Tiguan Tinting

[Sanman]

Rear window shouldn't be a metallic tint. Sides windows can be metallic.

+1 (what he said is correct)

[T&M]

As others have said, the small difference between the cost of having it done at the dealer (where they will be able to rectify anything should there be problems) vs getting the tint done aftermarket is just not worth the mucking around and stress!
Tick the box where is says: 'Window Tint' when you order.

I went to "check" Tint-a-Car at Kedron today and asked how many Tiguans they have done - answer = 1.
I asked if they had to pull panels off doors and trims etc... - answer = yes!
I asked if they use a metallic film for the rear tailgate and they said yes we have "so far noone has complained"
Cost=$465
Dealer cost=$480

I walked out as fast as I could.

[Maverick]

As others have said, the small difference between the cost of having it done at the dealer (where they will be able to rectify anything should there be problems) vs getting the tint done aftermarket is just not worth the mucking around and stress!
Tick the box where is says: 'Window Tint' when you order.

Couldn't agree more. Dealers have ready access to items like clips etc if they're damaged and can have them replaced on the spot. The tint places aren't going to send someone to a VW dealer to pick up a $1 clip if they damage one but will put the trim back minus the clip. Same with any damage to the car, they'll generally cover it up.

A few problems I've seen recently.

- In Brisbane an R32 with ~$4000 in damage from a tint company (trim damaged, hacked and even scratched window).
- An R32 and GTI in Melbourne had all the trim around the rear window scratched up and around the front tweeters. Tint place paid for the rear trim to be repaired with spray paint which to be fair matched but I can see long term durability being affected.
- A number of R32's and GTI's have had leather scratched and other damage to trim that the tint installers have denied and claimed they were pre existing.

And the list goes on and on. I know that if I have problems with any trim or missing clips that I can take it back to my dealer for them to fix and if there is a problem with the tint I can get it fixed at a service plus I get a loan car. Even if you pay a few hundred dollars more it's worth it for the piece of mind it brings.

[donweather]

I'm not so sure I agree with you guys. My two previous cars (both of which I bought brand new and still own) were both tinted by non-dealers and the first car is 16 years old and the tint is as good as the day it was installed.

My dealer has quoted me $595 for tinting, of which she can't even tell me what the specifications of the tint are (ie heat reduction etc) nor tell me what manufacturer of film they use. Have any of you guys actually seen the dealers physically installing the tint? I'd be extremely surprised if they are actually doing it at the dealers, and my bet would be they'd have a deal with the local tinter down the road (tintacar for example) and all they do is drive it down the road, get the tint done and drive it back. A fair waste of $300 extra IMO. Yes I've got a quote for $295 from a car tinting place, where they are more than open and honest about telling me all of the specifications of their various tints and film manufacturers.....$300 cheaper for exactly the same tint job.

The girl at the dealers told me their tints were world class with 80% heat reduction and 100% fade protection. I asked her if they were metallic or non-metallic tints. She said non-metallic (which is one good piece of news, given the antenna in the rear window). Can someone please find me any worldwide NON-METALLIC tint that get's anywhere near the above specifications, as I truly believe the girl at the dealers didn't have a clue what she was talking about. All she was worried about was getting her $300 commission for driving my car down to the nearest tintacar place.

[Arctra]

I believe VW Aus (or Chatswood Classic Cars at least) use StreetLegal brand tint (http://www.motorone.com.au/car_care/...ow_tinting.php). I called them up directly to ask for a quote and they said they only provide the tint through dealers.

Hope that helps?

[Torn]

Correct me if i am wrong, but no dealers i know of actually tint cars, they sub it out to a tinter that either does the work onsite in their workshop or takes the car.

I used to work for a tinter and this is how it worked.

May be different in the bigger cities,

Though it is easier to get things fixed through the dealer!


I got my Tig Done through the dealer at the local tinter around the corner for $495

Clear UV on back as had factory tint and Same brand tint on from but at 35%

[Maverick]

My dealer has quoted me $595 for tinting, of which she can't even tell me what the specifications of the tint are (ie heat reduction etc) nor tell me what manufacturer of film they use. Have any of you guys actually seen the dealers physically installing the tint? I'd be extremely surprised if they are actually doing it at the dealers, and my bet would be they'd have a deal with the local tinter down the road (tintacar for example) and all they do is drive it down the road, get the tint done and drive it back. A fair waste of $300 extra IMO. Yes I've got a quote for $295 from a car tinting place, where they are more than open and honest about telling me all of the specifications of their various tints and film manufacturers.....$300 cheaper for exactly the same tint job.

As Arctra pointed out it's Motorone that is often used and the installer generally installs the tint at the dealer.

I have Street Legal Tint on my car which I paid $100 for (negotiated free tint and paid the difference to upgrade).

All she was worried about was getting her $300 commission for driving my car down to the nearest tintacar place.

You can negotiate the price down with the dealer.

[T&M]

Hi all,
Personally, after doing the running around and talking to some staff at dealers that had no idea and then talking to staff at after market locations, that equally, had no idea, I firmly believe that if you can negotiate a better price at a dealer then great. If not, who cares.
Also I don't really care who "actually" applies the film to the car and whether it's metallic or otherwise. Life is too short to scratch around with minor blips like this! If the dealer screws it up, they can fix it. If the radio doesn't work, they can replace the film or do whatever they need to do.
I feel that I am a little more protected (via the dealer in this case) from the finger pointing that can happen when allowing people to work on your car who have zero experience on a particular model.

Q. Would you allow a Tint-a-car place to tint your vehicle if they have only done one other Tiguan - ever...? I bet you don't either!

[Maverick]

Q. Would you allow a Tint-a-car place to tint your vehicle if they have only done one other Tiguan - ever...? I bet you don't either!

A lot of the tint places seem to have a decent turnover of staff as well so even if the guy behind the counter says that they've done one it doesn't mean the person who is doing your tint has done one before. Plus limited supervision and using contractors if someone is off sick or there is an excess of work makes it too risky IMO to contemplate using them for anything but an older car that you don't care too much about.

There was a guy that was highly recommended in Sydney that worked for himself and had done a lot of Golfs etc but I don't know of anyone like that in the other states.

[BigMan]

thank god we got Rob in Sydney. I got 3 cars tinted by him, so far i have also recommended him to 3 mates.

when i get my tiguan guess who will be tinting it!