Windshield glass replacement- how involved?

[Itsablurr]

So, I took a healthy rock to the windshield, and now have quite a large crack. Calling the ins co to get a replacement scheduled, but wanted to get an idea for how involved the process may be, for those that have gone through it or observed.

I know there is quite a bit of overlapping of parts around the base... does the hood need to come off at all? Ideally would be getting the replacement done at the office, but if space is needed for disassembly, I'll have to get it done at home.

Thanks!

[BMWBergy]

The plastic cowling cover at the base of the windshield will need to come off, but IIRC, that means the wiper arms will need to be pulled as well. You can do those yourself (battery terminal puller is a great tool to pop the arms off once you remove the bolt holding them to their fulcrums).

As for the hood - there should be NO reason to remove it, unless that's what the installer wants. Any required clearance at the base of the windshield can be gained by opening the hood.

[RickySixx6]

Did this happen this morning Matt?

[lokijibber]

Be sure to specify OEM replacement. For a different car, the adjuster started asking all sorts of questions about the windshield (interior heating element, antenna, etc) which got me a bit concerned.

[RickySixx6]

For what its worth, my M Coupe's front windshield was replaced and there were no issues, no questions, ... it was done in a matter of hours after ordering the proper glass a few days after swinging by.

[Itsablurr]

Did this happen this morning Matt?

The chip happened a little while back. Cracked on a cold morning with the heater a couple weeks back before the business trip to Asia.

[Itsablurr]

For what its worth, my M Coupe's front windshield was replaced and there were no issues, no questions, ... it was done in a matter of hours after ordering the proper glass a few days after swinging by.

Oem glass?

[RickySixx6]

I don't believe it was. They said.. either we can order the glass from BMW and you'll pay an extra ___ (forget how much) OR, we can provide you with glass that your insurer will cover.

I figure since I drive the thing and its not going to a showroom floor or museum, I didn't care if it was OEM. I too had a chip and wish it could get filled but since it was on the driver's side they wouldn't allow it.

[rf900rkw]

I just had the Coupe windshield replaced for sand pitting. I'll have to check the brand next time I'm near the car. I believe it was PGW. It was replaced in my driveway by one guy in an hour or so. But the rubber trim creeped a bit, so it was redone at their shop with multiple hands.

My understanding is Pilkington and PGW are the two suppliers. It should say on your current glass just below the BMW logo. I see no reason to pay extra to have the same windshield arrive in a BMW branded box on a dealer truck.

[BobSarley]

I went after market glass. I went Safelite and it was done while I waited. Made an appointment on-line and stopped by on the way home from work.

[jajou318]

Be sure to specify OEM replacement. For a different car, the adjuster started asking all sorts of questions about the windshield (interior heating element, antenna, etc) which got me a bit concerned.

There is no heating element/antenna/rain sensors/light sensors in our cars(thank god, one less thing to worry about). FW829 is the NAGS part number. I would ask for Pilkington brand if going aftermarket. They make OEM glass for Land Rover. PPG/PGW windshields are good too but sometimes vary where they are made, they get away with a Chinese company making some of their windshields and using their PGW logo on it and saying it's "Made in China" when PPG/PGW doesn't have a automotive glass factory there. In reality a brand FY or XYG makes and slaps on the PGW logo.

I would recommend having the molding replaced with an oem part. You do not have to remove the hood - auto glass installers are not body shop guys and it's almost guaranteed that they can't get it aligned for you. Depending on the extraction method might be a good idea to have the A pillar trim removed.

- - - Updated - - -

Safelite also gets away with "rebranding" they slap on their wholesale company (Service Auto Glass). So you would have to look at the actual logo on the glass to see the brand.

[ingalls89]

There is no heating element/antenna/rain sensors/light sensors in our cars(thank god, one less thing to worry about). FW829 is the NAGS part number. I would ask for Pilkington brand if going aftermarket. They make OEM glass for Land Rover. PPG/PGW windshields are good too but sometimes vary where they are made, they get away with a Chinese company making some of their windshields and using their PGW logo on it and saying it's "Made in China" when PPG/PGW doesn't have a automotive glass factory there. In reality a brand FY or XYG makes and slaps on the PGW logo.

I would recommend having the molding replaced with an oem part. You do not have to remove the hood - auto glass installers are not body shop guys and it's almost guaranteed that they can't get it aligned for you. Depending on the extraction method might be a good idea to have the A pillar trim removed.

- - - Updated - - -

Safelite also gets away with "rebranding" they slap on their wholesale company (Service Auto Glass). So you would have to look at the actual logo on the glass to see the brand.

I was waiting for you to chime in on this one. Lol

[adonnan]

I had mine replaced with the Pilkington brand only to have it receive another stray rock 11 months later. Repaired the crack vs. replaced.

