ddcha

Just got quoted by a very reputable installer that does a lot of high end cars and the only authorized installer by 3M. Computer cut, no taking door panels apart, 3M FX Premium tint all around, except the front.

khmergod

piad 300+tax on mine, sounds legit.

noodleman

how do you install the tint without taking the door panels apart?

Diabolis

I've had window tint put on all of my cars over the years (10+) and have never had to have a panel off.

As for the tint itself, I have no direct experience with 3M FX Premium, but I would opt for something a little more upscale (even their web site says "Premium offers an economical alternative without sacrificing quality"). The main cost is in the installation, not the film itself, and an alternative by definition means that it's not the primary or first choice. Why not go with ceramic instead?

LIC63AMG

i paid 250 plus tax for FX premium at a shop that does all high end cars (this was last year mind you). however, they are in long island NY. let me know if u want a contact there.

Guilty

Get this: http://www.suntekfilms.com/automotiv...otive-cxp.aspx

Carbon Ceramic, I had it on all my cars and it's amazing and look super nice from the outside.

ZephyrAMG

I think Lumar is top of the line. If you can find Lumar get it.

http://www.llumar.com/en/Automotive.aspx

ddcha

Hmmm. I'll look into ceramic too then. Thanks for your responses!

LIC63AMG

3M's premium tint is called crystalline. it actually blocks out the UV rays and keeps your car cooler. something to consider if you parked outside often.

Diabolis

I have always used LLumar myself (the general consensus is that it is the best film on the market), but I have heard that SunTek is also a good brand (at least their higher-end films), although they are not ceramic and they don't offer different colours. If you're going to be parking in direct sunlight, ceramics are your best choice for heat rejection at the same visible light pass-through level, plus LLumar has black, greenish or brownish shades that may match the interior/exterior of your car better than black/gray tint.

AFAIK, the 3M Crystalline is not a tint per se - it is a heat and UV-reducing film but it is pretty much clear transparent (not dark).

Some of my clients are in the residential/commercial window business and I am getting this information from them first-hand (they use this stuff on a very large scale).

MaroonC63

Im on the Lumar boat also. Great film.

AkaSigFreak

I use Formula1 Pinnacle Ceramic tint. It was around $300 when I had my sedan. Looks amazing and is completely clear (no haze or bubbles) within a few hours.
http://www.formulaone.com/en/pinnacle.aspx

CarHopper

3m is lifetime warranty. Any 3m certified shop will replace tint if there is a problem

Guilty

^^ same with suntek..

_timothy

i did the 3m color stable tint all around and the 3m crystalline on the windshield/sunroof. it was like $500ish i think.

i think the crystalline looks hawt on the windshield. it doesnt make any difference in visibility but has a slight mirroring effect in daytime sun when viewed from the exterior

Zeee_Q

I have the Formula 1 Pinnacle on my car. It's made by Llumar and also has a lifetime warranty. I paid $350 all around plus another $150 for the air blue on windshield.

I've heard great things about both 3M and Suntek tint and most ceramic tint should have about the same performance in terms of blocking UV and heat.

NCBob

Paid $300 for 3M a couple months ago. All cuts made by hand with no door panel removal. Guy did an amazing job.

Guilty

I still don't understand why is everyone paying that much lol. In Miami, I paid $190 for the CL, in NYC I paid $170 for the Smart Car. That doesn't include the windshield.

Diabolis

-Timothy: any issues with the clear film on the windshield increasing reflectivity FROM THE INSIDE (can you see a reflection of the top of your own your dash while driving)? Am definitely interested in looking into this for the roof & windshield myself.

_timothy

Diabolis, there is zero effect beyond a slightly darker view from inside

Diabolis

Thank you - black car w/ black interior = oven in the sunlight. Will look into it next week.

Cheers!

_timothy

nice post up some pics if you do it. i can definitely say there was a heat difference before and after the wrap was put on

Dogtag114

Can you share any NJ reco's you got? I'm tempted now for a very light tint.

Technically there is no tint in NJ and I drive buy a parked officer everyday. I don't want to invite him to give me a fix-it ticket repeatedly.