dcjwlee

So I used the forum's top secret weapon (the advanced search) and could only pull up links of specific threads that I thought would have trouble garnering the attention needed to answer my question.

Anyway's I titled it so that it would come up easily on a window tint search in the W204 forum.

I want to get my arctic white C300 tinted ASAP. I've been putting it off again and again but I think I finally found a decent shop with decent reviews from other forums that I'm not sure if I can give free link juice to on here.

The shop is Top of the Line Tint in Lodi, NJ
They use 3M Scotchtint window film at $300 for an all around tint.
(I think they will take out 8% tax if paid in cash and I have a 10% off coupon I will apply to that price)

I am probably going to go with 50% tint on all four windows and 35% on the rear windshield as well as a 35% strip for the front windshield.

If you guys could kindly answer the following questions...

1) I could not find any reviews for the 3m Scotchtint film so if you guys could chime in. (Not really looking to hear how great Huper Optik 40 is, just your experience with 3M scotchtint)

2) Have you guys seen a car with 35% rear windshield and 50% on the sides? Does it look bad? I'm hoping that by tinting the biggest window darker it helps make up for the light 50% tints (NJ Tint laws/cops are rough, and they WILL pull you over for tints, forget what anyone said about it not being a "moving" violation)

3) If I added a 35% visor strip to the above combination, would that be a poor choice? Maybe just go wit a 50-60% entire windshield tint?

jarbenz

I think the best look should be 50% on front roll up, 35% on back roll up and 30% on rear windshield. And the car looks classy and very legal.

C300CA

If I remember correctly, most states do not allow any tint in the front windows. I am in CA, here we can't tint anythign in the front. I saw a cop even wrote a ticket to a lady who had this temporary mini blind in the front driver side window.

Scat01

I did as much research as possible recently prior to getting my car tinted - I did read a lot of positive things about 3M tint including Scotchtint, but also realized there were various versions within the same name/category - so please confirm with your shop what they are using - See below, some are graded higher than others, and I would personally avoid the metalalized film as it can restrict signals (radio, GPS, phone, etc..)

3M Scotchtint FXHP High Performance (metal hybrid) is a value priced film nice color cuts almost as much heat rejection as high end films at about 30% less cost (most popular) we have 2 shades to choose from

3M Scotchtint FX Premium is for the cost conscious good film for about half the price of the high end films

last and least 3M Scotchtint FXST basic film Cost: $80 and up depending on make of vehicle.(dyed standard color will change over time, I recommend avoiding this or any economy film)

I chose a shop in Ocean, NJ (Monmouth County) and decided to go with Llumar tint, 35% on all side windows and 20% in the rear windshield - Great reviews on this product, worth your time reading up even though I see in your post you are not looking for us to tell you about other brands..I would also skip the windshield strip, but that is a personal choice.

Scat01

FYI - In New Jersey there is 0% allowed on front roll up..... New York - there is 70% allowed on front roll up...

unixadm

Here are some pics of 3M 15% rear and 70% front on my C63. Very good visibility from inside of the car and very clear tint without distortion. I paid $225 for all seven windows, however I also brought two 2011 WRX's with me for a package deal at the same time which saved us around $50 a car. I'm very pleased with the results. These pictures were taken with the sun at a lower angle behind the car, so it looks darker than it actually is.





More pics are available by clicking on the link in my signature.

burnteggroll

2) Have you guys seen a car with 35% rear windshield and 50% on the sides? Does it look bad? I'm hoping that by tinting the biggest window darker it helps make up for the light 50% tints (NJ Tint laws/cops are rough, and they WILL pull you over for tints, forget what anyone said about it not being a "moving" violation)




i had my white benz like this for over 2 years without being harrassed. i went with a 20% back and rear windows. i have black interior so i went with a 45% in the front cause i didn't want it to be too dark at night (personal taste). here is a few angle.













3) If I added a 35% visor strip to the above combination, would that be a poor choice? Maybe just go wit a 50-60% entire windshield tint?[/quote]




here is my visor ---->25% hope this help. now go out there and tint her!

encoder

There's a lot of confusion here.

You cannot have mini blinds or stickers or cardboard or anything like that, you're right.

But you CAN have tint on your front windows in CA. And in every instance I've looked into, reports of no tint allowed usually stem from an incorrect reading of the law.

C300CA

When I tinted my two other cars many years ago, the tint shop said forget it to tint the front unless you are ready for the ticket. My co-worker bought a used BMW with already tinted fron windows. He got a ticket because of that.

encoder

It was probably too dark. You can see the law here: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

C300CA

Thank you encoder. By the way, It looks like all four windows are lightly tinted at the factory. I am not sure of the rear windshield.

dcjwlee

TY for all the replies... still not sure what I want to go with but all the pictures have given me a very clear idea of what to expect.

