[s_a_i_n_t]

Hello everyone,
A newbie to the BMW group , I am looking to tint my X7 to a 40% tint all round. I have seen quite a few threads where folks have already done that .

My question is that from this site it looks like there is a "instrument panel dimming" issue with a few BMWs (i have not seen a X7 owner commenting) but i wanted to ask the folks who have tinted their X7 2021 models onwards have they experienced this issue where the dashboards dims out the moment you roll up your tinted windows?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated . Thank you !
Reference thread
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1823476

[MystroX5]

I can’t see how tinting the front wont interfere with the interior light sensor in giving a proper adjustment. It’s always going to think it’s dark outside.

[thenew3]

I have 80% on windshield, 50% on front windows, 35% on all other glass including sunroof.
I don't notice any dash board dimming with windows up or down.

[Phasers]

I did 20% on front, added 70% to the privacy glass in the rear (bringing it to about 15% overall, but with good heat / UV rejection). Zero issues with dash dimming.

I am debating if I do a 90% on the windshield. Didn’t bother with the sunroof since it is either open all the way, or closed all the way during the day. The only time the glass is visible without being open is at night.

[jcarlilesiu]

Originally Posted by s_a_i_n_t

Hello everyone,
A newbie to the BMW group , I am looking to tint my X7 to a 40% tint all round. I have seen quite a few threads where folks have already done that .

My question is that from this site it looks like there is a "instrument panel dimming" issue with a few BMWs (i have not seen a X7 owner commenting) but i wanted to ask the folks who have tinted their X7 2021 models onwards have they experienced this issue where the dashboards dims out the moment you roll up your tinted windows?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated . Thank you !
Reference thread
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1823476

Yes. This occurs. The sensor for the ambient light is in the instrument cluster. After tinting front windows the displays are dimmer with no way to override. Open the windows and they get brighter slowly.

Unfortunate. Would be a nice mod to override.

[jmciver]

As was posted above, this "phenomenon" does occur, but it seems YMMV based on the responses of several X7 owners. My windshield is tinted 70%, my two front side windows are tinted 40%, and my sunroof is tinted 70% - all 3M Crystaline tint to help with heat rejection. I have not experienced any significant or noteworthy dimming of my dash during the day. What slight dimming I did finally notice I would never have noticed if I were not specifically looking for it (as a result of people posting this issue on the forums). But I can "manually" make my dash dim by putting my hand over the sensor so this issue is clearly something. But it is hard to pin down exactly what are the optimum conditions and/or items (like type of tint) that is causing it given the varying reports of its occurrence.

[s_a_i_n_t]

Thank you everyone for the valuable inputs. I am planning to get the same 40% tint- 3M crystalline as well. I am still thinking between 40% and 50% as the latter is only around 4% less TSER and 11% less glare but i might not have the dimming issue perhaps.

[Wild Blue]

This is what I have on my MY2021 M50i windows. I do not have a problem with dash dimming.

XPEL XR PLUS (up to 98% IR Heat Rejection, SPF1000, 99% UV Rejection, Lifetime Warrantied) Window Tint,
SUV-XL 15/35/80 & Installation onto 2 Front Door Windows, 2 Rear Door Windows, 2 Rear Quarter Windows, &
Rear Windshield
XPEL XR PLUS Window Tint- Front
Windshield

XPEL XR Plus (up to 98% IR Heat Rejection, SPF1000, 99% UV Rejection, Lifetime Warrantied) 70VLT Ceramic
Window Tint & Installation onto the Front Windshield

[Cocogrey1985]

Originally Posted by s_a_i_n_t

Hello everyone,
A newbie to the BMW group , I am looking to tint my X7 to a 40% tint all round. I have seen quite a few threads where folks have already done that .

My question is that from this site it looks like there is a "instrument panel dimming" issue with a few BMWs (i have not seen a X7 owner commenting) but i wanted to ask the folks who have tinted their X7 2021 models onwards have they experienced this issue where the dashboards dims out the moment you roll up your tinted windows?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated . Thank you !
Reference thread
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1823476

Yup. I had this issue with mine when I tinted my windows. I posted about it a few months ago. I tested the issue by shining a small book light on the dash and it immediately brightened up, same as when I roll my windows down. I decided to not remove the tint because my eyes have adjusted to it, although I might feel differently in the winter months when I can't roll the windows down due to inclement weather. I'll take a two pictures to show the difference in a few mins.

