Tint or no tint?

mutiny22183 · 04-23-2012, 09:09 PM

Thinking about tinting my new 2012 E350 sport sedan...here in Illinois we can do 35% all the way around. The primary reason I'm doing this is to keep the car cool in the summer...and then of course, I want the car to look good too.

Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.

Thanks!

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dfordham · 04-23-2012, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutiny22183

Thinking about tinting my new 2012 E350 sport sedan...here in Illinois we can do 35% all the way around. The primary reason I'm doing this is to keep the car cool in the summer...and then of course, I want the car to look good too.

Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.

Thanks!

35% is a light tint. It will look great - definitely not ghetto.

The % value of the tint is the amount of light it lets in, so the higher the number, the lighter the tint.

Regards,
Don

mnje350 · 04-23-2012, 10:07 PM

Go with ceramic whatever tint level you choose. Metallic films reduce the radio reception for AM, if you care, and reception of hi-def channels unless you are real close to the transmitter.

troymir350 · 04-23-2012, 10:33 PM

Getting ready to do ours but we can only tint the rear doors and windows. MI law; and it's enforced once up north for vacation. I heard ceramic also for radio, radar detector (rear) and heat reflection. Ours is black so should work ok even just in the back. Mainly it's to keep people from seeing our dog in the unlikely event she's in there without us! Oh, that and the heat.

mutiny22183 · 04-23-2012, 10:52 PM

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going through the Chicago MB service center for the tints...they are charging $599 for all 5 windows, is that reasonable?

troymir350 · 04-23-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutiny22183

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going through the Chicago MB service center for the tints...they are charging $599 for all 5 windows, is that reasonable?

That seems a little high to me. We are getting the rear doors and window with a high end ceramic for $325 in Detroit north suburbs. The front windows would seem to be the easiest related to reach and only one pane per door. But, that's Chicago. Every ones got to eat!

mutiny22183 · 04-23-2012, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymir350

That seems a little high to me. We are getting the rear doors and window with a high end ceramic for $325 in Detroit north suburbs. The front windows would seem to be the easiest related to reach and only one pane per door. But, that's Chicago. Every ones got to eat!

Tell me about it! I'm taking the car in tomorrow morning, hoping for good results!

Mbenz260e · 04-23-2012, 11:03 PM

I am considering too right now. Between 50% and 35% but prob will definitely go with 35%. $599 seems way way expensive.

Question what is the deal with carbon? That seems to the be the most suggest tint by the shops? My friend with a 5 series suggest Llumar brand and there is a place which does it near me with Llumar for $170. He is confident its not metallic but isn't sure what the actual material is?

troymir350 · 04-23-2012, 11:11 PM

I interviewed for a job in silicon valley several years ago with a film manufacturer that got me started with infrared reflective glass films (IR glass to most). The key is heat rejection. Obviously looks are important but a black tint will actually generate more heat if not designed to reflect the heat. I'm sure there is nano this and that but ceramic or other higher end materials seem to be pretty close in their heat rejecting properties.

hofb99 · 04-24-2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutiny22183

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going through the Chicago MB service center for the tints...they are charging $599 for all 5 windows, is that reasonable?

OUCH!!!

But what do you expect when going thru the dealer...especially M-B! May want to search for a professional aftermarket/installation shop or tint shop...one w/ reputable service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by troymir350

That seems a little high to me. We are getting the rear doors and window with a high end ceramic for $325 in Detroit north suburbs.

Now that's more like it...

BM2BZ · 04-24-2012, 04:22 AM

i think even $325 is still pretty high.

PHML · 04-24-2012, 06:12 AM

tint it...looks better.

56Kruiser · 04-24-2012, 09:47 AM

I had my dealer tint mine. I don't know what material they use. They charged me $259. Kansas City area.

Its 35%. Looks nice in my opinion.

Pics here.

