Window tint triggering auto-dimming on both displays during the day

Buzzard59 · 08-10-2021, 08:48 PM

I am in South Florida and tinted the windows using a 3M film that matched the tint in the back windows and haven't noticed any changes.

330iToy · 08-12-2021, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabby

I have the same issue, but in our X7. We can tint very dark here in Florida, so I'm sure that's the problem. It happens far less frequently now than it did when we first got it done, which is also odd...

I am in Jax, where did you get your tint? Can I ask what brand and ratio?

oonowindoo · 08-16-2021, 04:18 PM

Just recorded a video... This is NOT the worst dimming i have experienced, sometimes it is worse than this.

You will see how dim the Nav and cluster is before i lowered the window.

It dims again after about 10 secs after i rolled up the window... the video is pretty much self-explanatory.

https://streamable.com/n4tjp4

niloch · 08-16-2021, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Dark garage?

Good suggestion - and it worked and was definately noticable in the garage, especially when I then shined a flashlight on it.

I then blocked it with my finger outside and after patiently waiting a few seconds could see the screen getting dimmer.

Have an appt. later this week and am going to go with Llumar ATC which has low IR blocking (similar to Formula 1). It's the only thing locally I can find in the Bay Area that's has low IR. Currently thinking of going 35%.

Has anyone tinted their sunroof? I notice a lot of heat coming in through there - thinking of doing a Ceramic Tint there to help with the heat blocking in the California Sun.

Almaretto · 08-18-2021, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niloch

Good suggestion - and it worked and was definately noticable in the garage, especially when I then shined a flashlight on it.

I then blocked it with my finger outside and after patiently waiting a few seconds could see the screen getting dimmer.

Have an appt. later this week and am going to go with Llumar ATC which has low IR blocking (similar to Formula 1). It's the only thing locally I can find in the Bay Area that's has low IR. Currently thinking of going 35%.

Has anyone tinted their sunroof? I notice a lot of heat coming in through there - thinking of doing a Ceramic Tint there to help with the heat blocking in the California Sun.

I always tint all windows including front windshield and sunroof to reduce heat and glare.

malibuboats91 · 10-29-2021, 03:11 PM

Sorry to bump an old thread. Have any of you determined what elements are causing the dimming or has BMW come up with a solution? Also, those of you with the issue, is your windshield tinted?

Today I called 3M as well as 5+ installers of various brands, none of them have heard of this issue. The installer I want to use has 3M FX, Color Stable and IR Ceramic. Based on what I read on here IR Ceramic should be avoided, but FX and CS seem fair game. Any advice would be appreciated!

oonowindoo · 10-29-2021, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

Sorry to bump an old thread. Have any of you determined what elements are causing the dimming or has BMW come up with a solution? Also, those of you with the issue, is your windshield tinted?

Today I called 3M as well as 5+ installers of various brands, none of them have heard of this issue. The installer I want to use has 3M FX, Color Stable and IR Ceramic. Based on what I read on here IR Ceramic should be avoided, but FX and CS seem fair game. Any advice would be appreciated!

BMW does not have a solution because they are not responsible for the tint you are adding on your own.

The only real solution i know is to drive with your driver window down. but then that defeats the whole purpose of having tinted windows.

Some ppl say non-ceramic film is better and some say they have no issue with ceramic film. So no solution can be confirmed.

My suggestion to you is get whatever you want and just deal with it.. you will get used to it.

tangonauta99 · 10-29-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

Also, those of you with the issue, is your windshield tinted?

I have the same problem with non-tinted factory windows.

T-99

zazzau · 10-29-2021, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangonauta99

Quote:

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

Also, those of you with the issue, is your windshield tinted?

I have the same problem with non-tinted factory windows.

T-99

If this problem is happening with non-tinted window what is the dealer saying? I have 3M ceramic tint with zero issues

Seaford · 10-30-2021, 05:05 AM

For,what it’s worth many UK specification BMWs have ‘Privacy Glass’ as standard which is extremely dark rear door and rear windows - you can’t even see if there is anybody in the back.

Fronts are relatively light tint to comply with UK law.

Look great but the downside is the rear ‘dash cam’ picture is badly impacted.

ixxo · 10-30-2021, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangonauta99

I have the same problem with non-tinted factory windows.

T-99

The same story here. I don't have tinted windows, but it seems the light sensor sometimes lives its own life. From time to time when it's quite bright outside it dims main cluster display like it thinks it's got dark outside. I tried couple times to use flash light on my mobile phone and point it towards the sensor and the cluster screen immediately brighten up.

Could it be somehow related to front side acoustic glass?

ysw016 · 11-04-2021, 10:07 AM

I got 20% percent all around and 70% on the windshield, and I have the same issue, the cluster is not bright at all during day time…please lmk if someone have any idea to deal with this problem. lol

Burrcold · 11-04-2021, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysw016

I got 20% percent all around and 70% on the windshield, and I have the same issue, the cluster is not bright at all during day time…please lmk if someone have any idea to deal with this problem. lol

Did you go with ceramic tint?

ysw016 · 11-05-2021, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Did you go with ceramic tint?

Yep, I got the best one from Xpel I think.

TiMSport · 11-05-2021, 05:16 PM

I really don't think it matters if you have a ceramic tint or not. We've been over this a million times by now but it's clear people that have NO tint are also experiencing this problem. If that's the case, it shouldn't matter.

malibuboats91 · 11-05-2021, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I really don't think it matters if you have a ceramic tint or not. We've been over this a million times by now but it's clear people that have NO tint are also experiencing this problem. If that's the case, it shouldn't matter.

So if those of you who are having the issue had to do it over again, would you go with the best tint possible? I was going to go with the cheapest 3M tint I could find but now am wondering if I should just do color stable or IR ceramic.

Burrcold · 11-05-2021, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I really don't think it matters if you have a ceramic tint or not. We've been over this a million times by now but it's clear people that have NO tint are also experiencing this problem. If that's the case, it shouldn't matter.

It absolutely is compounded by ceramic tint (or any other high IR blocking tint). So to say it doesn't matter, is completely false. I've done enough testing to see first hand.

claykin · 11-05-2021, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I really don't think it matters if you have a ceramic tint or not. We've been over this a million times by now but it's clear people that have NO tint are also experiencing this problem. If that's the case, it shouldn't matter.

So if those of you who are having the issue had to do it over again, would you go with the best tint possible? I was going to go with the cheapest 3M tint I could find but now am wondering if I should just do color stable or IR ceramic.

3M CS was a great tint a decade ago. Suntek CXP is a much better tint (much better heat rejection) and shouldn't have as much effect on the auto dimming issue as some IR blocking focused films such as Suntek CIR.

TiMSport · 11-05-2021, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

It absolutely is compounded by ceramic tint (or any other high IR blocking tint). So to say it doesn't matter, is completely false. I've done enough testing to see first hand.

So why haven't I had this issue or a few others that have gotten a ceramic tint?

Burrcold · 11-05-2021, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

So why haven't I had this issue or a few others that have gotten a ceramic tint?

That part is unknown. Different part...different supplier...different calibration...who knows. All I know is on vehicles that are affected by this issue, higher IR rejection tint 100% exasperates the degree of dimming.

TiMSport · 11-05-2021, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

That part is unknown. Different part...different supplier...different calibration...who knows. All I know is on vehicles that are affected by this issue, higher IR rejection tint 100% exasperates the degree of dimming.

And that's why I said what I said.

It's certainly a mystery and one that doesn't seem to have a clear cut answer. I know that at least one other member (zazzau) that got their tint has the exact same one I do and the same %. I can't remember whether you said you have experience with 3M tints or not but I've had a lot of luck with them.

gnolivos · 01-23-2022, 09:25 PM

I just wanted to state that I have a 2022 m340i and I have tinted the front windows with dyed 35% film from xpel and I never have noticed this issue. Granted, even my old f30 had a sensor and it adjusted the daytime brightness of my digital cluster (6WB) and so the subtle dimming is something I was used to already and found it very well tweaked in f30 platform. It never bothered me and I found it very useful.
In my g20 I'm seeing nothing out of the ordinary and the brightness always seems very adequate based on exterior lighting conditions. Perfect really imho.

Not sure if anything changed for 2022. I'm on 11/21.30 firmware.

08-10-2021, 08:48 PM	#375
Buzzard59 Private 17 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Parkland, Florida iTrader: (0)	I am in South Florida and tinted the windows using a 3M film that matched the tint in the back windows and haven't noticed any changes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-16-2021, 04:18 PM	#377
oonowindoo Captain 246 Rep 704 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i RWD Join Date: May 2013 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Just recorded a video... This is NOT the worst dimming i have experienced, sometimes it is worse than this. You will see how dim the Nav and cluster is before i lowered the window. It dims again after about 10 secs after i rolled up the window... the video is pretty much self-explanatory. https://streamable.com/n4tjp4
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2021, 03:11 PM	#380
malibuboats91 Private First Class 78 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2022 M340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M340i xDrive [0.00]	Sorry to bump an old thread. Have any of you determined what elements are causing the dimming or has BMW come up with a solution? Also, those of you with the issue, is your windshield tinted? Today I called 3M as well as 5+ installers of various brands, none of them have heard of this issue. The installer I want to use has 3M FX, Color Stable and IR Ceramic. Based on what I read on here IR Ceramic should be avoided, but FX and CS seem fair game. Any advice would be appreciated!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2021, 05:05 AM	#384
Seaford Permanently confused 1167 Rep 1,706 Posts Drives: 840i M Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Seaford, England iTrader: (0)	For,what it’s worth many UK specification BMWs have ‘Privacy Glass’ as standard which is extremely dark rear door and rear windows - you can’t even see if there is anybody in the back. Fronts are relatively light tint to comply with UK law. Look great but the downside is the rear ‘dash cam’ picture is badly impacted.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2021, 10:07 AM	#386
ysw016 New Member 4 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I got 20% percent all around and 70% on the windshield, and I have the same issue, the cluster is not bright at all during day time…please lmk if someone have any idea to deal with this problem. lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2021, 05:16 PM	#389
TiMSport Banned 12809 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	I really don't think it matters if you have a ceramic tint or not. We've been over this a million times by now but it's clear people that have NO tint are also experiencing this problem. If that's the case, it shouldn't matter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2022, 09:25 PM	#396
gnolivos Captain 319 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Various BMW Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I just wanted to state that I have a 2022 m340i and I have tinted the front windows with dyed 35% film from xpel and I never have noticed this issue. Granted, even my old f30 had a sensor and it adjusted the daytime brightness of my digital cluster (6WB) and so the subtle dimming is something I was used to already and found it very well tweaked in f30 platform. It never bothered me and I found it very useful. In my g20 I'm seeing nothing out of the ordinary and the brightness always seems very adequate based on exterior lighting conditions. Perfect really imho. Not sure if anything changed for 2022. I'm on 11/21.30 firmware.
	Appreciate 0 Quote