What kind of windshield is this?
 

I have always wondered whats the function of a windshield like this is:
http://www.autowp.ru/pictures/bmw/x5..._au-spec_1.jpg

My guess Privacy or Security?
How come i havent seen any of the Purpely hued windscreens on the E53s in the US?

I noticed some Range Rovers, Cayennes, S Classes, 5ers, newer X5s X6s have them sometimes.

Whats the real name for it?

I would definitley have it on some of my future cars for sure, i love them.

Comfort glass. They turn purple like that when you view them through a polarized lens.

Edit: I have it, and lemme say its worth every penny. They also have a slight tint to them (when viewed from the inside)...definitely an upgrade worth doing if your current windscreen is toast!

Ok so when it cracks ill keep "Comfort glass" in mind thanks )))

But why just a polarized lens? If i was able to see it with my own eyes on cars?

This is what it looks like in person...

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2mvwgehc.jpg

I'm not sure why it turns purple under a polar lens....but it does. The ones on the S class's and Porsche trucks are much more pink, where as the range rover ones are very similar to the one on the X.

Yours isnt stock is it? Where did you have to order it from? will something like those generic windshield replacement companies carry something like this?

Nope, I had mine replaced this summer as my old one was pretty pitted. Not sure if the generic glass places would have one. The place that sourced mine does a lot of work for merc and BMW, so they knew exactly what I was after.

Best thing I could suggest would be to take down those numbers on the screen and talk to the glass places to see what's what.

As S mentioned, you need to "want" a comfort glass and specifically ask for it on replacement, as I don't believe it was a standard option on any E53 in the states. There is a part number as well for the BMW windshield in the FAQ at the top of the forum (comfort glass) if you were getting it done at the dealer.

I have full glass coverage on my insurance, so I have no deductible for glass replacement, however, I also work in the industry, so I won't put in a claim for replacement unless I get a crack or something warranting replacement. I polish the glass often enough to keep it optically clear, but after 10 years, like X5SND's, mine is getting pretty pitted. Original windshield on mine too, but I will do a comfort glass replacement when mine is due for replacement.

I also have a 5% sunvisor strip at the top of the windshield, been doing it on my cars for years as it hugely helps with the morning and evening sun glare on the ride home, so inevitably when the winshield is replaced I'll have to take a ride to my tint guy and have him redo the strip as well.


Comfort glass = awesome IMO

Ditto what the others already mentioned.

All you have to do is go to one of the online part databases (like realoem.com) and pull up the diagrams for the glass (VEHICLE TRIM {main group} & GLAZING {sub group}). Once you have the 11 digit BMW part nbr...anyone that works in the industry should be able to access the BMW glass or the equivalent aftermarket based on its BMW part nbr:

Also take note of the supplemental columns for item #1 in the part database for the other options your X5 may have:

Can you run a radar detector, etc through this? Seems like I remember that there was a small window at the bottom only for such applications.

I've never seen one in the e53...but the IR (infrared) comfort windshields in the e38 & e39 have a cut out at the top and at the bottom.