[rjabend]

From other posts, reports are that the subject is very effective. I am not at all familiar with the products or whether DIY or Professional installation is the best way to go. I would appreciate installation method and product recommendations. Thanks.

[Brigitte]

Originally Posted by rjabend

From other posts, reports are that the subject is very effective. I am not at all familiar with the products or whether DIY or Professional installation is the best way to go. I would appreciate installation method and product recommendations. Thanks.

I'm also interested in this subject!

[LeKayz]

If you get ceramic tint i would also get front windshield like maybe 70% in front. I made the mistake on my audi on ceramic tint, i got all windows ceramic tinted except windshield. Now when its really hot i can feel the heat from only the front windshield lol. Likely when I time to do front as well.

[Brigitte]

Originally Posted by LeKayz

If you get ceramic tint i would also get front windshield like maybe 70% in front. I made the mistake on my audi on ceramic tint, i got all windows ceramic tinted except windshield. Now when its really hot i can feel the heat from only the front windshield lol. Likely when I time to do front as well.

I think there are some legal requirements as to the percentage to allow light. Each state is different...

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by Brigitte

I think there are some legal requirements as to the percentage to allow light. Each state is different...

Thanks. You are correct. FL doesn't allow windshield tinting.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by rjabend

Thanks. You are correct. FL doesn't allow windshield tinting.

Do 90%. It's practically invisible to the naked eye. I did it for a family member in Miami and they haven't had any issues.

[jabbarjd]

I echo getting ceramic at the darkest legal %, and add that I've noticed a marked difference since I tinted the windshield (80%). It's practically invisible like Phasers said. I'm in Central Texas where we haven't had a high temp below triple digits in I can't even remember how long, and with remote start, a Heat Shield sun shade, and ceramic tint, I've stayed cool with my black leather interior. I also don't have ventilated seats and don't feel like I need them. I had ventilated seats in my X5 and never turned them on because they just made me hotter.

Only thing I will add is that I want to get the panoramic roof tinted as well. I don't have the panoramic sky lounge, so it would make sense for me. Not sure I would get it done if I had it.

[Brinkley77]

Great thread. Thanks for starting it. I called Expel and they have a life time warranty. I plan on getting the all the windows tinted (we have sky lounge). If you are in Texas you can can go past legal limits with a Doctors permit.

[Orient330iNYC]

tinting is not DIY.

recommend doing all the rear windows plus the pano. the rear glass is tinted, but doesnt have the best IR/heat rejection. its ok, but
I did 70% on the pano and rear glass ( doors, rear D pillar and rear windshield)
added bonus on the pano is that if the glass ever cracks, you wont be showered in bits of glass.

I'm getting the windshield done in 80% in a few weeks.
front i have 45%. i used to do darker, but im getting old and its a pain to see out at night with the 30% i used to do.

Xpel XR is fine on the pano and the rear windows, its enough to push the IR rejection from 93% to 99%

front might want to do in XR Plus- XR will push it from 78 -> 95, XR Plus will get you to 99%

[JJacksonIII]

Do we know what levels of tint come on the X7 from the factory?

[3to5toX5toX7]

Another question on this thread, on the X5/X7 can the tinting be done without removing the door panels? I just had my 2024 X5 done, and I found out they removed the door panels to do the install. I have a X7 on order, and I don't like the thought of these being removed. Just curious if anyone has forced the issue on this and if they were happy with the result without removing the panels.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by JJacksonIII

Do we know what levels of tint come on the X7 from the factory?

yup
the tinted side glass and front windows should be the same as this. my meter cant read the pano or the windshield, but the roof is single pane tinted (vs the tinted rears that are laminated) so my guess would be the roof is rejecting less IR, but similiar VLT.

[Orient330iNYC]

this is after, 45% xpel XR on the front, 70% Xpel XR on the rear

[JJacksonIII]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

this is after, 45% xpel XR on the front, 70% Xpel XR on the rear

You are da man. Thanks for this!

[Phasers]

I echo adding 70% to the rears and back glass. It makes it about 15-20% equivalent when factoring in the dye from the factory, and also provides much better heat (IRR) and UV rejection.

[eudjinn]

one of my favorite topics. i have extensive experience with having my cars tinted over the past 15 years.

For my 2024 x7, I went with XPEL XR plus for maximum IR heat rejection.

Full disclosure, I have a medical exemption, but believe it or not, even with that, I have gotten into arguments with Sargeants who pulled me over regarding tint.

