Tinting in Los Angeles?
03-05-2005, 07:02 PM
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My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
I am getting a new 545 in Jet Black.
I think it looks great tinted, and I am considering tinting mine, but I never have tinted a car and I have some questions:
- I have heard that any tint lighter than 70% is illegal in California (I am in L.A.); is this true?
- Is it true that the law allows for darker tinting for the rear passenger widows? I am not interested in tinting the car different shades if this is true, I do not like the way it looks.
- Are the tinting laws enforced in L.A. or other parts of California? Does anybody know the penalties if cited?
- If illegal, how is it that there are so many cars driving around L.A. with tinted windows?
- What percentage tint is the 545 when it comes from the factory?
- Is daytime visibility from inside the car looking out compromised at all? Does the world just look a little darker?
- Does the tint interfere with radio/NAV, or anything else?
Thanks for the help.
I think it looks great tinted, and I am considering tinting mine, but I never have tinted a car and I have some questions:
- I have heard that any tint lighter than 70% is illegal in California (I am in L.A.); is this true?
- Is it true that the law allows for darker tinting for the rear passenger widows? I am not interested in tinting the car different shades if this is true, I do not like the way it looks.
- Are the tinting laws enforced in L.A. or other parts of California? Does anybody know the penalties if cited?
- If illegal, how is it that there are so many cars driving around L.A. with tinted windows?
- What percentage tint is the 545 when it comes from the factory?
- Is daytime visibility from inside the car looking out compromised at all? Does the world just look a little darker?
- Does the tint interfere with radio/NAV, or anything else?
Thanks for the help.
03-05-2005, 11:46 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- I have heard that any tint lighter than 70% is illegal in California (I am in L.A.); is this true?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- Is it true that the law allows for darker tinting for the rear passenger widows? I am not interested in tinting the car different shades if this is true, I do not like the way it looks.
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- Are the tinting laws enforced in L.A. or other parts of California? Does anybody know the penalties if cited?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- If illegal, how is it that there are so many cars driving around L.A. with tinted windows?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- What percentage tint is the 545 when it comes from the factory?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- Is daytime visibility from inside the car looking out compromised at all? Does the world just look a little darker?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM
- Does the tint interfere with radio/NAV, or anything else?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
03-06-2005, 03:44 AM
#3
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My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' date='Mar 6 2005, 01:46 AM
[quote name='fishskis' date='Mar 5 2005, 08:02 PM']
- I have heard that any tint lighter than 70% is illegal in California (I am in L.A.); is this true?
- I have heard that any tint lighter than 70% is illegal in California (I am in L.A.); is this true?
[snapback]97788[/snapback]
[/quote]
Yes, I meant darker (whoops).
Thanks for the comprehensive response.
I have done a little more research since I posted, and it seems that there is a high quality manufacturer of ceramic tints that will not interfere with radio and/or NAV. But at about $700, I don't think I am prepared to take the risk of getting a ticket and having to remove, then replace the tinting (possibly over and over).
03-06-2005, 06:30 AM
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My Ride: 545, Auto, Sport, L7, Pdc, Sunshades, Silver Gray/Black, 19x8.5/9.5 Monet Wheels, Michelin PS A/S Tires, Full M-KIt, B&B Exhaust, 20% Llumar Tint
You may NOT legally have ANY tint on the front passenger/front driver side windows in California, regardless of shade. And it is an infraction that an officer can pull you over for without any other cause (it's happened to me twice)
03-07-2005, 11:25 PM
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My Ride: 2004 530I Black/Black, Premium/Sport, Navigation
2005 545I Silver/Black, Premium/Sport, Logic 7, Navigation
I have pretty dark tint on my car and never had any problem with it, if you are worry about when the cop close by, open the sunroof on the daytime.
03-10-2005, 09:22 AM
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My Ride: '11 X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity M Sport Carbon Black Cinnamon Brown Dark Bamboo Anthracite Headliner M Sports Pkg Convenience Pkg Active Steering Comfort Access Heated Front Seats Navigation Premium Hi-Fi
I have the same tint on my new e60 as I had on my last e39. 35% all around. My e39 was Titanuim Silver and in the 3 years of driving it I was pulled over and ticketed twice for illegal tint on front driver and passenger windows. I haven't been pulled over once in my Jet Black e60 - it's been a year...
I think the shade contrast on a Jet Black car doesn't look as dark compared to a Silver or lighter car. The sun roof idea mentioned above works as well. Or just roll down the front windows...
[I think I just jinxed myself]
I think the shade contrast on a Jet Black car doesn't look as dark compared to a Silver or lighter car. The sun roof idea mentioned above works as well. Or just roll down the front windows...
[I think I just jinxed myself]
03-10-2005, 06:47 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Most cars have some level of tint imprinted within the glass from the factory.
70% is not an uncommon OEM tint level on some cars.
The CA rule is obviously set at that amount so that you can't alter a factory window on the front half of the car.
70% is not an uncommon OEM tint level on some cars.
The CA rule is obviously set at that amount so that you can't alter a factory window on the front half of the car.
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