[Chopi06]

Hi guys, I just got a 335i M sport black/black and I have no experience about tint so can you guys give me advice on which brand/price/ percent I should get ? I'm interested in getting the ceramic tint but the dealer told me the price is $800, is it a good price ? Really appreciate it guys !

[einlanzer]

expensive for sure. I got ceramic on all windows - including the windshield - for $350. The brand used is wincos, but from what I hear it's not that popular (yet)

[ocso1606]

Never heard of ceramic tint before but sounds expensive for any tint

[utenigma]

Originally Posted by Chopi06

... ceramic tint but the dealer told me the price is $800, is it a good price ? ...

I had a buddy that owned a tint shop in Houston - he did work for the Audi dealership out there. Long story short, the dealers mark up tint A LOT. Find a few independent tint shops after delivery - look at their work, get quotes. Maybe ask on the forums for people that had theirs done in your market for suggestions. Ceramic tint should be less than half what you were quoted from the dealer.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by einlanzer

expensive for sure. I got ceramic on all windows - including the windshield - for $350. The brand used is wincos, but from what I hear it's not that popular (yet)

Manufactured by Lintec (Japanese manufacturer), distributed in North America by Madico, an excellent film brand.

http://www.madico.com/window-film/automotive/

I had Charcool on my E46 and it was great and lasted 5+ years before selling car.

I currently have Llumar extruded film and its fine too. The E9x with its lack of felt in door has caused a few scratches, but otherwise the Llumar film is good. I also have a friend who installs 3M and he swears by it. He says 3M does the adhesive for the majority of other film makers.

Get extruded or ceramic. Metal films will negatively impact your radio reception and standard dyed films change color over time.

[Heiznberg]

Paying $800 for tint is absurd, in my opinion. Shop around and you can find someone to install the same ceramic tint for less then half that price.

I was quoted $350 but I still couldn't justify it. It does keep the heat out better than metal film, but I'm happy with the look of the metal film so I went for that at $170 installed. It was the highest grade metal film they had available and comes with a five year warranty.

Oh and don't let anyone try to up-sell you to ceramic tint because metal film kills radio reception. I've had zero issues with radio reception. With iPod, Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify and Sirius, who listens to AM/FM radio anyway? lol

[Artem@ONEighty]

Tints shouldn't cost more than $200 for a high quality dyed film. If your looking to get ceramic than $350 should be the maximum cost.

[shivaswrath]

3M tints shouldn't be more than $250 with a lifetime warranty..

[Chopi06]

So I got Wincos ceramic tint for $350! Thank you for all your advices guys !!!

[mryakanisachoad]

Very happy with Wincos.
I did 45 in front and 25 on the rears. Car is carbon black and it looks perfect. 400 from the dealer. I could have saved 50/100 bucks but my time is worth a little bit of money. A very little bit.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by Heiznberg

Paying $800 for tint is absurd, in my opinion. Shop around and you can find someone to install the same ceramic tint for less then half that price.

I was quoted $350 but I still couldn't justify it. It does keep the heat out better than metal film, but I'm happy with the look of the metal film so I went for that at $170 installed. It was the highest grade metal film they had available and comes with a five year warranty.

Oh and don't let anyone try to up-sell you to ceramic tint because metal film kills radio reception. I've had zero issues with radio reception. With iPod, Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify and Sirius, who listens to AM/FM radio anyway? lol

What percentage is your tint? Looks great.

[inChargeOfIT]

My dealer threw the ceramic tint in for 'free'.. maybe call them back and see if they can get you a discount from their sources.

[1bad335]

I looked into ceramic tints as well. Got prices as high as 450.00. Felt that was a major ripoff for tint. Went with 35% tint all around and a high qual. film. Looks great and only cost 170.00. For me it was about the looks since my car is BSM with black int. it's going to get hot anyway no matter what tint I use and no matter what anyone tells you, when it's 90-100 degrees out, things are going to heat up.

