Windshield chips and cracks

[bobwagner]

Hey All,

In the ~4 months I've owned my 335xi, I've had more windshield chips (8 and counting) and cracks (2 and counting) than I've ever had before. Sure, in my old cars, I'd hear rocks hit the windshield but there'd be nothing more than a scratch. My bimmer is getting chipped or cracked every damn time.

What are your experiences with the e90 windshield? Does it seem more fragile than usual to you? I'm trying to figure out whether it's just my bad luck or there's an issue with the glass.

Btw, my windshield is made by Pilkington.

[galahad05]

Maybe you're going 30-40 MPH faster when your windshield gets hit, than in those other cars?:eek:

[FLS2K]

In 4 months I have a bunch of little chips on my E92. I sometimes wonder if the windshield is made of plexiglass. I swear, I think bird shit chips it.

[galahad05]

Truth is, my windshield is starting to get that "sand blasted" look, as well. Wonderful.

No chips yet, though.

[Bonds 25]

I have noticed this also, I have way more chips in the windshield at 2000 miles than my last car had with 40,000. And another thing I noticed is no matter how many times I clean the outside and inside of the windshield It still looks shitty in the sun light, almost like its not clear.

[Blue Streek]

I think the windshields on these cars are just more suseptable to getting chips and cracks. Are they thinner (for weight saving purposes?) or something? I had only about 5k or 6k miles on my 335 and there was a crack from the passenger side near the top leading out about 4 inches or so. I don't know how or exactly when it happened. Thankfully, I've got good insurance and had made the comprehensive portion of my insurance deductable only $50. I got it replaced with another BMW OEM windshield just last month.

[Blue330i2006]

I just had a bad chip repaired and the tech told me he hates the BMW windshield as they are thinner and more easily cracked during the repair process or b/c of a chip. I have to say though, he did a good job.

[fishs3]

I would have to agree with you. I picked up my car on a Friday evening. The following Monday morning, my first trip down the highway of my regular commute and I received a stone chip. It caused a small crack which I had repaired. There was only 300km on my odometer. When I had it repaired the tech said he could not find the odometer read out. He stated he only found the trip computer. I had show him that was the actual odometer. He had never had to repair such a new car before. Thankfully it was repaired well and you don't notice it. However, I am weary of what the rest of the life of the windshield will be like.

[GOZ 2 11]

I took my 07 in for a bulls eye ding. Repairman said it was a tough job because the windshields were under a lot of stress in the frame. As soon as he put the drill to it...crack...spider webbed. Damn.

[bobwagner]

Maybe you're going 30-40 MPH faster when your windshield gets hit, than in those other cars?:eek:

Haha, no, I'm not a crazy speeder...all the chips have just come out of nowhere while I'm cruising with traffic.

Ok, so it seems like there are a bunch of us who have experienced more chipping and cracking than usual on our bimmers. FYI, I went to BMW service and had them put in paperwork to document this issue. The glass guy there said that he's not aware of any abnormal wear on these windshields so there's nothing he can do about it. But after hearing some of your feedback, I think there may be more than meets the eye.

Anyway, I don't think we can do much else right now except to suck it up and go through insurance. But thanks for all the replies...we at least know we're not crazy. =]

[Takashi]

Indeed. They seem to get chipped very easily. I got 2 combination cracks (bulls eye / stone crack) and a load of small chips that cannot be repaired. It's quite annoying indeed

[Troika]

Truth is, my windshield is starting to get that "sand blasted" look, as well. Wonderful.

No chips yet, though.


Same here getting that sand blasted look but no chips or cracks.

[mryakan]

Well after 10 years, my e36 windshield was pretty nicely sandblasted you'd have trouble seeing clearly in direct sunlight, but in all those years I didn't get a stonechip that caused a crack till like a month before I sold the car. I put some crazy glue in the hole and luckily it held up until I sold it (not sure if the crazy glue helped at all, but someone suggested it and said it worked for them so I though no harm trying it). Let's hope I am as lucky with this car's windshield, although I have a 0 insurance deductible so I guess if something like that happens, I shouldn't have to put anything out of pocket. I've had a couple of incidents where I though for sure the windshield would shatter because of the sound the stone made when it hit, but all I see is very small chips on the surface.

