Tint or no tint?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2012 E350
Tint or no tint?
Thinking about tinting my new 2012 E350 sport sedan...here in Illinois we can do 35% all the way around. The primary reason I'm doing this is to keep the car cool in the summer...and then of course, I want the car to look good too.
Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.
Thanks!
Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.
Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
Thinking about tinting my new 2012 E350 sport sedan...here in Illinois we can do 35% all the way around. The primary reason I'm doing this is to keep the car cool in the summer...and then of course, I want the car to look good too.
Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.
Thanks!
Any suggestion and recommendations are much appreciated! Not sure how dark 35% is..but I want to make sure the car will not look tacky and ghetto after the tint is done.
Thanks!
The % value of the tint is the amount of light it lets in, so the higher the number, the lighter the tint.
Regards,
Don
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Go with ceramic whatever tint level you choose. Metallic films reduce the radio reception for AM, if you care, and reception of hi-def channels unless you are real close to the transmitter.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 12
From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
Getting ready to do ours but we can only tint the rear doors and windows. MI law; and it's enforced once up north for vacation. I heard ceramic also for radio, radar detector (rear) and heat reflection. Ours is black so should work ok even just in the back. Mainly it's to keep people from seeing our dog in the unlikely event she's in there without us! Oh, that and the heat.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 12
From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
That seems a little high to me. We are getting the rear doors and window with a high end ceramic for $325 in Detroit north suburbs. The front windows would seem to be the easiest related to reach and only one pane per door. But, that's Chicago. Every ones got to eat!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2012 E350
Tell me about it! I'm taking the car in tomorrow morning, hoping for good results!
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
I am considering too right now. Between 50% and 35% but prob will definitely go with 35%. $599 seems way way expensive.
Question what is the deal with carbon? That seems to the be the most suggest tint by the shops? My friend with a 5 series suggest Llumar brand and there is a place which does it near me with Llumar for $170. He is confident its not metallic but isn't sure what the actual material is?
Question what is the deal with carbon? That seems to the be the most suggest tint by the shops? My friend with a 5 series suggest Llumar brand and there is a place which does it near me with Llumar for $170. He is confident its not metallic but isn't sure what the actual material is?
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 12
From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
I interviewed for a job in silicon valley several years ago with a film manufacturer that got me started with infrared reflective glass films (IR glass to most). The key is heat rejection. Obviously looks are important but a black tint will actually generate more heat if not designed to reflect the heat. I'm sure there is nano this and that but ceramic or other higher end materials seem to be pretty close in their heat rejecting properties.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
2012 E350W4
But what do you expect when going thru the dealer...especially M-B! May want to search for a professional aftermarket/installation shop or tint shop...one w/ reputable service.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
2012 E350 Coupe
My local MB dealer quoted $550 for Huper Optik, a ceramic tint made in Germany. Another MB dealer referred me to a tint shop located in a nearby auto mall. They installed LLumar ceramic for $130 (front and rear side windows plus rear window--total 5 windows). In Florida tint on windshield is not permitted except for a small band at top of windshield. As to light transmission, about 30% is classy. Check your state's law on this; a reputable shop won't install illegal tint. My car is a coupe, so I went with same 30%tint on all windows--some people put darker tint on rear side and rear windows.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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E350 Coupe 4Matic, 1956 Chevrolet Convertible, Lexus RX 350
It is iridium silver.
[EDIT]
Update the white balance. Pics look better now
Thanks for reminding me of that.
Last edited by 56Kruiser; Apr 24, 2012 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 16
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From: Chicago, IL
2012 E350
Car is in the shop for the tint job as well as paintless dent removal. Yes, my car is only 1 week old, and I found a very small dent on the passenger side door! Not sure where that came from.. 
The dealer service center ended up charging me $390, I asked the MB service guy the tint material (ceramic/metallic), he didn't know, and will call me back when he finds out. Does the ceramic vs metalic tint really make a huge different in cell and radio reception?? I'm getting 35% all the way around.
The dealer service center ended up charging me $390, I asked the MB service guy the tint material (ceramic/metallic), he didn't know, and will call me back when he finds out. Does the ceramic vs metalic tint really make a huge different in cell and radio reception?? I'm getting 35% all the way around.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2012 E350
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 12
From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
Anyone get Viper brand film? Guy tells me it's better than Llumar. Even the carbon has a lifetime warranty. He quoted $200 for rear half in carbon and $400 for ceramic. Place has been in business for almost 20 years. I'm curious if you can tell diff between carbon and ceramic. Any experience out there?
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
2012 E350W4
Really depends on what type of tint you get... Higher end tint like Carbon XP is going to run you about $300+ easily... If you go w/ the regular carbon or ceramic, probably a little cheaper... Simply put, the more protection from UVs/sun/heat, and the longer the warranty (life of the tint), the more you're gonna pay! Cars I've had tinted in the past only cost about $180 on average...but I've since upgraded, so there you have it!
Cars I've had tinted in the past only cost about $180 on average...but I've since upgraded, so there you have it!
Last edited by hofb99; Apr 24, 2012 at 09:05 PM.
