Window tint:Is it over-rated?
05-18-2008, 10:33 PM
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My Ride: 2004 530i,Titanium silver,cold weather package
I'm looking into tinting my 2004 530i,but I live in Chicago,IL.,and we can't tint the front(drv.&pass.) windows.But I'm thinking of going 40% all-around anyway,is that light enough to avoid the COPS ,but dark enough not to waste my time tinting them?Need some pictures-
05-18-2008, 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mos12osut' post='583518' date='May 19 2008, 02:33 AM
I'm looking into tinting my 2004 530i,but I live in Chicago,IL.,and we can't tint the front(drv.&pass.) windows.But I'm thinking of going 40% all-around anyway,is that light enough to avoid the COPS ,but dark enough not to waste my time tinting them?Need some pictures-
For starters though...I got 50% on the front and rear sides just to keep the interior cooler. The 15% back window makes the sides look much darker than they are. Seems to be OK. No trouble from the law, but here in Southern California everyone tints much darker than this! Good Luck
05-19-2008, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by mos12osut' post='583518' date='May 19 2008, 01:33 AM
I'm looking into tinting my 2004 530i,but I live in Chicago,IL.,and we can't tint the front(drv.&pass.) windows.But I'm thinking of going 40% all-around anyway,is that light enough to avoid the COPS ,but dark enough not to waste my time tinting them?Need some pictures-
seriously tho, as Heloha suggested the darker the back is the lighter the front looks. 15 or 20% on the back should make some 50 look almost non-existent on the front.
Depending on how serious you are about it, and if you know a tinter who will do it ... sometimes tinting the entirety of your front wind shield (again 50% or less) will make the front windows look lighter as well. As you cant tint the front windows, tinting the wind shield is likely COMPLETELY illegal so consider it carefully before acting. I will say i have some friends who have tinted wind shields and it seems to have a significant impact on how hot the vehicle gets (stays much cooler) and everything is still completely safe/visible for night driving.
05-19-2008, 08:24 AM
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The key is getting a quality film... Formula One is a good brand to consider. I have 35% on the sides and 20% in the rear, and have never been pulled over for it (knock on wood). Do not tint your front windshield! somebody on this forum brought up a good point, that if you get into an accident (whether its your fault or not) and they notice that your have tint on the front windshield, you can get in major trouble....
05-19-2008, 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by poleposition' post='583608' date='May 19 2008, 07:22 AM
NO
It's always about the first thing I do to a new car!! 
BTW, if you tint to the letter of the law, the police won't do anything to you and you can drive more calmly around a patrol car!
05-19-2008, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by mos12osut' post='583518' date='May 19 2008, 07:33 AM
I'm looking into tinting my 2004 530i,but I live in Chicago,IL.,and we can't tint the front(drv.&pass.) windows.But I'm thinking of going 40% all-around anyway,is that light enough to avoid the COPS ,but dark enough not to waste my time tinting them?Need some pictures-
05-19-2008, 08:53 AM
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i see tinted cars all the time but i say its the luck of the draw.
i had my first front window ticket in 5 years of owning my suburban a month ago.
but that didnt stop me from going 50% all the way around the 530.well worth
the comfort driving under the sun,plus its only a $10 fixer ticket.
i had my first front window ticket in 5 years of owning my suburban a month ago.
but that didnt stop me from going 50% all the way around the 530.well worth
the comfort driving under the sun,plus its only a $10 fixer ticket.
