Windshield PSA

[Strahan]

If you plan to replace the upper windshield seal, take your time whilst cleaning out the old leftover rubber. I was getting impatient and pushed a little too hard with my screwdriver in the channel under the glass:

http://www.e38bmw.org/dammit.jpg

My local BMW dealer was closed so I called across the country to find one open; they quoted $2400 installed. :eyecrazy I know everyone says stick OEM, but I called Safelite and they claim that for the same glass (with IR coating and rain sensor) they do it $350 installed with lifetime warranty. While I would prefer OEM, for that much of a difference I'm gonna let them have their chance hehe. I pressed them for confirmation that the warranty covers air leaks as well as regular water leaks because that was what drove me to this point in the first place.

Has anyone done a Safelite window with good results? I'm going to cross my fingers ;)

[7individual]

oh Damn

that takes the wee wee

hopefully you get it sorted

[Strahan]

Thanks. Funny thing is, first call I made to a dealer they quoted $1100 for the glass (I had forgotten to ask about install.. their install labor was more than the glass!?!). I wasn't so much pissed that I screwed it up and had to eat $1100, I was more annoyed thinking of the stuff I could've bought with the money (widescreen lcd, hid fogs, angel eyes & euro switch) that I'd have to waste on the glass instead hehe.

[novasol]

Thanks. Funny thing is, first call I made to a dealer they quoted $1100 for the glass (I had forgotten to ask about install.. their install labor was more than the glass!?!). I wasn't so much pissed that I screwed it up and had to eat $1100, I was more annoyed thinking of the stuff I could've bought with the money (widescreen lcd, hid fogs, angel eyes & euro switch) that I'd have to waste on the glass instead hehe.

Insurance?..rocks have been known to hit windshields :)

The install is the key here, if it doesn't get done right you'll have unbearable wind noise...so the question is can they follow BMW's installation specs. Here's a link to a post from bimmerboard with a PDF of the 11 page installation instructions
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/355131/

[Strahan]

Thanks, I'll take that along and give it to them.

Yea, I did consider, ahem, finding a rock had hit it or vandals visited it, but I can't push my dumb mistake onto the insurance company's shoulders as much as my wallet would want me to hehe.

[Oboyco]

Question on new windshield, I have the same deal with my insurance company taking me to Safelite, they say they can replace my windshield to BMW specs for $300, what is the IR glass? Not sure I have this option, but would pay for it if it works well. No rain sensor.

Second question, my low crack on the right side goes down below what I think is the extreme lower portion of the windshield, red lines, which is what I think is heated. Will this crack disable the lower heating? I think so, but don't know. Winter is coming rapidly here, and I really need this feature, time for a new windshield? I can live with the crack, but not frozen wipers.

[Xephius]

It is a shame that bit of road debrit jumped up and hit your window.... You should call your insurance agent. Then take it to the dealer......

[Oboyco]

Problem is insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to let you take it to the dealer, Safelite or no deal basically. I already went through all that

And I have no problem with Safelite, they have done good work in the past, for me, depends on the installer

[BlackonBlackVIP]

Safelite did all our Windshields. Did a few BMW ones with no issues. But I agree, take it too insurance thats why you pay for it.....

[red740is]

It is rare that any dealer will be doing the glass anyway. If you bring it to the dealer, the most they wil do is order the glass from their parts dept and have a 3rd party do it. You will be hard pressed to find someone that will actually follow the TIS install guidlines - good luck, with the winshield top rubber it is important the glass is set correctly and almost none of the people replacing glass accomplish that.