[BMWXaM]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

Update: thank goodness my Progressive Insurance $0 glass-break deductible covers all glass, including sunroofs. So fun with less than 500 miles.

In fairness I had this happen 3 days after I took delivery. Scheduled for PPF in week but going to need PDR/Pain touch up first now.





https://www.dropbox.com/s/408z06ak12...ing-2.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/afuxdz1n0y...ing-1.jpg?dl=0

[SGiXers]

Nasty crack. Ive installed 3M Crystalline CR40 for my sunroof for heat and additional "crack" protection. Hope it will do that in the long run as i intend to keep my ride for sometime.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by SGiXers

Nasty crack. Ive installed 3M Crystalline CR40 for my sunroof for heat and additional "crack" protection. Hope it will do that in the long run as i intend to keep my ride for sometime.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t help you for the occasional rock that flies up. Trust me on this one! I love 3M Crystalline which I had on my M550. Unfortunately, they don’t offer a film dark enough to match the privacy glass, so I went with XPEL this time. 3M Crystalline only offers 5% and 20% for the darker shades, but nothing in between.

[Pictor]

Tint is applied on the inside. How does that protect the glass?

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by Pictor

Tint is applied on the inside. How does that protect the glass?

It doesn’t. I was confused by that comment myself. XPEL does make some exterior film for this purpose (not tint), but not 3M Crystalline.

[SGiXers]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

Unfortunately, that doesn’t help you for the occasional rock that flies up. Trust me on this one! I love 3M Crystalline which I had on my M550. Unfortunately, they don’t offer a film dark enough to match the privacy glass, so I went with XPEL this time. 3M Crystalline only offers 5% and 20% for the darker shades, but nothing in between.

Don't know the exact science behind the added rigidity( for the lack of a better word). Have had a few stones and rocks throw towards my rides over the years, some have taken off some serious paintwork and dings on my windshield too. All my rides has always being laminated with solar film, and it survived the abuses.
A couple of friends rides didnt do too well in handling the stone damage to windshield have been those that didnt have lamination. Though i must admit, i have not seen nor experienced( touch wood) a cracked sunroof or panaromic roof whether its laminated or not.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by SGiXers

Don't know the exact science behind the added rigidity( for the lack of a better word). Have had a few stones and rocks throw towards my rides over the years, some have taken off some serious paintwork and dings on my windshield too. All my rides has always being laminated with solar film, and it survived the abuses.
A couple of friends rides didnt do too well in handling the stone damage to windshield have been those that didnt have lamination. Though i must admit, i have not seen nor experienced( touch wood) a cracked sunroof or panaromic roof whether its laminated or not.

Well mine cracked within my first two miles of ownership due to an 18 wheeler spitting up a rock. Luckily it hasn’t gotten much worse. It’s an internal crack going 8” one way and 16” another way. Long story.

[imacyclopath]

VirtualGuitars, I thought it was your wife driving in front and caused the crack as you were merging into the highway right after picking up the car. For family peace I'd update the story, too, so I totally get it@ ;-)

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by imacyclopath

VirtualGuitars, I thought it was your wife driving in front and caused the crack as you were merging into the highway right after picking up the car. For family peace I'd update the story, too, so I totally get it@ ;-)

The wife was moved to my rear view mirror’s view permanently as of 2021.

And yes, I had literally just left the dealership after taking delivery and entered the highway on the return trip back to Houston. No one’s wife was involved.

[imacyclopath]

������

That’s true, it was Deutsch100’s story I was thinking about. My bad

[BMWXaM]

Originally Posted by CaboM4

I am not experiencing this issue in the iX with the level of tint I have.

55% windshield
25% front sides

Can you provide a photo of this? Am going to do air80 llumar on the front and back wanted to do 25% sides but tint shop is pressing for 15% front which is very dark.

Thanks!!!

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by BMWXaM

Can you provide a photo of this? Am going to do air80 llumar on the front and back wanted to do 25% sides but tint shop is pressing for 15% front which is very dark.

