[TripleD]

So the car lasted only 9 months, and now needs a new windscreen because of a crack that's appeared after a stone chip

Who should I get to replace it? I'm guessing BMW just use an external company so there's no point going to them directly?
Also was thinking of asking when the replace it to put one in with a shade band across the top ... what do you think the chances are?

[MWA]

If you go to BMW direct it would cost you around £500, they would use original windscreens... Alternatively call auto-glass and they can replace it under your insurance policy.. They will ask you if your car has the green shade, just say yes (even if you don't have ) when the engineer comes to replace, they will not say anything, just make sure you offer him a drink and tip him off £10-20..

[gtsussex]

I managed to crack mine at 3 weeks old! Autoglass can happily replace and it'll be a genuine BMW one. You'll be asked if you have HUD and lane changing (what they actually need to know is if it has the camera so if you have active headlights, the answer's yes).

Did a top job on mine - had to pay 50 quid excess.

If you look through search, you'll find my post on it back in Oct.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

I managed to crack mine at 3 weeks old! Autoglass can happily replace and it'll be a genuine BMW one. You'll be asked if you have HUD and lane changing (what they actually need to know is if it has the camera so if you have active headlights, the answer's yes).

Did a top job on mine - had to pay 50 quid excess.

If you look through search, you'll find my post on it back in Oct.

Does the HUD screen not have any other special properties? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was different and had some sort of layer that reflected the projected image....

[TripleD]

Okay ... it's a £75 excess apparently according to my insurance, I'll give autoglass a call and say yes to shade bar and HUD (I have adaptive lights).

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Does the HUD screen not have any other special properties? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was different and had some sort of layer that reflected the projected image....

I think there is, military HUDs rely on something called a combiner which uses phosphor to enhance and reflect the image back (to the pilot etc..) whilst allowing other light to pass through. I'm sure I saw somewhere that there is a layer of phosphor in the windscreen itself, either way you probably need to mention that the car has a HUD when ordering new windscreens.

[Glassman]

if the glass is ordered direct from BMW, it will be like-for-like (if there is an option code for top tint for that car/windscreen spec, it will show).

Main dealer = genuine, BMW branded glass, every time.

Autoglass = whatever they have in stock (and they'll try to convince you the glass is as good as the BMW branded ones, blah, blah, blah). If it doesn't have the OEM emblem on it, it's not an "unstamped" one. Even the glass manufacturers are cagey in how they state the differences between the two:

http://www.glasstecpaul.com/windscre...y-really-mean/

In terms of the basic fitting of a screen, a few pointers here on an F10; note the smaller detail such as the foam at the bottom of the screen:

http://www.glasstecpaul.com/bmw-5-f10f11-windscreen/

You might want to consider another massively neglected part of windscreen fitting: ridding the substrate of contaminants such as silicon, a huge contributor to bond failure:

http://www.glasstecpaul.com/what-isn...d-windscreens/

HTH, and good luck.

[Tengocity]

I've thought a couple of times that the replacement screen wasn't quite as good as the OEM screen, mainly some distortion along a narrow strip near the base. However, given I've had 5 replaced screens in the last 6 years, I'm loathe to pay extra for something which I am now coming to see almost as a consumable! Unlike something like a tyre, I'm not sure I appreciate the difference to spend £400 (or whatever someone quoted) on a BMW one, over paying the £75 or £100 excess for an Autoglass one.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Does the HUD screen not have any other special properties? I'm sure I read somewhere that it was different and had some sort of layer that reflected the projected image....

Yup they are different. HUD means diff glass and then anything using camera requires different glass again.

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by TripleD

So the car lasted only 9 months, and now needs a new windscreen because of a crack that's appeared after a stone chip

Who should I get to replace it? I'm guessing BMW just use an external company so there's no point going to them directly?
Also was thinking of asking when the replace it to put one in with a shade band across the top ... what do you think the chances are?

I had my windscreen crack on my first F30 and went through my insurance company who put me in touch with Autoglass. Their head office contacted the local BMW dealership they use who then used my chassis number to order in the correct windscreen based upon the various options. At the time though HUD seemed to be quite a novelty to Autoglass so that may well have changed now.

