[golf4501]

Originally Posted by MaximumG

I really can't. It's just something I found on the forums. I believe cars destined for the US have it already.

yep after I posted that I did a little more research and it said all cars sold in the US are coded for the option.

[tccox]

Thanks, apparently all USA cars are hot climate versions.

[danimal]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

My window markings match exactly, same name and numbers.

Interesting...from your photo, your windows sure seem to have less factory tint than mine, but maybe it's just the angle of the light and the camera.

So, I took my car to the tint shop today. The tint guy felt pretty confident that the factory tint is just dye, and not likely to help much with UV blocking or heat rejection. It does provide a bit of privacy for the back seats, perhaps, but likely not much else. This also agrees with what I've read on other forums.

So, I decided to go ahead and get 70% SunTek Carbon CXP all around. I'm leaving the windshield untinted for now since it already provides good UV protection. If I notice that the car is not staying cool enough, though, I may go back and have him put 80% on the windshield.

[danimal]

Originally Posted by golf4501

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

This thing is great! Wish I had known about it sooner. My car definitely has the hot climate coding.

[Daddycat]

Picked up my 228i last week and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of factory tint. Was going to leave it that way but after a week of 100-105 degrees think I'll be heading down to the local tint shop. Will keep the interior [slightly] cooler but mostly filter the direct rays hitting ME while I'm driving! Thanks you global warming...

[PrazVT]

So tinting my 2 series has been a pending item for me for a while. My car is black sapphire metallic w/ red interior:



More than the darkening, I want heat rejection. I'm not crazy about blacked out windows. Would doing 70% all around (except windshield) suffice? I live in the SF Bay area, so it does get pretty hot around here.

[chaswyck1]

My wife's 328 came with absolutely no tint whatsoever. It was a fishbowl. My 228 had darker tint on rear windows than the front.

[moldcad]

In EU, "tinted" back and rear windows is a paid option.

[mugenprincess]

Originally Posted by danimal

Interesting...from your photo, your windows sure seem to have less factory tint than mine, but maybe it's just the angle of the light and the camera.

So, I took my car to the tint shop today. The tint guy felt pretty confident that the factory tint is just dye, and not likely to help much with UV blocking or heat rejection. It does provide a bit of privacy for the back seats, perhaps, but likely not much else. This also agrees with what I've read on other forums.

So, I decided to go ahead and get 70% SunTek Carbon CXP all around. I'm leaving the windshield untinted for now since it already provides good UV protection. If I notice that the car is not staying cool enough, though, I may go back and have him put 80% on the windshield.

Hi! I came across your thread and wanted to know how your tints are holding up and if you would recommend the shop you got it done. If yes, could you provide me the info please? Thanks!

[123Britt]

My windows say 70% on all the glass ID labels. So, when I went to tint them I went with 50% Ceramic. Give is a really nice "factory" look and contrast against my AW. Looks like something the factory would or should do.

[Grentz]

Originally Posted by 123Britt

My windows say 70% on all the glass ID labels. So, when I went to tint them I went with 50% Ceramic. Give is a really nice "factory" look and contrast against my AW. Looks like something the factory would or should do.

I went this approach as well. Works great.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by danimal

I only know when mine was built because I ordered it and was tracking it online. If you bought yours off the lot, I guess you'd have to ask your CA unless there's some way to figure it out from the VIN.

I'm just trying to figure out if the type of glass changed at some point late in the '14 model year.

There is a sticker inside the door that says when the car was built.

[kenhan]

your car windows are replaced possibly,
I think it is not normal.