[Hendoo]

Any thoughts on the manual side window shades?

Flimsy? Solid? Effective? Useless?

Here in the Southwest it gets pretty hot…. And the shades might keep the cabin cooler when the car is parked outdoors.

Just wondering what experiences others have had before I make a decision on this.

Thanks!

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Hendoo

Any thoughts on the manual side window shades?

Flimsy? Solid? Effective? Useless?

Here in the Southwest it gets pretty hot…. And the shades might keep the cabin cooler when the car is parked outdoors.

Just wondering what experiences others have had before I make a decision on this.

Thanks!

I like mine, wish they were automatic but they're easy to put up and down. No, I wouldn't say they were flimsy but I also wouldn't want young kids toying with them because as you pull them from the sill towards the top of the window frame, the tension increases and if you were to let go prematurely they would snap back down with vengeance and cannot image that being a good thing to do. They are effective for blocking sight through the windows even though the rear windows are already heavily tinted, with the shades up you cannot see inside at all. I think anything you can do to block the sun will help keep the inside cooler. When I park in the sun I use a windshield shade, my rear window shades are up and I tilt the sunroof. When I get in the car, its pretty decent, but you need all these things, the rear shades only help.

[Hendoo]

Thanks Marty; great input and exactly what I was looking for.

I do the windshield shade etc as well. So the side shades are in addition to that.

[Cityman]

I like them and think they work well. In fact, I’ve had the car two months and they’re alway up. I have black extended merino leather interior and it obviously gets hot in Texas. Also, I have a black leather dash so my front sunshade is always out when the car sits in the sun for very long. I also have a stick-on shade I use for the driver’s window. I never open my panoramic moonroof when the sun is out either. All this definitely helps keep it cooler and protect interior finishes.

[Sevn86]

I would get them but I personally don’t use my shades often. it’s nice to know I have them. Best thing to do is to get window tint with a quality ceramic film. Blocks out a great deal of heat. I feel shades are more there for extra privacy as when they’re up it makes it harder to see in.

[BlkGS]

Just haves in my opinion, at least.in a sunny location. I think they do less to block heat than they do glare. My toddlers insist on them being up. Literally they went up and haven't gone down since I bought the car.

[apw2607]

My dog likes them. So there is that

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

I like mine, wish they were automatic but they're easy to put up and down. No, I wouldn't say they were flimsy but I also wouldn't want young kids toying with them because as you pull them from the sill towards the top of the window frame, the tension increases and if you were to let go prematurely they would snap back down with vengeance and cannot image that being a good thing to do. They are effective for blocking sight through the windows even though the rear windows are already heavily tinted, with the shades up you cannot see inside at all. I think anything you can do to block the sun will help keep the inside cooler. When I park in the sun I use a windshield shade, my rear window shades are up and I tilt the sunroof. When I get in the car, its pretty decent, but you need all these things, the rear shades only help.

I agree. Love them - just wish they were electric…

[eelnoraa]

they are not flimsy. I have them in my 2003 E39, they are still working today. I have young kids, they are useful. I will definite have them. If not for kids, I think I can get away with heavy tint. Nowadays, I wonder why they aren't standard in a luxury brand mid level model. Plenty of non luxury brands have them

[Kid Red]

I get ceramic tints with UV protection, so I don't use those shades.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by apw2607

My dog likes them. So there is that

Gotta say, that's funny right there...

[bandersen]

I have them - don’t use them as I feel they limit my view somewhat. They are nice/not flimsy. Would not want a toddler/youngster to play with them (as noted), don’t think they really offer any solar protection as the windows have the tint, but they may help some. Sunshade and closed sunroof screen biggest help as stated!

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by Kid Red

I get ceramic tints with UV protection, so I don't use those shades.

I also got the ceramic with UV but these are great for glare and when the sun is beating on that window. Makes a big difference.

[Kgerry59]

I've never used mine.

[carfan36]

Originally Posted by Kgerry59

I've never used mine.

Ok, I can take them . Just Kidding! can we get this installed from the dealer or from outside? Has anyone done an after market installation of the manual ones?

[BobsM3Coupe]

The rear door window shades have been up since delivery. I like them.

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...what mostly everyone has said.

The other caveat besides kid abuse...be careful if you have them up and you roll the rear windows down. Strong WIND buffeting may cause as much damage as kid-play...so if you're driving above 35 MPH, you should probably roll the rear windows up if you have the shades up, too.

I keep them down in the winter but definitely put them up for the summer. I also try to park facing north. If there's no north facing parking spaces, and I'm going to be parked all day, then I park facing east so that by the end of the work day, the sun is on the rear of the vehicle with the shades up on the rear door and the heavier tint on the rear cargo and tailgate...also, the pana-roof's shade stays closed in the summer, as well.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ditto...what mostly everyone has said.

The other caveat besides kid abuse...be careful if you have them up and you roll the rear windows down. Strong WIND buffeting may cause as much damage as kid-play...so if you're driving above 35 MPH, you should probably roll the rear windows up if you have the shades up, too.

I keep them down in the winter but definitely put them up for the summer. I also try to park facing north. If there's no north facing parking spaces, and I'm going to be parked all day, then I park facing east so that by the end of the work day, the sun is on the rear of the vehicle with the shades up on the rear door and the heavier tint on the rear cargo and tailgate...also, the pana-roof's shade stays closed in the summer, as well.

And here I thought I was the only dork that thought of the compass heading when I parked in the summer!! 🤣🤣

[Photographer918]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

The rear door window shades have been up since delivery. I like them.

Mine too - since the day I bought the car…..

[BMPHIL]

Mine have never been up, looking forward to the few days of sunshine in the UK this year to try them.

[JoeAyalaM]

I had two cars with shades, still have one, and have never used them. My kids never liked to have the view blocked. So I didn't order them on the X5.

I certainly recommend using Ceramic tint all around to lower inside temperatures under the sun.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by bandersen

And here I thought I was the only dork that thought of the compass heading when I parked in the summer!! 🤣🤣

..there's usually always someone else doing or thinking the same odd thing...you are not alone.

Park facing east also puts the sun on the passenger side of the vehicle...which keeps the driver's seat a bit cooler since it is in the shade versus sitting in the sun all day.