I do have the pano roof, and I would not consider a windshield strip without it.

I also didn't mean to quash discussion on other tints, just got worried that the thread would get carried away. Please, feel free to chime in on brands you have had experience with.

After some careful consideration I am going to see what other shops are using and what films I can get in the ~$300 range. The 3M scotchtint seems passable but I know they aren't using the top tier one bc their coupon says it doesn't apply to FX films (or something like that).

GateKeeper

25% all around, nothing on the front windshield, on the car for 3 years almost, no issues, and it's not top of the line tint, but it works, it blocks out the sun, cuts down on the UV, does not interfere with sat or radio, no scratches to date, and I have the pano roof, black interior

dcjwlee

beautiful pics guys (especially the arctic white W204's!)

So I called it a day early (even though I'm an hour behind on work because I've been on MBWorld since 1:30 EST looking at mods I'll probably never get to do) and I'm going to try to swing by top of the line tint today and get this baby covered up in 50% 3m color stable film all around.

If they have 60% I might go with that, but I didn't see it listed on their website.

will post pics later tonight if I get it done!!

Don't really have a ride to and from though, so hopefully they can get it done in like two hours and I'll just grab a bite and watch or something...

dcjwlee

bah... he sent the guy working the lodi shop home early bc no cars came in past 3...

I KNEW I shouldn't have gotten a car wash before going but I wanted it to look perfect when I picked it up

dcjwlee

Tinted!!!

32 sq ft of 3M FX PM 55% film at $299 (a bit expensive for what is at best a middle of the run tint, but I was willing to pay for the proximity, excellent reviews, and the impulse of wanting it nownownow!)
It looks hardly tinted unless you go next to a stock car, which is what I wanted, but from certain angles (especially looking towards the rear seats or sunguard) it gives a light smokey gray color.

Look at the pointed star on the wheel as a reference to how much light is being filtered.



It's a light smokey grey and I like it!


And one last one....

dcjwlee

Bone stock windows on E class coupe vs 55% on C class. Enjoy!

Spec_Davis

i like it Jersey is very strict in tints. I have 35% all around and people can still see a shadow in the car.

got_thang?

20% all around

dcjwlee

Bahahaha, I can't stop taking pictures of my tint I love it so much. I feel like the tint is getting darker as it dries, maybe the weather has just been getting crappier

Pic is around 7 a.m. this morning, complete overcast, no sun getting through.

Locals will notice I am in the Bergen Mall parking lot Got Panera Bread for breakfast this morning.

dcjwlee

Called Top of the Line Tint in Fair Lawn (Lodi?), NJ today to ask for a quote on tinting the entire windshield. I want to go with 60% or higher and may need to ask them to custom order the tint.

Quote was $100, I asked for $10 off if I pay cash... They're going to have to ask Phil the owner.

QUESTION: Has anyone here tinted their windshield? (I think Alexlev did 20% on his windshield and double limos all around) I am thinking of going 60% or higher so it should be BARELY noticeable. I just can't stand that the light coming in from my windows is a pale green compared with the bright white coming in the front windshield.

Is this a fair price...? Consider that I paid $300 for all the other windows and the fact that the rear window, with the dot matrix/defroster/curvature, is infinitely more annoying than the front windshield.

Naysayers and yesmen please comment with your opinions on price/the look/whether I should do it or not. thanks!

AskDrTodd

I guess I'm spoiled in FL, I rarely hear them giving crap about tint (knocking on wood as I type). I have 15% all around and 50% on the windshield. Looks killer and DAMN the car is a lot less hot when I come out to it after it's been in the sun. Also much easier driving into the sun in the morning or evening when it's rising/setting. Night vision is hardly affected at all.

Tactro

+1 for florida. 5% on the back 5 windows, 15% on the front doors, 5% visor. I'd like to remove the visor and do 50% over the whole windshield. I live in maryland now but I keep my FL tags current.

dcjwlee

Ugh got quoted 140 for the windshield by phil himself. Forgot to ask if he thought I was putting on the fx cs which is a few bucks extra. (Would have gone with it if they had it in 50%)

Seems like a bit much considerng all the other windows combined cost 300 flat.

AskDrTodd

*****. seriously? 140? They did mine with all llumar tint, lifetime warranty, near flawless job for 180 with the windshield (130 without). Whole car took an hour too.