Okay, we all know MINI's are very very hot looking, which could lead to them being a ticket magnet from a profiling standpoint, but what do you think about the effects of dark tinted windows on them?

I personally have never had a problem with windows until very recently. Well maybe it's not the windows, still trying to figure that out. I know it has something to do with speed to.

I have fairly dark windows and I am wondering if I should have them redone to a lighter version in order to help combat the ticket regime. Opinions? - and I know no one here is shy ...

 

I have a LY/B 03 MCS and the rear sides and sunroof are tinted in the darkest limo tint, the boot window is in a med tint (as I want to be able to see out when I back up ) and the driver's and passenger doors are done in the lightest tint. In the town next to me if the police see the driver's and passener's side windows tinted they will ticket you and you will have to remove it, however, it makes a big difference in how bright the sun is coming in that window so I'll take my changes. Never had a window problem but I've had a couple (well all right, a few, OK too many) encounters with the police but never for window tint, it has to do with the long pedel under my right foot.

Earl

 

Honestly, I think it depends on where you are. Around here, having tinted windows is begging to be ripped off. Even the "legal" tints will earn you a delay in your trip while the cop plays with his little light meter on your windows while looking for any and everything he can gouge your wallet for. If you travel long distances be careful. You might just wander into a area with a hair-trigger on the ticket book. I just wear sunglasses, that's not a ticketable offense, yet.

Other jurisdictions (FL and AZ I think) aren't quite so gung-ho about tint.


Rawhyde

 

Ya pays ya money and ya take yer chances. I have 30% all the way around. I'm not light footed, I guess just lucky. Never been stopped. (well..in the MINI) Let me add, I'm a member of a profileable group.

 

I had 35% all around on my last MINI (legal limit in TN). After talking with several people around here that have 20% with no problems, I'm considering 20% on my new one. Whatever I go with, I don't care for different shades on different windows so they will all be the same.

 

I have 35% tint all around. Having windows tinted so dark you can't see the driver is definitely a safety hazard. It helps to get some idea of a drivers intention and whether or not they see you by you being able to see them.

 

I had 25% in the back and 35% in the drivers and passengers windows... and never had a problem in California (where you cant tint the drivers/passengers windows) ...

 

Forgot to add ... I am running with 20% tint.

 

i' doing 5% in the back and 20% up front. Hot.

I think dark tint takes the MINI to a new level of hotness.

if you are getting pulled over the minute you see the lights just take the action of hitting your window down. That way the cop can see you clearly and he feels safe with that and you dont have any issues with the tint


very true. in california they will hang you for it and in AZ I have never heard of someone even getting a mention about dark tint. We all just agree that we need it cause our cars would be 180 degrees inside without it. Plus we dont really shoot cops here.

 

I have 5% all the way around. I left the sun roof and moon roof the stock tint. Its looks great. Look am my pics. But it all depends on how you drive. I am fast but pay attention to the cops. If i go through a road block i roll them down... It all depends on what u want... The blacker the better i think... No one can see in to see if you have anything worth stealing. Good luck.. Spike

 

I had 20% for 4 years. I eventually did get a $97 ticket. With my logic that is about $23 a year to have the tint that looks killer. Worth it.

My new MCS has 35% which is legal here. I miss the privacy of knowing that no one can really see me, but the increased light inside is a big plus. If I had a choice again I think I would do 35% driver and passenger, and 20% back.

 

on a car that i drive spiritedly on, i rarely use tinted windows these days.

for both my visibility and my radar detector's efficiency.

 

Limo tint back 3, med. tint dr. and pas. windows.

 

Of course the person in Tempe says to roll down the windows. Thry that in the colder states and teh cop will think you are nutz if you do not freaze to death first.

 

I may at least have the front two windows, taken to 35%, with the black interior it will still look fairly even I believe.

 

Mine are dark, all I know is that it's great when the sun is scorching hot, and the air con is not working too hard to get me comfortable in the car.Check out my gallery!

 

No tints at all here. Night visibility with them seems to be compromised and besides I don't want to affect the functionality of my self dimming rear view mirror. Good visibility is very important to me over "hot looks".

 

Well, there's the answer to your question, right there. Tint is one of those things that you don't hear many people getting nabbed for unless they've already drawn attention to themselves in another way (like speeding).

I have 35% net tint all around on my car (max legal in MA), and I don't find night vision to be compromised in the slightest. The car looks a lot nicer, too!

 

The bad part about not having tint, is the car is soo low, that the lights from the car behind you blind you. Its worth getting a ticket. The tint makes the MCS look MEAN... If you live at a state thats cold, roll the windows down and crank the heat. Good luck and hope it helps... Spike

 

Why would you ever want a MINI to look mean?

???

 

Anyone have any good pictures of this 5% or dark tint on the back three and the lighter stuff up front? I was going to do this also, but wanted to see how it would look.

 

You should feel lucky that you even have a choice. I can't have any tint of any level on my driver/passenger front windows here in New Hampshire (Live Free or Die my ***).

I asked a local cop about it one day and he said they give no slack - any tint and I will be pulled over.

 

Tints? Me? Nope - Never!

Ok maybe a little

At least for me, a pre-05 owner - without the extra sun visors, this was the only way to stop from having fits of Flicker Vertigo whenever driving with the sun on the left side of the car on our tree lined roads.

 

5% back three, 20% front

 

That looks really good. I can legally onlly go 50% on the front, but that loks great!