Window Tinting Advice
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: San Francisco, CA
2015 C300 Sport, 2003 C32 AMG, 65 FFR Cobra, 2006 Cooper S
Window Tinting Advice
Hi all,
I was hoping to get some advice on tinting my wifes new 2003 C230K coupe tomorrow. I am undecided if we should do the front windows. We are planning on doing the rear and hatch, but haven't decided on just how dark yet. We live in CA, and my understanding is that tinting the front passenger windows is illegal. I'm guessing if there is enough contrast from the rears to the front, it might go un-noticed. Any thoughts?
TIA
I was hoping to get some advice on tinting my wifes new 2003 C230K coupe tomorrow. I am undecided if we should do the front windows. We are planning on doing the rear and hatch, but haven't decided on just how dark yet. We live in CA, and my understanding is that tinting the front passenger windows is illegal. I'm guessing if there is enough contrast from the rears to the front, it might go un-noticed. Any thoughts?
TIA
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Joined: Aug 2002
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It Varies
Re: Window Tinting Advice
Originally posted by ethans dad
Hi all,
I was hoping to get some advice on tinting my wifes new 2003 C230K coupe tomorrow. I am undecided if we should do the front windows. We are planning on doing the rear and hatch, but haven't decided on just how dark yet. We live in CA, and my understanding is that tinting the front passenger windows is illegal. I'm guessing if there is enough contrast from the rears to the front, it might go un-noticed. Any thoughts?
TIA
Hi all,
I was hoping to get some advice on tinting my wifes new 2003 C230K coupe tomorrow. I am undecided if we should do the front windows. We are planning on doing the rear and hatch, but haven't decided on just how dark yet. We live in CA, and my understanding is that tinting the front passenger windows is illegal. I'm guessing if there is enough contrast from the rears to the front, it might go un-noticed. Any thoughts?
TIA
In California the cops do tend to be a little more strict with this law. You can do 100% limo black tint in the back and no one will bother you. Once you get to the front windows. it is best to go with a light tint to avoid problems. I have recieved several fix-it tickets in the past for tinting the front windows too dark. I know it looks much nicer to have all the windows the same shade of tint, but I'd stick to a lighter tint. Any tint shop you go to will let you know exactly what is the legal degree allowed for the front. Hope this helps.
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From: South Orange Co., CA
'03 W211 aka E-500
YMMV
Yes, Your Mileage May Vary. In California.
Some will cite you for it as it can be a pet peeve, others don't care.
Know also that you may only blackout your rear window and rear door windows if and only if you have two side-view mirrors. Not a problem with MBs, but sometimes with entry-level stock pick up trucks.
Good luck!
EDJ
Some will cite you for it as it can be a pet peeve, others don't care.
Know also that you may only blackout your rear window and rear door windows if and only if you have two side-view mirrors. Not a problem with MBs, but sometimes with entry-level stock pick up trucks.
Good luck!
EDJ
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From: SoCal
MB
this is how i see it in CA, if you have illegal tint on the front, cops wont really go for you.....but if you get stopped for speeding, then they'll write you up for the tint. thats only most of the time though
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
I think that a nice light-medium tint all the way around will be your best bet. I agree that going dark all the way around looks best but unless you want to hassle with fix-it tickets you won't want to do that.
I definitely don't think that you should do a two-tone application where there is a darker tint in the back and lighter on the front windows. IMO, this just looks way too tacky and it's not worth it because if a cop is going to pull you over for front-side window tint then he's going to do it regardless of the variations you might have.
I think that most of the time, when cops pull you over due to window tint, they do so because they can't see the driver. They like to be able to at least look at the driver. If you go with a light-medium tint all the way around, you get a nice clean uniform look and it's light enough for cops to see who's driving and dark enough to protect you from the sun and give you a little feel of privacy.
I definitely don't think that you should do a two-tone application where there is a darker tint in the back and lighter on the front windows. IMO, this just looks way too tacky and it's not worth it because if a cop is going to pull you over for front-side window tint then he's going to do it regardless of the variations you might have.
I think that most of the time, when cops pull you over due to window tint, they do so because they can't see the driver. They like to be able to at least look at the driver. If you go with a light-medium tint all the way around, you get a nice clean uniform look and it's light enough for cops to see who's driving and dark enough to protect you from the sun and give you a little feel of privacy.
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From: SoCal
'11 BMW 335is
I live in CA as well. I park in open lots all the time so Im thinking about going for a silver "mirror" tint. As far as fix it tickets, whats involved. Assuming I get one, what would I have to do. ...fixit in what way?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by mikejabb12
I live in CA as well. I park in open lots all the time so Im thinking about going for a silver "mirror" tint. As far as fix it tickets, whats involved. Assuming I get one, what would I have to do. ...fixit in what way?
I live in CA as well. I park in open lots all the time so Im thinking about going for a silver "mirror" tint. As far as fix it tickets, whats involved. Assuming I get one, what would I have to do. ...fixit in what way?
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From: Louisiana
E320
I noticed that cops are more lenient about tints in LA than they are in some other counties such as Santa Barbara. There are some ticket ****'s up there. When I was in college there I got myself cited for my tint at least 4 times. Twice in one week too believe it or not. Finally I just gave up and removed it instead of paying the $65 fine.
In LA, so far no trouble at all.
In LA, so far no trouble at all.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SoCal
'11 BMW 335is
Dude that that sucks!
BUT there is a way to get arround that. A friend of mine cleans pools for a living. Since he spent so much time in the sun he got some kind of tumor under his left eye. After removing it the doctor wrote some kind of perscription/note so that he can legaly tint his windows.
Hmmmm . . . are you thinking what I'm thinking
BUT there is a way to get arround that. A friend of mine cleans pools for a living. Since he spent so much time in the sun he got some kind of tumor under his left eye. After removing it the doctor wrote some kind of perscription/note so that he can legaly tint his windows.
Hmmmm . . . are you thinking what I'm thinking
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by bmms8
this is how i see it in CA, if you have illegal tint on the front, cops wont really go for you.....but if you get stopped for speeding, then they'll write you up for the tint. thats only most of the time though
this is how i see it in CA, if you have illegal tint on the front, cops wont really go for you.....but if you get stopped for speeding, then they'll write you up for the tint. thats only most of the time though
cops just have nothing better to do sometimes.
