tinted windows

are all windows tinted at factory? dealer added on 200 dollars to tint the driver's and passenger window. sticker on car lists privacy glass as included

Privacy glass is the tint added by the factory to the rear windows. Its right about 35% tint.

The front glass may not be tinted from the factory, but even if it is it is restricted to 70% by Federal law on cars. SUVs have different restrictions and I've read somewhere that Federal law may require that no tinting be applied on the windshield or front windows on them, but this may be incorrect. Either way 70% is going to be the max, and that is so light you probably wouldn't know it was tinted. Your local laws may allow darker tints to be applied aftermarket.

Compared to our previous Acura MDX, the BMW window tinting is about half... BMW is noticeably lighter...

Originally Posted by mdkeltz

Compared to our previous Acura MDX, the BMW window tinting is about half... BMW is noticeably lighter...

Exactly why I did not order rear climate pkg. Will do aftermarket tinting next week.
Happy motoring!

Originally Posted by ex-lex

are all windows tinted at factory? dealer added on 200 dollars to tint the driver's and passenger window. sticker on car lists privacy glass as included

Did you buy your car off the dealer's lot? If so, maybe it came from the factory with the rear windows tinted (part of the rear climate package), and the dealer tinted the front themselves to match. (It looks pretty silly, IMO, if only the rear are tinted.) $200 sounds a bit high - I have had it done on at least two of my X5s and it was under $120 both times.

Originally Posted by pod13

SUVs have different restrictions and I've read somewhere that Federal law may require that no tinting be applied on the windshield or front windows on them, but this may be incorrect. Either way 70% is going to be the max, and that is so light you probably wouldn't know it was tinted. Your local laws may allow darker tints to be applied aftermarket.

I can't speak to Federal law, but Illinois law prohibits any tinting of the front windows, I believe due to safety concerns for police when they do a traffic stop. That said, I've seen many cars/SUVs in Illinois which have illegally tinted the front windows. But then front plates are required in Illinois as well, and I've gone seven years without a front plate on my Z4 in Illinois and never had a problem...

CORRECTION:
I just did some searching, and it appears the Illinois law may have been changed last year to allow tinting of front windows.

Originally Posted by Penguin

I can't speak to Federal law, but Illinois law prohibits any tinting of the front windows, I believe due to safety concerns for police when they do a traffic stop. That said, I've seen many cars/SUVs in Illinois which have illegally tinted the front windows. But then front plates are required in Illinois as well, and I've gone seven years without a front plate on my Z4 in Illinois and never had a problem...

CORRECTION:
I just did some searching, and it appears the Illinois law may have been changed last year to allow tinting of front windows.

I hope you have not jinxed yourself re front plates. Ohio also requires front plate. I got a warning ticket after 2 years in my Cayenne S and so far my '02 996 has escaped the long arm of the law with no front plate. My X5 has no front plate. It's a stupid law that would require legislative change and given the extreme incompetence of our elected officials I do not anticipate change. After all, they cannot run the government so I'm not hopeful for any change to DMV laws. The new Ohio plates are the ugliest thing I've ever seen. What a joke. Powder blue over white. Makes me want to puke. I transferred my old personalized Cayenne plates (957 S) to avoid getting the new plate design. Barrrrrrrrf!

Correction: The 70% I stated earlier may only be a federal restriction on commercial vehicles not passenger cars or SUVs.

Nevertheless, several states (mostly northern states with the exception of CA) have 70% as the darkest allowed on the front windows which is pretty much going to limit most manufacturers. AZ and IL should allow for 35% which should give you a good match between front and back if you've got the privacy glass. In VA, I need a waiver to tint the fronts to 35% and windshield to 70%.

Originally Posted by ex-lex

are all windows tinted at factory? dealer added on 200 dollars to tint the driver's and passenger window. sticker on car lists privacy glass as included

Lets answer your question:

There is SOME tint from the BMW factory. And the 'rear climate package' adds more tint.

But it seems your dealer, perhaps on a car you are considering, is adding $200 and claiming it was added 'aftermarket'.

Correct?

I paid 100 to the dealer to match the fronts to the rear climate package factory tint...

Dealer forgot to tint windows will get 200 dollars back and will have tinted for 50 dollars guy comes to house neighbor had his Nissan rogue done by this guy. 150 pays for most of tire warranty from discount tire

State regs at this link.

http://Www.ziebart.com/assets/media/...hart8-2-10.pdf

Just got the clear bra this weekend...need to get windows tinted next week.

I have read about ceramic vs metalized films as well as all kinds of brands - 3M, Formula One Pinnacle series, Huber Optik.

After reading this forum and other sources on the net - I decided that the ceramic (doesn't bother with communication) is a good option along with the Formula one Pinnacle series.

Is it a good choice? any comments/suggestions?

Originally Posted by smuggymba

Just got the clear bra this weekend...need to get windows tinted next week.

I have read about ceramic vs metalized films as well as all kinds of brands - 3M, Formula One Pinnacle series, Huber Optik.

After reading this forum and other sources on the net - I decided that the ceramic (doesn't bother with communication) is a good option along with the Formula one Pinnacle series.

Is it a good choice? any comments/suggestions?

correct me if I am wrong, but our shark fin antenna is on the roof...maybe older cars would mess with the electronics, but I believe that is a myth these days

Originally Posted by samsonitep

correct me if I am wrong, but our shark fin antenna is on the roof...maybe older cars would mess with the electronics, but I believe that is a myth these days

not sure man, read some forums and ppl mentioned it.

Originally Posted by smuggymba

not sure man, read some forums and ppl mentioned it.

I seriously wouldn't worry about it. Only time I notice electronics are taken out is under bridges...as long as that shark fin is unobstructed you should be fine