I agree, you should go with the same tint all the way around... The law here in Florida says 35% is the darkest, I say **** the police lol... I went with 20% all the way around... Looks HOT on my DS/B... Isn't too dark, isn't too light, just right IMO... My bro has 5% on his black A4... It's a PITA to drive at night...

Like F15EWEAPON said, cop lights will shine right through. I've been pulled over twice already for too much motoring and the cops haven't given me any problems. You shouldn't worry about it as to them, all tints look the same and they couldn't prove you have 20% or 35% anyways...

 

I dont think it looks bad having different. I am planning on doing 28 in the rear and 38 on the doors.

 

Yet another vote for event tint all around.

Mine is 35% (legal limit in Oregon)

 

Thanks everyone who responded.

However, I am still undecided. Now when I drive I no longer look for just minis, but all cars tints! :impatient It is making me crazy as I drive.

I still like dark tints, and a lot of people here in AZ tend to have illegal tints, espc. range rovers, bmw's and benzos.

I just don't want the light 35% in the rear. So I will probably go 20% rear 35% front anyway. Many cars here have the gradation and I think it looks fine.

I may have them done illegally, but after spending last saturday in traffic school, I never want to deal with a ticket/fine again.

 

just did 35% all around and I think it is more than enough for the mini ... makes it look really great at night especially

 

I'm loving my 35% all around. We hit 100 degrees on a sunny day yesterday here in Dallas and it did just fine.

I'm also loving the 8% limo tint I had put on the sunroofs! That was the best $40 I ever spent!

 

Here in Ohio, 50% all around (except windshield) is the legal limit, but on one of our previous cars, a Volvo 240 Wagon, I went 50% in the front door windows, and 35% on the back five windows. It didn't look bad at all, and no-one ever said anything negative about it. Since more light will come in through the untinted windshield, even tint all around looks a little uneven at certain angles because the front of the interior looks lighter than the back. I'll eventually go 50% all around on our Mini, partly to stay legal, and partly to allow decent rear visibilty. 90% of the time I drive my car is after dark, and visibility out the back is a high priority.

-Keith

 

Yea, 50% What kinda crap is that!? When I get a MINI I'll probably go 25-30% all around.

 

Just remeber, ohio sucks!

I had 28 on the sides of my last car, only got a ticket for it once (was pulled over more than once with it on). I saw a MINI this weekend(MINI Meet) with 50% it looked nice. Think I will go that way. Less attention from cops the better.

 

I just got tinted 20 on all windows except the sunroof, I absolutely love it. My friend knows the owner at the shop, and cut me a deal on the more expensive film, which is basically more metallic and is really reflective outside and easy to see through up close. I just went on a road trip from NorCal to SoCal and back, sometimes driving in pitch black, and this tint lets you see through it perfectly at night. I've had a motorcycle cop right next to me for a few miles on the freeway, and he didn't even flinch, although that was LA and just about everyone there has some kind of tint, legal or not.

Just wanted to toss my vote in there for 20%, I was even asked by a guy what tint I was getting at the shop, he told me his friend had a JCW MCS and was lookin for a tint too.

 

Hi Muggy,

What is the name of the film did you put on and how much is it?
I am looking for a tint which I can through it better at nite.
Thanks in advance!!

 

let me just say i don' thave tint all around and am going to change that......

 

IMHO, I have to agree with everyone that the same all around looks the best and that's what I am getting done next week. I will try to post some before & after pics then.

 

I just got 35% (3M CS) all the way around. I wish I had gone with 50% instead. My back window is one piece. Make sure you get a color stable tint, unless you like purple.

 

I got Johnson Windows Film Executive series, they come in 15%, 21%, 36% and one more I think.

The tint place I went to quoted me 115 for their regular tint for an MCS, and when I got there I asked about the Executive series tint. They quoted me 160, but I only had 140 on me so the guy asked the owner. Owner said 140 was cool, so they installed it. Later the owner rang me up, and we talked a bit about it as he knew my friend and had seen me before, two other friends of mine had gotten tint there. He rang me up as 120, I didn't argue.

Johnson window tint is one of the better films that's still affordable, the most expensive films usually are the really light kind that offer the same UV protection.

More info about Johnson Window film here:

http://www.johnsonwindowfilms.com/AUTO.php

 

You know, I have a theory that the light coming through the sunroof helps with the tint - meaning the added light inside from above makes the windows appear less blacked out from the outside then if there was no sunroof and thus is not noticed as much by law enforcement. It goes with my other theory that a light or colored in interior helps vs all black for the same reason, making the interior appear lighter and tint less obvious. Knock on wood anyway, I've heard of people getting tickets for it and that would kill me, I'm so pale I'd die w/o tint

 

Why do you wish you went 50%? Too dark?

 

Hi Muggy,

Thanks for the info!! Could you tell me the store name and address?
I am living in San Jose, so I can get the tint on that store too!!
Thanks!!

 

I was on a road trip to LA, and got tinted at California Tint. I've been to a few places in the Bay Area, and they're kind of expensive. I even have a friend whose parents own a shop, and it cost quite a bit, but they had a larger selection of films. Sorry I don't know any good hookups for the Bay, that's why I got it done when I went down south. Here's the address if you're ever there.

California Tint Alarms Auto

4325 Rosemead Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770-1472
(626) 287-2321

 

I did the 35% on the two windows that go up and down

Then I did 20% on the other three windows

In this shot you cannot see it




In this shot you can clearly see the difference

 

Hi Muggy,

No wonder why your price is much lower than most tint shops quote me in
bay area. I thought you got it done in around sunnyvale! Anyway, thanks a lot for you info!!!

 

In the car, I think 35% is fine, but I haven't driven at night yet. I just think it would look better to me if it was a little lighter with PS/B. To me, Mr. Mini has lost his overall contrast.

I like the look of the GP. I am replacing the mirror caps with RED to gain back contrast, but haven't found a set that is already red....

 

Ummmm Ohio does suck....BUT at least we can still mod our cars and do whatever we want...unlike CA where you can't even have an aftermarket intake....
Oh and btw: I'm going to become a cop! I'm starting my schooling next year (August). Can't wait!
-Cody

 

Very true we can still mod.

Well please rememebr, im nice.

 

Not to sound like a broken record, but if you apply 50% tint to your MINI, it will not be legal. The factory windows are tinted at about 80%, so you have to multiply that by whatever tint you are buying to find out the cumulative effect. 50% tint will test at around 40% if you ever get nabbed.