[trek1500]

Wow..I hope I don't jinx myself but after 4 months I'm still chip free! I've heard small debris hit the windshield but have been pretty lucky so far.. Since I have the rain sensor I went ahead and got the windshield policy at the dealership in case I do get a chip that turns into a crack.

I try to avoid driving behind cement trucks and generally any big trucks in general. Don't know if that helps but I've been lucky so far!

[jurrianT]

Just whatever you guys do... Do NOT drive behind any construction/cement trucks... or Dirt roads with cars in front of you... Bleh!

[Takashi]

Just whatever you guys do... Do NOT drive behind any construction/cement trucks... or Dirt roads with cars in front of you... Bleh!

Most of the time rocks are projected by cars and not trucks.. especially ford cars...

[mryakan]

Wow..I hope I don't jinx myself but after 4 months I'm still chip free! I've heard small debris hit the windshield but have been pretty lucky so far.. Since I have the rain sensor I went ahead and got the windshield policy at the dealership in case I do get a chip that turns into a crack.

I try to avoid driving behind cement trucks and generally any big trucks in general. Don't know if that helps but I've been lucky so far!
Wouldn't it be cheaper to pay for the 0 deductible option on your existing auto insurance? :confused

[mryakan]

Just whatever you guys do... Do NOT drive behind any construction/cement trucks... or Dirt roads with cars in front of you... Bleh!
You live in Sunny Cali, move east or north and see if you can avoid rocks in the winter. They don't spray salt dust on the road, they use big honking chunks like pebbles, pretty nasty, I even got stone chips on the top edge of hood.

[Troika]

And pick up trucks avoid behind pick up trucks and suvs as well.

[mryakan]

And pick up trucks avoid behind pick up trucks and suvs as well.
How about avoiding driving altogether and parking the car :rolleyes. I'm just kidding/teasing, in all seriousness, this is like trying to avoid a cold in the winter, you can take all the precautions possible, but short of sealing yourself in a biosafe room, you are bound to get one. Same with rock chips, take precautions, but you will probably get hit when you least expect it. Good Luck.

[mryakan]

Well after 10 years, my e36 windshield was pretty nicely sandblasted you'd have trouble seeing clearly in direct sunlight, but in all those years I didn't get a stonechip that caused a crack till like a month before I sold the car. I put some crazy glue in the hole and luckily it held up until I sold it (not sure if the crazy glue helped at all, but someone suggested it and said it worked for them so I though no harm trying it). Let's hope I am as lucky with this car's windshield, although I have a 0 insurance deductible so I guess if something like that happens, I shouldn't have to put anything out of pocket. I've had a couple of incidents where I though for sure the windshield would shatter because of the sound the stone made when it hit, but all I see is very small chips on the surface.
So I jinxed myself. Yesterday on the highway a stone hit the windshield and caused a chip and small star shaped crack in the bottom left corner, and not even 2 hours later before I even got home another one flew at me while sitting at a traffic light and hit the left most corner where the windshield meets the pillar and cause a 2 to 3 inch horizontal crack. Quite a lucky day :(. It seems the windshield is weaker at the edges since the some stones hit it harder in other areas without damage.
Well at least my insurance said they will cover it and I can fix it anywhere I like and with the 0 deductible I shouldn't have to pay anything. But I will probably wait till May or so before fixing it since there is still a lot of winter debris on the roads. It sucks.

[Troika]

I jinksed myself after posting in this thread. I cracked my winshield on the passenger side. :mad



So I jinxed myself. Yesterday on the highway a stone hit the windshield and caused a chip and small star shaped crack in the bottom left corner, and not even 2 hours later before I even got home another one flew at me while sitting at a traffic light and hit the left most corner where the windshield meets the pillar and cause a 2 to 3 inch horizontal crack. Quite a lucky day :(. It seems the windshield is weaker at the edges since the some stones hit it harder in other areas without damage.
Well at least my insurance said they will cover it and I can fix it anywhere I like and with the 0 deductible I shouldn't have to pay anything. But I will probably wait till May or so before fixing it since there is still a lot of winter debris on the roads. It sucks.

