question about tinting windows

[khaiser]

I just got a M3 sedan and want to tint the windows.
Where I live, peoria, IL they use a carbon tint.
If I go to chicago, about 3hr away, I can get ceramic tint.
Do you guys think it is worth it just to get the ceramic tint??

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by khaiser

I just got a M3 sedan and want to tint the windows.
Where I live, peoria, IL they use a carbon tint.
If I go to chicago, about 3hr away, I can get ceramic tint.
Do you guys think it is worth it just to get the ceramic tint??

Very very worth it for the eat rejection . I just got the wincos ceramic for one of mine and u can definitely feel the difference. When the sun is beating down on your driver side window, just roll it down and then back up. Huge difference. I can't feel the heat of the sun with this tint

[BigHat]

I'm on my 4th BMW with HuperOptic ceramic tint. Have to say that I love it. Same guy has done all four cars and while it's a product he's licensed to sell he's never super positive about it. Last time I asked him about as we've developed a good customer relationship over time and I trust him. He just doesn't think it's worth it and he does hundreds of cars a year.

As I said, I've had it on four cars, but none longer than three years so I'm no expert on durability, but it seems to reject heat very well. It's just a matter of about 150 bucks for me and I think I'd go with carbon tint if I were you. Just don't think you'll notice a difference worth 6 hours in the car and a couple of more getting the tint done, especially for someone in IL.

Edit: Let me put it another way. I doubt you'll regret NOT driving to Chicago and wasting a day when you get 90% of the performance from what you can get installed in town for half the price.

[quadpipes]

Originally Posted by khaiser

I just got a M3 sedan and want to tint the windows.
Where I live, peoria, IL they use a carbon tint.
If I go to chicago, about 3hr away, I can get ceramic tint.
Do you guys think it is worth it just to get the ceramic tint??

There are LOTS of posts on tinting windows. I strongly recommend doing a search and reading through them. There are some that say that certain tints impact radio performance and CA - I personally do not know (although I have 35% tint). Check local tint laws (http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/).

Finally, I found Huper Optik to be too green so I went with 3M and love it.

Good luck.

[rye m3]

Thanks for the link to the laws. Boy the vary WIDELY by state. (FL do whatever you want! To NY, only 30% tinting). I wonder if you are bound by the state you register in or the state you drive through - I suspect it's the former. I also see that you need to have a certification sticker on the glass of each window you tint. Easy way to prevent a ticket and an easy way to get a ticket if you don't get the official sticker in the tint film.

[cloud8r]

It's the latter. You must abide with the laws of where you are.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ramyar

It's the latter. You must abide with the laws of where you are.

Interesting, though I would like to see the specific legal reference.

CA requires front and rear license plates. Arizona doesn't. I can't imagine getting pulled over in California for not having a front plate when the car and driver are Arizona residents... My cars have to meet Nevada emissions requirements, not CA's, yet I drive through CA all the time. Again, if I pass the requirements in the state my car is registered in and I'm licensed in that same state, I should be ok.

For tint, I'm pretty sure if the car is registered in Florida and you are driving through California, you are ok with tint that violates California statutes but meets Florida statutes.

However, I could be wrong because this definitely doesn't hold true for total vehicle length, weight, etc. type requirements.

[fuzzybam]

CHPs will still give you a ticket and pretty much tell you to fuck off.

[signes]

Originally Posted by khaiser

I just got a M3 sedan and want to tint the windows.
Where I live, peoria, IL they use a carbon tint.
If I go to chicago, about 3hr away, I can get ceramic tint.
Do you guys think it is worth it just to get the ceramic tint??

Since you have a sedan and nobody else mentioned, be aware that E90s are highly prone to scratching tint. If you get your windows tinted, make sure either you or the shop installs moleskin or something similar on the secondary seals. In the E90 these are hard plastic, and those combined with dirt in the air will lead to scratches very quickly. The other option is to cut those secondary seals.

There is a post in this forum or the cosmetic section that details the issue.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by admranger

For tint, I'm pretty sure if the car is registered in Florida and you are driving through California, you are ok with tint that violates California statutes but meets Florida statutes.

However, I could be wrong because this definitely doesn't hold true for total vehicle length, weight, etc. type requirements.

Applicability of law to out-of-state registered motor vehicles can vary, but AFAIK, vehicles registered out-of-state are by and large immune from tinting laws of other states. A couple of State examples follow.

Ex 1 - NEW YORK: "12. It shall be unlawful to operate on any public highway or street in
this state any motor vehicle registered in New York state..."

http://public.findlaw.com/traffic-ti...tate-info.html


Ex 2 - FLORIDA: "316.2951 Motor vehicle windows; definitions.--Whenever used in ss. 316.2951-316.2957, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle as defined in s. 316.003, except vehicles used in farm husbandry, which is registered or required to be registered in the state.

(2) "Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle with motive power designed to carry 10 persons or fewer which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(3) "Reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in a percentage, which is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

(4) "Sunscreening material" means a product or material, including film, glazing, and perforated sunscreening, which, when applied to the windshield or windows of a motor vehicle, reduces the effects of the sun with respect to light reflectance or transmittance.

(5) "Transmittance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in a percentage, which is allowed to pass through the product or material, including glazing, to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.

(6) "Window" means any device designed for exterior viewing from a motor vehicle, except the windshield, any roof-mounted viewing device, and any viewing device having less than 150 square inches in area.

(7) "Windshield" means the front exterior viewing device of a motor vehicle. "

http://archive.flsenate.gov/statutes...2951#0316.2951

[azurite90]

Originally Posted by BigHat

I'm on my 4th BMW with HuperOptic ceramic tint. Have to say that I love it. Same guy has done all four cars and while it's a product he's licensed to sell he's never super positive about it. Last time I asked him about as we've developed a good customer relationship over time and I trust him. He just doesn't think it's worth it and he does hundreds of cars a year.

As I said, I've had it on four cars, but none longer than three years so I'm no expert on durability, but it seems to reject heat very well. It's just a matter of about 150 bucks for me and I think I'd go with carbon tint if I were you. Just don't think you'll notice a difference worth 6 hours in the car and a couple of more getting the tint done, especially for someone in IL.

Edit: Let me put it another way. I doubt you'll regret NOT driving to Chicago and wasting a day when you get 90% of the performance from what you can get installed in town for half the price.

Hi BigHat,

Can you please PM me contact info for your HuperOptik guy? Thanks!

[FVM3]

i wont pay too much just for tint because im ready to take it off when cops pull me over.