All with tinted windows on X5

[Turbobusa]

Im getting ready to get my X5´s windows tinted. Im going with 35% (SunTek) carbon XP on the front windows and 80% on the front windshield and sunroof. The installer is telling me he may have to remove the door panels to tint the front door windows. Is he correct on this. I don’t want anything removed and will go to a different shop if necessary. When you got your X5 tinted, did they have to remove panels or anything else to tint the windows?

[jspdr]

No. Have done it a few times, never once had to removed. Perhaps they intend to charge you more for labor.

[JLed79]

Never heard that one. I have full tint and no door parts had to come off.

[speedwaywhite]

Find another installer

[Chio]

wow remove panels !! thank you for making me laugh!!

[gajidy]

Originally Posted by speedwaywhite

Find another installer

Actually you should run!

[Tmonte]

Had my dealer arrange for my tints when brand new before I picked up my X5M and they did remove the door panels. However, when reinstalled the panels had massive creaking that took two returns to diagnose and fix. If you can avoid having them remove the panels, the better off you will be.

[Chio]

i dont get it there is no reason at all that panels should be removed!!

[Biff Grissel]

Hellllz nah! Take it somewhere else bro.

[Teemo Panda]

If you ever settle finding a comfortable installer that fits your needs, Please Please double check any imperfections or damages during / after installation before leaving their lot.

My friend that I met recently in a car show with his 13 7 series had a fairly deep scratch on his driver side window that I felt really bad.

[wsybert]

I tinted the fronts myself. Pulling the inner door panel makes it very easy to put it on, IMO. No dust lip to deal with at the top of the door, and easy access to trim the lower edge of the tint. YMMV

[P1]

An experienced tint shop should be able to do it PERFECTLY without removing any door panels.

[Turbobusa]

Originally Posted by Tmonte

Had my dealer arrange for my tints when brand new before I picked up my X5M and they did remove the door panels. However, when reinstalled the panels had massive creaking that took two returns to diagnose and fix. If you can avoid having them remove the panels, the better off you will be.

That's exactly what im afraid of.....

[Teemo Panda]

Originally Posted by speedwaywhite

Find another installer

^+1

[Die Wolfe]

Not shady practice at all. I've been going to the same shop for all my vehicles over the years and not once was anything damaged. Their practice is to remove the entire window from the door; so this requires the door panel removal. I watched the entire process on my wife's 2012 535i from start to finish. Totally professional and very thorough work with each window completely covered with the tint as it lay on a towel wrapped work bench. Anyway, that was my experience with guys I know...I don't know what the reviews are on the shop you were looking at.

[Broadsword]

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

Not shady practice at all. I've been going to the same shop for all my vehicles over the years and not once was anything damaged. Their practice is to remove the entire window from the door; so this requires the door panel removal. I watched the entire process on my wife's 2012 535i from start to finish. Totally professional and very thorough work with each window completely covered with the tint as it lay on a towel wrapped work bench. Anyway, that was my experience with guys I know...I don't know what the reviews are on the shop you were looking at.

I agree. My installer removed the door panels to install the tints as well. Panels were replaced with no issues. The installer was recommended by the folks over on e90post.

[APLINE_997]

There are two school of thought on Window Tint install. The cost effective way is to not remove the panels which most people will choose. Some old school tinters want to remove the panels to do it the way they think is right and I would agree that it is the better way but not necessarily the only way.

My friend in Florida has been tinting windows for over 15 years and likes to remove the panels which he only charges about $50 more to do so and most prefer to do it this way when he explains why. It's minor but makes a difference.

If the tinter is reputable he can do a great job without panel removal.

[mik]

I have suntek carbon 33, I believe. My installer removed the panels as well. Pretty sure all my past cars were done the same

[Turbobusa]

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

Their practice is to remove the entire window from the door; so this requires the door panel removal.

Its not that I don't want the door panels taken off, that doesn't bother me. What I don't like is that right now everything in my car is squeak free. Im afraid if they remove the panels, they wont put them back on correctly and they will squeak or rattle. That will really have me pissed off. Not to mention they might break a fastener or two when removing them, then say, "well...... I don't know how that fastener got broke." Or worse, don't say anything, and im wondering why my panel squeaks every time I hit a bump. I would rather go to a shop that doesn't remove them.

[GKyri]

As far as I know they need to remove the door trim. My installer (supposedly part of the dealership) used some sort of knife that cut the trim around the door release handle. I noticed it straight away thankfully. I made them replace the whole piece of door trim. They initially tried to trick me with a repair but once again, in the right light it was obvious what they had done and with a bit more screaming it was all completed correctly - finally.

You are right to be concerned. On my car there is still a bit of trim that does not fit right and I blame the tint. If they remove the panel then technically they need to replace the fasteners just in case they were damaged on removal.

Photo's of your door trim prior to installation will assist any arguments about it being damaged prior.

[Turbobusa]

Originally Posted by GKyri

Photo's of your door trim prior to installation will assist any arguments about it being damaged prior.

Excellent point!

[Endless619]

Had mine tinted when I left Oregon at 35% and they didnt remove anything. It was easy and fast.