Thanks!!!

post 13 in this thread

https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s...8&postcount=13

Note: the sun is shining directly on the front of the vehicle in those photos

[RDN]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

XPEL Prime XR, 35% front side windows (limit in my state) and rear hatch, 50% sunroof. BMW has previously stated that their rear passenger windows are 20% integral tint, and the 35% front sides look a lot closer than factory, but slightly less dark than the rear. No problems at all in bright sunlight or visibility after dark, and none of the dimming issues experienced with the X5 (I suspect the photosensors in the iX are positioned differently, and there are more of them). Windshield is already IR tinted very effectively.

Just got the same done to my car (XPEL PRIME XR 35%) and am really happy with the amount of heat rejection. It makes a huge difference when driving on a sunny day and doesn't feel too dark a night to cause visibility issues.

[paulbazoV2]

I did 3M IR Ceramic tint 15% on driver and passenger front windows, it matches the rear factory tint and it looks great

[marsb007]

Has anyone tinted the sunscren/moonroof? Is it recommended? I remember some advice against tinting it due to the increased likelihood of it shattering…

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by marsb007

Has anyone tinted the sunscren/moonroof? Is it recommended? I remember some advice against tinting it due to the increased likelihood of it shattering…

No offense, but it’s clear you haven’t read through any comments on this very post. I suggest you go back and read through a few pages as I’ve already posted photos.

[marsb007]

I’m just asking if you’ve noticed any issues or unintended behaviors from tinting the sunroof. I was going to put either 50 or 70 on mine…

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by marsb007

I’m just asking if you’ve noticed any issues or unintended behaviors from tinting the sunroof. I was going to put either 50 or 70 on mine…

There’s absolutely nothing to be concerned about. As far as the inside of the vehicle is concerned, it’s just normal glass. The opaque feature is layered above it and in between the outside layer of glass. You can put on window tint without any issues. I have 70% on mine. No concerns on the windshield either.

[marsb007]

So I’m planning on going with 15% front, 70% rear and back, 50% sunroof unless the installer recommends something else. Will post pictures once finished. Thanks.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by marsb007

So I’m planning on going with 15% front, 70% rear and back, 50% sunroof unless the installer recommends something else. Will post pictures once finished. Thanks.

What kind of film are you using? I did all of the light reading tests before applying any film. The factory privacy measures in at 14% VLT with no film applied.

XPEL 15 Is actually 11% VLT which equates to 9% VLT once it’s applied to the front two windows. I also applied 70% film to the rest of the vehicle including the sunroof and windshield. I was adamant that the match be as perfect as possible. When the 70% film was applied to the rear windows, it measured in a 10% VLT, so only 1% difference.

It’s worth noting that the sunroof has heat protection built into it, but the film does help. And unless you want it dark, I would probably stick to 70% so it looks as clear as possible.

[marsb007]

Generally I’ve used 3M IR Ceramic in the last 3-4 cars I’ve had. I like the color and I’ve never had an issue.

The 15% 3M has VLT of 16%.
The 70% 3M has VLT of 64%.

I’m thinking the 15% might measure around 12-13% and that might be close enough to the stock. If not, 70% on the rear should help. If rear is super dark it just makes your fronts look almost reasonable…

I too have a self diagnosed bout of OCD and would like them to be as close as possible…

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by marsb007

Generally I’ve used 3M IR Ceramic in the last 3-4 cars I’ve had. I like the color and I’ve never had an issue.

The 15% 3M has VLT of 16%.
The 70% 3M has VLT of 64%.

I’m thinking the 15% might measure around 12-13% and that might be close enough to the stock. If not, 70% on the rear should help. If rear is super dark it just makes your fronts look almost reasonable…

I too have a self diagnosed bout of OCD and would like them to be as close as possible…

Even though my front two windows are technically one percent darker than the rear windows, it always looks darker in the back during the day for obvious reasons. I doubt you’ll be able to tell much of a difference between yours and mine.

I’m a big fan of 3M film, and traditionally use 3M Crystalline on my vehicles, but they don’t offer a 15% film. It’s either 5% or 20% (which is really 18%).

I really wish window tint companies would name their products with the actual VLT percentage! I always find myself looking at their spec sheets to make sure it’s going to be a match.