I don't think you can have the HUD and shade band from factory so you will probably not be able to get them both on your new windscreen. You never know though

[NISFAN]

Mine has cracked too. Stone hit about 2 inches in from the A pillar......went straight into a 4 inch crack.

As long as I get Pilkington I don't mind it not being BMW branded.

[Im1]

Hi chaps,

needed some advice… got a chip in the windscreen and had auto glass out today. They are saying a new windscreen is required . Worried …

I have vis pack and presume the camera (not to mention auto lights) on the windscreen will only send correct information to the relevant control units if the windscreen is correct for the individually built car.

The guy from auto glass seemed only concerned about lane change and HUD options.

I do not want my vis pack to be messed up obviously !

Can anyone advise me what to do now and how to have proved by auto glass (if that's what people think is best) that the replacement they are proposing is OEM for my VIN (if that's what it takes to make sure ).

Thanks guys

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Im1

Hi chaps,

needed some advice… got a chip in the windscreen and had auto glass out today. They are saying a new windscreen is required . Worried …

I have vis pack and presume the camera (not to mention auto lights) on the windscreen will only send correct information to the relevant control units if the windscreen is correct for the individually built car.

The guy from auto glass seemed only concerned about lane change and HUD options.

I do not want my vis pack to be messed up obviously !

Can anyone advise me what to do now and how to have proved by auto glass (if that's what people think is best) that the replacement they are proposing is OEM for my VIN (if that's what it takes to make sure ).

Thanks guys

Surely you have to trust that they know what they are doing? ......if said options stop functioning, then you have a case.

[Im1]

I think that it might be a real pain in the a*** as you would then have to try and prove the system was working correctly before the windshield was changed.

Anyway, I sent the following email to auto glass which they have forwarded to their fitting branch

"Dear Sir,

With regard to the appointment today, the technician was of the view that a new windscreen is required.

Before proceeding please could you confirm that BMW original parts would be used as the options on my car specify that the windscreen need conform to the function of :

1. High Beam assistant

2, Automatic air conditioning

3. Rain sensor

4. Interior mirror with automatic dip

The windscreen part numbers satisfying these conditions are

BMW part no

51 31 7 258 063

51 31 7 258 069


Many thanks for your help"

[Glassman]

Chipped windscreen, but they're replacing it? Do you have an image, with some reference for scale?

[Im1]

Hi mate,

Thanks for your reply - I'll upload as soon as I've worked out how

[Im1]

Originally Posted by Glassman

Chipped windscreen, but they're replacing it? Do you have an image, with some reference for scale?

The guy said something about multi-damage

[RobUK]

Autoglass completely screwed up my rain sensing wipers when replacing the screen on my E87, so bear that in mind. Solution is to get the dealer to re-calibrate them.

[Im1]

And the thought screwing up my vis pack would make me ill

Am taking second opinions for repair !

[Im1]

The communication skills of the tech at Sheffiled auto glass I spoke to today , is making me even more nervous of handing over the baby . And reading glass mans posts on the procedure has put me right off trusting those people

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Im1

The guy said something about multi-damage

This does not surprise me, and I have seen/heard all the excuses such as the damage being too close to the edge, or within 120mm of another chip etc. I have a very strong opinion about their approach to chip repairs, and some of it is supported by fact.

From what I can see, the damage is repairable and if it can be repaired to a good standard (both technically, as well as acceptable to you) why replace the screen? (that question is aimed at them BTW!). As a consumer, I would rather keep my factory fitted screen in the car for as long as possible (legally, as well as for fiscal reasons) and there is also the idea that you will have a claim worth several hundred pounds on your claim history (not to be confused with NCD).

My advice would be to argue that the damage is repairable, and if I was making an assessment on behalf of any insurer, I would be recommending a repair based on the fact that the damage is repairable.

Happy to take a call on this.

[Im1]

Thanks to you Glassman

- Work of autobodywindscreens in Leeds . (Autoglass would have had me watch them destroy my factory windscreen and put in a replacement that they couldn't even confirm the BMW part number of)