I've dabbled in tinting my cars over the years (no, never myself since I would definitely ruin it), the last time was before ceramic was a mainstream thing. I got the SE tinted today, with ceramic tint on basically all glass surfaces involved. I have noticed that the magnificent panoramic sunroof admits a TON of heat, and while I love the preconditioning that kicks in before I leave work, there's still a lot of heat coming through that puppy as I'm driving, even with the screens closed. It's actually very much the same as my soft top BMW vert. So I figured in the name of efficiency, the cost of tinting could be justified to avoid the excessive A/C that I will use in the majority of our 9 month summer in the Bay Area. The local shop did a fantastic job, and I'm very happy with the aesthetics of the result. I'll let you all know about the function, but I'm very hopeful! I went with 25% front side, 55% windshield, and 15% all other windows and panoramic sunroof. From the inside I still get great light, no glare. They use SolarGard ceramic.
Ceramic tint does wonders at keeping a cabin cooler. You’ll be very happy with the results. I opted to not get the moonroof on my ordered SE. Mainly because I never use them, but also because of the large amount of heat that transmits through them. You did the right thing adding the ceramic tint to that huge glass panel too.
Lucky. I live in one of those jurisdictions that prohibit altering the factory tint of the windshield, and require minimum 70% for the front sides.
So do I. Happily our cops have better things to than enforce it! Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Nice -- I'm doing mine on Tuesday, also Bay Area. Hadn't considered doing the windshield since you're not supposed to. I haven't figured out how dark to go yet. Do the 25%/15% windows look different externally?
You can tell the difference slightly, which I wanted. The windshield is frankly barely noticeable, though it's more obvious at night. Great visibility in day or night. I've seen cars around here with what is probably 15% all around, which screams "illegal" and I guess still doesn't garner attention from the authorities. I really look forward to the heat-reduction as we're already getting into the upper 70's and it's not even April!
Very nice, I'm also in the Bay Area too (South Bay). I need to get mine tinted too b/c it's warming up around here. Any shop recommendations?
I got mine done last month at Auto Mall Tiny Specialist in Fremont. I have full confidence in their work. I had my last car that I sold when I got my SE done there and it lasted 12 years without any issues. I did 70% front and 25% back.
Tinting of the windscreen and other glass can certainly help reduce solar heating of the interior but there are legal limits to how dark you can go. Provincial and state legislation sets limits. It is not unusual or difficult for police to check the optical density and can result in a vehicle deemed unsafe. Going too dark may also hamper eye contact with pedestrians and cyclists increasing the risk of collisions not to mention nighttime overdriving headlights. Mike Wazowski & more ️️️ than &
Cops in Quebec all have photometers in their cars to check how much light windows let through if they suspect anything.
Jet black was $650 for the 5 panels + windshield + panoramic sunroof in ceramic. I think the SR was $150 extra. Better than other quotes I got.
You just saved yourself a 6,000 mile trip (3,000 miles each way) to Montreal and back. In the MINI if you charged every 100 miles it would be 60 stops.
For just the five windows (2 per side and hatch) I'd say about $350-$400 depending on type of film in my area.
