[Grandie]

Hello!

I am new to Bimmerpost and recently bought a new 2022 BMW X5 45e. I live in South Florida and soon the summer heat and humidity will be upon us. But, even now, with temps in the low 80's and the sun beating down, I can feel the heat coming through the front windows.

So, I've decided it would be best to get the driver and front passenger windows professionally tinted, but after a bit of research, I have questions that remain unanswered and need some advise from those of you in the know.

FYI...In Florida, the tinting law is as follows: The front side windows must have a VLT of at least 28% and the back-side windows must have a VLT of at least 15%. I want to abide by those specs and not risk a ticket and/or having to remove after market tint.

1. Does anyone know what the factory tint is on the rear passenger windows and the front windows?

2. What percentage tint would you recommend for the front windows? I want to keep the tint legal. I am concerned about a dark tint that would make driving at night difficult, even though matching the front window tint to the rear might be more aesthetic.

3. Would you recommend a 'Standard' Tint or Ceramic or something else, and does the brand of tint matter? I'm thinking Ceramic, as I've read that that is 2-3 times better at keeping the heat out, but I'm not sure. I do know that Ceramic will cost more, but I want to do this right.

4. Should I go to an independent window tint shop or just have the Dealer do it? My guess is that the Dealer subs it out, but I would also think that it would make them totally responsible/reliable if there were any issues down the road.

ANY guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance ;-)

[Th3Walrus]

Generally the back is 20%

[wtwo3]

1) 20% in the rears, front windows typically don't have any tint
2) I would recommend going with as dark as you want as long as it's legal. If you get a good high quality tint, you shouldn't have any issues seeing out at night, especially if you keep it legal.
3) Ceramic definitely, will provide much better heat protection.
4) I would ask the dealer which tint shop they use, and if they're a good tint shop based on reviews then might as well go with them (as long as the dealer isn't charging a premium on top). My dealer handled the tint for me by taking the car to a local tint shop prior to me taking delivery of it, but I paid the shop directly, so it was very convenient.

[Grandie]

Thanks so much for your replies. I will definitely go ceramic and keep the two front windows at 28% to abide by Florida law. As for where to do it, the service guy at my dealership recommended matching the rear windows (so, 20%, which is illegal) and a standard tint. I know they can do the ceramic at 28%, but now I'm hesitant to use them because of their very poor recommendations.

If any of you are in South Florida and can recommend a great tint shop, please let me know.

Again, many thanks, as always, for your help.

[DocL]

Don't worry about the Florida law. I've tinted 50 cars at 18-20% all around and have never been stopped because of it. And I've never been cited having it when pulled over for speeding. If you are in the Boca area, Tint & Tunes on Dixie just north of Yamato is great. I know there is a new owner there now, but he does fantastic work. I also put a clear tint on my front windshield to block out the UV. It also keeps the car cooler with using a sun shade.

Don't let the dealer do it. You are better off going to an independent shop.

https://www.bocatintandtunes.com/

[Piper1]

Better than Michigan laws. Any darkness can be used on back and rear sides. Front windshield and front sides max is 4” from the top of glass in any darkness. Never in my life have I seen anyone only tint the top 4” of the side glass.

[Westside Guy]

Only go with ceramic and don't waste your money on the cheaper stuff!

The dealers sub out the work and add a markup so save some money and go to an independent shop. The shop that put Xpel PPF on my Z4 also does window tinting and only uses top quality ceramic products so don't limit yourself to shops that only do tinting and also check out shops that do PPF.

Finally, the people that install window tint should tell you not to roll down the windows for a day or so after they apply the ceramic tint. Don't roll down your windows as soon as you pickup the car from the tint shop.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Grandie

? I'm thinking Ceramic, as I've read that that is 2-3 times better at keeping the heat out, but I'm not sure. I do know that Ceramic will cost more, but I want to do this right.

2-3 times cooler eh, so in Florida that keeps your car what, at 30F?

[Grandie]

Westside Guy: I'm not too far from Hallandale Beach, so might you share the name of the shop you are referring to? I assume you would highly recommend them, right?
BTW, I'm also not familiar with Xpel PPF (Googled it!), so can you provide a bit of detail and cost?