[nm335]

You live in Sunny Cali, move east or north and see if you can avoid rocks in the winter. They don't spray salt dust on the road, they use big honking chunks like pebbles, pretty nasty, I even got stone chips on the top edge of hood.

Hello "mryakan":

I learned the hard way. Two windshields recently in the wife's X5. WAIT until winter is over. I did not and within a few months of her new windshield, we picked up a snow related rock AGAIN. Second replacement windshield.

Then again, when you hit a chip of D-38 off the back of a truck heading to TA-54, the rocks seem mild. :)

[mryakan]

Hello "mryakan":

I learned the hard way. Two windshields recently in the wife's X5. WAIT until winter is over. I did not and within a few months of her new windshield, we picked up a snow related rock AGAIN. Second replacement windshield.

That is the plan, but one of the cracks is expanding daily by an inch or two :(. Must be the daily temp fluctuations from the teens/twenties to 30s/40s (Fahrenheits). Let's hope it lasts, the plan if it holds is sometime in May when the car needs to go in for the annual oil change.

[nm335]

That is the plan, but one of the cracks is expanding daily by an inch or two :(. Must be the daily temp fluctuations from the teens/twenties to 30s/40s (Fahrenheits). Let's hope it lasts, the plan if it holds is sometime in May when the car needs to go in for the annual oil change.

Hello "mryakan":

Broken is broken. However, the insurance company is likely to play the same game with you. We thought we had a zero deductible but the adjuster told us the BMW dealer charged more than "allowed" for labor. Each windshield cost us about $100. Could have gone with the local "Windshield, Taco, and Birth Control company" and paid $0, but the dealer told us that they needed to use a "special NAZI glue" on BMW windshields. Took overnight to cure. They provided a free loaner car but I still want a DNA test on that glue. I think it may have something to do with my relatives! OK, that was cold.

[mryakan]

Hello "mryakan":

Broken is broken. However, the insurance company is likely to play the same game with you. We thought we had a zero deductible but the adjuster told us the BMW dealer charged more than "allowed" for labor. Each windshield cost us about $100. Could have gone with the local "Windshield, Taco, and Birth Control company" and paid $0, but the dealer told us that they needed to use a "special NAZI glue" on BMW windshields. Took overnight to cure. They provided a free loaner car but I still want a DNA test on that glue. I think it may have something to do with my relatives! OK, that was cold.

So far they said it should be ok and they will cover everything, but that is one thing I expect I may face. The dealer even warned me about that, but said they would try to negotiate on my behalf. We'll see how that goes, I'll update.

You say broken is broken, which I agree in the sense that it needs to be fixed either way, but doesn't a large crack constitute a safety issue, not to mention being a distraction. So far not too bad, but at the current rate, not sure how long it will be before it spreads real bad. I am using a marker to plot the daily progress, the geek that I am :embarrasm.

Btw, It sealed properly I assume with no noticeable difference from before the incident?

[nm335]

So far they said it should be ok and they will cover everything, but that is one thing I expect I may face. The dealer even warned me about that, but said they would try to negotiate on my behalf. We'll see how that goes, I'll update.

You say broken is broken, which I agree in the sense that it needs to be fixed either way, but doesn't a large crack constitute a safety issue, not to mention being a distraction. So far not too bad, but at the current rate, not sure how long it will be before it spreads real bad. I am using a marker to plot the daily progress, the geek that I am :embarrasm.

Btw, It sealed properly I assume with no noticeable difference from before the incident?

Hello "mryakan":

No real safety issue.

Sealed properly? Yes, both new windshields, although we did not have much time on the first, and only two months on the second replacement. It looks like they did an excellent job.


Noticeable differance? Well, on the first replacement, the car was faintly redolent of Zyklon B, but the dealer told me it was the Raid they used to kill the insects in the garage.

The second replacement appeared to have a faint holographic image of my grand-father, but it may have been my imagination. Only visible in the early morning light....

Yes, I am cold.

[Ben Carufel]

Have any of you folks who have had windshields replaced on E90s heard of a "condensation sensor" that's supposed to be replaced at the same time?

