Tinting

OK I admit the black belt line looks pretty great, but up here they charge $650 to install it. I think I’ll get a quote from a tint place after I take delivery.
 
Alf_W said:
For just the five windows (2 per side and hatch) I'd say about $350-$400 depending on type of film in my area.
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Dealer gets 500. Reputable shop wants 450. I think I paid a lot less for my 1er about six years ago. Dont know why 250 is in my head. Quicken search time.
 
ghost said:
DIY? Do you have to remove them when you park so they don't get stolen?
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I got them from hovmags.com. However I sort of wish I'd DIY'd as they aren't as precisely fit as I expected.

Yes they do suggest removing them when you're not driving.

I rarely have a need for them, and they're ugly, so I didn't want them permanently stuck on all the time.
 
BackPack said:
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.
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I live in Texas, where it is very HOT every summer. I had tinting installed on all glass, except for the windshield (no can do in Texas, I am told) and the OEM sunroof (no choice, I bought a rare SE off the dealership lot). Regarding the sunroof, the local dealer declined to even quote putting tint on the sunroof, saying it wasn't recommended to install tint on sunroof glass. So, instead, I purchased the precut sun shields available on eBay for around $20 (or less) / pair before next summer. (I think Amazon sells those too?). I installed these inside, below my SE sunroof (takes all of 30 seconds each, no tools), close the OEM manual pinhole roof shade, and they block / reflect a lot of the heat. In winter, when I actually want to heat the interior of the car with sunlight, I just remove them, fold them up and store them in the rear storage area for use the next summer.

Anyway, these are worth considering for reducing sunroof glass heat instead of installation of permanent, more expensive film. (Just search eBay for "mini cooper sunroof shades."
 
endquote said:
I got them from hovmags.com. However I sort of wish I'd DIY'd as they aren't as precisely fit as I expected.

Yes they do suggest removing them when you're not driving.

I rarely have a need for them, and they're ugly, so I didn't want them permanently stuck on all the time.
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Thanks for the info. I might get a set. I know I'll forget to take them off, though.
 
Texas22Step said:
I live in Texas, where it is very HOT every summer. I had tinting installed on all glass, except for the windshield (no can do in Texas, I am told) and the OEM sunroof (no choice, I bought a rare SE off the dealership lot).
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Probably every state says no tinting on the windshield. But the ceramic tinting put on the windshield is essentially a clear film with the ceramic properties. No one will notice it including you as the driver.
 
Yes, pretty sure EVERYWHERE doesn't allow tint on the front. I can just say it has been a game-changer, along with the other tint. 90F today, and the car was cool in just 2 minutes. And the glare reduction is incredible. I haven't worn my polarized shades since it was installed. And my drive to work is in the dark, there is ZERO reduced visibility. I couldn't be happier with the tint. Wish I had sprung for it on my previous cars. BUT, this is with ceramic tint, and installers obviously vary in quality. Find the right one and you'll never look back (well, you'll look back and be happy you can see without glare!)
 
I’m ignorant about current application methods. Does the film go on the inside of all glass? I’d hate to spend five hundred bucks to put ceramic film on my SE only to damage it the first frosty morning.
 
Google is my friend :facepalm: Duh. I guess I was confused by seeing techs cutting and heat shrinking on the outside, but the film is indeed still applied to the inside.
 
No ignorance, Sir! It's not always obvious... It is indeed applied to the interior, and as such provides additional benefit of preventing glass shards to your innards in case of an impact.
 
drdunkyn said:
No ignorance, Sir! It's not always obvious... It is indeed applied to the interior, and as such provides additional benefit of preventing glass shards to your innards in case of an impact.
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Obvious, but also a heads up. My first 944 had a film on the inside (havent given any thought to whether it was on only that car, or the others too). I brushed the windshield with my ring and I had a nice line/indent on the vinyl that didnt come off. Clean with utmost care.
 
SameGuy said:
Are the rear windows already tinted from the factory? Do folks add a ceramic film to them even if they are?
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Pretty sure there is a light tint from the factory, but as CoachCookie noted, it's not an aggressive tint at all. I added ceramic tint to the rears (about 30% or so, don't recall exactly) and am much happier with ti.
 
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