After Market Tinted Windows? Maybe not.

[ajw1100]

I usually have additional window tints added as most manufactures tints are very slight. The HS has none at all so checked with MG, this is their reply:

"Hi Mr..
Thank you for your email.

With regards to tinted windows, this would be classified as a modification to the vehicle, and therefore it would impact the manufacturer warranty....

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We hope the above helps! Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us."

What it might 'impact' I have no idea. Is all glass covered by warranty?

 

[Lovemyev]

I usually have additional window tints added as most manufactures tints are very slight. The HS has none at all so checked with MG, this is their reply:

"Hi Mr..
Thank you for your email.

With regards to tinted windows, this would be classified as a modification to the vehicle, and therefore it would impact the manufacturer warranty....

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We hope the above helps! Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us."

What it might 'impact' I have no idea. Is all glass covered by warranty?

I have to say, I find that response a little strange ?.
Many dealers will either offer tinting or arrange for cars to have tints applied by a third party, in accordance with the legal requirements on tinting glass off course.
We are lead to believe that the new face lift ZS EV has a slight tint to the side glass anyway !.
Strange that they consider it as a modification on the original model and is factory install on the new model, when it is very much the same car really ?????.
I would think that about 80% of cars produced have tinted glass now.
You could say that installing mud flaps is a modification from factory spec's.
All appears a bit odd to say the least.
Installing tints to what is affectively almost clear glass on the ZS EV is not considered an issue with most insurance companies.
I fail to see how applying tinted film to the side windows conflicts with a warranty issue ???.
The world's gone totally mad ?‍ .

 

[ajw1100]

I quite agree, seems bonkers to me. What about after market floor mats, a different make of tyre, a different make of light bulb, they are also 'modifications' ?
Your right the world is going mad, but MG is already there.

 

[ajw1100]

Now asked MG for exactly what Impact would be applied to the warranty. I have read the T&C and I reckon it should not make any impact at all.
Have to see what they reply.....

 

[VenumX]

It seems weird.... But think about it


Most professional installers will remove the window to do a good job.
This also means removing the door panels , breaking connections to electronics and breaking the factory installed water seal.

So I kind of understand why they don't want you to mess with all of that.

 

[BarryH]

I am led to understand that tinting of glass does indeed constitute a "Modification" but that it is only of interest to your insurance company. You are supposed to notify your insurance company otherwise in the event of an accident your insurance company could reject your claim and you could even be regarded as driving without insurance.
With regards to impact on MG warranty, my dealer told me that if I were to upgrade the suspension (AKA as Mike Proctor's experimental changes) and replace the damper and springs then only the replaced parts would be not under MG's warranty for certain. But it is possible that the warranty on all of the suspension system would be invalidated. The dealer also reminded me that I should notify my insurance company of any such modification.

 

[BarryH]

It seems weird.... But think about it


Most professional installers will remove the window to do a good job.
This also means removing the door panels , breaking connections to electronics and breaking the factory installed water seal.

So I kind of understand why they don't want you to mess with all of that.

I can assure you that none of the "Professional" window tint companies I spoke to before I have my tints had any intention of removing the glass to apply tint film. None of my glass was removed. I had a modest tint applied to the rea of the car and a thermal tint to the front doors which blocks 90% of the heat but only 5% of the light so it is, in fact, invisible except you don't fry in the summer.
I can only imagine if you weren't fully trained on your product you might tell a customer that is what was needed or if you were telling your customer's porkies to charge more for the quite unnecessary or imaginary procedure/process of removing the glass, then an unscrupulous tinter might say the glass should be removed.

 

[ajw1100]

Hi BarryH.
That is what I was led to believe, I will see what MG come back with first, but if it does mean door cards off and damage to the waterproofing then I will not get it done. The tints I had done did not cause any problems and the dealer has replaced a whole turbo assembly plus at least 3 turbo control rod assemblies. Never even mentioned the tints..

Looking at the majority of MG's vehicles on there website and printed brochures they all seem to be tinted or opaque, probably 'artist impressions,' misleading at the very least.

I did tell my insurance company I had tints when insuring previous cars. Being on the honest side I would not risk not informing them. There was no additional charge, they just added it in to the policy documents.

 

[Lovemyev]

I will see what MG come back with first, but if it does mean door cards off and damage to the waterproofing then I will not get it done.