[mryakan]

Have any of you folks who have had windshields replaced on E90s heard of a "condensation sensor" that's supposed to be replaced at the same time?
Haven't replaced mine yet, but would be interested to know what that is.

[Ben Carufel]

Haven't replaced mine yet, but would be interested to know what that is.

Part # 64 11 6 928 326.

My parts guy says that yes, it must be replaced with the windshield. Retail is about $88.

[mryakan]

Part # 64 11 6 928 326.

My parts guy says that yes, it must be replaced with the windshield. Retail is about $88.
You have the auto climate control right? Maybe that is related to it? I have the dinosaur-age manual climate control, so maybe it is not there on my car, but I'll ask when I go in.

[06330i06]

Interesting comments. I too am having the same problem with my '06 330i with 16k on it. Sandblasted look and a few small chips. I thought it was just me, though I drive on good roads with no dirt or sand. My '01 330 with 75k has the same but not as bad. Our two Ford Explorers and Mustang GT all have over 90k on them and the windshields are in much better shape than my '06. Love the car, but expect more. BMW tries to explain their RFT tire problems away by saying they are ultra high performance tires. I've never heard of a "high performance" windshield, at least not on a street car!

Good idea to have the dealer document it. I will do the same next week when I have to get the AC repaired.

[b4scotty]

Interesting thread.

I have 290 miles on my car, that I picked up April 12th. Haven't even received the plates yet! Driving in to work this morning on the highway, I went under an overpass, while accelerating, and a rock hit my windshield, right smack in the middle = white dent the size of a pea. When I parked the car I looked at it, and it seems fairly deep in the glass thickness... Unreal.

Insurance says it will be zero out of pocket, but I too wonder about this rain sensor issue, because I have that, and do we need a "special" windshield or will the labor be more intensive so that I will be forced to pay out of pocket...

*sigh*

[kavehm]

.....at ~21,000 miles, already 2 windshield dinks, it has been a bad winter, but this is unacceptable, please let us know what the service/dealer comes back with regarding the fragile windshield issues......

[mryakan]

Interesting thread.

I have 290 miles on my car, that I picked up April 12th. Haven't even received the plates yet! Driving in to work this morning on the highway, I went under an overpass, while accelerating, and a rock hit my windshield, right smack in the middle = white dent the size of a pea. When I parked the car I looked at it, and it seems fairly deep in the glass thickness... Unreal.

Insurance says it will be zero out of pocket, but I too wonder about this rain sensor issue, because I have that, and do we need a "special" windshield or will the labor be more intensive so that I will be forced to pay out of pocket...

*sigh*
It sucks anytime it happens, but so much more so when it is a spanking brand new car. I feel your pain. Mine has spread but stopped recently, but should get it fixed sometime next month. Just frustrating to look at. Not a single rock has hit my windshield since the 2 that awful day.

[b4scotty]

How do they go about "repairing" such a small dent? Do they have to heat up the glass and sort of mold in some new glass in the hole? I don't get it. Do they drill a hole and fill it with a resin?

[b4scotty]

Well, took my car in to the dealership to pick up my plates (finally!), and they looked at my ding in the windshield and told me it should be replaced, not repaired... hopin' it's free for me.

[cn555ic]

BMW windshields are so cheap

[cn555ic]

I cracked one on every BMW i have so far!

[LuvMyE92]

Hello "mryakan":

Broken is broken. However, the insurance company is likely to play the same game with you. We thought we had a zero deductible but the adjuster told us the BMW dealer charged more than "allowed" for labor. Each windshield cost us about $100. Could have gone with the local "Windshield, Taco, and Birth Control company" and paid $0, but the dealer told us that they needed to use a "special NAZI glue" on BMW windshields. Took overnight to cure. They provided a free loaner car but I still want a DNA test on that glue. I think it may have something to do with my relatives! OK, that was cold.

Why in the world would you take it to the dealer? Have a reputable local glass company do it for you. Here they will come and do it in the parking lot at work, so I don't have to do anything at all, saving me a lot of time and hassle. And these guys do it all day, every day, so although there may be some BMW-specific issues that they have to learn, they are very experienced at windshields themselves. You can specify OE glass if you want to although they probably get it from the same supplier as the glass company.