4MaticCoupe · 04-24-2012, 09:54 AM

^Kinda hard to tell by the pictures, but is that a silver or quartz blue exterior?

nicholas321 · 04-24-2012, 10:02 AM

My local MB dealer quoted $550 for Huper Optik, a ceramic tint made in Germany. Another MB dealer referred me to a tint shop located in a nearby auto mall. They installed LLumar ceramic for $130 (front and rear side windows plus rear window--total 5 windows). In Florida tint on windshield is not permitted except for a small band at top of windshield. As to light transmission, about 30% is classy. Check your state's law on this; a reputable shop won't install illegal tint. My car is a coupe, so I went with same 30%tint on all windows--some people put darker tint on rear side and rear windows.

56Kruiser · 04-24-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4MaticCoupe

^Kinda hard to tell by the pictures, but is that a silver or quartz blue exterior?

Yeah...forget to set white balance on the camera. I need to retake the photos.

It is iridium silver.

[EDIT]
Update the white balance. Pics look better now

Thanks for reminding me of that.

mutiny22183 · 04-24-2012, 10:36 AM

Car is in the shop for the tint job as well as paintless dent removal. Yes, my car is only 1 week old, and I found a very small dent on the passenger side door! Not sure where that came from..

The dealer service center ended up charging me $390, I asked the MB service guy the tint material (ceramic/metallic), he didn't know, and will call me back when he finds out. Does the ceramic vs metalic tint really make a huge different in cell and radio reception?? I'm getting 35% all the way around.

chrisvr6 · 04-24-2012, 11:22 AM

Cesar at logan square tints does my cars flawlessly. $150 for all windows on all doors.

mutiny22183 · 04-24-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisvr6

Cesar at logan square tints does my cars flawlessly. $150 for all windows on all doors.

Called Cesar and will be seeing him this afternoon. Can you post some pics of your car?

chrisvr6 · 04-24-2012, 01:53 PM

Pm me your # and i can text you a pic tonite. I got the 35% tint and my car is black.

troymir350 · 04-24-2012, 06:10 PM

Anyone get Viper brand film? Guy tells me it's better than Llumar. Even the carbon has a lifetime warranty. He quoted $200 for rear half in carbon and $400 for ceramic. Place has been in business for almost 20 years. I'm curious if you can tell diff between carbon and ceramic. Any experience out there?

mnje350 · 04-24-2012, 08:55 PM

Paid 200 for mine but it is metallic. Looks good but it definitely reduced my radio reception. Not so much with the cell phone tho.

hofb99 · 04-24-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM2BZ

i think even $325 is still pretty high.

Really depends on what type of tint you get... Higher end tint like Carbon XP is going to run you about $300+ easily... If you go w/ the regular carbon or ceramic, probably a little cheaper... Simply put, the more protection from UVs/sun/heat, and the longer the warranty (life of the tint), the more you're gonna pay!

Cars I've had tinted in the past only cost about $180 on average...but I've since upgraded, so there you have it!

04-24-2012, 06:12 AM	#12
PHML Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 690 Drives: 2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2001 Lexus GS300 VIP Style	tint it...looks better. __________________ 2011 GLK350 - P1, Multimedia & AMG Pkg 2010 E350 - P2 w/ 18" AMG wheels 2001 GS300 VIP Style

04-24-2012, 10:36 AM	#17
mutiny22183 Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 16 Drives: 2012 E350	Car is in the shop for the tint job as well as paintless dent removal. Yes, my car is only 1 week old, and I found a very small dent on the passenger side door! Not sure where that came from.. The dealer service center ended up charging me $390, I asked the MB service guy the tint material (ceramic/metallic), he didn't know, and will call me back when he finds out. Does the ceramic vs metalic tint really make a huge different in cell and radio reception?? I'm getting 35% all the way around. __________________

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04-23-2012, 10:07 PM	#3
mnje350 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 352 Drives: 2010 E350, 2008 CLK350	Go with ceramic whatever tint level you choose. Metallic films reduce the radio reception for AM, if you care, and reception of hi-def channels unless you are real close to the transmitter.