[say mmmm]

Now is a good time to replace that blocker of a mirror. What I did was tell the glass company get the glass without BMW mirror mount and give them the GM mount. I'm using this and it works great!

http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...MAk#ps-sellers

[lokijibber]

There is no heating element/antenna/rain sensors/light sensors in our cars(thank god, one less thing to worry about). FW829 is the NAGS part number. I would ask for Pilkington brand if going aftermarket. They make OEM glass for Land Rover. PPG/PGW windshields are good too but sometimes vary where they are made, they get away with a Chinese company making some of their windshields and using their PGW logo on it and saying it's "Made in China" when PPG/PGW doesn't have a automotive glass factory there. In reality a brand FY or XYG makes and slaps on the PGW logo.

I would recommend having the molding replaced with an oem part. You do not have to remove the hood - auto glass installers are not body shop guys and it's almost guaranteed that they can't get it aligned for you. Depending on the extraction method might be a good idea to have the A pillar trim removed.

- - - Updated - - -

Safelite also gets away with "rebranding" they slap on their wholesale company (Service Auto Glass). So you would have to look at the actual logo on the glass to see the brand.

Haha, I know its just basic windshield, and I think the one on my Acura was too. I was just worried they'd get some crap that wouldn't fit right if I didn't request OEM.

Great info on the manufacturing. I'll have to bookmark for future reference.

[BenFenner]

No need to bookmark, this thread got added to the manifesto earlier today.

[BMWBergy]

So, do any/all of the potential glass options have the little VIN window on the lower driver's side section?

[Randy Forbes]

Whatever glass this was (didn't occur to me at the time to check, but it matters little, as I'd only use OE BMW replacement) had the VIN window in the wrong place...

... unless the glass clowns that did the job displaced (removed?) the original VIN tag. Either way, lose/lose.

[HEMIkiller]

Be sure to specify OEM replacement. For a different car, the adjuster started asking all sorts of questions about the windshield (interior heating element, antenna, etc) which got me a bit concerned.

Just got a quote for around $590.00 for an OEM windshield install; haven't done a comparison shopping yet...

[BMWBergy]

Whatever glass this was (didn't occur to me at the time to check, but it matters little, as I'd only use OE BMW replacement) had the VIN window in the wrong place...

... unless the glass clowns that did the job displaced (removed?) the original VIN tag. Either way, lose/lose.

Thanks Randy. You mean the 'no-talent glass clowns'? I'd almost rather the new glass have no VIN pane than a poorly-aligned one. That will be the issue with using a service like Safelite; I'll have to verify - before I commit - that the 'VIN-dow' is in the right spot...

- - - Updated - - -

Just got a quote for around $590.00 for an OEM windshield install; haven't done a comparison shopping yet...

$284 is the quote I received from Safelite.

[mpire]

I just went through inspecting 5 different pieces of glass. 4 PPG and one chinese kind. Every one had a defect. So I gave up and just told them to get me some BMW glass. Then there is the gasket. Its not the same on the roadster and coupe. So I would just recommend you make sure you get the right one.

The gaskets should not overlap the A pillar. It should fit flush up against it. The crappy aftermarket gaskets just lap over the top of the A-Pillar and look like crap.

I should have the new glass and gaskets I ordered this week, so lets hope they get here before next Tuesday when they are scheduled to come back out and check it.

I ordered Genuine glass and gaskets just in case.

Ordering the glass from the bmw parts store was half the price of the local stealership. Go figure.

Transaction Total: $382.07

That's one windshield, and 2 Coupe windshield gaskets shipped to my door.

[jajou318]

So, do any/all of the potential glass options have the little VIN window on the lower driver's side section?

Yeah they are all replicas of the OE glass.

[mpire]

The Pilkington chinese glass looks different. More clear I guess. Different bubbles.

PPG makes the OEM glass, but I swear that any PPG glass without a BMW logo is a second.

One had black specks INSIDE the glass between the layers.

WEATHERSTRIP518521 [Part#: 51718399109] Bmw 0 2 81.9
GREEN WINDSCREEN GREEN SHAD513110 [Part#: 51318400512] Bmw 0 1 194.82

Order Total: $358.62
Shipping: $23.45

Total: $382.07

[rboehl]

I had a quote from safelite (non oem) of $250 and with my insurance deductable of $250 I got the OEM glass since I was gonna pay the same anyway.
It took about an hour at their shop while I waited to replace.

[luciano136]

When I had mine replaced years ago, they told me they never use OEM glass unless it is a brand new car. As long as the manufacturer uses the correct specs, I guess you should be ok? I had zero issues with mine.