RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

I'll second Auto Mall. They have been tinting member cars for over 5 years now.

If you do a search for Auto Mall Tint and you will read a lot of feedback about them, and way more recommendations than any other shops suggested.

Auto Mall has been in the tinting business for over 15 years including at their sister shop location in San Leandro called California Sunscreen.

Almost all the work at both shops are done by either the owner or his partner. This is a great formula for keeping the quality up and consistent, as I personally would not choose a shop where the employees tend to come and go.

uplusd

Auto mall tint quoted me $400 to do my GS and TSX for rear passenger windows and back window on both cars. Do you guys think this is a good price?

bchau_gt

That's not a bad price for 2 cars, but it depends on what kind of tint you're getting.

I also vote for Auto Mall Tint Specialists. They're one of the few (if not the only one) who carries Huper Optik ceramic tints. It's costs more, but that's what I had installed on my car. I'm very pleased by the service I got there.

Another shop to consider is Premier (www.premiermobilegroup.com), which can do tint as well. They use Madico tints, and I may take my new car there in a few months for clear bra and tint.

uplusd

That price is for Suntek HP Charcoal film.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

The price quoted is quite fair, definitely not a rip off.

Here's my general advice for any type of labor services, whether the labor be automotive work or painting your house:

There is always someone out there that will do labor for less, but at the same time I would not make price my final determining factor. It has to be weighed along with the quality, customer service, warranty, etc.

Whenever I see someone talk pricing on these forums there is always some joker who will post a low ball price no matter what is posted. In such cases it is more about the poster boasting about how they got a killer deal because they are best buddies with the owner, or because they just want to get your business at any cost.

AutoMall has been in business for a very long time. They would not be around if people thought they charged too much for the quality of work they perform. At the same time you may learn that some shops that charge very low will not stay in business for very long, most likely because word gets out that you get what you pay for.

Most people on these forums are willing to pay good money for good work. I have no doubt that you may be able to find another shop that does good work for less, if you are willing to put some time, effort and some level of risk to find out.

If you want a reliable and reputable shop without a hassle, Auto Mall is a no brainer.

uplusd

Yeah I'm definitely going to go with them I'd rather pay more for quality work than less for sub-par work.

Irishman06

Premier's a great place too, and if you're gonna go to Auto Mall Tint, you might as well check them out. They're in the same complex.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Both Sid and Sam have similar business ethics. Yeah they are right across from each other and both are well known for their quality work.

I usually think of Premier for their clear bra work, but of course tinting windows is the same line of work.

Before Premier moved in to that complex, Sam actually did some of his clear bra work at Sid's shop.

memasterac

Premier can do both bra and window tint. Auto Mall Tint Specialist does window tinting ONLY. At least that's what I found out today.

For my 07' GS350, Premier quotes me $775 for venture bra and $300 for Modico window tint (4 sides + 1 rear). It's a bit pricy but if the quality of work is good then it’s easier for me to justify the extra $$. I want the tint and bra at the same time so it might be better to use the same shop which can perform both jobs.

I will go to the 925 tint at San Ramon this Saturday to get a feel on how they run their business before I make a decision.

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Posting price in my opinion is a good way to at least make comparisons, so you know you are not getting robbed, especially from the same shop. It's primarily for reference purpose and we can use these good resource from others to make our own, good decisions.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Yes AutoMall does only windows.

So does 925 in San Ramon do windows and clear bra and specifically Venture brand of clear bra?

Premier is probably the best custom cut clear bra in the bay area, hands down.

Is the clear bra quote you have from them for the pre-cut Venture or custom cut? Including, headlights, side mirrors, bumper, hood? Need to know what was included for that price and what type of cut.

Premier is def not cheap, but you can also do a search for them in all of the CL forums and read a lot of feedback about them. They even did a clear bra tour across the US at one time. So they have actually done CL member cars from all over the country.

memasterac

A trip to 925tint at San Ramon came out as a negative impression! I was basically ignored by their employee and I left the shop kinda wondering if this is how they run their business. I then spoke to the next door car shop and was told that the boss of 925 wasn’t there at weekend… but common, like boss like employees, I am not going to give them any business, 925 tint doesn’t deserve it.

I am not sure if premier quote me a custom or pre-cut... but Sam said it's venture shield that includes HL, fog, side mirrors, front bumper and fenders/hood (partial) cut from one single piece.

I also spoke to Magnussen's Lexus today where I purchased my GS350 and Magna Shield Protection Plan. This plan is for corrosive-resistant protection but their finance guy told me I don't need to install the clear bra since I already have the magna Shield (It's basically a clear coat IMO). However, he said that Magnussen's Lexus does offer the clear bra installation for $795 (before negotiation) price... Not sure what are covered and the type/brand of film they use. I'll find it out soon from other financial guy because the guy helped me today is a D1ck. I just have very short patients/temper with people who are not friendly but think they can survive long in the service business.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

There are surely other decent shops out there but Premier & Automall have a good track record with local members going back several years.


OK so that sounds like a pre-cut quote. That's a lot of stuff included for that price. Some shops quote hood and bumper only, so I wanted people to know what you are getting for that price.

Exactly, just a clear coat of protectant that eventually wears out. The magna shield will not guarantee their work against rock chips. Not even close to what Venture or any clear bra protection can do.

Don't pay the dealer $795, they just contract out the work. Why do you think AutoMall and Premier are located by the dealers? They do dealer contracted jobs all the time and the dealer just adds their own profit margin to their price quoted to the customer.




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Irishman06

Magnussen's uses a place on the peninsula, actually, its run by a friend of one of the salespeople. Their price was competitive with Premier's, actually, but as soon as I walked in and saw Premier working on a brand new white Cayman S, and noticed that all the guys in there were super-serious, I knew it was the place I needed to go to.

Speaking of which, Magnussen's failed to sell me on the MagnaShield, its basically a dealer-provided wax job (IMO)...look at the material on any synthetic paint sealant (zaino, klasse, etc.) and you'll hear the same stuff. My buddy got it on his Obsidian IS350, though...

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Woo Hoo, interesting info. "a friend of one of the sales people" ? Hmmm , no conflict of interest there !


Competitive in the sense that this "lesser" shop won the contract with the dealer, so after splitting the profits with the dealer by marking up the cost, the price is then competitive with Premier??

I will not lie that Premier is not cheap, but atleast the people getting paid are the ones doing the work, not sales guys skimming money off the top.


Another very good observation ! I guess it's like comparing off the shelf drugs. The Store Brand drug is much cheaper than the Name Brand drug, but yet the "active" ingredient used in both is the same.


If a dealer can sell, a tint job, wax job, interior job, clear bra, rims or any other "NON_FACTORY" installed parts/service, they can actually make more money off these services than the sale of the car itself ! AND then don't tell me people will add this on to their car payment with interest over several years ?!?!

This is how some salesmen make up for selling cars below invoice. They will make it up on these add on services that the dealer then pays an independent shop to do the work. Can you spell "MIDDLEMAN"?

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

So, what does a clear bra look like after a rock strike? Also, what does it look like after 5 years in the sun? Has anyone done a film treatment to their windshield?

I have not done this to any of my cars, but I am curious. If I took $795 and invested it today with a plan of repainting my front end in 3 years, I suspect it would be a wash. Just trying to figure out where to spend my $$$.