Oh, BTW, answering the OP. I had a small rock hit at around 40 MPH and within four miles it had spread to a few inches and within days was up to 8 inches. Car had less than 1000 miles on it.:(

[LuvMyE92]

Do they drill a hole and fill it with a resin?

I'm not sure about the hole drilling, but yes, they inject a resin in there to stop the crack from spreading. If done properly, it should be optically clear.

[mryakan]

Why in the world would you take it to the dealer? Have a reputable local glass company do it for you. Here they will come and do it in the parking lot at work, so I don't have to do anything at all, saving me a lot of time and hassle. And these guys do it all day, every day, so although there may be some BMW-specific issues that they have to learn, they are very experienced at windshields themselves. You can specify OE glass if you want to although they probably get it from the same supplier as the glass company.

Why not if the insurance company is picking up the bill. And who do you think the dealer gets to install the windsheild anyway? They call that company that comes and does it on premise. I am dropping off my car for the annual oil change and getting the windshield fixed 10 days from now, less hassle than having to deal with 2 parties and add to that the dealer talks to the insurance directly so I don't need to get involved or pay anything out of pocket.

[06330i06]

I, for once, made a smart move the other day when I lowerd my comp. deductible on only my car. I had it high trying to keep the premiums low (6 vehicles, two teenage boys). It wasn't 48 hours later when a rock cracked the windshield on my '06 330i. I was sort of glad it cracked because with only 16k it was already starting to be pitted.

What I found interesting was that the dealer wanted $1500 to replace the windshield while the auto glass store would come to my house and replace it for $591 total. My cost was $100 either way, but I thought I'd cooperate w/ AAA. I confirmed that the glass place used genuine BMW glass (the BMW TM is on the windshield), they replaced the weatherstrip, and replaced the condensate sensor ($88). All told, the dealer was going to charge almost a $1000 more for the same thing.

BTW - The glass place AAA uses is the same I've used for over 10 years on a number of vehicles including Porsches and Mercedes, so I had confidence in them.

I don't mind paying the dealer to do work that I feel only they can do well, but replacing windshileds may not be one of those situations.

[galahad05]

Well, turns out I ended up getting a nasty little chip a couple weeks back. Had the safelite guy come out and repair it. He found an actual crack in the "black" part of the bottome of my windshield I hadn't noticed. He repaird both.

Man, I really think my model year's windshield glass is seriously sub par.



For the record, my car now has 8000 miles on it--8 months old. The glass looks as bad as my Toyota's did after 8 years.

[TambourineMan]

I am afraid to post her for fear of getting jinxed myself. Fortunately Massachusetts requires the deductible for glass to be zero so it won't be an expensive problem if I do.

But for all my cars I try to avoid getting mine replaced as they never get the seal as good as the original. So I use the SafeLite repair whenever possible.

All of my prior cars developed the sandblasted effect over time. Is there a service that polishes the windshield to remove this?

[galahad05]

I asked the Safelite guy if there was a windshield polishing service. He said there wasn't.

I don't know if there are some specialty shops that do this, though.

[nm335]

Why in the world would you take it to the dealer? Have a reputable local glass company do it for you. Here they will come and do it in the parking lot at work, so I don't have to do anything at all, saving me a lot of time and hassle. And these guys do it all day, every day, so although there may be some BMW-specific issues that they have to learn, they are very experienced at windshields themselves. You can specify OE glass if you want to although they probably get it from the same supplier as the glass company.

Oh, BTW, answering the OP. I had a small rock hit at around 40 MPH and within four miles it had spread to a few inches and within days was up to 8 inches. Car had less than 1000 miles on it.:(

Hello "LuvMyE92":

Because I did not want any finger pointing. Also, the insurance co. paid for most of it. Then again, unless someone is lying, there are some special considerations involved in replacing BMW windshields. All NAZI jokes aside.

