I noticed that this is not a configurator option (nor is tinting the sunroof and many have griped about how hot it gets inside and want to tint it). Being from Arizona I'm interested in how successful owners have been in getting a quality window tint job done on their Minis.

 

Dealers should be able to do a perfect job of tinting.

 

I disagree. Take it to a reputable tint shop in your area that uses a quality film for tinting. Also try asking friends who have had windows tinted who they would recommend.

 

Most dealers would outsource the job to a local installer and charge a huge mark up. I suggest to take it to a local reputable tint installer. I got my MINI tinted yesterday at Solarsolutionstinting.com for a very really good price. I will post pics soon.

 

Try to find a place the cuts the tint by computer. I had the windows of my 1st MINI done by a place that used a razor blade to cut the film after it was put on the windows. About 2 months later, the passenger window started getting a big tear in it and I had to take it back. I just had the windows on my 07 MCS tinted by a place that used a computer to cut the film. It looks awesome, and all the tint is exact on all sides. I couldn't be happier!

 

My dealer did tint on my first MINI a 03 MC and then on my GP. Both jobs were A++

 

I just ran out and took a quick picture. The tint is 35% Suntek carbon film. There's no metal in it so it won't interfere with my NAV and cell phone signals. The place used Tint-Tec 20/20 computer to cut the film. That machine amazes me; they already have the R56 template.

 

AZNQTBOY...did you get your sunroof tinted as well?
How dark is the tint? Is it the same on all windows?

Sorry about the questions ..I'm getting mine done on wednesday.
I want a medium tint on all windows, but haven't even considered the sunroof until now.

 

Got mine done, they used 3M tint. Put 35% on the sides/rear and did 5% on the sunroof. Computer cuts are nice, but in the end a computer does not put it on the windows. I'm very happy with the job they did on mine. Like the others said, don't go to a dealer. Find a good tinter in your area.

 

Any suggestions for a great tint shop in SoCal? Preferably Long Beach / North Orange county area?

 

The tints are 35% and I didn't do the sunroof because I'm getting the OEM Checkered Sunroof done next week. I hope it will look good w/ the black top.

 

Price of tints??? Dealer here in NW charges $300

 

The price really depends in where you live. Here in Boston, there are A LOT of installers, which is good for consumers. I actually called at least ten places around Boston and got a quote between $130 to $230. Try going to www.tintdude.com- there's a list of installers there somewhere. Also, you can read some posts about tinting on the MINI Coopers.

Btw, the place where I got my MINI tinted: www.solarsolutionstinting.com does tinting for Porsche dealers. He told me he charges the dealer $170 for the tint. Guess how much Porsche charged the customers? $450!!! INSANE.

 

There are some good window tint installers here in Scottsdale. I searched on Bimmerfest.com and found a good guy for a clear bra installation. Some of these guys are the same who United Auto Group (the MINI dealership's owner) outsource to.

If you notice, every stock R56 for sale at MINI No. Scottsdale has window tint already (for a tidy mark-up). Some of the applications look poorly done, based on my 5 minute assessment last week.

 

That's a good idea: if they put a $400 price on the sticker for tinting look at it carefully. If it looks shaky either tell them you hate it and take it off, or give it to you for nothing and you'll have it taken off later. How easy is it to have old tinting removed anyway?

 

Had both of my MINI's done at the dealer in Scottsdale for $250. No problems.

 

What about the Matrix of dots on the edge of the rear windows. Were you all able to have the tint done and it look good?

 

Nice tint job - i really like it

 

Every tint job I have seen on a car in our area looks horrible. They all bubble up after or during the summer here.

I won't even bother with it anymore.

 

It looks OK, but there's still the lighter patch around the dotted bits. Every car I've seen with the dots has that. At least the ones I've noticed.

 

Right after the installer did my tint, I pointed out to him that the tints over the dot matrix in the rear windows look wierd. He said it's in the drying process and it would disappear w/in two days. Two days later, it disappeared and the tints looks gorgeous!