The wait for the unicorn begins!

[T_BONES]

Hey Guys,

I'm happy to say I signed on the dotted line a few weeks ago and I'm very excited! But I do have a question in regards to tinting and coilovers.
I have a few friends in the tinting industry so I won't be going through the dealership but I was wondering if I need to look out for anything before getting it done? (eg. my previous car needed a felt strip on the inside of the door trim so it didn't scratch the film etc.). Also what manufacturer of coilovers for the RS Estate go the lowest? At the moment I've found that the Bilsteins have a max drop of about 50mm. Any information would be much appreciated

T BONES

[daMama]

Hey Guys,

I'm happy to say I signed on the dotted line a few weeks ago and I'm very excited! But I do have a question in regards to tinting and coilovers.
I have a few friends in the tinting industry so I won't be going through the dealership but I was wondering if I need to look out for anything before getting it done? (eg. my previous car needed a felt strip on the inside of the door trim so it didn't scratch the film etc.). Also what manufacturer of coilovers for the RS Estate go the lowest? At the moment I've found that the Bilsteins have a max drop of about 50mm. Any information would be much appreciated

T BONES

Congrats on the purchase!
I'm getting after market tint in Sydney, so I can let you know if anything extra is needed, but that won't be for a couple more weeks.....

[T_BONES]

Congrats on the purchase!
I'm getting after market tint in Sydney, so I can let you know if anything extra is needed, but that won't be for a couple more weeks.....

Thank you! That would be awesome if you hear of anything. That's all good, i still have a few more months to wait lol.

[wfdTamar]

From my reading because the radio antenna is on the window you can't use metal based tints. Then others are saying if the antenna wire is inside the glass there is no problem. What about rear window demisting wires?

[Gerrycan]

The metal based tints would only be a problem if the laminate is conductive and I think we would have heard something by now if that was the case.
I believe my laminate tint is 'metal based' and radio reception on my mk3 with rear qtr light aerial is identical to the previous mk2 with roof mounted external.
The station drop-outs on a particular journey occur at very predictable points.
Having said that I am still under the impression that my garage remote is affected by the tint as sometimes I have to lower the side-window to get the door to respond when I have driven past it to reverse in.
An interesting effect of a dark tint is that the window is much hotter than the Candy White paintwork on a sunny day as it absorbs the sun's energy rather than reflecting it.
It will still be hot inside the car but the sun is not shining direct on internal surfaces (presupposing you still put a normal reflector inside the windscreen) when you are parked.
The adverse effects of a darkish laminate is that night vision is reduced a bit, and as a sometimes cyclist it is difficult to see if the driver is actually looking/ has seen you.

Apparently laminates are banned in some countries but I am not sure what the justification is.
Just the other a day I saw a Lancer with such a heavily tinted front windscreen it was impossible to see inside, highly illegal and stupid, unfortunately I was not in a position to take down the number plate and report it.
We do not have an periodic road certification process in South Australia so it is amazingly common to see cars with obvious defects or blown lights (some night drives I will swear that one in ten cars are driving on one headlight).
Thank goodness the VAG cars tell you if and what lights are out, a great feature.

[woofy]

I have a metallic tint on my Santa Fe but not my mk II RS. I also find the issue with the garage remote but only since putting a new motor in so the old systems must not have been affected. Definitely works out my windscreen but not the side windows as well.

[Opie]

I was going to get my windows tinted, but after taking delivery found the windows to be pretty dark stock anyway. Not like, as dark as you can go but for around town its pretty good.

I wont be getting it done is what I am saying so unless you want to get it blacked out you might find it to be ok.

[T_BONES]

The metal based tints would only be a problem if the laminate is conductive and I think we would have heard something by now if that was the case.
I believe my laminate tint is 'metal based' and radio reception on my mk3 with rear qtr light aerial is identical to the previous mk2 with roof mounted external.
The station drop-outs on a particular journey occur at very predictable points.
Having said that I am still under the impression that my garage remote is affected by the tint as sometimes I have to lower the side-window to get the door to respond when I have driven past it to reverse in.
An interesting effect of a dark tint is that the window is much hotter than the Candy White paintwork on a sunny day as it absorbs the sun's energy rather than reflecting it.
It will still be hot inside the car but the sun is not shining direct on internal surfaces (presupposing you still put a normal reflector inside the windscreen) when you are parked.

Thank you for all the info. I wonder if I will have any garage remote issues once some tint goes on. In previous cars I haven't had a problem so fingers crossed.

I was going to get my windows tinted, but after taking delivery found the windows to be pretty dark stock anyway. Not like, as dark as you can go but for around town its pretty good.

I wont be getting it done is what I am saying so unless you want to get it blacked out you might find it to be ok.

Yeah true, I'll wait and see how dark the windows are on delivery and go from there I dare say.