I am the only guy at my dealer to replace windshields currently, if I wasn't there they would be subletted out. 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.

As for the windshield itself, if safelite gets it from the dealer it will have the OEM rain/light sensor and the BMW roundel on it. And it will have the OEM windshield molding gaskets, and the BMW windshield is a better quality as well. I would ask safelite to get the windshield from BMW, even if it means a few extra dollars. (which hopefully it won't)

I just replaced my windshield through Geico & Safelite and it workout out perfect. My deductable was only $50 though. The rain sensor works fine and the glass is perfect in every way.

Very helpful responses...Thank you to all...I was somewhat mis-informed during my initial conversation with GEICO that the replacement windshields are essentially the same as the ones from BMW. Well....they're NOT! As luck would have it, I got a call from Safe-Lite that the replacement windshield they received is cracked, and they need to re-order:rolleyes:. I then told both GEICO and Safe-Lite that I want mine ordered from the dealer.:thumbup:

By the way, for those of you needing windshields replaced in the future: Safe-Lite has just merged with another company called Diamond Auto Glass. So you're good with either one for doing the install work.

please install ONLY originall BMW glass..other wise you'll expirience a LOT of unpleasant events ..and YES rain sensor start making triks or sometime ( like it was in my case) do not work at all ! sorry to hear ..rocks still in the air !
good luck ! (do not persuie saving in this case ! o r i g i n a l o n l y )

Thank you to all, especially weasel56 and dzhoka for pushing me to get the BMW OEM windshield. It took a while to come in, but I finally had it installed yesterday. It does indeed have the roundel injected into the glass, it's the real deal. I forgot how crystal-clear a new winshield looks, it almost seems like there is no glass. I had gotten used to looking through a bunch of tiny dings and scratches.

be aware that the windshield may have been made for a BMW, but if it does not have the BMW logo, then it most likely failed the quality control inspection

My windshield cracked the other day. I think it was from snow/ice sitting on the edge near the A-pillar because I don't see any chips in the glass. Anyhow, my insurnace company (The Hartford aka The Ripoff) says I would have to pay my $500 deductible, so I am trying to do this out of pocket. I was all set to go the Safelite way until I read some of the posts insisting on only OEM glass. I have rain sensing wipers and was quoted $378 for their glass. Still waiting on the quote with OEM glass.

Safelite says their glass is inspected x amount of times and that it comes with a lifetime guarantee. I mentioned that some people have had issues with aftermarket glass being wavey and the rep told me if anything looked off, they would replace it for free. I guess I am just making sure that the OEM glass is still worth it. I don't mind buying OEM parts at all, but until I saw this thread I was thinking it is just glass, right? Has anyone gone the aftermarket glass route with Safelite and been happy with the results?

Weasel, I was planning on replacing the top windshield cover as it has cracked over time, but is there anything else I should buy to have on hand when the come to install the windshield I end up buying?

Is it also the comfort glass you got?

To be honest, I don't have an answer for that. How can I tell?

I believe they say the whole glass has a lite tint to it,more protection from sun rays.