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      07-21-2015, 08:50 PM   #1
lipi128
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X5 Window Tint (15% vs 35%)

Hey guys, I've looked at most of your pics here and just have a couple questions. I can't get any tint on driver or passenger side windows due to legal issues. What do you guys suggest? Is 35 a good number or is it too light due to the large amount of glass? I have black interior. Also do you guys prefer 15% and is it hard to see at all at night? Any input would be appreciated!!
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      07-21-2015, 09:18 PM   #2
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In my opinion 35% is too light especially on a SUV. Since your are looking directly through from one window to the next tints appear lighter on SUV's. On the car when you were looking directly down onto a leather specifically black the tints will really show darker. I'd suggest going 15%. It can be a little difficult at night to see out of but you get used to it or just roll the window down if you're backing up. Here's mine 15%
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      07-21-2015, 09:29 PM   #3
lipi128
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Awesome!! Thanks for the pic and info! That's a lot of help. My only concern is regarding the back and front windows being too much of a contrast since I can't do the front. Do you think it'll look awful that dark in the back and nothing in front? Yours looks awesome btw!
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      07-22-2015, 12:34 AM   #4
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My vote would be 35% all around but I'm not a fan of dark tint to begin with. My wife has darker tint on her car and I can't stand driving it at night. Below is a pic of 35% with tan interior. Since you have black, it would be a little darker.

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      07-22-2015, 09:38 PM   #5
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I think 35% is already pretty dark. 15% is just about considered limo tint.


35% on the front windows and windshield. Matches the stock rear tints pretty good.
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      07-22-2015, 11:17 PM   #6
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Asking for which tint is best is always a wasted thread... There are so many opinions and so many variables that you will almost never see two pictures look the same. That being said, I'm not flaming you at all, I just hope you realize you're asking a incredibly subjective question.

So now I'll add my 2 cents on your original question. I have Llumar formulaone pinnacle on both of my vehicles, 35% on the X5, and 15% on the M3. They both have black interior. Personally I think the 15% is too dark for driving at night. I think the 35% is the perfect tint, and I live in Southeast Florida, where we definitely get our share of sun.

It's completely up to you, but I would stick to something closer to the 35%. Good luck... And here's a pic for the hell of it.
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      07-23-2015, 12:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lipi128 View Post
Hey guys, I've looked at most of your pics here and just have a couple questions. I can't get any tint on driver or passenger side windows due to legal issues. What do you guys suggest? Is 35 a good number or is it too light due to the large amount of glass? I have black interior. Also do you guys prefer 15% and is it hard to see at all at night? Any input would be appreciated!!
I don't understand your question. You say you can't get any tint, then ask what % to get

Anyhow…I had my front windows tinted to match the rears - the shop originally did 20% but it was just a shade darker than the factory tint on the rear windows. And I do mean just a shade….most people probably wouldn't have noticed the difference. Still, I had them re-do it to 35% and it matched perfectly. Not sure that answered your question though.
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      07-23-2015, 08:50 AM   #8
lipi128
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Thanks everyone for your input and pics! Very helpful! I'll probably do the 35 then since it doesn't interfere as much with night driving. I was saying that I can't do the front two windows. By state law I can basically do any tint from the drivers shoulders on back. Thanks!
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      07-23-2015, 09:02 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lipi128 View Post
Thanks everyone for your input and pics! Very helpful! I'll probably do the 35 then since it doesn't interfere as much with night driving. I was saying that I can't do the front two windows. By state law I can basically do any tint from the drivers shoulders on back. Thanks!
Aren't your rears already tinted from the factory? If so they should be right around 35% as is.
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      07-23-2015, 09:09 AM   #10
lipi128
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That's the weird thing. There's no tint whatsoever on it. That's why I want to get the back windows tinted.
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      07-23-2015, 09:53 AM   #11
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Factory rear tint is part of the rear climate package.
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      07-23-2015, 11:06 AM   #12
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15 hinders visibility at night big time. Had a car with it couldnt see shit at night out the sides. Wont make that mistake again. Certainly you could go 15 for the back but keep the front higher
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      07-23-2015, 12:35 PM   #13
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What is the factory tint on the rear windows? I would just like to have my front windows match this.
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      07-23-2015, 12:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWX5 View Post
What is the factory tint on the rear windows? I would just like to have my front windows match this.
I just had my front windows tinted to match the factory rears - they did 20% first which was a shade too dark. 35% matches perfectly, at least on mine.
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      07-24-2015, 10:57 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jiggz View Post
I just had my front windows tinted to match the factory rears - they did 20% first which was a shade too dark. 35% matches perfectly, at least on mine.
Awesome! Thanks for the information. What would be a good price for only 2 windows?
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      07-24-2015, 11:05 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWX5 View Post
Awesome! Thanks for the information. What would be a good price for only 2 windows?
Probably depends on the shop you take it to and the produce they use? In Seattle I was quoted anywhere from $125 to $180 for the front 2 windows. Most shops seem to hit you hard for just the 2, whereas they'd do the whole car for $300-350ish.
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      07-24-2015, 01:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWX5 View Post
What is the factory tint on the rear windows? I would just like to have my front windows match this.
I just had my fronts done at a local shop and he measured the factory rear tint at 38%. I had 35% installed and matches perfectly. He only charged me $60
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      07-24-2015, 07:42 PM   #18
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I did my windshield they charged me $175 here in Jersey
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      07-25-2015, 09:19 AM   #19
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I had all my rears done for $240. I think they used the cheap tint that's only for cosmetics. I'm thinking about getting the front windows done to block out some heat.
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      11-20-2015, 01:04 AM   #20
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15% front
5% rear
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      11-20-2015, 08:56 AM   #21
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I am a big fan of having uniform tint on all windows... In my opinion when someone has dark rears and lighter fronts... it looks stupid.

In Ontario Canada, it is up to police discretion if your windows are to dark and warrant a fine... none the less, I have limo tint on all windows... I think its 5 %... I get comments all the time on how dark my tints are... but I have yet to be pulled over. Knock on wood.

In reality yeah its a bit of a pain at night... but you get used to it. When its raining at night... that is probably the worst... I am surprised I have not been pulled over yet... I imagine to some it may look like I am a part time drug dealer lol...
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      11-20-2015, 09:39 AM   #22
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my previous car was an IS 350 and I had 35% front and 5% rear-three, which was the darkest allowed. That 5% was WAY too dark, I couldn't see jack at night time. Thank god for the back up camera at least.

On my X5, I went with 18% on the rears and it's pretty good. I have no problem with night visibility. On the downside, during the Texas summer, it still gets very hot in the cabin.
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