Custom fit sunshades - Anyone have these?

[dropshadow]

Recently had a kid and the suction cup rollup sunshade is not cutting it. Yes, I already have 40% 3M Crystalline tint on my windows and that cuts down on heat, but direct sunlight is still something I'd like to alleviate. Long history of melanoma in my wife's family, so the more direct sunlight I can reduce, the better. Yes, I should have gotten a car with sunshades built in, but I didn't, so no need to suggest that.

A friend of mine found a company in the UK that sells custom fit sunshades, and they have a set for the B8 sedan & Avant: http://www.uvcarshades.co.uk/shades-...4779_2772.html



I like that these are custom fit to the specific car and seem to be easily removable. I'd order these, but shipping to the US is almost as much as the shades themselves, and the total is over $180 USD. Anyone know of a US distributor for these, or any other similar options?

Here is a PDF with the specific pieces for the B8 sedan: http://www.privacy-shades.co.uk/cars.../AU-A4-4-B.pdf

[jlaudio]

im my mind serves me correct, these were discussed at length in the a4 forums. may want to try there

[dropshadow]

im my mind serves me correct, these were discussed at length in the a4 forums. may want to try there

Thanks, I'll have a look around.

Edit: Found a thread where these are discussed: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/559800

And another: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/439993

[dropshadow]

$180 is starting to look like a pretty good deal. If nothing in the US shows up, I'll probably order a set of these.

[IanCH]

If I was in your situation 180 seems like a deal, I would get them asap.

[dropshadow]

If I was in your situation 180 seems like a deal, I would get them asap.

Just did. $192.39 shipped.

[bknewtype]

cousin had these on his a4. great for its purposes

[$nooze]

Looks like they could block out wondering eyes as well during some action to go time

[dropshadow]

Looks like they could block out wondering eyes as well during some action to go time

Move along, baby #2 in the works.

[Leor604]

I have the factory sunshades which are very convenient.

However, for maximum blockage (as you require), I think the ones you have ordered are better as they will cover ALL the glass (including the little window behind the rear doors). Nice find.

[S4 00 2.7]

Just did. $192.39 shipped.

Looks top notch Congrats on the new baby.

[dropshadow]

Found a review for these shades over on MBWorld, in case anyone else is considering them: http://mbworld.org/forums/5279561-po...tml?styleid=19

Got them this morning via FedExUK! It's exactly 72 hours since I got off the phone with the folks at vanstyle.co.uk--just like BMW1203 had mentioned. And I'm located in the midwest near Chicago.

The construction is really sturdy and solid. The shade fabric is thick just like MB's oem rear shade; unlike those thin, near-transparent material from generic sunshades you find at Wally world. The frames are thick and sturdy. Yes, they also come with a zippered black bag with handle for storage. I believe all are manufactured in the UK.

The fit is really good, just like the pix posted by BMW1203, and definitely looks better than the oem pull up side shades. I put on the clips into the intended cleft and they are secure, allowing me to open and close the windows and doors without any shade movement. Just remember those clips go between the the rubber sealing strip or velvety rubber sealing strip and the plastic body panel; not between the glass and the body panel (also stated on vanstyle's website in response to one user's comment about wobbling sunshade)

I have the rear power sun shade. However, I figure I would put the rear window shades on (might as well use them since I paid for them). The fit is good. But it's so tight it's difficult to have them exactly edge to edge at the center. If you push too hard, the shade fabric gets distorted and you will see shadow on the fabric. So I took out the "aligning" clip in the middle and just left them overlap because the end result is not very noticeable. Even with the overlap, it wouldn't interefere with the power rear shade. Now I have the choice of making the rear window even darker with the push of the rear power sun shade.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the result. The appearance is really no different from dark tinting. Moreover, I can open my window and have the "tint" at the same time. Now I'm looking for similar material shades for the front side windows. I think I might get a set of c-class one and use the rear ones for the front side windows. I'm sure the fit will only be approximate and leave large gaps, but it will be better than nothing. As for the extra two rear panels, I will just attach them to my 20 year old car's hatch back window.

