Window Tint Request

[m3f_PAFirefighter]

Hey all. Not like every tint thread, I swear. I'm going to tint the windows on my M. I haven't had a free moment to think (School, work, girl, friends, etc.), so I didn't get around to Photoshopping my car yet. Would you all mind posting some photos of E36's with tint, preferably Techno Violet and preferably a coupe. I am most likely going to "settle" with 70% light transmittance, which is the legal amount here in PA.


Thanks.





EDIT: Tinted photos are here: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=352238

[m3f_hencini]

I wouldn't go too dark on Techno. It can look ghetto if you're not careful.



My previous owner did a 20% tint. I wouldn't have gone that dark (probably wouldn't have tinted at all, honestly), but in the end, I love it and get compliments on it all the time. I think the 20% looks really sharp on silver.

[m3f_PAFirefighter]

I wouldn't go too dark on Techno. It can look ghetto if you're not careful.


My previous owner did a 20% tint. I wouldn't have gone that dark (probably wouldn't have tinted at all, honestly), but in the end, I love it and get compliments on it all the time. I think the 20% looks really sharp on silver.

Looks great!


Let me get clarification. The "20%" tint you're talking about, that is 20% light transmittance, correct? That is DARK in my opinion. The 70% I want, allows 70% of light and blocks 30% of light. People seem confused by transmittance versus blockage.


P.S. Are you one of my customers? I work for Quadratec lol

[m3f_hencini]

Looks great!



Let me get clarification. The "20%" tint you're talking about, that is 20% light transmittance, correct? That is DARK in my opinion. The 70% I want, allows 70% of light and blocks 30% of light. People seem confused by transmittance versus blockage.



P.S. Are you one of my customers? I work for Quadratec lol

Yes, pretty sure it is 20% transmittance not blockage. And yeah, it is kinda dark...



But as I said, while I wouldn't have done it myself, the end result looks really sharp. It flows really well with the other black trim pieces on the car, but I'd be reluctant to go that dark on, say, Cosmos or Techno.



If you go 70% transmittance, you should be fine.







How long have you worked for Q-tec? I used to order from them from time to time back in the day, but I had a forum buddy who worked at 4WDH, plus got a discount as a Jeeps Unlimited member, so I bought a lot of my stuff there. Lately, my car budget goes to the ///M, but the Jeep needs wiper blades a thermostat and a couple other doodads. I'll give you a holler...



Nice TJ, btw... Great photo...

[m3f_jayjaya29]

With such a dark color, I doubt you will be able to notice 70% tint. I'd go as far as saying its worthless.


Are you that scared of getting a ticket for your tints? Go with 35% or something.

[m3f_jaylmw08]

guys, just remember. some cars (not sure about the M) come with a slight factory tint so if you go with the legal 35% tint it may cause it to be darker than the legal limit. so in other words you may need to go 40% since the factory tint will bring it down. i'm sure the tint installer will have a tint meter to verify.

[m3f_Agey]

It all depends on what you like, I have 15% all around and have never been stopped or anything in philly or nj. I was going to go with 5% but that would of been too dark.

[m3f_PAFirefighter]

Thanks guys.


FWIW: I was pulled over in my former Dodge Dakota and told to remove the tint within 10 days or I'd receive a citation. It was lowered, looked nice, big V8, etc. Not sure of the tint percentage, but it was fairly dark. I drove for 2.5 years with no issues, then was pulled over the week I sold the truck. I was at a stop light, leaving Wawa. The light turned green, I drove out, a LEO was sitting in the cross traffic at the light. Low and behold, he ran the red light as I finished my turn and initiated his traffic stop.


Photos of the truck:











I just don't want to deal with pulling out window tint again and removing that nasty residue.

[m3f_EricSMG]

Dark cars look best with lighter tint, IMO. Dark tint + dark car = ghetto.



40% would be ideal on TV.

[m3f_EricSMG]

Car is stunning!

[m3f_propchef]

Something to keep in mind:


If you are going to do any driver's events or track your car, some tracks have rules against tinted windows. Infineon here in Sonoma is one.


It's not a common issue, but it does come up.

[m3f_PAFirefighter]

Something to keep in mind:



If you are going to do any driver's events or track your car, some tracks have rules against tinted windows. Infineon here in Sonoma is one.



It's not a common issue, but it does come up.

Didn't think about that, thanks. I'll most likely only be be running at NJMP in Millville, NJ. I'll check with the BMW CCA board member guy here at work

[m3f_krellboy]

I do the 20% on all of my cars....this is one step past legal here in Indiana but I have never been hassled.



I think anything lighter....legal...is not quite dark enough on a hot bright sunny day.



I have heard but don't know first hand that some tint films are branded products that are most UV adsorbing that others...may be something else to think about or check on.

[m3f_Z3MCOUPE]

20% here. It's not leagal in NH, but never been stopped.

[m3f_jvit27]

I've had 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, and 5%(limo). Have found that, assuming you use a quality brand, there isn't much difference in how much cooler the car gets from one % to the other. Simply having any tint will help drop cabin temps in the summertime. The biggest caveat is the darker you go, the more difficult it is to see at night. Your eyes will strain when trying to focus from looking out the clear winshield to out one of the tinted windows. Personally, I always get one the LIGHTEST shades possible because the 5% was so dark I couldn't even see people in the backseat!


In terms of appearance, tint looks darker on dark interiors. You have dove interior so there's no point in going too dark since the white seats will always contrast through the glass .


Agree with Eric; light tint is better on dark cars.