The Basics

[pleasecorrupt]

Time to start what I think is essential for every zhp owner.

1. Tints
2. Aux / Dice (Done)
3. AE
4. Alarm (I live next to Oakland :gun1)

Thinking of Limo back and 40% fronts, any one have any experience with the police and what they'll actually cite?

[M0nk3y]

Depending on where you live I'd look at the tint law:

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

Personally. I'm a huge fan of an even look throughout the car. I had 35% on my E46 side and rear windows and 50% on the front windshield. I loved it.

http://www.ashuc.com/bmw330i/MWEmeet/2010-06-26/IMG_8122.png

http://www.ashuc.com/bmw330i/MWEmeet/2010-06-26/IMG_8123.png

As for AE's, have you decided which ones yet?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

PC is in Oakland, CA. Any kind of aftermarket tint is illegal here. Doesn't stop us, of course, but we could be cited for it any time we're pulled over.

[M0nk3y]

PC is in Oakland, CA. Any kind of aftermarket tint is illegal here. Doesn't stop us, of course, but we could be cited for it any time we're pulled over.

Gotcha.

If you're going limo (5%), it seems like you're going to be asking for a ticket.

Do they usually pull you over for just tint violations, or do they just make up excuses to give you tint violations?

[pleasecorrupt]

Yeah I know about the state tint laws, but of my knowledge isn't it just after market fronts, backs are ffa right? Do you have any tints and if so what % Marcus? Pictures do a thousand words :) Thanks m0nk3y.

I was thinking limo rear and back and maybe 40% all around the front but was wondering how the police would like it. My friend who has the same thing hasn't seen much trouble but on a black zhp, tints might seem a little darker than usual. Regardless I'm heading over to a shop tomorrow and seeing what looks good. Just thought I'd get some feedback since I don't want to rack up $22 tickets left and right.

Btw, missed you on my trip down to SD but when I'm back to school @ UCSD lets definitely get together and get some shots going. (pictures lol)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Here is a thread with pictures of my car. I have 15%.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?979-Marcus-s-Imola-Red-%282005-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Coupe%29

[mimalmo]

35% all windows (except windshield of course). It's nice and dark when overcast or at night and lets in just enough light during the day that I don't get hassled by the police.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg283/mimalmo/August%2029th%202009%20BMW%20Meet/P1020672.jpg

[Cadeez]

I have 15% all around, twas on the car when I bought it, and it's a little dark for my taste. I'd prefer 35% like mimalmo.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/FirstEdit24.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

The 15% is tough to see through at night. I would have preferred a lighter tint.

[kayger12]

35% all the way around. Looks great and haven't been stopped yet.

[danewilson77]

............Looks great and haven't been stopped yet.

:rofl

[kayger12]

:rofl

Hey-- sometimes I wear my ZHP Mafia beanie and look like a hoodlum. ;)

[RITmusic2k]

I have ~40% all around - because of my black interior, a little tint gots a long way. The view from outside:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_pj2vLdnw2c0/TWCH-mICFDI/AAAAAAAABM8/g2spDFSnXWw/s800/1000000868.JPG

But looking out, you almost can't tell there's anything there:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_pj2vLdnw2c0/TWCHrGfr6pI/AAAAAAAABM8/4rR_iFv_oWc/s800/1000000872.JPG

Already have my aux. And I need functioning headlights before I worry about angel eyes :crying

[pleasecorrupt]

Hmm, @ this point I think I'm leaning towards 55-40 fronts / windshield and limo rear / 5-20. I have nat tan interior so shouldn't be as bad as Kevin's if I settle on 40% fronts but something still tells me its not all the interior but the blk exterior that is making it look so dark.

@Kevin - whats wrong with your headlights o_o? something wrong with your projectors?

[M0nk3y]

Just FYI...if you put 50% on your windshield, you will be reading about 38%

That is what my windshield read when we measured it. My windows that were tinted with 35% read 32%.

So if you want your windshield to "blend" with 50%...go with a lighter tint.

Also. I would ride with someone who has 50% tint on their front windshield at night and see how you like it. Some people hate it, others like it

[RITmusic2k]

I have nat tan interior so shouldn't be as bad as Kevin's if I settle on 40% fronts but something still tells me its not all the interior but the blk exterior that is making it look so dark.That was also an overcast day when those shots were taken. In person, it isn't quite as limo-ish as it looks from the outside.
@Kevin - whats wrong with your headlights o_o? something wrong with your projectors?ZKW scorch. Need to get them replaced. Actually, that's probably the best time to pop in some angel eyes, considering that I'll be removing the housings anyway...