[nicknaz]

count me into the 'windshield chip' club guys... less than 1000 miles on my car, driving on 101 between san jose and monterey i got a rock chip/spiderweb crack that doesn't appear to be spreading.

i can't believe this. i lived in the northeast for a number of years and never had any rock chips in my WRX or my integra. Maybe the thinner glass is an example of BMW weight reduction? either way seems like its time to lower my deductibles =/

[Georgere]

how bad of a ding it should be that it must be replaced?
i have one in my 06 325 i just purchased 2 days ago... it is small and seems to be not spreading for now (ex-owner told me he had id since this january)

[mryakan]

Well for leased cars, if it is not in the wipers' swept area and is less than 1/4" in diameter, then it doesn't need to be fixed when turned in. Gives you an idea (http://fs.bmwusa.com/BMWFSPulp/VEHLEA_Safety.htm). Mine is in the shop today as we speak getting its windshield replaced.

[mryakan]

Windshield replaced. Details below:
Part #51-31-7-061-967: Cover 23$
Part #51-31-7-133-292: Supporting Ledge 16$
Part #51-31-7-186-790: Windshield GRY WEDG 431$
URETHANE+Installation: 173$

Total b4 taxes: 643$ (726.59$ incl taxes).

Out of pocket 0$.

Supposedly it costs more but this is all the insurance company would pay, or that is what I was supposed to believe, whatever, all I care is I have a new windshield and I didn't even need to deal with the insurance or do any paperwork, just dropped the car, signed a couple of papers and picked it up at day's end (they did an oil change and microfilter change meanwhile)

[UFOGUY]

has anyone used a professional service or home kit to repair small scratches and pockmarks in your windshield? that is, those that can't be felt or caught by your fingernails when you run them across your windshield. this type of scratch or pock can be polished out of the glass.

my windshield is getting the sandblasted effect with numerous tiny pockmarks that don't warrant replacement.

for instance:
http://www.aegistools.com/video-scratch-removal.php

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2010&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=glass+scratch

http://www.janvil.com/glass_restore.htm

http://www.etchworld.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=61-4275&mktsrc=nextag

i am going to contact some glass service professionals about treating my windshield and will post the information if anyone is interested.

i am really disappointed in my BMW windshield. i consistently avoid driving behind trucks and in conditions that would produce scratches and pockmarks so i think the quality of the bimmer glass is sub-standard. :mad

thanks.

[mryakan]

i am really disappointed in my BMW windshield. i consistently avoid driving behind trucks and in conditions that would produce scratches and pockmarks so i think the quality of the bimmer glass is sub-standard. :mad

thanks.
Well here is another thought, maybe it is the aerodynamics of the BMW that causes the windshield to get more debris directed at it vs other cars you may have experienced before. I am not ruling out the possibility of the windshield being weak(er) (maybe for weight saving?), but there is always more than one possibility, Non?

[Doctor3series]

Mine is just as bad everyone... sand blasted look and a chip on the passenger side... anyone get it all repaired? can it be? without a full replacement?

[psucelticXI]

I've had mine since April and (knock on wood) no chips yet..

[Georgere]

Windshield replaced. Details below:
Part #51-31-7-061-967: Cover 23$
Part #51-31-7-133-292: Supporting Ledge 16$
Part #51-31-7-186-790: Windshield GRY WEDG 431$
URETHANE+Installation: 173$

Total b4 taxes: 643$ (726.59$ incl taxes).

Out of pocket 0$.

Supposedly it costs more but this is all the insurance company would pay, or that is what I was supposed to believe, whatever, all I care is I have a new windshield and I didn't even need to deal with the insurance or do any paperwork, just dropped the car, signed a couple of papers and picked it up at day's end (they did an oil change and microfilter change meanwhile)

this was $0 to you? who paid for this? warranty?

[mryakan]

this was $0 to you? who paid for this? warranty?
Nope, warranty doesn't cover that, my 0 deductible insurance did.

[rpvmark]

I drove on a desert road in California where there where fairly substantial crosswinds. After approximately ten minutes, the entire windshield was pitted. I had to get it replaced to the tune of $750.

[secret2kwrx]

I had mine (328xi) for 2 months and a small rock chip caused a crack all the way across my windshield. Never happened in my previous cars.