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Hi there

I want to get the windows on my 2010 Clubman tinted. Should I take it to the MINI dealer, or try a specialist tinting place? I had a clear bra by 3M applied to the front end, bumper, and side mirrrors applied last week, and when I asked them for a quote on tint, they told me that they had not tinted any MINI windows yet. Since the place I was at is a high volume business, and there are lots of MINIs on the road here in South Florida, I started thinking that perhaps I need to take my MINI to the dealer. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

Don't take it to a dealer, it will be expensive and don't do it at that other place either. Just find another tint shop around your area, call them up and ask for quotes. I'm sure that they will ask what kind of car and all that, and if they have done them before then you'll get a quick answer.

 

The MINI dealer here actually just has an outside provider working out of their shop - he's not actually part of the dealership. Price doesn't seem to be any worse than any other shop of similar quality. I'd call around, but wouldn't be afraid to include the guy at the MINI dealer (staff or not) in your comparisons.

 

thanks both of you! I will call around for quotes.

 

Definitely don't use the Mini dealer. Where are you located? I shopped around and ended up having it done at a HIGH END Vintage Sports Car dealer. I figured owners using this shop wouldn't tolerate poor quality. To my surprise, not only did they do a great job, but it wasn't anymore expensive than the other quotes I received.

 

I had my Clubman tinted last summer just after I bought it. I think the whole car was about $170, plus $40 for the sunroofs.

 

I had mine tinted by a window-tinting shop in North Atlanta...Huper Optik 30 all the way around. In most cases, I think you'll pay more at the dealer...cause they use tint shops too...and both have to make their margin.

 

I'd go outside the dealer for this one. There shouldn't be any shortage of places, especially in Florida. Look for a place that offers lifetime warranty, which seems to be most of them nowadays. You might also want to ask about material, a lot of the cost difference comes from materials used. I got quotes ranging from $170 for metallic film to $430 for ceramic. I'm in California so YMMV.

 

I bet you used the same guys I did. My dealer referred them. They did my clear bra and stripes. Out Memorial and Dairy Ashford. They are great.

 

You're good. That's the one! Keep Motorin'!

 

I tinted my clubman the week I brought it home. $30 in supplies and was done in an afternoon. Most if not all tinters in my area are subs that hop from job to job, and are not full time employees of the business.

 

I got mine done at the person that tints the windows for the dealership on contract for a lot less. See if you can get the name out of the MA or someone else you know there. They will have plenty of experience working on the MINIs and you won't have to pay a middle man.

THat way you get someone you know does quality work, has experience, and probably has a good warranty on their work (mine was lifetime warranty).

 

I'm in central Florida with a MCS (not a clubman tho) I've been getting quotes from $135 to $240 depending on material.

What I'm having a hard time with is finding someone that has used the ceramic tinting vs the regular tint... Is the ceramic tint worth the extra $$

 

There are a lot of benefits, but I decided it wasn't worth the extra money. It cuts enough heat and light already for me...

 

I got my clubman tinted with LLumar ATC for $210(20% for front and rear side / 15% for rear)

Not cheap, but worth it!!!!

 

I get to take my car BACK to the dealer on Memorial Day to get the tint removed from all of the windows. Turns out that it doesn't let in the requisite 50% of sunlight for MN law. (It was a used car that was from Arizona) The dealer should not have sold it like that. Found out from a nice state trooper as I was leaving work today! :( Damn, I am gonna miss that tint!