Sorry to bring this up again....

I just called two installers in San Diego that do Solar Gard tint. one gave me a quote, the other one immediately said that although they will do the sunroof they do not recommend it because it is dual pane and could break.

I am mostly posting to ask you all if you have any experience with Solar Gard tint. Costco is offering it at a discount....
my main desire for the tint is to protect my interior from the sun with a secondary goal of reducing the interior heat.

thanks

 

SolarGard is what I'm getting done Friday, I believe. At least they're a SolarGard dealer, and not a Llumar dealer, which is the other big name in auto film, other than 3M, which I've heard negative things about.

 

Well, I don't mind the heat so much as the glare. Yet at the same time, I think the car would lose something at night if the sun roofs (would have to do the rear one too) could not be seen through by the passengers.

 

My MA sent me this email this morning:

"DO NOT TINT THE SUNROOF! A sunroof can shatter if tinted in the florida
sun, and will not be covered under warranty if it is (If it shatters).
Just FYI!"

That would seem to be the official MINI line on it. I have opted against sunroof tinting because of it.

However, does anyone know if the decals from cooperflags.com would have the same problem?

 

I've got the solar guard tint on my truck now, its been on for about a year and it is holding up fine. no problems, it looks good, and its not insanely dark to where you can't see through it. my truck is a standard cab with 6% on the rear window and 38% on the sides. It really cuts down the sun and is a true grey tint. the best part is i can still use my Invisible Glass cleaner that i like on it without any problems.

 

Well, since I started this thread.... an update: I called the local BMW and was given the number of a guy who does all of their window tinting. He used a SunTek film, limousine tint (5%), and did the job for $100. It looks good, lets me enjoy some visibility and cuts out the glare and heat. It may not be the best quality available, but it seems to suit my purpose and wallet. Also, before getting the job done, I checked with MINI, and wa told the tinting would not void any sunroof warranty.

 

I've had Llumar metallic tint on a bunch of cars, one for 6 years, and never had any issues with it, clear grey with crisp optics (not a funky color that changed or was at all hazy) - what negative things have you heard?

Personally I wouldn't tint the sunroof, have seen issues come up on various forums and I wouldn't want to risk it or have service issues if something did happen (and although an MA may be well meaning they can't really help, ask the Service Manager to back it up in writing if they do the install). In the end, though, I wouldn't really want it anyway, I like having a clear view of the sky when I want it and it has been fine just using the sunroof covers I got from Stratmosphere, http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm , when needed.

They fit tight and the material really insulates and reflects like crazy - they do a very good job of helping to keep the car cool. If you don't mind the cost, which is less then the tint, I'd recommend trying those instead, or you can make an approximation out of windshield shades as an alternative.

 

Oh wait, sorry I'm tired, those probably don't fit the R56s. Maybe call them and ask when/if they will have ones that do. Or, I'm sure you can make something similar that will help.

 

Haven't heard anything negative about Llumar, but about 3M, and even that's hit and miss in my searching. Some folks swear by 3M.

I'm not getting the sunroof tinted though. I've researched that enough to know it is a risk. (Also my degree's in chemistry, though I've not worked in that field for years, so the whole subject of NiS inclusions in the glass, etc makes sense to me.)

 

MiniMoMir, at what level did you get your assurance the warranty won't be compromised? Your SA or higher?

 

I just got it over the phone from the person who sold me the car (sales manager), and has been dealing with me from the get go. Since it's not in writing, should something happen to the sunroof as a result of the tint I COULD be in trouble, but I'll worry about that bridge when/if I come to it. A bit late to do anything about it now.

 

I'm in the same boat--mine was tinted last week.

Houston's heat and glare makes it worth taking the chance. I hope.

 

I emailed Stratmosphere and Pete wrote back to see he's working on the fit for the new R56 model. Said he's almost finished with it.

http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm