Window tinting...

[BTB 500]

Yup, the standard factory tint is described as 'heat insulating glass'.

 

[Merc-C180K]

Hmmm I'm still undecided as to weather to tint mine or not.

It looks good but does it look too 'drug dealer-esque' ...?

Who knows...

 

[PaulE230]

If like you were to like think about like what your saying it like doesn't make sense? There is a legal limit regarding tinting for front windows and like windscreens. If you obscure the glass so that like you cannot be seen, then like can you see clearly from within?

It might sound blunt about putting a paper bag over your head,m so if you don't want to be seen driving a Mercedes, then don't drive one?

You sound like someone who is very proud of their wheels and I would suggest a nice subtle tint and be blowed what anyone else thinks.

John

I think it has more to do with "image" and the look of a car with tinted windows.
Not because they are trying to hide their identity.

 

[gurpz]

Me being be would be happy with the blue tint of avantgarde models

 

[PaulE230]

Me being be would be happy with the blue tint of avantgarde models

and me. I like the tint on mine as well, its not as green as you might think

 

[Plodd]

Just a quick point to think about.

When you obtained insurance for the car did you declare any modifications?

Was one of those (if any) your tints?

If you say "yes I told them", I would say you are lying.

Tints are a modification and must be declared. If declared, and you tell them the degree of tint I would be suprised if they will cover you. It would be similar to you telling them you habitually drive with bald tyres.

It's illegal and potentially dangerous.

Do you really want to run the risk of being uninsured due to vanity or "it looks good"?

 

[glojo]

Just a quick point to think about.

When you obtained insurance for the car did you declare any modifications?

Was one of those (if any) your tints?

Definitely food for thought and something that might only get picked up when there is the risk of a big insurance payout.

Could this be game, set and match?

John the party pooper

 

[Adam230K]

If like you were to like think about like what your saying it like doesn't make sense? There is a legal limit regarding tinting for front windows and like windscreens. If you obscure the glass so that like you cannot be seen, then like can you see clearly from within?

It might sound blunt about putting a paper bag over your head,m so if you don't want to be seen driving a Mercedes, then don't drive one?

You sound like someone who is very proud of their wheels and I would suggest a nice subtle tint and be blowed what anyone else thinks.

John

How many times did u use the word "like"?

 

[Adam230K]

Anyway at the moment i'm very strongly leaning towards the Medium Front, and extra dark back tints (of course i want to keep it within the law, darkest is 20% lawfully? right?). I would do this because aparently it keeps the cozzers off yer back, and it does upgrade the overall look of the car (which is my ultimate aim of course)

 

[Dieselman]

Anyway at the moment i'm very strongly leaning towards the Medium Front,

Another couple of beers should see you flat out on your face then...

 

[ET4]

Tints are a bit like like Cliff Richard . . . You either like him or you don't . .

Personally I'm an Elvis fan.

... But if you insist on listening to Cliff, then you can't go wrong with a bit of 'Summer Holiday' . . . .

 

[Dieselman]

(of course i want to keep it within the law, darkest is 20% lawfully? right?). I would do this because aparently it keeps the cozzers off yer back, and it does upgrade the overall look of the car (which is my ultimate aim of course)

The problem is that the standard tint of your tinted glass is within a few percent of the legal limit for tints, so you can't add another 20%, only about 2%.

As I said before I wouldn't do it. You have a nice smart car, just keep it looking good and it won't need tints.

 

[Alfie]

Just a quick point to think about.

When you obtained insurance for the car did you declare any modifications?

Was one of those (if any) your tints?

If you say "yes I told them", I would say you are lying.

Tints are a modification and must be declared. If declared, and you tell them the degree of tint I would be suprised if they will cover you. It would be similar to you telling them you habitually drive with bald tyres.

It's illegal and potentially dangerous.

Do you really want to run the risk of being uninsured due to vanity or "it looks good"?

What is the official position on tints from the B pillar back and the A pillar back?

I have always declared any changes to my cars just so that they cough up for them if I need to claim if nothing else! They didnt increase my premium at all for comand when I explained it was bolted in as if it were from the factory. They mentioned that people who declare Tom Tom;'s get a hike!

