Another data point for those deciding on replacement windshield glass.

2007 X3 3.0si, original glass. Rain sensor. Lots of small rock chips, none worth going to the trouble of replacing the windshield for. Got a larger rock chip that spread into driver's line of site a month back. Windshield deductible is $200, but you play by the insurance company's rules. In my case, that is ICBC, a quasi-government organization. My local glass shop (national chain) is 1 km away, and could get it in the same day I called. They deal directly with our provincial insurance provider, I don't have to go to a claim centre. I asked about the rain sensor issues, and they advised that they use a variety of glass suppliers, all the options they would draw from were special windshields with the rain sensor already attached, no attachment of the sensor required during install.

Glass was replaced, saw it was PPG on completion. Known brand, not an issue.

It wasn't raining then. Two days later when it was, the rain sensor was unresponsive although the wipers worked fine otherwise. Over the next few days it occasionally wiped with the sensor, and once went to full on. They looked at the sensor, couldn't see a problem with it, and ordered another windshield. They wanted to wait two weeks from install date for the glue to fully cure so that they could cut it out more neatly, they said it can make a mess being 5 days old. OK. They were going for a different supplier. They called after it was installed, no joy. They could get a third windshield that afternoon, I didn't need the vehicle so left it with them another day.

Picked it up today, it looks good, and they advise they tested it. They also brought staff in from their head office to review the repair (I met them when I dropped it off). I will have to wait for rain to see how it is, but I am hopeful.

But I do notice it has a BMW roundel in the bottom corner, so on the third try they went with the BMW product. Interesting.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue