Privacy Glass vs Tinting - yes/no

SW14NY'S

SW14NY'S

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What are all your thoughts on the 'Privacy Glass' option?

....and if you couldn't add it to the spec list before it became locked, would you consider having the Windows professionally tinted?

I'm really in two minds wether to get them done for pickup day or to just leave it as is?

I originally had Privacy Glass on my spec list along with the 'Black Styling Pack' and 'Brilliant Black' paint...but after all the negative reviews on this paint and my mates damage to his BB..I opted for Panther instead, but to compensate the price hike of £775 for the paint I dropped the BSP and privacy glass. The next day I decided to add the Privacy Glass back on to my order.....too late it was locked!

Sooo....my dilemma is do I just accept it and leave it as is or do I get them to professionally tint from the B-Pillar back?
 
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I have them on my cars because I sometimes have IT equipment in the back.
 
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Yes I would find the shades claustrophobic and make the rear gloomy and then you have to fit them everytime. Well I always have the privacy glass factory fitted, can't comment upon tinting but from what I see tinting when done correctly can be as good...
 
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Hmmmm....what about the overall look of the tints against the factory privacy glass...is it close to...or nothing like it?

I'm more worried about how the rear window will look from outside with regards to the defrost elements, and if you see any transition between the solid black outer edges of the glass and the tints...if you know what I mean?
 
Ahhhh, if only PA were here.

He'd sure to be offering his opinion on Privacy Glass :D
 
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Lol, that's going back a bit, some here probably don't know who he was...
 
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I've got it in my head that you once had pasta thrown all over your car, was that you?

Was that an alternative to privacy glass? :p
 
I'm thinking that with the Panther Black and Lunar Silver interior that I'll get away without it...maybe I'm just being influenced about the Privacy Glass because that's all I see on the S3's around Fife
 
Looks like Privacy glass only more private and better uv protection , I dont have any problems with passengers young or old.

I did upgrade my reversing lights to cree led.

Tinting can leave that tell tale lighter line around the edge which I've come to dislike now .
 
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veeeight said:
I've got it in my head that you once had pasta thrown all over your car, was that you?

Was that an alternative to privacy glass? :p
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Haha, yes a 'organic' alternative, took me ages to get rid of it once dried from the gap between the rear glass and the boot opening...
 
Given time window tint film will purple and discolour, not to mention it's nigh on impossible to completely install it bubble / dust free. You might get the odd spec of dust under the film. Privacy glass all the way
 
MA3RC said:
Given time window tint film will purple and discolour, not to mention it's nigh on impossible to completely install it bubble / dust free. You might get the odd spec of dust under the film. Privacy glass all the way
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Privacy Glass isn't an option as S3 is built and on its way , unless I rip all the rear glass out and replace £££££££
 
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Haha PA :laughing:

Have privacy glass and can't say it's a life changing option particularly.

Not sure I'd order again but I will add on certain colours it does look good.

Get the car home and have a few days to see it without. If it doesn't look right then get it tinted professionally.
 
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SW14NY'S said:
Privacy Glass isn't an option as S3 is built and sitting in QC, unless I rip all the rear glass out and replace £££££££
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Ahh sorry I didn't read all the post. On my old car I had the fronts tinted with a film, the back were glass, You couldn't really tell much difference unless you are really up close. You'd expect to pay £40-50 per window in that case. If you're not happy with the finish at least it can be undone
 
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SW14NY'S said:
Hmmmm....what about the overall look of the tints against the factory privacy glass...is it close to...or nothing like it?

I'm more worried about how the rear window will look from outside with regards to the defrost elements, and if you see any transition between the solid black outer edges of the glass and the tints...if you know what I mean?
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Someone was saying on here the other day how they had silver lines which were distracting across the back window after having tints done.
 
DSC_4258.jpg
 
I've had tints fitted to my S3 and despite it looking very similar to Privacy glass it's not as good in my opinion. I bought my car used and was very picky on spec which was to include Privacy glass as I have kids and wanted to reduce the glare in the back. This car came up without Privacy, but with everything else and I thought professional tints would be the solution, but after having them for a month or so I'm no convinced.

My main issue is I get glare coming from the element strips on the rear screen from other people's headlights, which can be a bit off putting at times especially at night. I made the query with the guy that fitted them who was brilliant by the way and highly recommended, but he just said that it was a factor of the tints and there was nothing he could do about it other than removing them. He mention another client had asked for a thinner film to his, but that hadn't solved the issue. My understanding is that the film acts as a reflective source making the element strips more reflective than normal.

People have mentioned the line around the edge of the window where you can see the film, but I have to say aesthetically I am very happy with the overall look, it's just the glare that annoys me. I have considered changing the rear screen for a Privacy screen, but know this will be at a cost. For now I am just putting up with the glare, but having learnt my lesson I would have waited for a car with Privacy fitted.

The pictures make the tints seem darker, but I can confirm they are very similar strength to standard Privacy just more black than green.