I'll post up pics when they arrive.

[$nooze]

Move along, baby #2 in the works.

Lol! Can't wait to see pics of the shades tho quiet interested. Lots of nosey ppl in Toronto that will just stare into your car

[fonseca_q5]

I am curious to see pics as well.

[dropshadow]

I am curious to see pics as well.

I'll post up when they arrive. Right now I'm trying to get payment figured out because the seller charged me VAT, which shouldn't have applied to my purchase. That's about $55 USD I should get back.

[mithril]

I'll post up when they arrive. Right now I'm trying to get payment figured out because the seller charged me VAT, which shouldn't have applied to my purchase. That's about $55 USD I should get back.

Thinking of ordering a set for my S6 instead of cutting up door cards to swap in the OEM roller blinds. I'll be interested to see what your opinion on the overall fit is.

[dropshadow]

They just arrived this morning. I also ordered a set for my buddy's Mercedes so we could both save on shipping costs. I'll install tonight and post pics.

[ahc]

Nice find, interested to see the photos.

[JD_MD]

I cannot wait as well. I plan to order if the review is positive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BlackHawk23]

Damn son, I just paid nearly twice that for the kit from windesa.com The only thing mine has thats different is that it comes with the smaller triangular rear quarter shades and also a large shade for the rear window. I wish I would have seen this before I placed the order.

[dropshadow]

Damn son, I just paid nearly twice that for the kit from windesa.com The only thing mine has thats different is that it comes with the smaller triangular rear quarter shades and also a large shade for the rear window. I wish I would have seen this before I placed the order.

This kit has those pieces as well. I'll be installing them shortly once the kid goes to sleep.

[BlackHawk23]

This kit has those pieces as well.

doh

[dropshadow]

Just installed the shades. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow in the sunlight.

All six pieces come in this bag:


These are the 12 clips hold the shades in place. Six long ones, six short ones:


Here are the two rear windows and the small triangle window pieces. Yes, that is fresh snow in the background. It's still coming down.


You snap four clips onto each side window shade, and then slide them into the channels in the doors. I couldn't get the first one in, until I realized that there is actually a left and a right side, and I had the wrong one. Once I swapped for the opposite shade, it went right in.


I used a little plastic spudger to gently spread the rubber gaskets apart so I could insert the clips on the side windows:


The triangle pieces just press in, no clips on these:


Two clips along the top of each of the big back pieces, and they slide in as well. This photo was taken before I adjusted them a bit, but I did manage to get rid of the wrinkles. I'm not sure if I'll keep the back shades in much, but I wanted to see how they went in.


I'm very pleased with these. They seem very sturdy and well-built. The mesh is about the same opacity as the rollup shade that I was using, so it should block about the same amount of light. I'll check it out in the daylight tomorrow, and I'll find out if the baby likes them or not. I couldn't tell for sure in the dark, but I don't *think* the clips are actually touching the glass, so they shouldn't scratch the tint. I don't plan on rolling the windows up or down very much with these in place anyway, but it looks like the window travel is not impeded.

[dropshadow]

Total cost for me was about $160. The seller originally charged me VAT, which he shouldn't have because they were being exported, so he refunded a portion of the price.

[skiracerblah]

I currently use one of those cheap rollup sunshades in my SUV for my baby. When you get a chance to view these in the sunlight, let me know if you think this is noticeably darker than the cheapo rollup sunshades and if its worth the money to spend on them.

[mithril]

Total cost for me was about $160. The seller originally charged me VAT, which he shouldn't have because they were being exported, so he refunded a portion of the price.

What did he charge for shipping? The B8 price is the same as the C5 and the number I'm getting from the website is about $30 higher. Looks great through!

[dropshadow]

What did he charge for shipping? The B8 price is the same as the C5 and the number I'm getting from the website is about $30 higher. Looks great through!

You can figure out shipping if you start an order and put a set in your cart. They charged a little but more since we were shipping two sets, but it was still cheaper than shipping them individually.

