: me nuts Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	70% light transmission is 70% tint not 30%. 70% tint is not noticeable by most human eyes. Since the lightest aftermarket tint you can get is 50%. This means all aftermarket tint are illegal for the front windows in CA. But then again, who's car is 100% legal here anyway.
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12-12-2007, 08:24 PM	#15
montreal_bimmer OEMconcept 179 Rep 5,593 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada \| USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	30% tint all around looks awesoem
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12-12-2007, 08:27 PM	#16
renegade Private 9 Rep 67 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: in a spot with Patrón shots swimming in lime iTrader: (0)	So the percentage of one's tint determines if they're gangsta or not Family man or not but personally I feel naked driving in a car without at least 35%, Limo is too dark for me but not because I don't think it looks good but visibility at night - I say strip it and re-tint @ either 30% or 35%
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12-12-2007, 09:30 PM	#18
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 238 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E39M5 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	The darker the tint, the more light will be absorbed and the less cool the car will become, just like if the windows were painted black, you'll just attract heat. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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12-12-2007, 09:59 PM	#19
Vannak New Member 4 Rep 27 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Ana, California iTrader: (0)	Actually tint helps keep you cooler when you're driving. It act like a shield from the sun, kinda like sunglasses for your car
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12-13-2007, 02:23 PM	#21
poser New Member 7 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Black BMW 330i sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all of your inputs and clarification with the tint percentages. So I called a tint specialist and he said what you guys said. He said his lightest tint is about 55% and that usually people who tint their windows all around, get the 35% tint. But he also said that ANY tint on the front windows is illegal in CA. Is that true? He said he will charge me $150 to remove the tint and $275 to put the all around 35% tint. Is that a good price? Does anyone have an pics of their cars or of other people's cars that have any of the tint variations I mentioned above? Im getting really close to narrowing down my decision. thanks poser
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12-13-2007, 02:47 PM	#22
mmm def Colonel 146 Rep 2,611 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	35%
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