Window tinting interfering with AM radio reception?

I own a '99 C43, purchased used from a Mercedes dealer with the windows already tinted. The AM radio reception has always been very poor. When I first complained several months ago, they told me that an antenna was disconnected and that they had fixed the problem. However, the reception wasn't much better after that.

When I finally brought the car back a few days ago, the tech told me that the window tinting on the rear window was causing the problem (they had never mentioned this before). Apparently, the radio antenna is integrated into the rear window itself, and the tint interferes with reception.

Is this the case? I find it hard to believe that a thin piece of transparent plastic would do this. But even if this is accurate, there must be a way to get around the problem without removing the tinting. After all, AM radio is a pretty low-tech automotive function...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Tolahouse]

I've heard of this before. On most of the newer model Benz's the antenna is built into the rear windshield. Tinting this affects the reception of this antenna, the darker the tint the worse the reception. Do a search on this site - I forget what to search for but I'm sure I've read about it before.

Tolahouse
'97 E420

[mbdoc]

Reception will be poor only if the tint has a metallic base! Some tints are available w/o metallic base! Check with local tint company.

[Jim H]

We had AM reception trouble with the 96 E300D. FM was OK. Turns out the am/fm splitter was bad. Dealer replaced it (under StarMark warranty) and now it's OK. Has the tech checked the splitter?

Metallic film, or metal on plastic to be exact, will interfere with reception.

BCingU, Jim