IMG 7389
IMG 7392
 
chrisb72 said:
I've had tints fitted to my S3 and despite it looking very similar to Privacy glass it's not as good in my opinion. I bought my car used and was very picky on spec which was to include Privacy glass as I have kids and wanted to reduce the glare in the back. This car came up without Privacy, but with everything else and I thought professional tints would be the solution, but after having them for a month or so I'm no convinced.

My main issue is I get glare coming from the element strips on the rear screen from other people's headlights, which can be a bit off putting at times especially at night. I made the query with the guy that fitted them who was brilliant by the way and highly recommended, but he just said that it was a factor of the tints and there was nothing he could do about it other than removing them. He mention another client had asked for a thinner film to his, but that hadn't solved the issue. My understanding is that the film acts as a reflective source making the element strips more reflective than normal.

People have mentioned the line around the edge of the window where you can see the film, but I have to say aesthetically I am very happy with the overall look, it's just the glare that annoys me. I have considered changing the rear screen for a Privacy screen, but know this will be at a cost. For now I am just putting up with the glare, but having learnt my lesson I would have waited for a car with Privacy fitted.

The pictures make the tints seem darker, but I can confirm they are very similar strength to standard Privacy just more black than green.

View attachment 77132 View attachment 77133
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Cheers for the photos...your right, I know I'm not going to get the exact factory look but if a 'Very close to' can be achieved then I may just take a chance and let the dealer guys do it go pickup...if I don't like it then I can start replacing the glass...probably at a cost but hey-ho if that's what it takes
 
I'd be interested to know exactly how much it would cost to replace with Privacy glass once built. Obviously more than what it cost on the options list :sadlike:
 
chrisb72 said:
I'd be interested to know exactly how much it would cost to replace with Privacy glass once built. Obviously more than what it cost on the options list :sadlike:
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You always have the option to sell on the glass panels that are removed to offset the cost....eventually
 
Have aftermarket tints on my Daytona A3 and it looks great. Cabins a much nicer place to be and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. It's not even so much about the look outside, although it's a bonus. It's a better place to sit
 
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I don't get privacy glass. Reckon it detracts from the look of the car. Just don't know why anyone would want it.

Unless you are a drug dealer of course.

Well that's another opinion to be going on with. :whistle2:
 
RichardT said:
I don't get privacy glass. Reckon it detracts from the look of the car. Just don't know why anyone would want it.

Unless you are a drug dealer of course.

Well that's another opinion to be going on with. :whistle2:
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I know what you mean...I think with me it's the fact that my last 4 cars all had it as standard so it just feels normal for me to have it
 
RichardT said:
I don't get privacy glass. Reckon it detracts from the look of the car. Just don't know why anyone would want it.

Unless you are a drug dealer of course.

Well that's another opinion to be going on with. :whistle2:
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I think we've moved on from that rather old fashioned opinion these days as many cars come with this as standard. I have said my reasons for having them and others will have them to protect their younger rear seat passengers from the sun..
 
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Wouldn't get a car without it, had after market tints before looked good,but one time l witnessed the guy fitting it to my RCZ,pulling the huge door cards off,with a mini crow bar,l looked away instantly and left him to do it on his...own.lol
After market tints are normally cheaper to get done to your car in the winter time as they ain't as busy
 
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Personally......

1) I wouldn't be up for aftermarket, even living in the Southern Med with sun all year

2) On a new order car, it totally depends on the look your going for

Example, S3 ordered without, 4-series Gran Coupe ordered with :)
 
jassyo06 said:
Wouldn't get a car without it, had after market tints before looked good,but one time l witnessed the guy fitting it to my RCZ,pulling the huge door cards off,with a mini crow bar,l looked away instantly and left him to do it on his...own.lol
After market tints are normally cheaper to get done to your car in the winter time as they ain't as busy
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They don't do it like this anymore do they? When I had mine tinted they drew a template on the outside of the window and cut to size, then stick it on the inside.
 
Privacy Glass all the way, none of the cheap tint nonsense. Well worth the money. Buy an S3 at around £36,000, then get a cowboy to tint the back windows... madness :D
 
MA3RC said:
They don't do it like this anymore do they? When I had mine tinted they drew a template on the outside of the window and cut to size, then stick it on the inside.
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Any tints l have had done, the door cards have always been removed with these special little pen sized levers
 
CybrHwk said:
Privacy Glass all the way, none of the cheap tint nonsense. Well worth the money. Buy an S3 at around £36,000, then get a cowboy to tint the back windows... madness :D
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It's too late for the OP to get factory tints/privacy glass if you had read the posts properly
 
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CybrHwk said:
Privacy Glass all the way, none of the cheap tint nonsense. Well worth the money. Buy an S3 at around £36,000, then get a cowboy to tint the back windows... madness :D
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Unfortunately the spec was locked for production and they couldn't/wouldn't add it to the spec list...so this is my only option unless I replace the glass at a later date
 
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