Anyway, I recommend doing every window possible for maximum effect. You do not have to go dark in order to get the UVA/UVB ray blockage as well as the IR heat rejection. Darkness only offers privacy.

I personally do value privacy so I went with 55% on the windshield (have had 45% on my previous car and find that is too dark at night in the rain), 15% front driver/passenger and 15% on top of the factory privacy glass on every other window moving toward the back. Keep in mind that the "factory tint" is not tint, it is factory smoked glass and offers NO UVA/UVB or IR heat rejection benefits. You must place a layer of film (even if not dark) for that.

I also do have sky lounge and went with 55% on both roofs (2nd row pano and 3rd row). It is perfect % just a little shade, but you can still see everything clear during the day but protects from the heat and harmful rays.

No regrets whatsoever on this particular set up and I find it to be the perfect combination for me.

If you want all the benefits of film, but none of the darkness / decrease in driving visibility - XPEL xr plus does have 80% which is invisible to the naked eye. You can put that on every window and nobody will know it's there besides you.

Hope that helps

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by baca8302

Another question on this thread, on the X5/X7 can the tinting be done without removing the door panels? I just had my 2024 X5 done, and I found out they removed the door panels to do the install. I have a X7 on order, and I don't like the thought of these being removed. Just curious if anyone has forced the issue on this and if they were happy with the result without removing the panels.

either remove the panels or the tops need to be pulled back- otherwise the installer cant get the tint to go under the seals and you'll end up with peeling.
pulling the panels isnt a huge deal, i did it to replace the speakers, all of the locking pins are self locking, they just need to be reset before replacing the panel and they will lock into place just fine. they arent the old style friction fit locking pins that are really one use and get loose after being removed once

[Saejin]

Same here...tint all my cars as well.

For the X7, we did the following:
Llumar IRX 15% on the two front windows
Llumar IRX 30% on all other windows
Llumar Air 80 on the windshield and both sunroof

Pics attached. Looks pretty dark in the photos while the x7 is parked in my garage. But from the inside looking out, visibility is fine, even at night.

Now, tint the front two this dark at your own risk. There's no law for the rears. Can be used to pull you over or as an additional fine if you get pulled over for something else.
The windshield is pretty clear...the only reason it looks so dark is it's inside the garage and this was the same day we brought it home after tinting.
Also, in TX, you need to pass a vehicle inspection, although they are getting rid of that here soon. They do check window tint.

I've done most of my cars this dark and have not had any issues.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by eudjinn

Keep in mind that the "factory tint" is not tint, it is factory smoked glass and offers NO UVA/UVB or IR heat rejection benefits. You must place a layer of film (even if not dark) for that.

the factory glass on the X7 blocks out near 100% of the UV front and rear (see my first set of meter pics above)
it also blocks out a decent amount of IR, but definitely room for improvement.
laminated glass will block all UVA and almost all UVB because of the plastic layer between the glass. this is the windshield, and all the side and rear glass
the pano is tempered glass automotive glass that blocks all UVA. unknown how much UVB, but i would put film on that anyway.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by Saejin

Same here...tint all my cars as well.

For the X7, we did the following:
Llumar IRX 15% on the two front windows
Llumar IRX 30% on all other windows
Llumar Air 80 on the windshield and both sunroof

Pics attached. Looks pretty dark in the photos while the x7 is parked in my garage. But from the inside looking out, visibility is fine, even at night.

Now, tint the front two this dark at your own risk. There's no law for the rears. Can be used to pull you over or as an additional fine if you get pulled over for something else.
The windshield is pretty clear...the only reason it looks so dark is it's inside the garage and this was the same day we brought it home after tinting.
Also, in TX, you need to pass a vehicle inspection, although they are getting rid of that here soon. They do check window tint.

I've done most of my cars this dark and have not had any issues.

is the windshield that dark or does it appear that dark because of the sides and roof being dark? how does it look in the daylight?
i'm looking to do xpel XR blue 80 for the windshield and in NYC i dont want it to be that noticeable. already have to deal with stripping the front roll ups yearly to pass inspection.

[Streetdaddy]

I just did 70% on front windshield and it’s pretty light.. can tell but very subtle. Also went 35% on front 2 windows. Used the new scorpion ceramic tint which has almost no low angle haze that plagues most ceramic tint. On my truck at certain times of day it looks like i need to wash my windows( used a different brand but still $$$)

[Brinkley77]

For those that have the dark tint is there any reflections from the ambient light in the inside? If so how bad is it?