3M window tint does it sound about right?$$

So ive been to 2 different shops one gave me a price off 300$ just because its a "BMW and its harder to work on"-.- and another local shop a "3M dealer" gave me different films to choose from and the prices were $480 "Crystalline film" $320 "color stable" and 250 for fx premium? do these prices sound fair enough? Does anyone have 3M tint on their cars if so what kind and how dark?

35% www.llumar.com or www.formulaone.com , Pinnacle Series , imho based on 30 years experience with Llumar products.

On my E91 I have 3M FX 15 and 30, whatever those numbers mean. It's pretty dark. It was only something like $275, but that included taking off all the old tint by some tarugo in Rosemead or Temple City, which was turning purple after one year and had deep scratches on the side windows. It also included cracking open the door side panels to glue on some moleskin so the new tint wouldn't get scratched. Guy did a fantastic job and I think he way undercharged. I think his regular price (if he didn't have to take off all the old tint), would have been closer to $150 or $175, less if you don't need the moleskin. It's just a pinche wagon, but it looks good enough and my dogs are happy. You may be more discerning.

Originally Posted by rsandez

So ive been to 2 different shops one gave me a price off 300$ just because its a "BMW and its harder to work on"-.- and another local shop a "3M dealer" gave me different films to choose from and the prices were $480 "Crystalline film" $320 "color stable" and 250 for fx premium? do these prices sound fair enough? Does anyone have 3M tint on their cars if so what kind and how dark?

I have 3M crystalline tine on a 335i Coupe. All windows are 50% and the windshield is 70%. PM me if you want the name of a very good tint shop. The tint work is excellent and I have had 6 cars tinted there with no problems and full lifetime warranty.

just had mine done with 3m here in utah. Cost was 150 for whole car to be tinted. Shop did exelent job with 2 year warranty.

Stealership in PHX charges $180.

Originally Posted by 3ismagic#

Stealership in PHX charges $180.

For FX Premium that is good deal, for Crystalline it is a very good to the point of I doubt it deal.

BTW, if the Opie is asking about how dark peeps tint is, he's probably not interested in Crystalline.

3M Color Stable is $275.00 in San Antonio.

Originally Posted by 3.1L Z

3M Color Stable is $275.00 in San Antonio.

This is about $100 too much for that film. Look else where.

Originally Posted by Wihelm G

On my E91 I have 3M FX 15 and 30, whatever those numbers mean. It's pretty dark. It was only something like $275, but that included taking off all the old tint by some tarugo in Rosemead or Temple City, which was turning purple after one year and had deep scratches on the side windows. It also included cracking open the door side panels to glue on some moleskin so the new tint wouldn't get scratched. Guy did a fantastic job and I think he way undercharged. I think his regular price (if he didn't have to take off all the old tint), would have been closer to $150 or $175, less if you don't need the moleskin. It's just a pinche wagon, but it looks good enough and my dogs are happy. You may be more discerning.

By any chance, do you remember exactly where you had that done in LA? I'm about to trade in my 5-series for an E90 and tint is necessary.

Originally Posted by BBMW528i

By any chance, do you remember exactly where you had that done in LA? I'm about to trade in my 5-series for an E90 and tint is necessary.

It's in Rowland Heights, quite a bit east of L.A., in case you're not familiar with the area. If you're able to get out there, you have to make an appointment, first one on a weekday morning gets you out the quickest. Tell David "wassup" for me, he did our E93 and E91.

How do you know for sure that they put 3M tint on your car? You're paying this "premium" pricing...how does one verify. I just visited a shop in the Bay Area and I felt like this dude was trying to pull a fast one.

Originally Posted by ayiti02

How do you know for sure that they put 3M tint on your car? You're paying this "premium" pricing...how does one verify. I just visited a shop in the Bay Area and I felt like this dude was trying to pull a fast one.

The Crystalline I got has the 3M watermark on the film and the shop took it out of the box and showed it to me without even asking. They said they do that because it's not often that people ask for that type of film and when you'e paying 3x as much, they want to reassure you.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

The Crystalline I got has the 3M watermark on the film and the shop took it out of the box and showed it to me without even asking. They said they do that because it's not often that people ask for that type of film and when you'e paying 3x as much, they want to reassure you.

Ahhh, Where is the water mark? Is it in a corner or at the edges? Is the film pre-cut, so it's strategically placed out of site? Did they pull out your door panels and rear window? This shop here said that's what they would do for $280 (3M) This made me nervous too. I just want to be better prepared when I go to some other shops around here. Know of any good shops up north? Sorry for the 21 questions...My last tint job was on my 97 accord in 2001 and I can barely see out the back window of that car now...don't want that to happen again.

Originally Posted by ayiti02

Ahhh, Where is the water mark? Is it in a corner or at the edges? Is the film pre-cut, so it's strategically placed out of site? Did they pull out your door panels and rear window? This shop here said that's what they would do for $280 (3M) This made me nervous too. I just want to be better prepared when I go to some other shops around here. Know of any good shops up north? Sorry for the 21 questions...My last tint job was on my 97 accord in 2001 and I can barely see out the back window of that car now...don't want that to happen again.

The watermark is all over the tint, it has to be removed after the tint is applied. They will do it for you. The film is not precut it's in rolls. 3m makes many different films; find out which they are talking about. The film should be guaranteed for life against peeling or bubbling, the installer will give you warranty registration:
Crystalline
Ceramic
Color Stable
FX HP
FX P

Edit: They didn't pull out any door panels or add any felt or do anything to the trim on the E92. However, I know on the F10 they had to remove the sliding window shades for the rear doors. I watched them do it and I wish I hadn't cause it takes brute force.

Originally Posted by ayiti02

How do you know for sure that they put 3M tint on your car? You're paying this "premium" pricing...how does one verify. I just visited a shop in the Bay Area and I felt like this dude was trying to pull a fast one.

If you go to a shop that's been around for awhile, chances are less their business model is make a quick buck today and don't worry about tomorrow.

For my 3m FX Premium, a "door hanger" type card was given to me with the receipt stapled on it. Don't think they'd give you something with 3M tint "run numbers" on it and direct you to 3M/s website if it weren't legit.

You can't go wrong with 3M, the "masters" of film. Avoid the "scams" and the stuff that turns purple. Made in China...or God knows where. You GET what you pay for. I seek LONG established tinting outfits...HOW long have they been in business? Since last Thursday? I would definitely AVOID the metalic stuff...too many horror stories.

Had my car tinted last month with 35% bronze Johnson Film. Sure, it's only been a month, but the tint looks great. My tinter has been doing my cars for over 15 years, and I've never had a problem with his work or the film he uses. I think he's always used Johnson film, but I can't be sure. I paid less than $200, but again, I've known this guy for a long time and met him through a friend.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I have 3M crystalline tine on a 335i Coupe. All windows are 50% and the windshield is 70%. PM me if you want the name of a very good tint shop. The tint work is excellent and I have had 6 cars tinted there with no problems and full lifetime warranty.

I'm also interested in who your installer is. I'll send you a pm.