Supposed to take delivery of 2025 ES350 UL on Jul 18th (Sunlight Green with Macadamia interior) . Dealer is quoting me 750 for ceramic tinting all glass minus Windshield. Part of me says let the dealer do it and take the responsibility. The other part of me says let a tint shop do it who does this every day. The dealer is probably not even doing it, but subbing it out to a tint shop. What say you? Dealer or Tint Shop?

 

Tint shop. I think you nailed it with this not being the dealer's specialty - more likely, they are just farming it out to a tint shop anyway. I paid about half that for mine, so that 750 could include a middle man mark up.

 

Take it to a tint shop. Very few dealers have a full time tint guy on site. The local tint shops charge about $350 for ceramic tint on vehicles like an ES. (I just had my wife's done)

 

I agree with the other members. You'd be paying twice as much for the job with the dealer who takes a piece of the money on every added outsourced accessory. Just find a 5 star review tint shop and you'll be good to go.

 

I agree. Talk to a specialist and get exactly the tint you want. Surely it will cost less than what your dealer is charging you. The extra amount is simply a convenience tax.

 

Tough to prove, but dealers have been known to do things like install non-ceramic tint (cheap) yet claim it was ceramic. I’d just skip it.

 

I have worked for dealerships for almost 30 years and never heard that, not to say it doesn't happen, but definitely not where I work.

 

100% agree with the other members.
I'll just want to add that it's important to choose a reputable tint shop. Check the business on Google Maps, paying close attention to both the customer reviews and the total number of ratings.

 

We had the dealer send it to a reputable shop they use. Price was not unreasonable, don’t remember how much but didn’t feel like I got bent over. Figured they send all the cars there so we were comfortable. Excellent job. Do what you are comfortable with.

 

Tint shop. Much cheaper. Likely less hassle (they do the job very efficiently, 20mins or so). And probably better job. I did the same thing

 

Go directly to a tint guy. I went to my PPF wrap guy and found out at the end that he outsourced it to a tint guy. Paid $550 for all side windows, rear and sunroof.

 

Most tint shops offer a lifetime guarantee; just had mine done for $550 for same windows as what you were quoted.

 

Well, I evidently got hosed. I went to a reputable tint shop. Admittedly, they did gorgeous work but it was over $800.

 

Windshield too? If so, not so bad assuming nano ceramic

 

Yes, within the legal parameters, which permits non-reflective tint on the top six inches.