usc96

I know absolutely nothing about window tinting. I have a white E350 with a light tan, and live in the South (90 - 100 degrees during the Summer). I'm not looking for anything too noticeable, just a basic light tint to alleviate some of the heat. What tint % would you recommend, and what does window tinting usually cost? Are there any questions I should ask beforehand, or look for in a tinting company? What are some of the basics? Tint colors? Maintenance issues? Quality concerns? Others? Thanks.

gisham

15% is nice all around tint

i have always paid around 200-250 for my cars/suv's

usc96

Thanks. How does the % system work? Does 15% mean really light tint, with 100% being pitch black? What I'm looking for is just enough to reduce the sun, without it being noticeable that the car has tinted windows. In fact, if someone looked at the car, I'd want them to think that MB put the tint on at the factory, if they noticed it all all. Thanks.

Fabboi

when you say not noticable do you mean its hard for people to tell you have tint or hard for people to see you? the lower the percentage = the darker your tint. I personally would get the 50% so the car dosen't seem too dark and stays on the classy side. Then again once in a while i wish i had 25% all around so i can resort back to my highschool "gangsta" way

usc96

I mean its hard for people to tell I have tint. It sounds like 15% is the exact opposite of what I'm looking for. I'm looking to stay on the "classy side" as you say.

MercFiveHundred

% is based on the amount of light being let through. Just keep in mind that the E class windows are tinted a small bit (green or some blue), so you will have to add to the fact that you have a very light factory tint plus the tint you will add to it. It's useful for when you choose darker tints and try to stay within the legal limit (which i think is 35% in NY).

jallison12

The number is the amount of light let through. The higher the number, the more light is let in. In other words, the lighter the tint.

From what I found online, NY legal limit is 70%. Also most online tint guides had links / grids showing the respective US states legal limit.

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

I think I had 70% already in my green glass on my wagon. But I got tint put on to bring it to 35%. This is still slightly see through, but still quite dark. I am pretty happy with it. 20% is pretty dark.

Further, different states traffic laws allow cops to pull your over (or not) just for tint. From what I read, in NY they can't pull you over just for that, but if they pull you for something else, they can ticket you for tint as well. But in other states (not sure which) they could pull you over *just* for having tint to dark. I think a friend of my uncles had this happen to him in Virginia, but I could be wrong.

BTW my tiny cost $200 and was a great job. It's not the expensive ceramic tint though.

jallison12

Using this example, its the reverse. 15% is pretty dark. 100% is no tint at all, i.e. clear.

jallison12

I had a great job done. However, the only imperfections are on the rear window, around the demist / antennae wires. There are very slight bubbles. Just to let you know my experience.

That's it for me an tint questions - but hey my post count is going up

usc96

The tint on your picture looks pretty good. I have no idea why someone would suggest 15% for someone who requested a suggestion for "just a basic light tint?" I guess he thought it would be funny.

jallison12

That's not my actual car, just a close resemblance from the 'net. I'd say that pic would be factory glass (not stuck on tint, but colored glass). With a bit odd exposure - I think my glass was lighter than that looked, but not much.

If you stop by a tint shop they'd probably have a few variations in the lot for you to look at. It's the best way to decide. When I was deciding there was one with 20% (too dark) and next to it a 35%...just right for me.

eurotrash13

I'm looking into having my windows tinted as well.
I read somewhere on this board to add felt to the window rubber otherwise it will scratch. Is this a common practice for most tint shops or do you have to specify it?

Scraz51

I just got a 35% tint all round the other day and I had to ask for the felt strips. I advise you to get them, they threw them in free for me so you might get lucky with that. Don't ignore getting them because the more you wind down the windows the more likely they are to scratch the tint, making it look like absolute s**t.

35% tint though goes really well with the E, with any colour as well. Just browse this forum there are a multitude of pics from everyone.

BRABUS_E500

I've got 5% tint on all 7 windows (every window except the windshield). It keeps the sun out the best! My old Lexus had 20% and it didn't do jack.

Do your homework and look for a shop well known in your area for the tint. Solar Guard is the most popular brand but a a lot of tint companies these days are good.

Good luck

TuneTime

i have 35 on my personal car.... i have 150+ tint pictures on my site of cars we did... it can prob help you make a decision..

click photo gallery then the drop down menu to tint work....

enr1co

I just had my windows tinted for $250 (Madico charcoal, non ceramic, non metallic)

20% on the rear window and 35% on all the side windows.

I preferred the look of the stock blue-ish tint but for functionality purposes needed to achieve some good interior cooling benefit and protection for the inside of the car from fading. With the rear window being so large, the rear deck, upholstery and any one sitting in the back seat were taking a beating from the sun
On sunny days the tint doesnt really appear so dark as the light coming thru the front winshield still lightens the overall tint.

Without Tint:



With Tint:

tbone

Looks great, Enrico! I'm a fan of the 35% tint myself

Scraz51

Get 3M Ceramic tint. Its good stuff, little bit more expensive but will never interfere with radio freq, sattelites etc. I keep hearing both good and bad reviews about interference on other metallic based ones and I would not really want to leave that thing down to luck esp with a Nav unit etc.

gisham

here in Florida it is pretty common to have 5% tint on your car- So to us 15% is considered very light tint and it lets a lot more light in than 4%... i guess we are not "classy" people down here But i do know up in the northeast the laws are much different- I dont even think we have to have mufflers on our cars down here-

gisham

i was trying to help - some folks on these boards need to lighten up

dreamcatchr23

based on what you asked for, i would think 35% would be perfect... i have 35% and i feel that it keeps the mercedes classy look while providing functionality... as far as prices, in maui it's around $500 for ceramic (which is what i got, it helps with heat reduction) and around $150-180 for regular tint... good luck and post pics with the tint...

christiaan

Anyone notice that within time, maybe 2 months, you start noticing vertical Scartches on the tint? anyone have this problem?

This also happened on the old W210.... tint starts scartching.... hate it!@

anyone ?

Taylor-Made'90

My tint also has some fine, vertical scratches. I think the inside dust liner is what's scratching it. I conatcted my local tint shop, who said the scratches weren't covered on my supposed 'lifetime' warranty....

I may wind up getting the tint redone.

usc96

Point taken. We're cool.

eurotrash13

Did they install felt strips when the windows were tinted?