Window Tinting

[kjs862]

My car is getting its first oil change at my local BMW dealer where I leased my car. I wanted to get my windows tinted, but they have this price somewhere in the $700s so I passed. I wanted to know if it is really worth getting it done at a bmw dealer, or if the other guy will do it just as good. Also how much do a tint job usually cost. I live on long island so if anyone knows any and good share that would be cool. Thanks

Ken

 

[Montana]

I don't know about your local costs there but to do tint all around you could probably get done for $300 and a nice job. I would just ask around a little for a local shop that has a good rep. Just make sure the tint level meets state specs. I've had very good tint jobs done outside of a dealer.

Frankly I think you may get a better job done outside a dealer because that kind of shop would do it all day long and be expert whereas a dealer might not do it as much.

Plus, if it's a lease I'm guessing you might get rid of it in 3-4 years. Doubtful the tint would degrade much in that time so you'd probably be fine.

 

[frolf]

dude i got a very very nice life time guarenteed professional tint job for $250

 

[MrElussive]

I live in Northern NJ, which is not far from you. My local tint shop (that I trust) will tint the average Coupe or Sedan for $200-$250 depending on the vehicle. Any good tint shop will do an amazing job. It is definitely not worth paying the $$$ to have your BMW dealership do it since they out-source to a local tint shop anyways.

 

[Average Jae]

make sure you get high quality tint, rather than price hunting. pretty good places will do it for around mid 2s (just for back and rear) to mid 3s for the whole thing.

i got a tint w/ titanium for my rear and back. (not sure what company) and i'm think of putting up huper optics for the fronts, maybe 30s or 40s.. nothing too dark.

don't goto a dealership and plz don't get one of those cheap, bubbly, will turn purple in a year jobs.

 

[codex57]

Dealers just send out there tint jobs to a local tint shop and then double their price (or more) for their own profit margin.

For $400, you could get Huper Optik or V-Kool tint (the best auto tint you can buy). Regular tint should only run you $100 - $250.

 

[Tom]

Huper Optik is the way to go, I've had mine for over a month and couldnt be happier.

 

[kscarrol]

You don't list what car you have, but by saying it is in for its first oil change, I assume it is a new model. Keep in mind that the radio antenna is embedded in the rear window, so putting a metallic based film on the window will adveresly affect radio reception. Go with something ceramic based, like the Huper Optik. I agree with Tom, I've had the HO tint for 7 months now and it is great!

 

[MrElussive]

Huper Optik is the way to go, I've had mine for over a month and couldnt be happier.

How do you all specify what tint you guys use? Here in NJ (where the sun isn't strong and tints are illegal), tint shops alone are few and far between...good ones are even more rare. I am just lucky that I have this local tint place that does a great job and uses Madico Onyx tint film.

 

[codex57]

I can tell which type was used on my car b/c I specifically had to do some legwork to find tint shops that carried the stuff. The ones that carry Huper and V-Kool are few and far between. It necessitated an e-mail to the manufacturer to give me names and numbers of shops that carried the stuff.

Couldn't be happier with the stuff.

And kjs892, in case you're wondering why I have two types of tint on my car, it's cuz Huper is on the back and V-Kool is on teh front. I wanted max heat protection while giving the police as little excuse to pull me over (I'm tired of always getting pulled over for this equipment stuff). Huper is ceramic based so I stuck it on the back so my reception wouldn't be affected. V-Kool is metallic based so it can block more heat while being a lighter shade.

 

[lechef]

My limo tint with a life time guarantee cost 175.00 and it was an awesome job.

 

[Average Jae]

where was this thread when i got my tint a year ago? and Richard where were you?? what you wrote makes perfect sense to me. i'll have to go that route w/ my front tints come warmer months.

i thought that my rears are metallic, but the radio recept isn't bad at all. (i could be wrong tho..) guess i'll call the tint place and ask.

 

[stf05330Ci]

I've installed tint on all of my vehicles, not really that hard, but VERY tedious. If all else fails and you can't seem to get the price or shop that you want- you can order pre-cut tint for your vehicle from www.gilafilms.com The quality is excellent and you can see what the tint laws for your state there as well. Tint for all windows will be around $75.00 Although I wouldn't recommend you install it yourself on your new vehicle if you haven't done it before. Hopefully, you'll know someone you can trust to do it for you and save a lot of money. Hope this helps.