I'm still looking for a good, reliable, honest tint shop in South Broward/North Dade, so if anyone has a recommendation, please chime in. THANKS.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by Grandie

Westside Guy: I'm not too far from Hallandale Beach, so might you share the name of the shop you are referring to? I assume you would highly recommend them, right?
BTW, I'm also not familiar with Xpel PPF (Googled it!), so can you provide a bit of detail and cost?

I'm still looking for a good, reliable, honest tint shop in South Broward/North Dade, so if anyone has a recommendation, please chime in. THANKS.

You don't want to come all the way up to Boca lol?

[cbpip]

Need use ceramic tints, much better quality and life span with whoever installs it. For front windshield have this installed, it is nearly invisible as a tint and will save your dash and lower internal Temps considerably. The entire windshield should be tinted , and no one will be able to tell it has been tinted if done correctly :

https://www.forcefieldfilm.com/lluma...ndshield-film/

[bvrider1]

No one follows this and law enforcement doesn't care.

I am on the west side and I would guess about 30% off cars have tint on the front windows and even on the windshield.

I use to ride motorcycles and I would use people's heads to determine if they see me. With tinted windows, I never knew.

Originally Posted by Piper1

Better than Michigan laws. Any darkness can be used on back and rear sides. Front windshield and front sides max is 4” from the top of glass in any darkness. Never in my life have I seen anyone only tint the top 4” of the side glass.

[to_riffic]

I have Prestige Spectra PhotoSync 70 F/R, 55 on the sides.

98% IRR blocking and 99% UV

[Namelss]

I had Spectra PhotoSync 35% all around with clear Solar Gard on the windshield on my last car. Highly recommend Prestige tint. I’m going to call the shop tomorrow and get a quote for my new M5.

I’m also considering Autobahn i3 ceramic if anyone has any opinions on that.

[Grandie]

@DocL...LOL. Yes, I can go 'all the way' to Boca ;-). Just concerned a bit because you said the tint shop was recently sold. I saw many great 'older' reviews online, but nothing of late. Do you know the new owner???

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Grandie

Westside Guy: I'm not too far from Hallandale Beach, so might you share the name of the shop you are referring to? I assume you would highly recommend them, right?
BTW, I'm also not familiar with Xpel PPF (Googled it!), so can you provide a bit of detail and cost?

I'm still looking for a good, reliable, honest tint shop in South Broward/North Dade, so if anyone has a recommendation, please chime in. THANKS.

I tried to send you a private message with the information but you have that feature disabled in your settings.

Call Custom Wrap design which is located at 1962 NE. 151st St. North Miami. Ask for Rivan who is one of the owners and tell him you were referred by one of his favorite customers who owns a bright blue Z4 that he put both PPF and ceramic coating on.

If you want any additional information please enable the private messaging feature in your settings.
Good luck!

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by DocL

You don't want to come all the way up to Boca lol?

Not from Kendall.

[based_novaM3]

I lived in South Florida for a while, tint is crucial. The way the roads are lit pretty well, it makes it easy to drive at night with tint than up north. I had 5% (limo dark) tint on mine and never had an issue with police even if i pulled up right next to them. 20% is what i would recommend, just slightly darker than legal, but usually if you want to keep it legal you'll have to go up to 35%

If heat is a main concern, there is a clear tint they can put on your windshield that blocks the heat but not the light, i was skeptical but got it done, and it worked pretty amazing, so maybe ask about that. I forget what it was called.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by Grandie

@DocL...LOL. Yes, I can go 'all the way' to Boca ;-). Just concerned a bit because you said the tint shop was recently sold. I saw many great 'older' reviews online, but nothing of late. Do you know the new owner???

The new guy has done work for me and friends of mine. He is very detail oriented. However it is a bit of a drive for you. I'm sure there are good places down there.

[Grandie]

Thanks to you all. Such amazing advice and direction! Very appreciative ;-)

[Grandie]

@DocL: Just an FYI that I have to await my account upgrade to receive a PM ;-(. I do thank you for the great advice...

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Grandie

@DocL: Just an FYI that I have to await my account upgrade to receive a PM ;-(. I do thank you for the great advice...

FYI, I believe that you can enable private messages at any time in your user settings.