 

[Dieselman]

What is the official position on tints from the B pillar back and the A pillar back?

they mentioned that people who declare Tom Tom;'s get a hike!

Isn't it minimum 70% transmittance forward of the B pillar, anything you like rear of it.

That's strange about he Tom Tom because it's not a fixture or modification to the car, it's a personal effect or content of the car.

I suspect for them to cover the cost on the car insurance. I suppose that makes sense as it's a high value, easily removed item, similar to say a camera.

 

[Alfie]

Isn't it minimum 70% transmittance forward of the B pillar, anything you like rear of it.

That's strange about he Tom Tom because it's not a fixture or modification to the car, it's a personal effect or content of the car.

I suspect for them to cover the cost on the car insurance. I suppose that makes sense as it's a high value, easily removed item, similar to say a camera.

I think their concerns were that the presence of one means there is a strong likely hood of at least a window getting smashed and anything else in the car being lifted along with it!

 

[Satch]

If you get pulled then the windows should be tested by either a VOSA operative or an officer with a light meter. If they transmist LESS than 30% visible light an immediate prohibtion notice can be served, fixed penatly notice & points

If they transmit more than 30% but less than 70% then you get a Rectification Notice or a Delayed Prohibition Notice and have 10 days to get the tints removed and have the vehicle reinspected but possible to get a fine/points.

Apart from the obvious safety issue there is a very good reason to strip off illegal tints from front side windows. It is not part of the MoT because all the testing stations would need light meters and moaned about the cost but the Regulations are still there.

So user friendly insurance companies can take the view that since the vehicle is technically unroadworthy the insurance is null and void as well.

 

[Plodd]

If you get pulled then the windows should be tested by either a VOSA operative or an officer with a light meter. If they transmist LESS than 30% visible light an immediate prohibtion notice can be served, fixed penatly notice & points

If they transmit more than 30% but less than 70% then you get a Rectification Notice or a Delayed Prohibition Notice and have 10 days to get the tints removed and have the vehicle reinspected but possible to get a fine/points.

Apart from the obvious safety issue there is a very good reason to strip off illegal tints from front side windows. It is not part of the MoT because all the testing stations would need light meters and moaned about the cost but the Regulations are still there.

So user friendly insurance companies can take the view that since the vehicle is technically unroadworthy the insurance is null and void as well.

Very good and almost right.

No points just a £30 FPN. And a rectification notice would be pointless. As you correctly state it's not part of the MOT test and that's where you take a rectification notice.

Unless you get done for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition which does carry points.

Hadn't thought of this before but I suppose for the really heavy tints it could be proved. Worst I ever checked had a 4% light transmission.

 

[Adam230K]

As I said before I wouldn't do it. You have a nice smart car, just keep it looking good and it won't need tints.

This part i do agree with... it looks smart and sensible (thanks btw), but i cant help but get that sexy picture out of my head that when i see tints on a dark coloured merc with BADASS rims.... i'm confused

The only thing that is tilting me towards not doing it is cuz aparently cream coloured interior looks hot from the outside in.

...help!

 

[glojo]

This part i do agree with... it looks smart and sensible (thanks btw), but i cant help but get that sexy picture out of my head that when i see tints on a dark coloured merc with BADASS rims.... i'm confused

I would definitely go for a freezing cold shower if you get a sexy feeling looking at anything BADASS including a man's rims.

John

 

[GizmoB73]

I recently just had tints put on my wifes E320 Avantgarde. We had one grade below Limo on the back window and a grade below that on the rear passenger windows. Nothing added to the fronts. Graduating it like this makes it less harsh looking between the rear windows and the fronts. Having the back windows almost limo is a great compromise because we can still see out clearly at night if reversing. From the outside it is impossible to see the difference in the tints on the rear window and the sides.

I think it looks great but did it for a few reasons.

a) Just about to have a baby and wanted sun/UV protection without having to use stick-on blinds.

b) When wife is on her own in car (or with baby shortly) she feels more secure.

c) I guess there is less of a chance of glass shattering everywhere in a side impact.

I would certainly do it again if I needed to.