Windshield replacement feedback

[GoVols!]

Had a small crack that decided to spread across the whole windshield this morning when the heat came on. Was hoping to wait until Spring, but......

Got two quotes:

1. From the dealer for ~$1,100. Rain sensing BMW glass with some sort of solar covering.

2. From the best local glass place for $300 installed including new seals. Rain sensing PPG brand glass.


I have a $500 deductible on comp insurance so this would be saving me $200 plus the ins hassle.

Has anyone heard of PPG and can vouch for their product?
Any negatives to going with the aftermarket brand glass?
I own, not lease.

[onefish2]

Check with your insurance company. Glass coverage is usually covered. So that means free to you. No deductible.

I would recommend a glass shop like Safelite over the dealer.

I have a MINI Cooper and those cars are rock magnets. I am on my 3rd windshield and Safelite did the last 2 installs. No issues what-so-ever.

Who would you rather have do your glass... the dealer that does 1 a month or a glass co that does 10 a day.

[roadkillrob]

Typically the dealer will not do the install, if you opted for BMW glass, they would have a glass company come do the install anyway. Also, talk to your insurance company as around here they will do OEM glass for the first year you own the vehicle, then only aftermarket and you have to pay the extra.

There is nothing wrong with PPG glass, it may even be what is in your car as they do a lot of OEM glass.

I did have an issue once with my 2003 3 series where the curve of the aftermarket glass was a little off and the rain sensor would not mount correctly or work, so the insurance company ended up putting OEM BMW glass in the car and it didn't cost any extra when they had no choice to make it work.

[nynd]

PPG is a fairly large company making OEM windshields for Honda and GM among other companies. You just need to ensure they do a good job installing it . Meaning, no scratches across the hood while doing their job, making sure right amount of sealant, last thing you want is a water leaks or wind noise issues and most of all, ask them the THICKNESS of the glass. OEM versions are thicker glass hence, can handle more abuse, the cheaper ones that are thinner, won't take the same rock hits hence could potentially need to be replaced sooner due to hits/cracks.

[ard]

Safetlite is horrible. All the big national chains simply hack out the old glass, squirt in their own urethane and set the glass with OE trim. IT IS NOT A BMW SPECIFIED REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. They essentially glue a new glass into place.

If your out of pocket on comprehensive is really $500 (mine is 100 precisely becuase I do 2 windshields a year on 5 cars we drive) then just spend the extra 200 (ie over the 300 for PPG) and get OE glass- AND 'BMW installation methods and materials'. No comprehensive claim will increase your rates, BTW.

I am less concerned with the actual glass, and more concerned with the install methods, materials and precise placement to ensure no wind noise, etc.

A

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by ard

Safetlite is horrible. All the big national chains simply hack out the old glass, squirt in their own urethane and set the glass with OE trim. IT IS NOT A BMW SPECIFIED REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. They essentially glue a new glass into place.
A

How does the "BMW method" differ from any reputable windshield repair company?

I have a really hard time paying as much as they want at the dealer for this service. My windshield cracked last year and I opted to have Safelite fill the crack because the crack was smaller than a dollar bill. I am very glad I went this route because less than one week later I was hit by another rock which cracked the windshield again. I would have been irate if I came out of pocket for this service at the dealer and it went to hell a week later. My insurance does not cover windshield repair.

I say as long as the aftermarket companies can give you a good peice of glass without any waves, they install it cleanly and the rain sensing wipers work fine, then who cares? Especially if you have to come out of pocket personally for it.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I say as long as the aftermarket companies can give you a good peice of glass without any waves, they install it cleanly and the rain sensing wipers work fine, then who cares? Especially if you have to come out of pocket personally for it.

I won't get into dealer-installed vs. aftermarket (with dealer-installed really being installed by a dealer-selected outside installer), but nowadays the windshield adds an appreciable amount of structural integrity, unlike the old days. So one should be concerned with proper installation and bonding, whoever installs the glass -- it's not just appearance and no leaks any more.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I won't get into dealer-installed vs. aftermarket (with dealer-installed really being installed by a dealer-selected outside installer), but nowadays the windshield adds an appreciable amount of structural integrity, unlike the old days. So one should be concerned with proper installation and bonding, whoever installs the glass -- it's not just appearance and no leaks any more.

OK, agreed that it must be installed correctly, but how does a BMW install (BMW subcontracted install that is) differ from just going to an aftermarket installer in the first place?

I will post a link to a thread where Weasel states he is currently the only tech at his dealership that does windshield installation and he says the following;

The only problem I have seen with glass company installs is that they sometimes run too fat a bead of urethane and inadvertently glue the a-pillar covers and headliner to the glass.... but any glass man who actually know what they are doing would see the narrow glue path and use a v-cut tip on the glue.

Here is the thread.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...placement.html

[onefish2]

Originally Posted by ard

Safetlite is horrible. All the big national chains simply hack out the old glass, squirt in their own urethane and set the glass with OE trim. IT IS NOT A BMW SPECIFIED REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. They essentially glue a new glass into place.

If your out of pocket on comprehensive is really $500 (mine is 100 precisely becuase I do 2 windshields a year on 5 cars we drive) then just spend the extra 200 (ie over the 300 for PPG) and get OE glass- AND 'BMW installation methods and materials'. No comprehensive claim will increase your rates, BTW.

I am less concerned with the actual glass, and more concerned with the install methods, materials and precise placement to ensure no wind noise, etc.

A

I beg to differ. Had a 2006 330 xi. Windshield cracked and Safelite did the repair. No issue.

As stated earlier MINI Cooper had 2 windshields replaced by Safelite. The guy that did the work on my car is a pro and fast. And he is a nice guy too.

I would definitely recommend Safelite.

BMW Method? A windshield is a replaceable item like an oil filter or brake pads. The guys that replace them and do a good job, they know what they are doing. They are factory trained and these guys do this stuff all day long, at least 10 times a day.

[PAX5]

It's all in the installation procedure - do your homework, ask questions and you'll find out that there is a significant difference between the installation method BMW uses and the one most after market autoglass installers use. I had my BMW windshield glass installed by my dealer several years ago and the BMW procedure required that they kept the car overnight (12 hrs), with two straps and foam blocks holding the windshield in place against the frame, because the bond between the glass and the adhesives used needed to "set" (slow curing). All in the name of safety and quality! Unlike the fast curing epoxies most aftermarket installers use. Using fast curing epoxies invariably leads to leaks over time (6 to 12 months down the road). Try having water damaged electronics covered by your insurance ...