Replacing your X5 windshield
 

If you come to a point that you have to replace your windshield, what happens to the embedded rearview mirror on the windshield??? :dunno:

I noticed that the rearview mirror assembly's metal base is embedded into the glass (maybe halfway through the glass). The assembly cannot be simply pulled out without damaging the windshield or at the least chipping the inner part of the glass.

How do you re-install the rearview mirror to the NEW windshield??? Or, does the new windshield come with a NEW rearview mirror attached to it??? :dunno:

Anyone who can share their experience in changing windshields particularly with the re-installation of the rearview mirror will be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys! :)

I've had two replacements on mine and in both cases they came with the mirror mount bonded already and also the auto headlight/wiper sensor mount bonded.

The critical bit in my case was to get the right screen. I have the 'Climate Comfort' screen and it comes in two versions where the auto wiper/light sensor mount can be either rectangular or with rounded corners. The actual sensor unit just clips into it's mount and the mirror clips on too.

Whatever you do, do not allow the fitters to scrape the old mount off the old windshield and try to attach it to the new one - it will never work as the bond MUST be optically perfect.

I had two OEM screen used as the car was still under warranty and BMW GB refused to honour the paint warranty if a non-OEM was fitted, or was fitted by anyone other than BMW themselves. Insurers were happy with this and paid up both times.

Can only speak from the experience of replacing the windshield on the M3 - Mirror mount was embedded in the OE replacement windshield, would imagine it's the same deal with X5 glazing.

Straight from RealOEM, BMWNA Parts and pricing, not sure how BMWSEA will price.

01Green windscreen, green shade band
BMW P/N: 51.31-8408528 $593.47

For vehicles with
Rain sensor S521A=Yes
01Green windshield, shade band+rain sensor
BMW P/N: 51.31-7064862 $653.27

For vehicles with
Climate comfort windscreen S358A=Yes
01Green windscreen, green shade bandIR
BMW P/N: 51.31-8408529 $856.08

For vehicles with
Climate comfort windscreen and Rain sensor S358A=Yes S521A=Yes
01Green windshield, shade band+rain sensorIR
BMW P/N: 51.31-7064863 $922.61

Thank you all for sharing your infos and experiences. My X is an 03 model with no rain sensors it only has the simple anti glare and probably a temperature sensor on the rearview mirror assembly and has no connections (electronically) to the windshield. I then conclude that it will be the cheapest from the above mentioned pricelist.

I wanted to ask - are you sure the windshield comes with the rearview mirror assembly? But you seem to be sure that it does. Im just doubting because the rearview mirror assembly looks expensive to be just a part of the windshield package. Am I making sense? :)

It won't come with the entire mirror assembly, just the mount for the assembly embedded, you would still need to pull your mirror off its existing mount and transfer to the new mount.

You're in the PI, right? If I'm reading the tech notes correctly *no guarantee of that* I'd recommend the climate windshield (no rain sensor), it has anti-UV coating, so you won't have as much heat buildup when it sits in the sun.

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I see. Go it. I still have my small doubts on just simply pushing the mirror in the mount due to the wires coming from the above console, into and through the mirror neck and into the ball going inside the mirror itself. The long and short of it is that the assembly cannot be taken apart. Well thats me, maybe the dealers would know how to dismantle the assembly and install it on the windshield. I will have to trust them and let them do their job hahaha. Anyhow thanks for all the info. It was really helpful to control my panic - honestly, guys, I accidentally pulled out and broke the rearview mirror from the windshield! Pieces of glass everywhere due to the mount being embedded halfway through the glass :( Hence replacing the whole windshield :( oh well my wife said if I did not have to go to work everyday, I will be doing more damage to our cars hahaha :)

I finally discovered how the rearview mirror assembly attaches itself to the windshield. It's a simple TWIST and TURN. To re-install your rearview mirror, just align the base and turn either clockwise or counter (it doesn't matter), it will lock in the mirror assembly after a quarter of an inch turn. Broken windshields like mine, you have to take out the original base that came from the windshield first ofcourse.

@Lookin4Trouble - Yes I'm from the PI. Ordered my new windshield from the dealers yesterday and specified your suggestion of having an anti-uv coating. There were only 2 choices available (I think both have the anti-uv coatings on them), 1 was plain and 1 had a green tint on top. I opted for the plain one since my original didn't have a green tint anyway. It costed me US$753.00 only. Insurance said they'll take care of it. Lucky me! Thanks again!

wouldn't the insurance cover the windshield?

Err - Sorry, didn't see that it was from a different country,
Here in the US, the insurance covers glass, atleast in my state. Not sure how it is in other countries.

I just got a quote to replace my rain sensing with climate windshield for...1,170!

Sounds about right. Both of mine were just over £700GBP each four years ago. Scary money for two layers of glass, a sheet of plastic and a metal film!