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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Cosmetic Modifications Tint - How to decide which type and what % to get?

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      08-25-2017, 12:18 PM   #1
Xtianh
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Question Tint - How to decide which type and what % to get?

I intend on tinting my M2 as soon as it arrives in October. I've conducted some basic research on the types of tints, and it generally seems like ceramic tint is the best. I'm also thinking 25-30%.

For those with knowledge of tints, is it true that ceramic is the way to go? If so, why?

Also, does anyone know of any online resources/guides that cover everything I need to know about tinting?

Thanks!
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      08-25-2017, 12:42 PM   #2
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Interested in this as well!
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      08-25-2017, 12:54 PM   #3
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Regular or "color stable": good for privacy, good for cost. not good for infrared. If heat is not a problem, go for it.

Metallic: might have remote control range issue because it blocks out some radio signal.

Ceramic: good for all situation but more costly.

The choice is yours.
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      08-25-2017, 02:06 PM   #4
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I went with 30% all the way around, but for the windshield - which is the legal limit in Texas. I had never had tint before, but it's so damn hot down here that you really need it.

I was afraid of how dark it might be at night, so I didn't try to push past the legal limit and go darker. I think that % is about right for me.

Also went with the "ceramic" version of the tint, which was another ~$150 if I remember correctly. I think it was about $400 out the door. The ceramic is supposed to be good at deflecting the sun's rays without being super dark.

Does it work? I think it helps...and I also have lighter interior in my F80 vs. my 981, and there's an aesthetic benefit as well.
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      08-25-2017, 02:10 PM   #5
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Yep, ceramic FTW. Gotta protect our crappy M2 interiors.
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      08-25-2017, 02:20 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
I went with 30% all the way around, but for the windshield - which is the legal limit in Texas. I had never had tint before, but it's so damn hot down here that you really need it.

I was afraid of how dark it might be at night, so I didn't try to push past the legal limit and go darker. I think that % is about right for me.

Also went with the "ceramic" version of the tint, which was another ~$150 if I remember correctly. I think it was about $400 out the door. The ceramic is supposed to be good at deflecting the sun's rays without being super dark.

Does it work? I think it helps...and I also have lighter interior in my F80 vs. my 981, and there's an aesthetic benefit as well.
$400 for ceramic tint for both side windows and the back? That seems like a really good price. I'll be lucky to get that price here in LA. Question - if you could have gone darker, would you have gone to 25 or 20%, or does 30% seem just right? I want to go as dark as possible without sacrificing nighttime visibility.
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      08-25-2017, 02:32 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xtianh View Post
$400 for ceramic tint for both side windows and the back? That seems like a really good price. I'll be lucky to get that price here in LA. Question - if you could have gone darker, would you have gone to 25 or 20%, or does 30% seem just right? I want to go as dark as possible without sacrificing nighttime visibility.
I have an F80, so 4 side windows and the back window for that price.

I don't think I would go any darker - the 30% seems just right to me. Dark enough for the "look" and to help with the heat, but not so dark that night-time driving is difficult or anything.

With that being said, all of my driving is in city/suburban areas where there's typically a decent amount of light. I am not sure what it would be like if I was driving in really dark areas all the time...
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      08-25-2017, 02:32 PM   #8
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20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
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      08-25-2017, 02:45 PM   #9
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Curious about this forum's opinion on Ceramic Tint manufacturers. Are some superior to others?

3M vs Suntek vs ???
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      08-25-2017, 02:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
This picture makes me think I should have gone Black over LBB. Car looks fantastic.
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      08-25-2017, 02:51 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
Mind sharing where you got it done?
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      08-25-2017, 02:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
160 for ceramic? It's like triple that here or more I think.
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      08-25-2017, 02:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
160 for ceramic? It's like triple that here or more I think.
I got a quote for $400
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      08-25-2017, 03:07 PM   #14
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What brand of ceramics? My 228i had 3m colorstable (20% all around) which is pretty much the best brand of non-ceramic tint you can get. Those of you who went ceramic, which brand?

In terms of percent... my other car is 5% all around. It's too dark in city centers at night TBH, but perfect during the day. 20% is a little too light during the day but better at night.
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      08-25-2017, 03:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drewF87 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
Mind sharing where you got it done?
http://instagram.com/wctintshop

They're in NY. They're certified 3M, xpel, etc installers. I've never paid over $200 to tint a car. Idk where you people go. It's computer cut which I prefer.

You're in Philly? I've never seen any M2s here.
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      08-25-2017, 03:28 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrKepan View Post
I got a quote for $400
Got a quote locally here in SoCal for $350 - Suntek ceramic.
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      08-25-2017, 03:28 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambrotos View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
20% ceramic. Doesn't interfere with remote and keeps a fair amount of heat out. Lighter isn't an option for me. Only cost $160.
This picture makes me think I should have gone Black over LBB. Car looks fantastic.
Thank you!

Yes, you should have.
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      08-25-2017, 03:30 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xtianh View Post
$400 for ceramic tint for both side windows and the back? That seems like a really good price. I'll be lucky to get that price here in LA. Question - if you could have gone darker, would you have gone to 25 or 20%, or does 30% seem just right? I want to go as dark as possible without sacrificing nighttime visibility.
Have heard good things about this place: http://www.windowtints.com/

Called and they quoted me $180 for 3M non-ceramic (basically color stable) and $450 for 3M Crystalline (which is supposed to be better...who knows...than ceramic

Huper Optik was also $450
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      08-25-2017, 05:11 PM   #19
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30% seems like the right number especially cause it's black interior. Colorstable or Ceramic, you won't be able to tell the difference in my opinion. Those doing 20% and below must have some really great eyes. Last time I did that with a black interior car I could barely see out the back at night. Just my 2 cents.
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      08-25-2017, 06:21 PM   #20
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Wife's car has Suntek ceramic and my M2 has Prestige Photosync. Both same darkness, but the difference between window down with sun on your face and windows up blocking the sun is huge between the two films. The photosync is ore expensive, but does a dynamite job at heat rejection for the few hundred extra
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      08-25-2017, 06:51 PM   #21
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      08-26-2017, 02:06 AM   #22
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I'm looking for maximal heat reduction and minimal darkness. My eyes are too old, it's hard enough to see at night as it is.
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