Getting rid of 'privacy' glass

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stallturn
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Post by stallturn »

I am thinking of getting a second-hand Audi S4 Avant.
However, almost all on the Audi website come with 'privacy' glass. My wife hates rear-tinted windows with a passion ("looks like a van") and I am none too keen on them either.
Setting aside the pros and cons of this (increasingly ubiquitous) feature, I am now thinking I can buy a car thus equipped and replacing the rear and tailgate windows with proper glass. I would use Autoglass, or similar, to do the work and the glass would be OEM but obviously I would have to pay for it myself.

Before I contact Autoglass next week, has anyone done this before and is there a guessimate as to how much 3 pieces of rear glass and fitting might cost?

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Nuclear Nick
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Post by Nuclear Nick »

Can’t answer your questions sorry, but consider keeping the tailgate tinted. Like you I dislike the current fashion for side tints but I spec’d the rear window tinted on my 911 and like the effect it has, both in strong sunlight and at night.
Nick

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VanB
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Post by VanB »

I opted for clear glass all round on my 911 and much prefer the clean look. I haven’t once missed the tinted glass having had it on my previous cars.


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Wing Commander
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Post by Wing Commander »

VanB wrote: Sat Jun 16, 2018 2:20 pm I opted for clear glass all round on my 911 and much prefer the clean look. I haven’t once missed the tinted glass having had it on my previous cars.
+1. I too much prefer the non-privacy glass look.

To be accurate, I think that even our non-privacy glass is still tinted, as opposed to being totally clear. :ugeek:
Simon

Sold: 2016 Rhodium Silver Macan 2.0
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VanB
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Post by VanB »

Wing Commander wrote:
VanB wrote: Sat Jun 16, 2018 2:20 pm I opted for clear glass all round on my 911 and much prefer the clean look. I haven’t once missed the tinted glass having had it on my previous cars.
+1. I too much prefer the non-privacy glass look.

To be accurate, I think that even our non-privacy glass is still tinted, as opposed to being totally clear. :ugeek:
Agree it does seem to have a greenish tint to it


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Wing Commander
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Post by Wing Commander »

Was just remembering back to the old days, when actually having the glass tinted at all was an option... :lol: Otherwise, it really would be clear glass all around.
Simon

Sold: 2016 Rhodium Silver Macan 2.0
Sold: 2013 Platinum Silver 911 (991.1) C2
Sold: 2017 Carmine Red Panamera 4
Mine: 991.2 Carrera T Racing Yellow 06/04/2018
subaxtreme
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Post by subaxtreme »

Cars with privacy glass look like pimps cars
Stephen
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MacanArif
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Post by MacanArif »

To add a bit of balance to the discussion - love the privacy glass and have had it on all my Porsches including my current GT3. I'm one of those that would always spec it, not sure it makes any 911 look like a Van and to test it I put my GT3 next to my VW T5 and I could still tell the difference! :lol:
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MCDK
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Post by MCDK »

I’m with Arif. It’s the first box I would tick on any options list.
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Nuclear Nick
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Post by Nuclear Nick »

I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I can't understand the current fashion for side window privacy glass. It completely spoils the appearance of cars that designers have spent so much time creating and, as far as I can see, has little or no practical purpose. In an SUV, particularly a black one, there is no escaping the fact it makes it look like a van, or even a hearse. And it should be made a criminal offence to add them to a 911!
Nick

Defender 90 V8

991.2 C2 GTS

Macan Turbo - sold

BMW K1300S, BMW R1250 GSA
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