Privacy glass?

[Stan82]

I have my S-line manual avant in ibis white on order and due for delivery mid may. I was steered away from the factory fit privacy glass by the dealer as they have offered to get it done when they receive the car at their dealership for a lot less, i've been quoted around £240, they'll use a reputable local firm. Has anyone had experience with external companies tinting the glass this way rather then factory fit option? Is there a difference i.e. is the glass actually made tinted at the factory or is a film or tint stuck to the glass like the retro fit way I've described. The dealer said the people they use are perfect and many local audi and merc dealers use them. My thinking is if the dealer has the tints done before i collect the car from them at least i'd have some come back if it wasn't up to scratch?

Finally, I have seen A LOT of people on here own a BE and they come standard privacy glass, my question is, is the interior made really dark as a result. I think the white with privacy glass will looking awesome but inside with the black leather and head lining is it TOO dark??? The demo i tried was white but had no privacy glass. Aesthetics aside I am expecting another child and the tint will help block some of the sun light out ?

Thoughts, suggestions?

[KevinA6]

I have a Mythos black BE with black leather. I don't find it to dark inside.

I would definitely go with the factory fit as a friend of mine just pick up his new 520d msport but the dealer forgot the spec the privacy glass... The dealer then had it done locally and when I took it for a spin when looking in the rear view mirror I could see distortion through the rear screen. In my BE it is crystal clear.

My advice go for the factory fit even if it's a bit more expensive.


2015 A6 S-Line Black Edition Ultra, S-Tronic, Black Leather, Bose, MMI Plus with Touch, Ambient lighting pack, 20" Twin spoke Wheels, Mythos Black Metalic.

[MarkTM]

Factory fit privacy glass may be tinted glass or not, regardless it will be warranted

Aftermarket won't have the same warranty.

Think about it, dealer charges you £240 and pays at least half of that to the local fitter...so more money in the dealerships coffers.

Always go factory fit

[A6S]

The tints take a few days to cure properly that's why you see ripple effect through the glass
both my a6 was done by the dealers with a local company and both was very good. Paid £160

[AllotmentChap]

If you have the option, get factory-fit privacy - the actual glass is coloured, and the finish is better.

For me, it wasn't an option, as I was buying used - and every car I found that had factory-fit privacy glass was the wrong spec/price/mileage in other areas. So I opted for tints, and got them done through the dealer; like you, my thought was that if they do a bad job, I can just get the dealer to sort it out, and the dealer will use a reputable firm anyway. As long as they use high-quality tints (I believe 3M film is the best) then you should get a good effect - although there will be very tiny bubbles around the black dotted outlines of the windows (it's unavoidable, apparently, but shouldn't detract from the effect). I gather that film tints filter UV too, which factory fit glass doesn't do.

One small advantage of aftermarket tints over factory fit privacy glass is that if at a later date you change your mind, and decide the car is too dark, reversing at night is too tricky, or that you just don't like it, you can get the tints removed. To switch the OEM privacy glass back to clear would be very, very expensive.

I am getting my tints done through the dealer for about £250; from a bit of research £300 seems to be the going rate for aftermarkets. Mine's a moonlight blue Allroad with black milano leather, but I'm not worried about it being too dark (that's the whole point). Main reasons for getting it were as a cooling aid on sunny days, and also to protect possessions on the back seats and in the boot.

Mine were done yesterday, and I collect the car tomorrow, so I'll update the thread on the end result when I get it (and maybe even a couple of pics, if I have time).

[Chesterfield313]

I would always go for the factory fitted tinted glass rather than aftermarket to save a couple of hundred pounds on a £40k car. Much prefer the thought of the actual glass being tinted than a film fitted. Not sure on the Audi, but on a lot of cars interior panels etc often have to be removed to get right into the corners to fit properly. I'm sure they know what they're doing, but taking bits off and putting them back on must increase the risk of cabin rattles in the future.

Yes, it is easier to take tints off, but I've never wanted to. Doesn't make the car particularly dark inside and certainly doesn't make night time visibility or reversing difficult.

[AllotmentChap]

Yeah, totally agree. For a new car, it only makes sense to get glass. If you're not sure about whether you want privacy or not, borrow a car from the dealer for an evening.

[Chesterfield313]

As an alternative you could try these blinds. They stay permanently in place, even with the windows down. Useful on holiday, you can leave the windows down when parked and flies can't get in. You can also remove them and stick them in the boot if you want.

They do also make it look a little bit darker from the outside, helping with the aesthetics a little.

I had them on my first C7 in early 2012. I got them free as I was the first with a C7 to request them and they took my car off me for the day, gave me a courtesy car, and made new ones for my car and a template to make more.

UV Privacy Car Shades Set of 6 Audi A6 4dr 11 - Vanstyle

[Stan82]

To clarify, I have ordered the car without privacy glass and as it's build week 18 I doubt I can add this now without delaying the order. So I'm left with getting the tints retro fit at the dealer or not having them at all?? The blinds chesterfield suggested are also an option however?

[AllotmentChap]

Have you checked with the dealer about altering the glass now? Might be worth a call.

I'll post pics of the dealer-fitted privacy glass tomorrow, so you can see what that option will look like.