To Tint or Not To Tint
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Fort Worth Texas
2009 E 350, MB GL450
To Tint or Not To Tint
Any thoughs on perferred shade of Tint on a black 350? Mirrored or not? I know what i like matters (and state law) the most but what do others consider the best looking shade.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Chicagoland
E350 -2012 W212 4 Matic
i am getting my E350 2009 this friday. i was thinking about getting tints too..
30% back and rear and 35% front side windows.
will wait for other's opnion before tinting...
Thanks
30% back and rear and 35% front side windows.
will wait for other's opnion before tinting...
Thanks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
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From: Fort Worth Texas
2009 E 350, MB GL450
In texas the limit for front is 32% and can go 12% in back - is this to dark? i had very dark tint on a 735I when at night it was hard to see out the back window (dont remember the %).
What do you do about the power rear shade, do you tint the back the same as the rear windows and not use the rear shade or same as front windows and use shade if additional blockage is needed?
What do you do about the power rear shade, do you tint the back the same as the rear windows and not use the rear shade or same as front windows and use shade if additional blockage is needed?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
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2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
In Texas Sept 1st the law changed from 20% on the front windows "driver & passenger sides to 25%.
The window shield tint can come down to the AS1 line.
The back side windows and the back can be blacked out 0% if you want.
I keep my cars longer than most so I don't tint the windows.
When you have to retint the rear window the heater will not work
as the element on the window is pulled off its just a fine line.
The window shield tint can come down to the AS1 line.
The back side windows and the back can be blacked out 0% if you want.
I keep my cars longer than most so I don't tint the windows.
When you have to retint the rear window the heater will not work
as the element on the window is pulled off its just a fine line.
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From: MIAMI FL
2006 C230 6speed/14 C63
In Texas Sept 1st the law changed from 20% on the front windows "driver & passenger sides to 25%.
The window shield tint can come down to the AS1 line.
The back side windows and the back can be blacked out 0% if you want.
I keep my cars longer than most so I don't tint the windows.
When you have to retint the rear window the heater will not work
as the element on the window is pulled off its just a fine line.
The window shield tint can come down to the AS1 line.
The back side windows and the back can be blacked out 0% if you want.
I keep my cars longer than most so I don't tint the windows.
When you have to retint the rear window the heater will not work
as the element on the window is pulled off its just a fine line.
damn is this really true I plan on tinting my windows 20% all around
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Fort Worth Texas
2009 E 350, MB GL450
@ 2SLOWCDI - thanks for the update on TEXAS %'s. at least the 25's are darker than the 32's. how ofen does the back window need to be re-tinted? I'll be keeping his car for a while since my 13 year old said she want's it when she gets her license and I'll be ready for a new vehicle.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
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2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
Its hard to tell but most times its 5 to 7 years.
If you don't care about the rear defogger its not a big deal.
I sure that you have seen cars around that have the bubbles in the tint
on the back window that is what happens.
If you don't care about the rear defogger its not a big deal.
I sure that you have seen cars around that have the bubbles in the tint
on the back window that is what happens.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
good to know, guess it's be okay to just stick with the sunshade
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Posts: 134
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2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
My car is black also.
I would like to tint the windows a light gray maybe 35%.
From what I have seen all cars with tint are more likely to get
pulled over.
My brother-in-law was in law enforcement for 25 years and told me the
same thing.
I drive to much and sometimes a little over the speed limit so I don't need anything to add to the look at me factor, I'm all about a sleeper.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
2009 E350 Sport Black on Black
I'm in Charlotte NC, had Sun Stoppers do it, really important to use a really good shop, zero problems so far 15 months later. I went with Carbon Legal 38%, looks great, not too dark that police will pull you. I clean it with my damp microfiber towel after washing car. Car is garaged most of the time so I really think is will last a very long time. Funny thing, dealer did inspection in 09 and said nothing, I went someplace else for 2010 inspection, it seems the factory blue adds to the gray and makes it below legal, they let it ride since I have gone there several times. The whole thing is a joke though, there are places in town if you give them a little extra they pass anything. Just my view but going too dark on a nice MB cheapens its look...maybe I'm showing my age.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 39
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From: Indianapolis
2007 E550
I've had 3 black cars and every one got 20% all around. I'm really happy with it in the sense that it makes a black car look stunning but you can still safely see out of it from the inside.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
I just did my S600 and very happy.
The prior owner had 70%, so it was a little "something."
I went w/ my usual - 50% in front, and 20% in the rear/back windows...very happy.
P.S. Although 20% looks dark from outside, from inside out it doesn't look so dark - good for backing up at night.
Patrick
The prior owner had 70%, so it was a little "something."
I went w/ my usual - 50% in front, and 20% in the rear/back windows...very happy.
P.S. Although 20% looks dark from outside, from inside out it doesn't look so dark - good for backing up at night.
Patrick
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From: The OC
Depends where I'm going.
I went with 20% all the way around because I don't like having 2 different shades on the sides, doesn't look right. Normally I do 20% on the rear only and 35% on the front and rear sides. Looks fantastic that way!
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
looks nice, and I'd do all 20% as well if no risk of getting pulled over by CHP or police for the front tints. over the past 25 yrs, i've been pretty safe w/ tints as long as i do the front light - just a safety precaution to avoid hassles of being pulled over.
P.S. Ironically, the last time I got pulled over for dark front tints, it was from a used Acura that I bought from a police officer. Of course for him it was probably ok as they mostly let each off due to professional courtesy.
PL
PL
P.S. Ironically, the last time I got pulled over for dark front tints, it was from a used Acura that I bought from a police officer. Of course for him it was probably ok as they mostly let each off due to professional courtesy.
PL
PL
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 96
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From: San Diego
2009 E350 Arctic White AMG Sport package W/ P2 option, 2002 C230 kompressor Coupe
I recently had my car re-tinted , since the back was bubbling. I had 30% applied to the back door and back window. I had 70% applied to the front. I here the grumbling "why install such a low rating". I wanted stay legal since I drive on Navy bases and did not want to get hassled by the MP's. The heat blocking factor is better with tint than without.
Here is a link for state laws on tint. http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html
Here is a link for state laws on tint. http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I always get the darkest shade available in the back, and the just one step lighter than that for the front 2 windows. Just can't do it any other way. I know of pull-over risks, but it's just a risk I gotta take.
On my W212 though, I will say that for whatever reason (lots of OEM tint maybe? Auto dimming mirrors are intense?), it is a bit hard to see out of, comparatively to my prior cars.... Maybe I'm getting old already.
With good Tint work, and if your car is garaged and not sun-beaten constantly, the Tint should last a very long time. A good Tint Shop will also provide a lifetime Warranty.
That is a clean, and class whip. 
On my W212 though, I will say that for whatever reason (lots of OEM tint maybe? Auto dimming mirrors are intense?), it is a bit hard to see out of, comparatively to my prior cars.... Maybe I'm getting old already.
With good Tint work, and if your car is garaged and not sun-beaten constantly, the Tint should last a very long time. A good Tint Shop will also provide a lifetime Warranty.