04-23-2012, 10:33 PM	#4
troymir350 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 287 Drives: '08 R350(Gone); '10 ML350 BTEC(Gone); '11 GL450(Gone twice!); '12 E350 BTEC	Getting ready to do ours but we can only tint the rear doors and windows. MI law; and it's enforced once up north for vacation. I heard ceramic also for radio, radar detector (rear) and heat reflection. Ours is black so should work ok even just in the back. Mainly it's to keep people from seeing our dog in the unlikely event she's in there without us! Oh, that and the heat.

04-23-2012, 10:52 PM	#5
mutiny22183 Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 16 Drives: 2012 E350	Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going through the Chicago MB service center for the tints...they are charging $599 for all 5 windows, is that reasonable?

04-23-2012, 11:03 PM	#8
Mbenz260e Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 424 Drives: 2012 E350 Bluetec, 2013 GL350 Bluetec	I am considering too right now. Between 50% and 35% but prob will definitely go with 35%. $599 seems way way expensive. Question what is the deal with carbon? That seems to the be the most suggest tint by the shops? My friend with a 5 series suggest Llumar brand and there is a place which does it near me with Llumar for $170. He is confident its not metallic but isn't sure what the actual material is?

04-23-2012, 11:11 PM	#9
troymir350 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 287 Drives: '08 R350(Gone); '10 ML350 BTEC(Gone); '11 GL450(Gone twice!); '12 E350 BTEC	I interviewed for a job in silicon valley several years ago with a film manufacturer that got me started with infrared reflective glass films (IR glass to most). The key is heat rejection. Obviously looks are important but a black tint will actually generate more heat if not designed to reflect the heat. I'm sure there is nano this and that but ceramic or other higher end materials seem to be pretty close in their heat rejecting properties.

04-24-2012, 04:22 AM	#11
BM2BZ MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Paradise Posts: 2,103 Drives: w212 E550	i think even $325 is still pretty high.

04-24-2012, 09:47 AM	#13
56Kruiser Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 31 Drives: E350 Coupe 4Matic, 1956 Chevrolet Convertible, Lexus RX 350	I had my dealer tint mine. I don't know what material they use. They charged me $259. Kansas City area. Its 35%. Looks nice in my opinion. Pics here.

04-24-2012, 09:54 AM	#14
4MaticCoupe Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 54 Drives: '08 Vette, '10 TL SH-AWD (will be replaced by 350C4)	^Kinda hard to tell by the pictures, but is that a silver or quartz blue exterior?

04-24-2012, 10:02 AM	#15
nicholas321 Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 11 Drives: 2012 E350 Coupe	My local MB dealer quoted $550 for Huper Optik, a ceramic tint made in Germany. Another MB dealer referred me to a tint shop located in a nearby auto mall. They installed LLumar ceramic for $130 (front and rear side windows plus rear window--total 5 windows). In Florida tint on windshield is not permitted except for a small band at top of windshield. As to light transmission, about 30% is classy. Check your state's law on this; a reputable shop won't install illegal tint. My car is a coupe, so I went with same 30%tint on all windows--some people put darker tint on rear side and rear windows.

04-24-2012, 11:22 AM	#18
chrisvr6 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 343 Drives: lexus gx470	Cesar at logan square tints does my cars flawlessly. $150 for all windows on all doors.

04-24-2012, 01:53 PM	#20
chrisvr6 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 343 Drives: lexus gx470	Pm me your # and i can text you a pic tonite. I got the 35% tint and my car is black.

04-24-2012, 06:10 PM	#21
troymir350 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 287 Drives: '08 R350(Gone); '10 ML350 BTEC(Gone); '11 GL450(Gone twice!); '12 E350 BTEC	Anyone get Viper brand film? Guy tells me it's better than Llumar. Even the carbon has a lifetime warranty. He quoted $200 for rear half in carbon and $400 for ceramic. Place has been in business for almost 20 years. I'm curious if you can tell diff between carbon and ceramic. Any experience out there?

04-24-2012, 08:55 PM	#22
mnje350 Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 352 Drives: 2010 E350, 2008 CLK350	Paid 200 for mine but it is metallic. Looks good but it definitely reduced my radio reception. Not so much with the cell phone tho.

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