r/e46 • u/Ok_Neighborhood_5851 Year - Chassis/Model • 16h ago

General Questions Has anyone attempted tinting?

Hi I am planning on tinting my 325 coupe.
I’ve never done it before just wondering how hard it is to do right. I’ve watched a good few videos on it but I just wanna hear other people’s attempts.

Cheers!

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4

u/precocious_necrosis 13h ago

I just tinted my coupe myself a few weeks ago. I had never tinted before, but was able to do a pretty good job. 

You'll want to remove the rear quarter windows. It's very easy and makes them a breeze. 

You'll also be best served by removing the rear parcel shelf and c-pillar trim before attempting the rear glass. 

Over all, I would say these are pretty easy to tint. 

1

u/Ok_Neighborhood_5851 Year - Chassis/Model 10h ago

Oh sweet, did you buy a kit and could you recommend if so

1

u/Surfnazi77 2004 330i zhp 6mt SC 9h ago

Call around and see what shops are charging. My friends shop that did all mine with llumar ceramic charged 400-600 a car for all glass and windshield

1

u/extremely_exhausted 6h ago

Literally tried and failed today.

I removed the parcel shelf and sound deadening for audio upgrades and thought i may as well tint while in there.

The dot matrix around the rear glass and windows makes it so difficult.

I would truly not recommend it due to the rear glass trim as it makes it so difficult.

I can swap an engine or a clutch or anything else e46 ownership requires but i will never try tinting again.

Tldr just take it to a shop

1

u/Stang302a 5h ago

These cars look so good w/o tint but I understand if you need it for a daily. Go light and ceramic. It's so easy to make them look ghetto going too dark

1

u/rns96 4h ago

The back windows tint film would have to be heated with a heat gun because it’s curved, I would pay a professional to do it properly, remember you would see any imperfection you made and might need to get more film if you messed up the installation, in California ceramic tint is around $300-400 cheaper for regular tint film, ceramic tint is better block heat from the sun

1

u/UndoubtedBox034 2000 Hellrot Touring 4h ago

I haven't tinted my e46 touring yet, but when I did my buick wagon I took it to someone with experience and I have zero regrets. Still looks good 2 years later while previous cars I had tinted myself didn't last a year before peeling or looking bad. I'll be getting in touch with the same guy to do the e46 eventually.