Best time to buy a GTI?

[aristocrat]

Does the GTI sell with tinted windows as standard and if not how much does it cost to get VW to do it?

They are all factory tinted, but very lightly - as with most cars that are sold in Australia. To get a darker tint, you will have to go to an aftermarket place whereby you can choose the degree of tint - from what I believe, I think you can legally have 21% blockage of light and it is legal. This of course varies from state to state as well.

There are other regulations too for instance - the front windows in a 4 door car can have at a maximum of 21% light blockage, but the back 2 doors and the rear window can have up to 25%. Of course you are not allowed to tint the front windscreen.

[MovieDude]

Oh I thought tinting was an option and not the norm. I had to pay for tinting for my current car and my wife's.

[aristocrat]

One very simple test is whilst you are sitting in your car, have your window half wound down, have a plain sheet of blank A4 paper and hold this just outside your window. Now you can see the degree of "factory tint" which is embedded in the glass.

Aftermarket tinting is applying another film on the inner (non wearing) surface of the glass to achieve a "partial blocking" effect. Most of the tint films boast a UV filter element so less UV light enters your cabin which is less damaging to your skin/eyes, etc.. as well as your upholstery.

Many people tint their windows both for aesthetics as well as functionality or both.

[MovieDude]

Well we definitely need it up here in Queensland. I get tanned even in the winter.

[Dilusi]

Useful hint re tinted windows

One very simple test is whilst you are sitting in your car, have your window half wound down, have a plain sheet of blank A4 paper and hold this just outside your window. Now you can see the degree of "factory tint" which is embedded in the glass.

Good one! Useful hint - thanks

[triode12]

They are all factory tinted, but very lightly - as with most cars that are sold in Australia. To get a darker tint, you will have to go to an aftermarket place whereby you can choose the degree of tint - from what I believe, I think you can legally have 21% blockage of light and it is legal. This of course varies from state to state as well.

There are other regulations too for instance - the front windows in a 4 door car can have at a maximum of 21% light blockage, but the back 2 doors and the rear window can have up to 25%. Of course you are not allowed to tint the front windscreen.

It is 35% in NSW and QLD for all windows. The privacy glass on the GTI is about 20% LTF which isn't legal in NSW and QLD (but an exception has been made for the GTI's rear passenger and rear windows) .

If you get your window tinter to match the light transmission factor of the privacy glass on the GTI for your front windows, your car won't be legal in the eyes of the law. Which also means that your car insurance may not honour any claims should you be involved in an accident.

[MovieDude]

So if I want to remain legal do I get after market tinting done?

[triode12]

So if I want to remain legal do I get after market tinting done?

You can tint the front two windows with 35% LTF tint and remain legal. There is no necessity tinting the rear three windows. Cost is about $120-150 for two windows.

[MovieDude]

OK but what is LTF?

[triode12]

OK but what is LTF?

light transmission factor

[MovieDude]

Thanks. Will post again if and when I get the GTI and need advice on where to get the tinting.

[bwen]

Is it possible to get the factory tint removed and put 35% throughout the whole car? Will removing tint from the rear window ruin the antifog/condenser lines (I don't know what they're called)

[triode12]

Is it possible to get the factory tint removed and put 35% throughout the whole car? Will removing tint from the rear window ruin the antifog/condenser lines (I don't know what they're called)

I believe the tint is incorporated into the privacy glass itself - it is not an overlay.

Not worth the trouble and cost IMO.
Why would you want to do that?

[bwen]

I believe the tint is incorporated into the privacy glass itself - it is not an overlay.

Not worth the trouble and cost IMO.
Why would you want to do that?

I was just wondering as I wouldn't like to have 20% tint in the back and 35% tint in the front two windows.

[MIB]

Funny you guys mention the dealer issues, I've found them all to be a bit lacking, Austral are actually worse than suggested here, how they sell any cars is beyond me, I visited Highway 3 times even with an appointment and couldn't see a salesman re a purchase, and it took 3 days to get a reply phone call.
The best service I have received was from an internet enquiry to Garry Crick at Maroochydore, they've gone out of their way to help, did a good deal and have my business. Considering I was originally chasing an R36 you'd think they'd all have been a bit more enthusiastic for a sale.

For the record, best service I've ever experienced has been from Reece at Audi in Brisbane. Out of all the new cars I've bought he's a stand out for service and trying to make sure you get exactly what you're looking for.