1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015) R60 Countryman Discussions

R60 Surf Blue & Window Tinting Advice

Old Jun 18, 2012 | 11:42 AM
  #1  
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Question Surf Blue & Window Tinting Advice

Have any of you Surf Blue (or any other color really) Countryman owners gotten your windows tinted? What brand and tint level did you go with? Do you have any pictures I can see for reference?

I wanted to have it done through my dealership and have it done before I (hopefully) pick her up some time next month but my MA said that BMW/MINI doesn't advise window tinting so he won't be able to do in-house or suggest a shop. (So if anyone out there knows of a reputable place near Westchester county NY that would also be helpful as well.)

Thanks!!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 11:52 AM
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I had mine tinted with 15% all around and the legal limit in Florida is 30% (I think). Mine looks a little darker being all black but I have the same tint on my wife's silver Passat and it is lighter.

 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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Wow that's weird that they told you BMW/MINI doesn't advise it. My husband's Beemer windows are tinted and the guys at BMW had a guy in house who did it. But that was in Houston and about 3 years ago.

I also need to get my SB's windows tinted. But need a reputable guy here in Texas, preferably Dallas, Houston, or Austin.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by MiniMouse17
Wow that's weird that they told you BMW/MINI doesn't advise it. My husband's Beemer windows are tinted and the guys at BMW had a guy in house who did it. But that was in Houston and about 3 years ago.

I also need to get my SB's windows tinted. But need a reputable guy here in Texas, preferably Dallas, Houston, or Austin.
I agree, I thought it was kind of weird as well. I would think they'd do everything they could for the extra $$!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 12:03 PM
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Seriously. You're going to love your SB by the way! I am so pleased with the color! What options did you get and what color line for the interior?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by MiniMouse17
Seriously. You're going to love your SB by the way! I am so pleased with the color! What options did you get and what color line for the interior?
I am soo flipping excited to get her. She's estimated to be completed on 6/20 so I'm hoping she makes the 6/29 ship bound for NY. I found out I FINALLY got promoted at work the day I put my order in so I went a little bit above on the options than what I had originally said I'd be happy with. I got her in SB with black roof, mirrors and bonnet stripes; black headlamp housings with zenon headlights; white turn signals; polar beige color line and lounge carbon black leather interior with piano black cockpit surface; rear bench seat; tech package; luxury package; cold weather package; and am having black boot stripes and roof rack base installed at dealership. I managed to rein myself in a little bit when it came to the wheels and only did the 17" 5-star spoke black as I wanted the all season tires since this will be my yearound car.

I really just think that she is going to need darker windows (but not illegally black) in order to look right with all her other black stuff so I am definitely on the hunt for a good tint shop and suggestions for brand/level (so please people, keep those suggestions and pictures coming!).

Thanks!!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 12:17 PM
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the dealer did mine, or contracted it out anyways. Its the ceramic tint that most MINI dealers offer. Not sure the %





Dealer photo pre change in stripes
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 12:40 PM
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Your CMS is really pretty Mojito!

Mare, you're going to love him/her?!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 01:10 PM
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Wherever you go, definitely go for the ceramic tint. I have it on both my New Beetle (huge windows, so it's like a green house in there) and on my A3.

The ceramic will help keep the sun from getting in, so keeps the interior cooler. So you can get away with the legal limit (I have 35% all the way around), but still keep the interior from burning your ***. :D
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by MiniMouse17
Wow that's weird that they told you BMW/MINI doesn't advise it. My husband's Beemer windows are tinted and the guys at BMW had a guy in house who did it. But that was in Houston and about 3 years ago.

I also need to get my SB's windows tinted. But need a reputable guy here in Texas, preferably Dallas, Houston, or Austin.
MiniMouse, I had my windows tinted by Earmark in Richardson. They're fantastic. They did the windows on my dad's old '05 MINI and they are well regarded in the Dallas MINI community. I went with Llumar Formula 1 tint and I love it. It's a ceramic tint so it does a better job than a basic tint at reducing the inside temperature. My MINI never has problems cooling the interior quickly in the summer-time and I really think that tint has a lot to do with that.

Sorry for the threadjack!

Mare, I'm very pro-tint so I think that you will love it once you have it installed. Get the highest quality you can afford so that you won't regret it. Good luck!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 05:33 PM
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We had ours done at 30% all over. If you have the sunroof, go darker. If not, 30% might be dark enough. Ours has the sunroof and we should have done 20% all around.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lacynpiper
MiniMouse, I had my windows tinted by Earmark in Richardson. They're fantastic. They did the windows on my dad's old '05 MINI and they are well regarded in the Dallas MINI community. I went with Llumar Formula 1 tint and I love it. It's a ceramic tint so it does a better job than a basic tint at reducing the inside temperature. My MINI never has problems cooling the interior quickly in the summer-time and I really think that tint has a lot to do with that.

Sorry for the threadjack!

Mare, I'm very pro-tint so I think that you will love it once you have it installed. Get the highest quality you can afford so that you won't regret it. Good luck!
I don't think you're jacking the thread at all. It is after all about tinting.

Thanks for the tips. We'll def look into it. My husband is looking into what his tint is. He doesn't think it's ceramic but not sure. We hadn't heard of the ceramic tint.

I see your link for a Christian motoring club.. Do you guys ever have events around Dallas or Austin?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 06:59 PM
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I just had surf blue Brigitte in for tint. I opted for the 3M at the legal limit in GA 35% all around. I can only tell you about my experience because this is the first car I have had tinted. I am thrilled both with the look AND the temperature in my car. It has made a huge difference. With the tint and my Heatshield sunshade in the windshield I can park in the blazing sun and the car still cools down quickly. We especially noticed that the person on the "sun-side" of the car on long trips is no longer roasting. Since the ceramic tints are more expensive, just thought you would like to hear about the other. I LOVE how the darker windows look with the black roof too!

And I would take a picture but her tint looks very similar to Mojito's Night Fury. I imagine there are differences--especially from inside but not sure you could tell from a photo.
 

Last edited by tybeegirl; Jun 18, 2012 at 07:05 PM.
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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 09:02 PM
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20 in the front.....5 in the back

35 is legal in VA
 
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 07:00 AM
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Here's a pic of my sunshade. Don't have tint yet. But the shade makes a huge difference.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Mojito
the dealer did mine, or contracted it out anyways. Its the ceramic tint that most MINI dealers offer. Not sure the %





Dealer photo pre change in stripes
Thanks for the pics Mojito. NYS law allows only up to 30% tint on the front two windows but does not appear to have a limit for the back two and rear windshield. I think I will go the limit on the front and then perhaps a shade darker in the back if available.

BTW, love the side stripes! I am now thinking Bubs is going to have to get those as well
 
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by MiniMouse17
I don't think you're jacking the thread at all. It is after all about tinting.

Thanks for the tips. We'll def look into it. My husband is looking into what his tint is. He doesn't think it's ceramic but not sure. We hadn't heard of the ceramic tint.

I see your link for a Christian motoring club.. Do you guys ever have events around Dallas or Austin?
Minimouse, there haven't been any events that I know of but I could just be out of the loop. I'm actually moving to Massachusetts this weekend so I'm not the best person to ask.

Oh and I second the sun shade! Without the MINI sun shade and my tint, my car would have roasted in the Texas heat the past 3 years. Having a white roof without a sunroof helps but the sun shade and tint definitely make a difference.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2012 | 10:28 AM
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From Texas to MA!! Wow, that's quite a move.

My sunshade has made a big difference. I can't wait to get it tinted though.
 
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