Best Window Tint?

Macon663 · 09-14-2010, 12:11 PM

My first post...

I saw various threads regarding tint while searching but I didn't see any that said which one was the best quality tint available and why.

Seems there are a lot of companies that make tint. 3M, Lumar, Suntek, Solarguard, among others probably. Seems like they are all a little different (other than the tint shade % obviously). Some are metal, some are not, some protect against a larger % of the suns energy than others.

I guess the things that are important to me are protecting my cars leather interior, keeping it cool, a full coverage warranty (scratches and install).

Suggestions on which one is the best?

KingOfJericho · 09-14-2010, 12:36 PM

There is no "best" tint. I have lots of experience with Llumar and have never had a negative experience in 8+ cars and it seems to be the most popular option on this site (a good sign). I highly doubt you'll get anyone to cover scratches that you cause but most will cover faults in installation or product. Your warranty will be through the installer so make sure they stand behind their work.

Also, a car in the sun will get hot... very hot. I've had many different colored cars with tinted windows and without and the results of a car in the sun remained the same. Tint will not keep your car cool if the sun is shining and the ambient temp is high. You will prevent sun bleaching with tint but the largest window is the windshield which most people don't tint.

mosx · 09-14-2010, 08:10 PM

I recommend Llumar or 3M.

competition · 09-14-2010, 11:22 PM

F1 Pinnacle

Dr3K0 · 09-16-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goeslikeschnell

F1 Pinnacle

+111111

JBW · 09-17-2010, 08:55 AM

Geo Shield Dark Matter Ceramic...

http://dscreationsbeaudingler.homest...autofilms.html

moveswiftly · 09-17-2010, 04:16 PM

3M

miro2296 · 09-17-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goeslikeschnell

F1 Pinnacle

+1000000

MITE82 · 09-27-2010, 10:20 AM

cool

Raine · 09-27-2010, 04:22 PM

Llumar ATX is pretty good. Don't get CTX tho.

boostm3 · 10-02-2010, 06:16 PM

I've never tinted before, but Im thinking that I may have my AW 135i tinted once it gets delivered later this month.

One thing concerns me.. I see alot of cars at the gym when the tint is bubbling up and you see these oblong circles on the windows as a result. Looks like Hell. Is that the sign of a crappy tint job or a no name brand? Or can it happen to any tints?

boostm3 · 10-02-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

No, it is crappy film tints and/or bad installations.

Get one of the Premium brands recommended from my post down (I don't know a thing about ATX). Most will have lifetime guarantees.

How do you like Madico?

HISI808 · 10-03-2010, 12:40 PM

I will be getting Huper Optik ceramic 40% all around and 80% on my front windshield when I take delivery later this month. I'll post some pictures. Fair warning, Huper Optik is really expensive, I was quoted $400 + $220 for the windshield.

On my current car, I have Solargard 35% metallic and it does a decent job of keeping my car cool from sitting in the sun for 8+ hours during work.

HISI808 · 10-03-2010, 03:03 PM

I would have liked to go with HO 30% but in Hawaii anything below 35% is illegal. They just passed a measure this year that allows tint on the front windshield but I think you cannot go below 70%.

Simon_135i · 10-04-2010, 01:20 AM

I have HO and IMO it's okay.

09-14-2010, 12:11 PM	#1
Macon663 Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Best Window Tint? My first post... I saw various threads regarding tint while searching but I didn't see any that said which one was the best quality tint available and why. Seems there are a lot of companies that make tint. 3M, Lumar, Suntek, Solarguard, among others probably. Seems like they are all a little different (other than the tint shade % obviously). Some are metal, some are not, some protect against a larger % of the suns energy than others. I guess the things that are important to me are protecting my cars leather interior, keeping it cool, a full coverage warranty (scratches and install). Suggestions on which one is the best?
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09-14-2010, 12:36 PM	#2
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	There is no "best" tint. I have lots of experience with Llumar and have never had a negative experience in 8+ cars and it seems to be the most popular option on this site (a good sign). I highly doubt you'll get anyone to cover scratches that you cause but most will cover faults in installation or product. Your warranty will be through the installer so make sure they stand behind their work. Also, a car in the sun will get hot... very hot. I've had many different colored cars with tinted windows and without and the results of a car in the sun remained the same. Tint will not keep your car cool if the sun is shining and the ambient temp is high. You will prevent sun bleaching with tint but the largest window is the windshield which most people don't tint. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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09-14-2010, 08:10 PM	#3
mosx The mod bug has bitten. 22 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I recommend Llumar or 3M.
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09-14-2010, 11:22 PM	#4
competition Major 297 Rep 1,328 Posts Drives: '21 F87 M2C Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: ETH 2.0 iTrader: (10)	F1 Pinnacle
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09-17-2010, 08:55 AM	#6
JBW Lieutenant 41 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2010 135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (3)	Geo Shield Dark Matter Ceramic... http://dscreationsbeaudingler.homest...autofilms.html
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09-17-2010, 04:16 PM	#7
moveswiftly Colonel 381 Rep 2,926 Posts Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (12) Garage List 2012 335iS [0.00]	3M __________________ Current: M2CS Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi
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09-27-2010, 10:20 AM	#9
MITE82 Private First Class 15 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 08 135i 6AT BSM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hudson, FL iTrader: (2)	cool
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09-27-2010, 04:22 PM	#10
Raine Captain 44 Rep 841 Posts Drives: '11 E82, '04 E60 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	Llumar ATX is pretty good. Don't get CTX tho.
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10-02-2010, 06:16 PM	#11
boostm3 Lieutenant Colonel 683 Rep 1,608 Posts Drives: '18 LBB M2 6MT Exec Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Parkland, Fl iTrader: (0)	I've never tinted before, but Im thinking that I may have my AW 135i tinted once it gets delivered later this month. One thing concerns me.. I see alot of cars at the gym when the tint is bubbling up and you see these oblong circles on the windows as a result. Looks like Hell. Is that the sign of a crappy tint job or a no name brand? Or can it happen to any tints? __________________ Boostm3 '18 LBB MT M2 Exec pkg, Moonroof, Production 7/6/17
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10-03-2010, 12:40 PM	#13
HISI808 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2011 AW 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (4)	I will be getting Huper Optik ceramic 40% all around and 80% on my front windshield when I take delivery later this month. I'll post some pictures. Fair warning, Huper Optik is really expensive, I was quoted $400 + $220 for the windshield. On my current car, I have Solargard 35% metallic and it does a decent job of keeping my car cool from sitting in the sun for 8+ hours during work.
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10-03-2010, 03:03 PM	#14
HISI808 Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2011 AW 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (4)	I would have liked to go with HO 30% but in Hawaii anything below 35% is illegal. They just passed a measure this year that allows tint on the front windshield but I think you cannot go below 70%.
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10-04-2010, 01:20 AM	#15
Simon_135i Collecting dust! 55 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E82/135i [0.00]	I have HO and IMO it's okay.
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