Window tints - retrofit factory glass?

[CitizenKane]

Hello

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I couldn’t see one more suited!

Does anyone know if it’s possible to retrofit factory tinted/privacy glass to our cars (W204 in my case)? I’ve gotten aftermarket tint film on a few cars including my current one and I always find it looks terrible, because of the gap it leaves around the edge of the “dot matrix” on the rear quarters and rear window. I know some aftermarket tints are better than others but I’ve never seen any that can actually avoid this dot matrix issue.

The only alternative solution I can think of would be to try to get factory tinted / privacy glass retrofitted (the same glass that would’ve come on the car had privacy glass been fitted as a factory option), but I don’t know if anyone would do this (main dealer or otherwise) and if it would still be possible to acquire such glass for a W204.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks

 

[Doodle]

Any proper auto glass supplier should be able to get it (OE or OEM equivalent), but it won't be cheap; expect a bill several times the cost of a good tint job.

 

[Londonscottish]

You'd be best buying the glass s/h then finding someone to fit it. It won't be cheap, though.

I had a random look on eBay for E Class glass - £55 for the read passenger door glass and £50 for quarterlight. So that's £200 just for the doors. I saw a rear side glass for £130 and rear hatch for £80. So £540 for that lot. Plus fitting.

 

[CitizenKane]

Thanks for the responses. I’m not worried about the cost, within reason, but my bigger concern is whether this glass is still available. I’ve had a look on eBay and can see some factory tinted glass for the coupe, but can’t find much for the saloon. Now that I think of it, was privacy glass even an option for the W204? I’m not sure I’ve ever actually seen one with it, at least a non-C63.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Thanks for the responses. I’m not worried about the cost, within reason, but my bigger concern is whether this glass is still available. I’ve had a look on eBay and can see some factory tinted glass for the coupe, but can’t find much for the saloon. Now that I think of it, was privacy glass even an option for the W204? I’m not sure I’ve ever actually seen one with it, at least a non-C63.

It certainly was an option on the S204; not sure about the saloon.

 

[Teego]

Start scouring the breakers. Then get a bodyshop to fit them.

 

[markjay]

Option 840 Privacy Glass for W204 was an option for the Estate only.

 

[CitizenKane]

Thanks all. Seems a bit strange that it was an option for the estate only. Is that also true of the C63? I was certain I’d seen those with privacy glass before but maybe I’m wrong.

I have my car in with MB for some work in a few days so I’ll ask them about it anyway in case I’m missing something.

 

[whitenemesis]

I had privacy tint added to our Alhambra and the company removed the glass from the doors and rear quarter (opening) windows. There was no gap where the dot matrix was on the fixed rear tailgate window. It was impossible to tell it was film and not dark glass. It wasn't cheap because of the time taken.
I guess one needs to find a company that does the job to your satisfaction, best to check evidence of their work. They often have a gallery of works performed.

 

[markjay]

Thanks all. Seems a bit strange that it was an option for the estate only. Is that also true of the C63? I was certain I’d seen those with privacy glass before but maybe I’m wrong.

I have my car in with MB for some work in a few days so I’ll ask them about it anyway in case I’m missing something.

There's no practical reason for having dark tint on the rear windows of a saloon car, not in UK climate, anyway, unless you run a VIP taxi service.

The reason that this was offered as an option for Estate cars, is to hide the contents of the boot when the luggage left in the back it too bulky to be covered by the contracting parcel shelf.

At some point, dark tint became fashionable as an aesthetic mod, nothing wrong with it however manufacturers did not see this becoming at the time, it took a while before they realised it was trendy beyond the practical application and started offering this on more cars.

 

[ALFAitalia]

We used to call it "ugly kid glass" in the trade!!!

 

[BTB 500]

To me it always seemed a great way of making your expensive car look like a van

 

[ALFAitalia]

The non matching glass gets my OCD twitching..... slightly darker tint is OK..... but the black stuff?.....nah.

 

[SpikyMikey]

To me it always seemed a great way of making your expensive car look like a van

View attachment 154262

You have to admit though, that middle one is a good looking van

 

[Petrol Pete]

You have to admit though, that middle one is a good looking van....

Look is completely ruined by murdering out the rear windows , totally messes up the lines of the car . Just my opinion. I have owned about 6 estate cars , not one has had the rears tinted, it's a horrible look .

But each to their own.

Disclaimer : SWMBO ancient Zafira has rear tints (not limo) ...but it's fugly from birth so it's difficult to make it look any worse