Tinted Windows

[minisme]

Just orderd an S. I couldn't find out any information about tinted windows. Is that a factory option or a dealer option?

[Olly.]

i think it's a factory option as the windows are smoked rather than having a film applied. Can't be sure on this as I have aftermarket tints.

Welcome to MINI2

[Irlmin]

'Dark windows' are a factory option and are available on the rear side and rear windows otherwise 'aftermarket' tinting is available many posts on this subject do a search .
Gerard

[bards]

I had a look into this, had ordered tinted glass on my mcs, you just get the rear windows tinted with the factory option. I was going to get the front side windows done to match with film, but due to new laws regarding window tinting i have cancelled the bmw tinted glass and am going to get the whole car done with film... that way if i get asked to remove it i will not just have the rear windows tinted.

Hope this helps!


Nick

[minisme]

Are you happy with the after market tints? I assume they are film?

[bards]

Just to add to what I said earlier, my dad has his mcs tinted with film, and the results are very good. The only thing that lets it down is the bobbles on the back side windows tend to cause the film to bubble ever so slightly.

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by minisme

Are you happy with the after market tints? I assume they are film?

Very happy yes. I had Pentagon Auto Tints in bristol do them.

They are a worldwide tinting company and are superb

I did pay a lot more to have them done professionaly though. about £330 from memory, worth every penny though.

Only trouble is the fronts are no illegal, i'm not particuarly bothered by this and would have the fronts tinted when I get my new car in September (ish )

Just in case any one asks I have no affiliation with Pentagon

Hope this helps

[Robert Stancliff]

I don't think this is an option in the USA, if it was I would have gotten it. I would much prefer the factory tint even if the front windows weren't tinted at all. As it is, I had all 5 windows tinted at 35%.

[Alan W]

I ordered my MCS with the factory tinted rear window option at £100, if I remember correctly, and have had Pentagon tint the front 2 side windows with Light Smoke film. The Pentagon bill was £94, making the total cost only £194. With the Light Smoke on the front windows I should avoid any problems with the police and the rear windows look superb.

Alan W

P.S. The photo below shows the factory dark rear glass but was taken before I had the front windows done.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Robert Stancliff

I don't think this is an option in the USA, if it was I would have gotten it. I would much prefer the factory tint even if the front windows weren't tinted at all. As it is, I had all 5 windows tinted at 35%.

Quite Right due to the way the law on tinted windows varies from state they do not offer it as an option here.... aftermarket or nothing for us.

I have been considering these folks as their product does by far the best heat control so far... Any MINI2 users of it yet?
http://huperoptikusa.com/products_ceramic.cfm
They are a German company... and while the web page shows use in buildings the ceramic film was developed for cars

[speacock]

I have the Huper Optik Ceramic 40 installed on five windows. Total cost was $420 installed.

The amount of heat reduction is noticable yet the 40% gives just the right look IMHO. There is a slight halo effect around the rear window defroster wires if you look closely and the natural sunroof tint is a little more purplish than the Huper but nothing objectional.

I'm aware that front window tint is illegal in California but I'm willing to risk it. I've actually gotten pulled over three times in my previous car with tinted front windows and the officers never bothered me about it.

The main page has specs

I'll try to post pictures after my car is clean.

Sean

[bryfliesme]

Quote: Originally Posted by speacock

I have the Huper Optik Ceramic 40 installed on five windows. Total cost was $420 installed.

The amount of heat reduction is noticable yet the 40% gives just the right look IMHO. There is a slight halo effect around the rear window defroster wires if you look closely and the natural sunroof tint is a little more purplish than the Huper but nothing objectional.

I'm aware that front window tint is illegal in California but I'm willing to risk it. I've actually gotten pulled over three times in my previous car with tinted front windows and the officers never bothered me about it.

The main page has specs

I'll try to post pictures after my car is clean.

Sean

Sean, did you install or have someone do it? I am up north from you and an interested in tinting also.
Thanks!

[bryfliesme]

Quote: Originally Posted by Windshadow

Quite Right due to the way the law on tinted windows varies from state they do not offer it as an option here.... aftermarket or nothing for us.

I have been considering these folks as their product does by far the best heat control so far... Any MINI2 users of it yet?
http://huperoptikusa.com/products_ceramic.cfm
They are a German company... and while the web page shows use in buildings the ceramic film was developed for cars

Thanks for the link, I am looking into this product!

[speacock]

Quote: Originally Posted by bryfliesme

Sean, did you install or have someone do it? I am up north from you and an interested in tinting also.
Thanks!

I had it professionally installed. There were only two Huper dealers in the LA area. The one I chose was:

Hann Kim
STM
2464 W. Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
B 323.732.9100
C 213.216.8087

According to the tint shop the ceramic film is a lot stiffer and more difficult to install than the normal films. Fortunately the MINI doesn't have a lot of compound curves.

Here is a picture I had previously posted that shows the tint although not well.



Also here is a picture of a G35 that was emailed to me by the tint shop:

G35 w/ Huper Optik 40 (500K image)

Sean

[Windshadow]

Have you used it in high heat conditions yet? does it really help with the AC load and effectiveness?