[Jiff]

I found 2 places in my local area that are giving me a good price on installation of FormulaOne tint.

Both places are offering at a good price, but the difference is that one place removes the door panels while the other place does not. Both places have great online reviews.

However, I'm a little nervous of having my door panels removed because you never know if they re-install improperly. What is everyone's thoughts? Any preference on removing door panels or not?

Thanks!

[snj1013]

I've never had an installer remove door panels to install tint. I can understand that they could take the tint lower on the glass by doing so, but I haven't had any issues with the more traditional installation.

I would recommend paying extra and getting a ceramic tint. I was talked out of it by the installer I used. 6 years later, I still regret not getting the ceramic.

[Quicksilv3r]

Originally Posted by snj1013

I've never had an installer remove door panels to install tint. I can understand that they could take the tint lower on the glass by doing so, but I haven't had any issues with the more traditional installation.

I would recommend paying extra and getting a ceramic tint. I was talked out of it by the installer I used. 6 years later, I still regret not getting the ceramic.

This. For the F10, the only part that should be removed during tint install is the 3rd brake light housing.

[TTG]

Like others stated, go to a shop that is not removing anything besides the 3rd brake light.

Even better, ask where your dealer sends their cars and contact the shop directly. They would be experts since they are doing BMWs all day long.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Quicksilv3r

This. For the F10, the only part that should be removed during tint install is the 3rd brake light housing.

Originally Posted by TTG

Like others stated, go to a shop that is not removing anything besides the 3rd brake light.

Even better, ask where your dealer sends their cars and contact the shop directly. They would be experts since they are doing BMWs all day long.

And the trim cover is removed by pulling down on the rear (NOT the front like the instructions say!), nearest the rear windscreen. Replacement is ~$30.

[xxpanipuri]

i had formula one installed on my e39 and now on my f10.

on the e39 they installed it without removing the doors/glass this was in 2006 when there wasn't many formula one vendors int he bay area...

on the f10 i found another retailer nearby house that does auto glass work for body shops and dealers. So i took a chance on them removing the door panels and glass to install the tint.

my thoughts

1) on the e39 i had a few bubbles, which i had to go back an have addressed (free of charge) and i couldn't open the windows for a week (not a huge deal) they went as far as possible, and did a great job but you could tell it was aftermarket...

2) on the f10 they did a great job on installing the tint, and baking the glass to cure the tint faster. this looks even better, almost OEM, you can't tell there is tint on the glass as it goes up RIGHT to the edge, and NO BUBBLES of any type. and i was able to open my windows right away.


if the vendor is a good vendor, then they will have good yelp reviews and stand by their work. also if they work on alot of new cars from dealers, than even better. (which was the case for my guy).

if i had to do it again i'd go back to the same company to get it done again on any future cars....

[lsturbointeg]

i know when i bought my car the dealership sent my car out to who they always send their cars to for tint. i'll be honest as i'm not sure what kind of tint they used but to this day still looks nice and clean.

[gabypr]

Like others have stated get ceramic ones. They repel heat better which helps protects your interiors.

[ronjon400]

I had my windows done recently and he used a product called CTX and it was ceramic as well. Crisp and clean windows for $200. I believe the parent company that makes the film was St. Gobains. They also make film for windows in the home (which we had done also) I figure it's not gonna get any cooler here in Florida so why not.