mtnboydl

The previous owner of my car installed some very excellent 20% tint that I have to remove to pass state inspection. 35% is the limit in NC.

A highly respected installer in town does Llumar ceramic and quoted me $320. Another quoted $325 for Suntek ceramic.

Any thoughts? These prices don't include removal of previous tint.

MP4.2+6.0

3M Crystalline and Suntek for me in general. Exact choice depends some on paint color of given vehicle, and I listen to the tint guy's recommendation on the color match since they know product hues. If you are salvaging some existing tint, consider the color matching to that tint as well.

Much lighter for me here in milder CA--50% rear and 70 front sides. CA doesn't allow front sides, but the 70 is hard to even spot from stock and we don't have any inspections besides smog. I also do sunroof these days at least to 70--if a higher performance ceramic. Started doing it with a Mini S with the Pano roof and then the Q5 with the same big roof. Did it on my SWB D4 S8 even with the smaller typical sunroof size. Makes a big difference heat load wise with a ceramic. The factory roof glass is really just tinted darker and maybe rejects uV, but is pretty lousy for the IR heat. I can easily feel difference on my short sleeved arm or hair challenged head.

viggense

I have the 35% ceramic in CA from 3M for $360, if I remember correctly. Makes a huge difference and looks great with the Phantom Black Pearl paint. I had it on my previous A7s, both Moonlight Blue Metallic and have always been really happy with how it looked and its effectiveness. I haven't had any issues with law enforcement (CHP), even when I get pulled over for 'spirited' driving.

mtnboydl

Thanks for weighing in. My car is Glacier White with the panoramic sunroof.

I won't be matching any previous tint due to it all being 20% and I cannot pass the annual inspection.

I immediately felt the heat difference inside the car after pulling the door window tint. Even only having the balao brown interior felt like an oven!

I will check out 3M, but I know the crystalline is VERY pricey and I'm not sure it's worth the difference to me.

MP4.2+6.0

Agreed, and then in turn why Suntek can make sense. I use the 3M more in situations where I want high IR rejection without a deep tint, like front side windows. To balance cost on a prior one, I did a mixed 3M at front sides (70) and Suntek (50) for full rear on D3 W12 and liked the result; a Brilliant black exterior with Amaretto interior. Going on 10 years there, and tint all still in good shape.

lionel clerc

my view at my house lol
this is OEM tint