i'm not worried about tickets, just visibility. i had 35% on a trooper i used to drive, and really liked it. most of the time i wished i had done those windows darker. but at night if i was looking for an address or a person in a crowd, or reading a sign, i had to roll down the window sometimes to see details. i got used to it, but there was a definite reduction in visual awareness for the driver.

has anybody installed 15% and then wished they had gone lighter?

 

I have never "owned" a car with 15% tint, but have ridden in one. It is extremly hard to see at night. If you don't do a lot of night driving, go for it.

If you drive a lot at night, 25 or 30% is as dark as I would go.

 

I got 20% on mine, and I have a very hard time seeing at night. If there are no street lights or anything, I CANNOT see behind me, period. I wouldn't go any darker then 15%.

-Cody Qwert, why are you not on AIM!?

 

20% is the darkest I've gone. In terms of Texas summer days, I could probably pull the 15% off, but nighttime driving would be an issue. I seemed to do okay with the 20% at night, out in the BFE and the only source of light would be from my car at 3 AM. Actually I just might go ahead and try 15% on my cooper when I can afford it.

 

I have "13%" My regrets? I didn't go darker. I had 20% on my other car I'm selling and that seemed nice, but still too light. My M3 has 35% and that's REALLY light.

5% may be too much, but I have NEVER had a problem with my 20% and the 13% seems perfectly fine. No problems whatsoever. I say go 15% with your car! You wont' regret it!

 

I have no idea what my tints are but I can just tell you how they were.

The first set were basically BLACK looking from the outside. You couldnt really tell at all what was inside. It definetly reduced visibility (and also made it quiet nice and shady inside the car on sunny days).. but I got used to it. At night time everything was extremely dark, but I was totally used to it, not a problem.

Then my parents drove my car one night and decided it was way too dark. They had the car retinted to be a little more visible (luckily they payed for the second tint).

The second one you can see through a little bit easier, and visibility is a bit better. Still difficult at night though, but I am used to having that visibility issue.



So I dont know, you get used to it and the look is worth the sacrifice.

 

i'm thinking the 15 is just a little too dark for me. the installer i talked to had 35 and 15; another outfit near me had 20 and 35, but their work didn't look as nice.

i hope to see some other folks cars at MTTS st lou and indy and get a better idea of how the different tints feel from the inside...

 

I did do 15% windshield banner before--- super, super dark. I would never do 15% again. 20% is more liveable. I prefer 35%.

Typically darker = better heat rejection.

I rather spend the extra money on a ceramic-based tint on go 35% and have superior heat rejection than a darked dyed tint.

The metallic based (non-reflective) tints have the best heat rejection, however if you have a V1, then it can affect the rear antenna operation

 

One-D, I'm not sure how PPE views the tint, but in my world, I could care a less about the heat. I got it mainly for looks...call it stupid or whatever, but that was my reasoning. I'm very happy with my 20% tint, the heat reduction is a plus, but not why I got it done.

-Cody