Can you tell the difference between the two tints?

[MomoM3]

...I can, and it bothers me a bit.

The rear windshield and two rear triangle mirrors came tinted from the dealership. It's 20% but I'm not sure whether it's metallic, dyed, or ceramic tint. I had the front two side windows tinted with Llumar 20% metallic and the tint has set, but the difference in tint color and darkness seems to bother me since it's so distinct.

You can't see major detail since these pics were taken on a 2 megapixel BlackBerry and it was a very misty morning.






I like the Llumar metallic tint a lot better since it's not as dark and has a sheer look to it. I've had Llumar tint on all my cars and have used the same tint shop. The original tint that was already on there looks like basic dark tint but I'm not sure/can't tell if it's metallic, dyed, or ceramic.

Should I -

• Remove rear windshield and rear side tint and re-tint with Llumar
• Remove front Llumar tint and find original tintshop to match rear tint

Would I mess up the defrost components on the rear windshield if I remove the tint? Which tint looks better to you guys?

I have comfort access and have no problems with the front two windows being metallic tint - would I have an issue with comfort access with metallic tint in the rear windows too?

[positiveions]

the back looks a bit darker to me
I don't know if anyone else is seeing that

[aut0sh0cker]

I would remove the original and retint with Llumar since it would probably be more of a pain to figure out exact manufacturer, color, and tint %...

[MysticBlue]

I would retint the two rear side windows with Lumar to match the two front side window. I'm not sure if it would be worth it to redo the rear windshield. It would always be viewed from such a different angle, without seeing it in person, I don't know if the difference between the rear windshield and the rear side windows would really be noticeable. But yes, it is definitely noticeable between the front and rear side windows. That would bug me too.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by aut0sh0cker

I would remove the original and retint with Llumar since it would probably be more of a pain to figure out exact manufacturer, color, and tint %...

+1

[E. Honda]

Back definitely looks darker.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I would retint the two rear side windows with Lumar to match the two front side window. I'm not sure if it would be worth it to redo the rear windshield. It would always be viewed from such a different angle, without seeing it in person, I don't know if the difference between the rear windshield and the rear side windows would really be noticeable. But yes, it is definitely noticeable between the front and rear side windows. That would bug me too.

Yeah - that's what I'm leaning towards. The only reason I'm having reservations is because I hear that the metallic tint messes with AM radio and comfort access.

How can I tell if what's on there now is ceramic or crappy dyed tint?

Any issue in removing tint from the rear windshield and ripping out the defrost strips?

[MomoM3]

Hope the metallic Llumar tint doesn't affect Comfort Access or AM reception. Anyone have experience with Llumar tint?

[TLud]

To my eye, the original dealer tint is almost certainly a dyed tint. It's certainly not metallic, and from the first and second pictures, it doesn't look like ceramic either (it looks overly saturated and doesn't have the optical clarity that a ceramic would have). Also, I have yet to see a dealer put ceramic tint on a car unless specifically requested by a customer.

I'm going to disagree with everyone's advice here. I'd remove all the tint on the car and get the whole thing redone with FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic tint. It will look good, and you won't have any reception/comfort access concerns.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by MosesDKE

Hope the metallic Llumar tint doesn't affect Comfort Access or AM reception. Anyone have experience with Llumar tint?

Not on an M3, but years back, a Llumar metallic tint definitely hurt my radar detector's range.

[808MGuy]

This is one instance that the word "tints" is actually used correctly.

[m3larson]

If the dealer did the tint then I would suspect it's not as good quality as the Llumar.

[ericiu]

Aren't the back windows usually darker than the front even if you use the same percentage? I'm no tint expert, but because the back seats are naturally darker than the front because of the tinting of the back windshield (esp. in a black leather car), it will appear as it is darker than the front windows which let all that light in via the front windshield. just my .02.

[monsta]

Originally Posted by ericiu

Aren't the back windows usually darker than the front even if you use the same percentage? I'm no tint expert, but because the back seats are naturally darker than the front because of the tinting of the back windshield (esp. in a black leather car), it will appear as it is darker than the front windows which let all that light in via the front windshield. just my .02.

I was about to post the same exact thing while reading the thread...the front is always going to look a little lighter then the rear b/c of black leather....

[TLud]

Originally Posted by monsta

I was about to post the same exact thing while reading the thread...the front is always going to look a little lighter then the rear b/c of black leather....

Certainly, but the dealer's tint and the OP's tint have obviously different characteristics aside from the darkness. Namely, the front windows are more reflective, while the back windows have a flat, saturated look. If the OP had posted pics of his car without saying anything, the difference would have been enough for me to comment on.

EDIT: Although no one has commented on it yet, it looks like this guy has the same issue (note that he states in his original post that he only tinted the fronts):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174332

[ferrari6891]

Originally Posted by HIS4

This is one instance that the word "tints" is actually used correctly.

[Battle]

I would remove the whole tint and replace it with a much lighter tint.

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by TLud

Certainly, but the dealer's tint and the OP's tint have obviously different characteristics aside from the darkness. Namely, the front windows are more reflective, while the back windows have a flat, saturated look. If the OP had posted pics of his car without saying anything, the difference would have been enough for me to comment on.

Ok - looks like I'll be changing the rear tint to match the Llumar up front. I'll be sure to post the pics when it's done.

Originally Posted by ArsenalFC

I would remove the whole tint and replace it with a much lighter tint.

I was thinking that. I had 50% Llumar Titanium on my SG e46. Should I go 35% on the e92 w/ black int? Black seats gets hot in the summer... esp w lighter tint. I think I like the way darker tint contrasts better against the AW.

(again w the crappy camera)

[MTROIS]

It is actually because of potential problems like this one that I am scared of mods!!

[montreal red]

i say strip out the ones in the back and replace it with what you have in the front...it looks better anyway...

[kred]

ya the back looks darker and as if the front is more reflective/metallic?? that would certainly bother me too