Window Tinting for Passat Wagon

[Highlander]

Yup, nivek is correct - the dealer offered tint is a local outsourced install. I'm going black on my Icelandic Grey R36, getting it done tomorrow.

Picking up my Icelandic Grey CC tomorrow. Rear windows on the CC are already quite dark and want to match as close as possible the front windows.

Staggered when the dealer quoted, wait for it $595, for the two tiny CC front windows.

My Mk 6 Golf was done by Solartint (in business 29 years) with a lifetime guarantee through a different VW dealer on purchase for $350 (4 doors and rear) with best available film and a lifetime guarantee on materials and installation.

Asked same Solartint guys who did the Golf for a quote on the CC --- $55 per door

Dealers response. You can get rubbish film if you like. We only use the best.

Where is the priest and the confessional when we need him?

On the Golf the dealer told me the window film is aftermarket and the warranty comes from the supplier/installer... and he gave us the Solartint guarantee with the new car documentation.

Anyone else had any experience with tinting CC fronts?

[PassatB6]

Just wanted to mention how tinting really takes the load of the aircon system. I'm out of warranty and I didn't want to have the aircon break down on me and cost $$$. It was 40 c the other day and the difference was very noticeable compared to last summer.

[R36 Dreamer]

Picking up my Icelandic Grey CC tomorrow. Rear windows on the CC are already quite dark and want to match as close as possible the front windows.

Staggered when the dealer quoted, wait for it $595, for the two tiny CC front windows.

My Mk 6 Golf was done by Solartint (in business 29 years) with a lifetime guarantee through a different VW dealer on purchase for $350 (4 doors and rear) with best available film and a lifetime guarantee on materials and installation.

Asked same Solartint guys who did the Golf for a quote on the CC --- $55 per door

Dealers response. You can get rubbish film if you like. We only use the best.

Where is the priest and the confessional when we need him?

On the Golf the dealer told me the window film is aftermarket and the warranty comes from the supplier/installer... and he gave us the Solartint guarantee with the new car documentation.

Anyone else had any experience with tinting CC fronts?

Mate most of the dealers use people like solartint, and the tints are manufactured by a handful of people. As long as the installer is using a reputable brand (Bolle is one that springs to mind) and you get a lifetime warranty you will have no worries.

The dealer did me a favour on my last car (MkVGTI) and tinted them without me knowing - and at no cost. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was annoyed with his freebie (I wanted to get them done myself darker than the 35% the dealer would put on). I made sure I told him when I ordered the R36 NOT to throw in tints!

I would be surprised if you could tint the front side windows as dark as the privacy glass on the rear of the CC legally - It is bloody dark (looks around 15% to my eyes). Though it could be because they are small windows.....

[Highlander]

I realise that the 35% (legal) tint won't be the same as the rears but it will look closer than the standard windows. My issue was more with the dealer offering me "discount" $595 for the two front windows. Found out this morning where the dealer gets tints done (via service). Same place and the $55 per door is for their best (also most expensive) film. Would guess that the dealer gets an even better price than I can so his markup is at least $485. on a $110 job. Nice work if you can get it.

Raining and I hate picking up a new car in the rain. Impossible to do a thorough check on body and paintwork if it's wet.

[Rocket36]

Dealer tinting is convenient, but like the so called "paint protection" (cheap products applied by people on minimum wage without any clue of proper car detailing), it's just a rip off because you can go direct to the guys the dealers use and get it done without the dealer markup.

[Highlander]

Picked up my car at 11.30 am. To the tinter (next door to the dealer) at noon. Nice waterside lunch to celebrate the arrival of the CC. Back at 3.00 pm finished Formula 1 tint 35% street legal, slightly lighter than factory rear but looks great. Very happy with the result and final cost a little dearer than midnight express $160 against $140 but super deal compared to dealers quoted $595. Now in the garage playing with the RNS510 and loading up some old man's music.