Dumb Question - Should windshield be tinted?

[Huz-Z]

I have a 2012 XDrive 35i with rain sensing wipers. I recently had the windshield broken by a rock tossed up from a passing car. I just had the windshield replaced by my local BMW dealer's glass shop. Two things bug me.

First - its not an OEM windshield, its Pilkington. I'm pissed that the dealer's glass shop used an after market windshield and it seems that the rain sensing feature isn't working properly. Could I be imagining this?

Second - the new windshield is a plain (non-tinted) glass. I recall that my original was tinted, with a very dark tinted band at the top. I don't have any pics to prove this; I assumed the dealer's shop would be smart enough to use the correct (and OEM) windshield. Am I right in thinking that my windshield should be tinted as I've described?

[rodnex]

Hi,

you can check with your VIN... you might have had a heat deflecting windshield (most expensive option).

Best regards,
Rod

[Smonkbmw]

Pilkington isn't to bad actually. They are very close to OEM.
if the rain sensing wiper isn't functioning properly it could be the installer didn't line up the sensor properly or it's become unglued to the glass, fairly simple fix and the installer should be able to repair.

[Huz-Z]

Thanks.

But what about the fact that my windshield is now clear with no tint?

[heatmizr]

Have you called to talk to your dealer and ask??
Do that and let us know how it goes.

[Huz-Z]

The dealer isn’t being helpful - should my windshield be tinted? All other glass in the car has a noticeable tint.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

The dealer isn’t being helpful - should my windshield be tinted? All other glass in the car has a noticeable tint.

Not sure if this helps, but my 2012 X5M doesn't have any tint on the windshield...

[omgboost]

I had mine replaced with pilkington. My rain sensors still work. My original BMW glass did not have tint nor did the pilkington.

[Ryan5034]

Not sure if this helps or not- but my X5 did not have any tint at the top either.

Mine was replaced with Pilkington glass. Seems fine to me rain sensing wipers worked just as well as before.

[Huz-Z]

Thanks everyone - your feedback is very much appreciated!

[philly42]

Here are the different windshields available for the X5M.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_8845

I just got mine replaced from the dealer and plan on having it tinted soon. I'll never get an aftermarket windshield again...they suck.

[ryansbmw]

dumb question- when people tint their windshield, are they tinting the whole thing or just doing a strip along the top?

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

dumb question- when people tint their windshield, are they tinting the whole thing or just doing a strip along the top?

i usually tint the whole thing. it works better than those uv deflected whatever fancy glass once offered among land rover line up. My 1990s cars have better shade than those modern glass since it come from factory with tinted top strip

[Thecastle]

Pilkington, is an oem manufacturer of bmw windshields. No issues with any sensors or glass quality. Most problems people have are installer related.

Tinting the front windshield to reduce heat, isn’t a bad thing, but clear tints are a minor improvement. Tinting the sunroof helps too.

[Huz-Z]

So if my original windshield, which had a noticeable tint and a dark strip at the top, was replaced with a clear glass, I should be okay with that?

[philly42]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

dumb question- when people tint their windshield, are they tinting the whole thing or just doing a strip along the top?

I got my X5M with the whole windshield already tinted. Texas heat is no joke where the difference in having window tints is very noticeable. They have 70% ceramic tints that has 99% UV protection. This shouldn't darken the windshield much.

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

dumb question- when people tint their windshield, are they tinting the whole thing or just doing a strip along the top?

Mines 70% so pretty unnoticable but it does make a difference that I've noticed. Plus I have a strip along the top which is darker to match the side window tint

[ryansbmw]

Originally Posted by philly42

I got my X5M with the whole windshield already tinted. Texas heat is no joke where the difference in having window tints is very noticeable. They have 70% ceramic tints that has 99% UV protection. This shouldn't darken the windshield much.

Originally Posted by E70'11

Mines 70% so pretty unnoticable but it does make a difference that I've noticed. Plus I have a strip along the top which is darker to match the side window tint

Awesome. Thanks. I was thinking of doing something along the same tint level if I did the whole thing. Do you guys have inspection stickers on the windshields? Do you just have the tint cut around it or how do you handle that?

[Smonkbmw]

Are you the original owner? It's possible the previous owner had the windshield tinted.

Not that anyone cares about the legalities, but in my state (Washington) you have to have a prescription for a issue with sensitivity to light before you can legally have the windshield tinted. I mean you can still have it done but if you get pulled over you have to have documentation. Again not that anyone truly cares about legalities

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

Awesome. Thanks. I was thinking of doing something along the same tint level if I did the whole thing. Do you guys have inspection stickers on the windshields? Do you just have the tint cut around it or how do you handle that?

My location doesn't require any stickers on the front windshield but if it did most likely that sticker would be removed. Then, the tint would be applied and the sticker would be right after.

[Huz-Z]

Looks like I spoke too soon re the dealer. I got a call over lunch break from the service manage to tell me that they have the proper factory-tinted OEM windshield on order and will install it for me when it arrives.

I'm very pleased.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

So if my original windshield, which had a noticeable tint and a dark strip at the top, was replaced with a clear glass, I should be okay with that?

Hey huz!

Was it OEM tint ? Their was special laminated glass for heat rejection and HUD reflection but not darker.

It's illegal to have any front windshield or side glass from the factory tinted. They have to meet certain specifications and it's basically clear. Trust me we as designers push for certain things but here in the USA we're top heavy with regulations.

Did your old windshield have a purple look to it from the outside?


The rear glass can be tinted from the manufacture however.


It's possible you had a very well done aftermarket tint done to the windshield for heat rejection since you bought it used I presume. They sell clear and slightly tinted heat rejection tints for windshields that meet legal requirements as their mostly clear or at a max 50% light transference.

Also the windshield you have is technically OEM but it's from the OEM manufacturer and not branded Bmw so you don't get hit with the Bmw tax or at least your insurance doesn't. Most insurance companies won't pay for oem branded windshields as the cost is over double. So for instance bosh makes my alternator but it's branded Bmw from the dealer, cost is over $800 dollars yet the same alternator directly from bosh without the Bmw logo is $350 but it lacks the Bmw logo. Same with headlights, I bought directly from the lighting supplier and not Bmw saving thousands. Cost of headlight directly from supplier $400 each. Dealer $1700 each. Crazy I know!