windshield repair

[GSmith]

Found 8 inch crack just left of center, about 3 inches from the bottom of windshield (kind of hidden by windshield wipers) when washing the car this afternoon. Insurance company prefers i use LYNX, I would rather go to dealer. Dealer quote was around $1200. Car is a 2008, 4.8, about 5000 miles, (no heads up display, but has everything else). Any suggestions or anything I should watch out for on the repair? Thanks,

[King]

Some aftermarket places get their glass from the dealer anyway. I know in Canada for e.g. they have to go to the dealer especially if you have HUD.

If they use non-oem glass, at the very least get them to use the original mouldings from the dealer. That's what I did with my E53. Also check for any damage before/after installation. They put a cut in my headliner by the A pillar and later denied it.

[Bozz]

Hang on, do you know for sure what the crack was caused by, seems weird that its kind of hidden behind the windshield wiper? could it be a stress fracture caused at time of fitting. I had one of these appear on my Range Rover that was also at the bottom of the windshield and there was no way that it was caused by a flying stone or something hitting the screen, Landrover re-placed the windshield as a warranty claim no questions asked.

Bozz

[whalerdude]

LYNX is OK. Lynx is just the central billing company. they pay for all glass replacement on a case by case basis and bill the insurance co once a month for lump sum.

I work for a big insurer. We use FACTORY OEM glass for all autos.
Our local BMW dealer uses our glass installer for their glass replacement jobs.

I am sure they are marking it up. No dealer that I know of has the expertise to change a windshield themselves.

So, don't worry USE your insurance co through LYNX. Do not pay the extra amount charged by the dealer!