[Chopi06]

I got Winco ceramic tint for $350. The only thing that I regret is that I had 20% backs and 35% in the front so now the rear and front windows have different shades of tint, which I think it looks weird

[Chopi06]

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

My dealer threw the ceramic tint in for 'free'.. maybe call them back and see if they can get you a discount from their sources.

It was too long ago tho ( I purchased the car on Oct) and I got the tint done anyway. Thanks for your input !

[Mikli]

Originally Posted by Chopi06

I got Winco ceramic tint for $350. The only thing that I regret is that I had 20% backs and 35% in the front so now the rear and front windows have different shades of tint, which I think it looks weird

Any photos?

[Chopi06]

Originally Posted by Mikli

Any photos?

Check out my thread here with photos: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825701

[R12ax7]

Originally Posted by claykin

He says 3M does the adhesive for the majority of other film makers.

Get extruded or ceramic. Metal films will negatively impact your radio reception and standard dyed films change color over time.

Whats the timeline for fading/discoloration of cheaper dyed films? I currently have Llumar in my e90, which is fine, but here in PA I dont really have the concerns with keeping heat out, etc, that I would have if I were in Texas or Arizona. For me its mainly for appearance.

That being said (and with my car being a lease), what are the short term advantages to paying more for a "better" tint (assuming the installer is equally competent)?

[Steve33]

$800?!

I had hands down the best shop in Dallas do my Yukon with top of the line ceramic film for $250 (with lifetime warranty). Same film that goes on all the exotics they get in there. Guess I'm getting my tint done here before I go to CA

Originally Posted by R12ax7

Whats the timeline for fading/discoloration of cheaper dyed films? I currently have Llumar in my e90, which is fine, but here in PA I dont really have the concerns with keeping heat out, etc, that I would have if I were in Texas or Arizona. For me its mainly for appearance.

That being said (and with my car being a lease), what are the short term advantages to paying more for a "better" tint (assuming the installer is equally competent)?

If it fades that's fine, but discoloration your dealer may charge you to get it taken off. The color stays more true with a better film and won't turn brownish

[claykin]

Originally Posted by R12ax7

Whats the timeline for fading/discoloration of cheaper dyed films? I currently have Llumar in my e90, which is fine, but here in PA I dont really have the concerns with keeping heat out, etc, that I would have if I were in Texas or Arizona. For me its mainly for appearance.

That being said (and with my car being a lease), what are the short term advantages to paying more for a "better" tint (assuming the installer is equally competent)?

Timeline varies by brand. Some are better than others. I had Madico Charcool (dyed) for 4 years and it held up OK. Also had Llumar ATC for 3 years and it was OK. Heat rejection nowhere near as good as the 3M CS film.

Better films typically do a better job rejecting UV/IR rays, have better heat rejection, better optical clarity, better adhesives so they fail less frequently, better scratch coatings, shrink better for curved glass, etc....

Several film brands import low end products from China. Also some off brands import and a lot of it is downright junk. Some tint shops are using the China products for low cost installs. Simply, it allows the shop to still make a decent margin even at low cost installs. Hopefully you never come back to complain and if you do will they honor the warranty?

[Infamouz627]

Originally Posted by Artem@ONEighty

Tints shouldn't cost more than $200 for a high quality dyed film. If your looking to get ceramic than $350 should be the maximum cost.

Artem, do you guys do tinting? Clear bra? Please PM if you do. Thanks!

[fricfracfrank]

Originally Posted by Heiznberg

Paying $800 for tint is absurd, in my opinion. Shop around and you can find someone to install the same ceramic tint for less then half that price.

I was quoted $350 but I still couldn't justify it. It does keep the heat out better than metal film, but I'm happy with the look of the metal film so I went for that at $170 installed. It was the highest grade metal film they had available and comes with a five year warranty.

Oh and don't let anyone try to up-sell you to ceramic tint because metal film kills radio reception. I've had zero issues with radio reception. With iPod, Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify and Sirius, who listens to AM/FM radio anyway? lol

What tint percentage is this?