kimchiFLAVA

so wait...does that mean i should go for 90% tint in the front
and 35%in the back?

yah i'm going charcoal cuz my car;s metallic black

tberry

The lightest I've seen here in TX is 50%. Darkest I think is like 2-5%.

TimmyC230boy

just call a reputable tint shop in your area, and ask what the legal limit is. Then I would go a few under the limit, just to be safe.

amdeutsch

Anybody on here know if C240s have the same predicament with the seals or not?

TimmyC230boy

I think all the W203 are they same way. They scratch tint

tberry

My dealer says tinting may VOID warranty!!!! Never had that problem with audi before. And I am asking the dealer to do the tint just so I DONT VOID the warranty. Andy idea guys? Thanks.

amdeutsch

Void the warranty on WHAT. I think he is just trying to get into your pocket book. Most dealers use an outside service anyhow. At least in this region.

revstriker

The way that I understand it is for something to void a warranty, it has to cause the damage. I can't see how tinting the windows could do this. Before I'd let the dealer tint them, I would get some quotes from some outside companies. I doubt that you dealer will have the best "deal" for you, but you never know.

amdeutsch

Hi and thanx for the answer. NOW, would it be possible to hear from somebody who owns a sedan on this subject matter. It is after all a well known fact that the coupe and sedan don't share any sheetmetal and therefore the doors would be designed quite differently.
I'm not wanting to offend any C230K owners, just looking for answers and not speculation and guesses.

revstriker

I don't have tinting on my sedan, but I know that MB-BOB does, and I don't think he had anything changed as far as the seals. You can PM him if he doesn't respond to this thread.

Buellwinkle

There is a little known problem where water can get on sensors located in the hatch area from the tint installation. If these sensors (2) get damaged, they cost over $200 each. My tinter had a tech bulletin about it because he does a lot of work for an MB dealer. You have to remove all the trim panels around the hatch window and tape over the sensors so they don't get wet. Dealers know this and may not fix it under warranty if you get windows tinted and the sensor is water damaged. Find out who the dealer uses and go direct and save $$$.

kimchiFLAVA

what if i don't have rain sensors?

MB-BOB

1) Go to a shop that does tinting as their primary business...
2) Ask it they have door seal coating services available... if not is there a subcontractor they use for "moleskin."
3) It's been mentioned before that most dealers outsource their tinting to a specialty shop. Ideally, your MB dealer will tell you who they use, and you can call that company direct to compare pricing. If your salesmonkey won't share the info, call the parts department.
4) Ask the tinter how many MBs they tint. Their experience with prior MBs will mean they know how to deal with this quirkiness.
5) Stay away from metallic tints that are reflective. My tint is supposed to be 90% metallic, but it's a "gray smoke" tint, and I don't notice any radio reception problems.

Yes, I have a small number of fine scratches in my tint in my sedan. (I'd be amazed if it were true that the sedan doors were of different internal construction than the coupe.) . What few scratches I have are less noticable than the normal wear and tear I put on the windows with my keys, briefcase, etc. You have to park the car in certain light angles to see the scratches, so they are very fine. If you're **** about it, seek out the moleskin option.

amdeutsch

Thanx BOB

Davidta

Does any one know the regulations for New York?

zhaoyi

kimchiFLAVA

tinting driver side and passenger side window is not allowed in Vancouver. Both window should stay CLEAR for police's safty. However, anything on back doesn't matter.
There are still a lot of ppl in Vancouver done the tinting. Maybe they don't care about tickets. Just for your info, police in Vancouver doesn't really pay attention to European car. As long as you are not doing too much mod. Japanese car are POOR.

God bless Jimmy Ng!

kimchiFLAVA

ok well i was quoted $240 canadian for a tint from the MB dealership and was quoted $ 200 from a body shop i know called "TEAMWORK" there a professional bodys shop and there gonna fix my car up from a minor accident so i might as well get the tint there as well so it saves me waiting there for two hours or so...

what should i tell him before they tint my benz?

session

here's a site that explains window tinting laws by state:

http://autowindowtintings.com/main.cfm?action=laws

lorinserc320

Does anyone know how much a ticket for illegal tints is in FLA?
I have 20% all around, but wanna get 10% all around with the front windshield 32%, but am worried about the ticket.

truelove

what % tint should i put on my car when i get it. i'm only tinting the rear windows and the hatch window, so just the rear three. just looking for opinions and maybe some pics.

TimmyC230boy

i would just check your local laws and go as dark as you can go. Why you only gonna tint back windows?

truelove

one reason is the stupid problem with the tint getting scratched when you roll down the front windows (which can be avoided i know, but whatever). another reason is that i think it actually looks good. i have a couple friends who have only tinted the back windows.

truelove

ah haaaaaaaaaaaa, i just found out why friends of mine only tinted the rear side windows and the rear window. because that's all that's allowed in illinois. we can tint the rear side winows and the rear window to any degree we wish but as for the other windows, no tinting is allowed. oh well, like i said. i like the look anyway.

20FHK02

i have 30% on the two rear windows and 20% on the rear windshield. looks good and the transition from the front to the rear is smooth.

MB-BOB

A good all-around tint is 35%, 30% even better if you can get it in your area. Some like to install 30/35 on the sides and 20% in the rear window... Looks OK, but I prefer the same level of tint all-around. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Check your laws in IL... When I lived in MO, I could tint the three windows you mentioned to any level of tint, but I was also able to tint the front windows (no darker than 30%) with a Doctor's exemption. Since I could go no darker than 30% on the front windows, I kept it at 30% for all windows, just to keep that monotone look... 30% was just fine on a white car.

BTW, The light transmission requirements (where they exist) are cumulative. Most standard "tinted" windows come from the factory tinted to permit 96% (or so) light transmission. Adding 30% film will take you below the 30% legal tolerance in some states. That's why you see 35% tints offered more often than 30% tints in many areas.