[IanCH]

They look really nice, interested to see how the car looks from the outside with these on. What is your pre-existing tint level?

[ahc]

OP can you take some pics from the outside during the daytime? Interested to see what it looks like w/ the tint

Does the rear shade w/ just tint make night driving difficult?

[dropshadow]

I'll take some pics today if I get a chance. I have 40% Crystalline tint.

[Just A B8]

We need to get these on Massdrop. =)

[dropshadow]

Inside, comparing front and rear on the passenger side:


Looking back from the driver's seat:




The baby taxi:


I've never been a fan of darker tint on the rear windows, so I'm glad that I can take these off easily when I want to. Overall, I'm very happy with the shades.

[ahc]

Thanks for the photos. Looks really good. Have you driven with them on at night yet? Wondering what visibility is like. THanks!

[dropshadow]

Thanks for the photos. Looks really good. Have you driven with them on at night yet? Wondering what visibility is like. THanks!

Not yet. I'll find out tonight.

[mithril]

You can figure out shipping if you start an order and put a set in your cart. They charged a little but more since we were shipping two sets, but it was still cheaper than shipping them individually.

I didn't clue in that the price with and without VAT was exactly the same which explains the difference... gotta love lack of coffee and sleep I'll be ordering my shades today or this weekend. My old 4.2L A6 had the built in shades, but my S6 does not. These shades are still a better option than finding a set of used rear cards and swapping them as they also give the rear quarter glass covers. Didn't really matter with the tiny triangles in the C5 sedan but it's a different matter with the Avant. Thanks for your feedback!

[skiracerblah]

If not too much trouble, can you put your rollup shade on your front window and take a picture. Curious to see if these custom ones are similar to the rollup.... Your front windows have the same 40% tint as the rears i assume?

[TimS7559]

OP thanks for finding these shades. I had the rear window shade a Passat I just sold and wanted to get something similar for the S4 but didn't want to go up to the prestige level to get the factory ones. Pictures were great and I will likely order a set very soon.

Yeah that snow was a little kick in the face on Thursday/Friday.

[dropshadow]

If not too much trouble, can you put your rollup shade on your front window and take a picture. Curious to see if these custom ones are similar to the rollup.... Your front windows have the same 40% tint as the rears i assume?

Yes, 40% tint all around. I actually broke the rollup shade when I pulled the suction cup off the window, so I threw it away. I compared it to the shades before I installed them, and the mesh is very similar. The custom shade mesh might be a bit more dense than the rollup shade, but YMMV depending on what you currently have.

I did end up taking the shade out of the rear window. Visibility was reduced but it wasn't terrible. I didn't get a chance to drive at night with the rear shades in. My wife rode in the backseat tonight with the baby, and she said that nighttime visibility out of the shades was reduced, but that's to be expected. I'm also not noticing any issues when checking my blindspot over my left shoulder while driving.

Overall, still very pleased after a few days. I wish they made a set of these for my wife's Jeep, because I'd definitely buy another set.

[Usa]

How does this play into tint laws? I mean, could you run the maximum legal tint and then throw these on and still be legal?

Looks great man, thanks for the info

[dropshadow]

How does this play into tint laws? I mean, could you run the maximum legal tint and then throw these on and still be legal?

Looks great man, thanks for the info

That I can't answer, and a lot of it depends on where you live. In Minnesota, a sedan can't have anything darker than 50% on any window. On an SUV, you can't go darker than 50% on the front windows, but you can go as dark as you want on anything behind the B-pillar. You can get a tint exemption from an eye doctor if you can find one that will give you one, but I haven't bothered to do that. Technically, I would think that these shades would fall under the same rules as a stick-on sunshade or cars that have sunshades built-in from the factory, but that's an assumption.

My tint is illegal even without the shades, so if I get stopped for what looks like super dark tint on the rear windows, I'll just pull out the letter I keep in my glovebox from the Mayo Clinic that advises that any car that my wife or daughter are in often should have dark tint.