Hi All. I have a couple of questions on tinting the windows on my 2011 MC (BRG with white top and bonnet stripes - pic in my gallery). I've never dealt with tinting any of my previous vehicles (usually had factory tint which was sufficient for my taste), so this is kind of a new realm for me. That said, I definitely plan on having a shop do it rather than drive myself nuts trying to learn and I want it to look as close to "factory quality" as possible.

So.........my questions.

1. I'm not looking to go "limo" dark, but don't want to be too light either. What %'s are you guys using to maintain good visibility, especially at night, but enough privacy? Should i go with different % on different windows?

2. I'm from NJ where you aren't allowed, "by-law", to tint front passenger door windows on a vehicle. Any NJ drivers out there with tinted fronts? Any issues? I see it all the time now that I'm looking for it, just not sure if I want to take the risk. And do you think leaving the front windows clear will look okay? I feel like it may look awkward.

Thanks, as always, for any input! I wouldn't trust anyone else's opinion except the members here who actually understand and care about these vehicles.

 

20% looks dark from the exterior with good privacy. From the inside you can view outwards well.

If you go 35% not as dark appearance outside. Mostly dark grey appearance from the outside. Privacy is much less than the 20%

 

Looks like the fronts can not have any tint but the rears are as dark as you want.
http://www.tintlaws.com/
With that said you could possibly skirt the law if you were to go somewhere in the 50% range. It will cut a lot of like out but, not too dark to attract attention. I just tinted my new Subaru 15% all the way around and I can tell you you can still see into but it is still really dark. Look into the different types offered such as metallic and ceramic. I have ceramic on my MINI and it looks the best imo but, it is also the most expensive and blocks out the most UV and heat. Good luck with your choice.

 

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the delayed response. I was thinking about 20-35 on the rear windows and around 50 up front (if I decide to do the fronts). I definitely have to look into the different types because I don't really know what the differences are. Plus, I have to come up with some extra cash; the wife is always pushing me to save money to "feed the kids" and "build her a new house". Like that takes priority!!

 

I run 22% on the drivers and passenger doors, triple layer limo on the rear side windows and hatch glass and across the top of the windshield is done with triple layer limo.

 

There are some pictures of my car in my gallery, it's 20% in the rear 3 and 35% up front. Personally I don't think I'd want any darker than 35 in the front, it's a little dodgy trying to look out the rears in the dark.

 

I've never bothered with having windows tinted in any of my cars but definitely feel the need to do something with my Cooper. The black interior really gets hot in the summer! I'm probably going to go a different route and get the "official" accessory window screens. They're made to pop into place on the hatch and side windows (rear only) and have those tiny holes so you can still see out of it very well.

 

I live in southeast Texas - and window tint is something just about every car in my neck of the woods I see has. A white roof was something I was going to get regardless of what my next car was going to be. in July, inside temps can reach 150F easy in a parked dark colored car. Cool exterior colors, window tint, and window partial down to vent hot air all help make a car bearable to get into after a long day at work. I would put auto start in my cooper to initiate some pre-cool air-condition- but, I work in a refinery, and they frown heavy on an unattended running automobile. the pop screens sound pretty cool though. At night, I can be sitting in my car, and I have seen people get right up to the window trying to catch a peek of the interior without realizing that someone is sitting in it.

 

You can view the accessory screens here:

http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...460414754.html

http://parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com/...460414754.html

 

Have you checked out the option of clear tint?

 

I've used 3M's Crystalline tint on both my mini and 325i. 50% (or even 40%) is quite dark on the inside but won't attract attention from cops as it doesn't have the "black" look. I don't know if they make darker shades of this tint, but if you're main concern is keeping the car cool and blocking light, they actually do a very good job. And lifetime warranty.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into it!!

 

Don't forget to ask about the radio wave interference. Some of the cheaper tints will cause interference with cellular and GPS signals. I know the new top of the line tint around here is a brand called Nano. It blocks out the majority of heat. Also, the darker you tint the rear windows the darker it will make the front windows look even if the fronts are a lighter tint. If you are looking for more heat blocking than privacy you can also have a basically clear tint put on your windshield that helps block the heat tremendously. I drive a Mercedes Sprinter van that has a HUGE windshield and am going to have the windshield done with the clear. Several of our friends have their Sprinter windshields tinted and there is a big difference in the temperature driving head on into the Arizona sun.

 

i have plenty of friends in jersey with tints. unless you get a bored cop or give them a reason, they aren't going to bother you. and don't bother doing a lighter tint up front, illegal is illegal, it doesn't matter if it's 5% or 50%, it will just look weird with different tints.

NY has similar laws regarding tint. I always get 20% and hubby gets 5% (although he did put 20% on the new 320). we've probably gotten maybe 5 tickets between us, and those were all on obnoxiously loud neons. since then, nothing. it's more about the car than the tint.

tints also is a fix it ticket. even if you get a ticket, you pay your $50 and move on, it's not really a big deal.

 

2 things for this thread.

Why is this in Cooper non S section? This applies to all models really.

And tints? the plural sounds silly, is this normal to some people or does it just drive me crazy?


But, OP I would go no darker than 35% if you aren't allowed to have any by law, 20% will just be too dark and draw unnecessary attention.