[25X740i]

Curious if anyone who has tinted their windshield is from Texas. Considering Llumar Air 90, but curious about how you’ve handled the registration sticker on the windshield. Are you leaving an area uncoated for it or putting the sticker on top of the tint film? If so, how are you managing your annual sticker changes? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by 25X740i

Curious if anyone who has tinted their windshield is from Texas. Considering Llumar Air 90, but curious about how you’ve handled the registration sticker on the windshield. Are you leaving an area uncoated for it or putting the sticker on top of the tint film? If so, how are you managing your annual sticker changes? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

im from a state that requires inspection and registration on the windshield. i have my registration/inspection sticker stuck on clear vinyl that static clings to the glass.
as long as the tint is legal in front, the inspector shouldnt give you a hard time, just ask for them to put the sticker onto the clear vinyl because you have clear film.
https://www.amazon.com/Windshield-St...9QGFMDN3/?th=1
AIR80 meters at 73% VLT on my car so im pretty sure AIR90 will be fine on yours.

[25X740i]

Awesome! I didn’t think of that. Any specific vinyl film you’re using? Appreciate the info!

[25X740i]

Sorry, didn’t see the link at first. Thanks again!

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by Phasers

I did 20% on front, added 70% to the privacy glass in the rear (bringing it to about 15% overall, but with good heat / UV rejection). Zero issues with dash dimming.

I am debating if I do a 90% on the windshield. Didn’t bother with the sunroof since it is either open all the way, or closed all the way during the day. The only time the glass is visible without being open is at night.

Updating my old old post.

I ended up doing 70% on the windshield with no issues on both my '22 X7 and my '24 X7. No issues with dimming.

On my '24 X5 I ended up doing 70% windshield, 70% on the "skylounge" sunroof, 50% on top of the privacy glass in the rear/back, and and 15% on the front windows. No issues with dimming on this one either.

[SirPatrone]

Originally Posted by Phasers

Updating my old old post.

I ended up doing 70% on the windshield with no issues on both my '22 X7 and my '24 X7. No issues with dimming.

On my '24 X5 I ended up doing 70% windshield, 70% on the "skylounge" sunroof, 50% on top of the privacy glass in the rear/back, and and 15% on the front windows. No issues with dimming on this one either.

Interested to know if there were any effects, positive or negative, to how the skylounge looks after tinting

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by SirPatrone

Interested to know if there were any effects, positive or negative, to how the skylounge looks after tinting

Positive: Texas heat transfer is noticeably lessened. Sometimes I have to adjust the AC because I get cold.

Negatives: None (seriously, you can barely tell it's there). Maybe some slight reduction in the brightness of the LEDs but they are still plenty bright.

[SirPatrone]

Thanks, I know 70% is pretty light, but I wonder what would happen if you went to 25% or below

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by SirPatrone

Thanks, I know 70% is pretty light, but I wonder what would happen if you went to 25% or below

You'd block a lot more visible light. This can become an issue at night with visibility.

Wouldn't block any more heat or infrared, as the level of darkness doesn't correlate.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by SirPatrone

Thanks, I know 70% is pretty light, but I wonder what would happen if you went to 25% or below

on the skylounge? i believe once you get below 50 it gets harder and harder to see. at 25 i think you wouldnt see anything. IIRC, the skylounge is lights from the frame of the sunroof being made visible by dots on the glass. the darker the tint, the less you will see.

and darker =/= heat rejection. making the tint twice as dark ( VLT 70 -> 35) only increases TSER by 7%

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by SirPatrone

Thanks, I know 70% is pretty light, but I wonder what would happen if you went to 25% or below

I tested various shades of tint from 70% down to 5%. I settled with 35%. Anything darker would basically render the led's useless.

[SirPatrone]

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!

[Madsen203]

How is it with 40% on the windshield? I have 50% on my Tesla but with the exposed roof, it gives off perception of more light than with a sunshade.

40% on the front side windows doesn’t seem bad except trying to use auto dimming mirrors at night when reversing in the dark.