To be honest, I have never heard of any tinting company going to the lengths of stripping the glass out of a car, to install a tint film !.
Are they likely to remove the whole rear windscreen at the same time - I think not.
Tinting the inside of the glass from the "B" pillars back, is likely to take around 2 - 3 hours.
Price's will depend on your location, I would suggest.
But ask yourself this question ?.
How many owners of a brand new car, would allow somebody to completely strip out the door trims, water proof membrane on both doors, then remove the window mechanism and glass in order to apply tint to the glass.
NO NEW OWNER IN THEIR RIGHT, MIND WOULD CONSIDER PERMITTING THIS !.
The labour charges ALONE would be stupid expensive.
Of course the manufacturer would see this level of work as an infringement of the warranty T&C's.
Sometimes, if you ask a direct question to the manufacturer and put their backs to the wall, by putting them "On The Spot".
Then don't be surprised if they give you a "Stock Answer" and throw the warranty book at you !.
Of course, you want to cover yourself, which is understandable.
My main concern would be informing the insurance company.
Some do, some don't ?.
Would I consider asking the manufacturer if it was okay to install window binds on the side windows to reduce the effects of the strong sun in the summer ?.
I mean ............. How far do you really go ?‍.

 

[Ian MG5]

Hi
I’m sure I’ve seen some threads on here about tinted windows and people have said the cars have had the windows done by the dealerships before they have picked the car up
???????

 

[DON]

I have had 2 Kia's tinted, the tint is cut using the outside of windows as a template ,no trim or any parts of the car are removed.

 

[EWD]

I have had 2 Kia's tinted, the tint is cut using the outside of windows as a template ,no trim or any parts of the car are removed.

When they did my MG5 they did precisely that. They cut the film to size using the outside of the windows as a template then slid the film onto the inside with soapy water.

It's fully reversible. They can remove it and put it back to stock at anytime. I had a slight blemish on one of the tints and they removed it in minutes and fitted a fresh one.

 

[ajw1100]

Thanks for the replies, according to MG fitting tints would impact on the warranty. No reply yet as to what impact that actually is.
I spoke to my local tinter, they said they rarely have to remove any door cards and avoid that if at all possible, they have yet to tint an HS but other MG's have not needed removal of any parts.
I wonder if having it fitted by an MG dealer would cancel out the impact of the MG warranty, and I very much doubt that, to be honest I think the dealer would say they just did what the customer wanted so not their responsibility. If there was a problem with the actual tinting then the dealer would need to sort it, not MG.

 

[BarryH]

Hi
I’m sure I’ve seen some threads on here about tinted windows and people have said the cars have had the windows done by the dealerships before they have picked the car up
???????

Yes, I was offered that but it would have meant completing on the sale, in any case, and then leaving the car with the dealer so the dealer suggested that I just get the tints locally to me at a convenient time which I did then went for a walk for a couple of hours while it was done.

 

[BarryH]

Thanks for the replies, according to MG fitting tints would impact on the warranty. No reply yet as to what impact that actually is.
I spoke to my local tinter, they said they rarely have to remove any door cards and avoid that if at all possible, they have yet to tint an HS but other MG's have not needed removal of any parts.
I wonder if having it fitted by an MG dealer would cancel out the impact of the MG warranty, and I very much doubt that, to be honest I think the dealer would say they just did what the customer wanted so not their responsibility. If there was a problem with the actual tinting then the dealer would need to sort it, not MG.

I doubt the dealer would do it themselves but just get some local guy to come into the dealer. I'd much rather take the car to a specialist (which I did) and have them work on the car in controlled ideal lighting and conditions. I got a lifetime guarantee on my tints.

 

[EVGeezer]

99% of all cars sold in Thailand have films installed on the windows, even on the sunroof. This can not in any way impact the warranty, except maybe in a botched job where the film would trash the window regulator - and that is a risk the car owner can easily accept.

 

[ajw1100]

So far, no response from MG at all, but then again I doubted I would. I will give them a few more days.

 

[Knocker 1972]

Had mine tinted by a local company, no door cards removed and all done under 3 hours. So glad I had them done. Stopped me boiling the kids alive in the summer with the heat coming through them, even with the A/C on. Wish I'd had the front done with the minimum allowed tint in the UK... No increase in insurance and the dealer I bought the car from wasn't bothered either....

 

[EV AL]

I have tints side and rear and minimum on driver and passenger front. They were done on the front path by a mobile company cost £190 and took 3 hours.
I understand from Miles @chorley group they can get them done before collecting also done with mobile company visiting them

 

[BarryH]

Had mine tinted by a local company, no door cards removed and all done under 3 hours. So glad I had them done. Stopped me boiling the kids alive in the summer with the heat coming through them, even with the A/C on. Wish I'd had the front done with the minimum allowed tint in the UK... No increase in insurance and the dealer I bought the car from wasn't bothered either....

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Changed the wheels too I see ;-)

I had special Thermal Film on the fronts and it made a HUGE difference to the heat transmission blocking 95% of it but virtually no difference to the light. It was however more expensive than just a tint.