[pleasecorrupt]

I settle for limo back and 53% fronts, will post pictures afterwards. On that note, anyone know where to get a cheap oem alarm kit. Found the DIY instructs and places to buy but all the places around me and the suggested places are selling for 300+ when it was just 2xx before. @_@

[danewilson77]

I still need tint...

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[johnrando]

I still need tint...

Droid! Srs Legitness!

Tint doesn't seem to make sense on a VERT to me. The whole idea is being open to the sun. Granted, it could pro-long the life of the interior, but still... John

[Jon D]

Tint doesn't seem to make sense on a VERT to me. The whole idea is being open to the sun. Granted, it could pro-long the life of the interior, but still... John

Depends where you live! Down here is S. FL you want tint and a/c all summer. The top goes down in the evenings and during the winter. Also you need to have the top up and a/c on when making road trips for business.

[johnrando]

Depends where you live! Down here is S. FL you want tint and a/c all summer. The top goes down in the evenings and during the winter. Also you need to have the top up and a/c on when making road trips for business.

I'm with ya Jon D. I almost never have the a/c on here, makes perfect sense there. Conversely, got the windows up and the seat heat on in the evenings here many nights.

[gr330zhp]

30% tint here. It is the perfect level I think. Never had an issue. Ended up putting the same on my Jetta too

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205439_1703035895915_1238496470_31630835_7991927_n .jpg

Relating to tint on a Cabrio, my dad tinted his E46 M3 cabrio. We were iffy on how it would look with the topdown and windows up, it actually looked decent. But he ended up removing it anyways and only left the rear window tinted. He wont tint his M6 Cabrio now.

[mikeyb74]

The first thing I would recommend when you first pick up your ZHP or e46.

1. Fluids change (motor oil, trans, diff, brake fluid, and coolant)

[pleasecorrupt]

The first thing I would recommend when you first pick up your ZHP or e46.

1. Fluids change (motor oil, trans, diff, brake fluid, and coolant)

Seller just had inspection II done when I purchased so I'm I was in the clear for that :).

Anwyays haven't had a chance to post some pics of tint but I'll get that done eventually when my car isn't so dirty. Alarm is on its way and cable to program it is too. All is good in my neck of the woods, now to find a cheap pair of used orion v2s or eas auroras.

[danewilson77]

Even steering fluid refresh is good idea....

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[pleasecorrupt]

hmm maybe ill run through a couple of your suggestions o_o.

anyways alarm installed and activated. and comfort window roll up programmed, next on my lists those eyes.

[pleasecorrupt]

everything on my list is done now. installed eyes today. pics of everything to come. now to start a new list..

[Marcus-SanDiego]

PC, nice work.

[danewilson77]

everything on my list is done now. installed eyes today. pics of everything to come. now to start a new list..

Lists are good.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[95m3ltw]

First thing I recommend on picking up a ZHP, Coolant system REPLACEMENT. Even with low mileage cars, they have reached a age where any one component in the coolant system can be the weak link. With our cars, losing a hose, rad or thermstat housing at highway speeds could be borderline overheating the engine before you notice the loss of coolant.

We lost a hose, I smelt coolant, looked down to see the temp gauge START to move and pulled over before it hit 75% towards the red. 6 months later it finally runs right after timeserting the block and headgasket. Might try to get started on the write up tonight.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

^^I could not agree more. That's precisely what I did when I bought my car. Peace of mind.

[spencers]

I need to figure out how to program that comfort window roll up feature. Haven't played with NCSExpert very much.

[pleasecorrupt]

PMed :)

[spencers]

Thanks. I'll give it a shot tomorrow :)

[az3579]

Thanks. I'll give it a shot tomorrow :)

Please let me know how you did it; I haven't figured out NCS Expert yet.

[pleasecorrupt]

Please let me know how you did it; I haven't figured out NCS Expert yet.

you got mail.

[L0veZHP]

I have 15% all around, twas on the car when I bought it, and it's a little dark for my taste. I'd prefer 35% like mimalmo.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/FirstEdit24.jpg

You'll so get pulled over for these in new york i only tinted my back windows

[Ricky Reevey]

I just got 35% all the way around on my 05ZHP last Saturday and I love it, my interior is the same as yours Marcus so it appears a lil lighter, should keep the VA cops from stopping me.....35% is illegal in the front. I have 22% all the way around on my 7 and thats really nice too, but it looks much darker cuz the interior is black and the rear windows have the electric shades. 5 tint tickets for the 7 in the passed 4 years and counting....SMH.

[lilcdkey]

I'm going to go with 20's or 15's on everything but the windshield. In IL 35% is allowed but even with darker tints you'll probably only get ticketed if your downtown or a cop may add it on if they pull you over.