Pentracer

I'm thinking of getting my windows tinted and have read several of the posts about tinting. I'm probably looking at between 35 and 50% tinting.

I have no idea how to gauge the quality of an aftermarket tinting shop. The local one in my small town wants 200 bucks to do the job which sounds too little to me (not that I like paying people more than I have to), but I don't want to screw up my car by getting a crappy job done. How much does tinting normally cost and is there a big difference in the quality between different tinters?

Does anyone have pictures of either 35 or 50%?

Lastly, any idea how to convince my wife of the need for this. We have shades in the back, but it doesnt look as good to me as getting the windows tinted? She won't even tell me why she objects, tho' I am guessing she is concerned that the car will look too pimped out.

Thanks for your help.

mmgrad

the darkness level is up to you... location will dictate the price.

i pay between 120-150 for titanium tint and they do a real good job. other places that will take your car apart, and sand down the bubbles (those black bumps) in the back window will charge around 250+

as for convincing your wife, just go do it... she'll most likely like it. if she doesn't, that is when you worry about trying to convince her

Benz-O-Rama

I paid 195.00 and get a lifetime warranty. The cars in my sig have 20% so 35% will be just a bit lighter. 50% is worthless to get in my opinion.

Just tell your wife that it's recommended to tint the windows to protect the leather and dash against sun and heat damage.

mbuskuhl

35% on mine, not too dark or "pimped out". You can easily see inside, especially during a sunny day. Paid $150, back window and 4 sides.

If it's your car and you make your own money, just tint the windows. She should have no problem....

55fanatic

here is a safety aspect... my cousin was in an SEVERE accident and had gone to the hospital... his 96 A4 was Tboned in 97 by a suburban. he had 4 other passengers in the car. He was told by the paramedics who showed up on the scene of the accident that the tint possibly saved there lives or kept them from having more severe injuries as when the gash shattered and spiderwebbed it stayed almost entirely on the tine as one sheet... where as if it wasnt tinted it would of surely blown through the vehicle compartment and most likely penetrated the driver and rear passenger.

I didnt believe this till I was in a severe accident in 2003 with my 92 camry, I lost control of my car on a highway and was tboned by a highway sign as my car piroueted from the left lane to the far right lane and off and on to an on ramp... blew out my back window, my two passenger side windows as well, very little glass in the car, but entire sheets of tint with glass shards on it

Barry45RPM

The 1st Rule of Marriage:

Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

dtxmob

First the Wedding ring now the sufferring.
Someone is Whooped! Check marks the spot!

kenstudios

35% she'll probably not even know it's there. Just do it and when she finds out, a kiss and flowers will get the focus off.

vsopdan

I just recently got my windwos tinted: 40% all around for $150 in Southern California. It reduces the interior temperature slightly, but I still use the back shade when I park under the sun.

W211 Ryda

Pentracer....i know how you must feel. My girl tripped out on me last night when I told her my plans on buying Iforged rims for my car. Yeah, I'm P-whooooped


Forget the 50% film. I would get either 35% if you have the charcoal (dark) interior or 20% if you have a light-colored interior.

As 55fanatic mentioned…tint helps prevent the windows from shattering if there were ever an accident. It helps preserve the leather from the UV rays and it also keeps the car cooler when parked underneath the sun. Tint makes it easier for you to drive when it’s really bright outside…more soothing for your eyes.

Pentracer

Virginia law allows only 50% on the front side windows and 35% in the back. Since I really dont want them that dark and I dont want the sides and back looking different I think Im going to go with 50 all round. I took my wife to the store and she is a bit less upset about the whole thing. Have my appointment tomorrow and Ill post some pics.

Thanks for all your advice. I had no idea tinting was so cheap

55fanatic

its only cheap around there... out here everyone keeps asking 200+

bm75204

I've gone darker on previous cars, but I did 35% on the E and I think it's just right. It looks a little darker than 35% usually does due to the lack of contrast with the Charcoal interior. My dealer included it in the deal, but I paid $200 for 5 windows on a previous E-Class and a 5-Series...so about the same window space. Some justifications for it...

- Keeps the car much cooler when it sits in the sun
- Like sunglasses, I believe only 1% of UV rays are able to pass through
- Extra protection from shattering glass in case of an accident
- Keeps items inside the car more out of view from window-shopping thieves
- It just looks better!

jdhoang

I have a white E320 with a panorama roof that I like to keep open all the time, so I opted for 20% because 35% look just too light. I live in VA too where supposedly cops are notorious for pulling over tinted cars. I read stories where drivers with FL plates got ticketed! Anyway, I got pulled over once and was going to be issued a ticket, but got lucky as cop got a call to go somewhere! Nowadays, when I see police, I roll down my front windows.

Pentracer

Looks great; I am a little worried that there are streaks and small bubbles in the film after it was applied. I was told that these were moisture and would disappear after 5-10 days of drying. Is that correct or did they do a crappy job. Thanks for all the advice once again.

mbuskuhl

Had the small bubbles in mine right afterwards and was concerned, luckily they went away in a few days. It'll look good, wait until next week....

Benz-O-Rama

Totally normal. Just keep it out in the sun for a couple of days. The film will tighten up and all the bubbles should go away. And whatever you do, don't roll down the windows for at least 5 days.

jangy

I paid almost $500 for my first E55. That included getting felt liners on the '05.

I paid almost $600 for the '06 and it didn't even need felt!!

WTALYFF

50% on all 4 doors and rear will look elegant and wife probably will not object since your interior is ash

rockyfeller

Try to ask some local buddies who have their cars tinted and see the quality of the work and who they recommend. Nothing is better than a customer's testamonial. Don't be afraid to spend another $40 for a perfect job. Note the attention to detail like straightness of the cuts, absent bubbles and how the tint was applied over the dot matrix areas. Look for a lifetime warranty. As said before you can sell the idea to your wife by emphasizing the safety and UV protection.

Kev04C320

I have a light colored interior and from this pic, you can still see through the tint (40% Huper Optik)

NO_WUR_E

I have 50% all the way around with the exception of the back window at 35%. It still retains the bluish tint but at a darker shade....still a very classy look.

W211 Ryda

Pls post pics of your 50% tint. Would love to see how it looks with the bluish windows.

edit: nevermind...i see it on your sig. damn my computer is slow.

byttcool99

The car will just look completely different. I had the same problem with my wife, but when she saw it she was just smiling and when we were driving at noon, she was amazed by the temperature change and the AC capacity.

Pentracer

It looks great. Just the right amount for me. Even my wife admits the job looks great and the car looks better. As soon as it stops raining around here I'll take some pics and post them on the site to show you.

Thanks for all the great advice. This board and its members are a wonderful resource for a new MB owner (current Lexus and Audi owner, former BMW M3 owner (lemon)).

Cheers.