Windshield replacement
 

All,
My windshield needs to be replaced. Dealer wants to charge $900 in parts plus $300 in labor... insurance won't cover those labor rates. Bottom line is that I will have to use a 3rd party company to replace the windshield...anyone have experience doing so that they would like to share? Was thinking Safelite?

Would also like to know since my windshield now has a big crack in it:/

i have replaced windshield on my X5 and X3 in the past (it's a once a year ritual where I live, unfortunately)... dealer wanted astronomical price...ended up going to a 3rd party company here in town... I got the same brand windshield (minus the BMW logo) for $300 all in...Now that's stupid Canadian pricing, so you guys in the States should be able to get it even for cheaper...

If you're replacing it I would get the Comfort Climate Windshield. If you're using shop like Safelite I would just be sure to get an experienced tech to do the job, and make sure it is good PPG glass, and if possible drive to them so they can do it in their shop, as opposed to mobile install.

If you don't know what the CC windscreen is, here is the answer, basically its a lightly tinted/polarized glass which cuts glare tremendously.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...tallation.html

No experience with Safelite on the X but with other vehicles. Never had a problem with them and used them multiple times. That's who I would use if I had a windshield to replace in our area.

Do you have a rainsensor? That would affect the labor rate as the sensor needs to be recalibrated to match the new windshield prism.
+1 on the comfort glass.
Definitely make sure the glass is PPG or has the BMW logo. My parents had the glass on their E34 replaced with no-name brand and there is definitely a quality difference. Rain drops are louder and wind noise is increased. Although the wind noise would be more likely from a lower quality seal than the glass itself.

I'm definitely wanting that one.. found a shop in my area that quoted me 375 for what they call "solar coated" glass which I'm assuming is that one?

Twins have you gotten a comfort glass shield from them?

X5SND got a PPG comfort windshield and installed recently, it has the cutout in the bottom for a toll transponder/radar detector, as the laminate film I believe blocks out transmissions.

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2cv0avrd.jpg

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


It's actually laminated glass, not sure if its solar coated as the shop says but I know it may be a little tougher to source. Give the shop the PPG part number and have them look it up.

Called the shop, said they use PPG and it is the laminated kind like you stated ricky. For what is worth on that sticker in the above picture it says PGW? Should it say PPG? Also is this the kind that will give off that awesome purplish hue from the outside looking in? If not how does it look from the outside just semi-reflective?

Can't recall. I kind of remember replacing a windshield on a Ford Taurus that had like a copper mirrored look - polarized? Is that something like the comfort?

FWIW, when I had mine done under glass insurance, the shop did cover me with OEM Comfort

what my car currently has, as is from the factory is only green tinted and has a solar strip at the top, but is not coated or laminated all around like we are talking about. Did anyone get a comfort glass (polarized or laminated, as illustrated in the posted pics and other threads and commonly seen on 7-series BMW's and I think some merc S classes?) from the factory?

GEICO would cover the part but not the BMW labor cost... easier for me to just get it done myself and under my $500 deductible.

CJ, I'm sure PGW is just the brand of glass, ppg is another brand.

Yes when viewing the windshield through polarized sunglasses from outside you will see that awesome purplish hue, won't be green anymore either as you see the laminate actually brightens up the outside color somewhat.

I had the windshield replaced in our X3 three weeks ago. Insurance, 200 deductible. Rain sensor.

Rain sensor didn't work. PPG glass. I have used that brand in the last. They did it again. Same result. They put a third windshield in. Works perfectly. They used OE glass with a roundel the third time. Full story here:

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

JCL thanks for the insight. Seems like you had a one off experience with the sensor but great to be wary of that. I am very picky when it comes to pretty much everything and that includes the X so I'll be sure to make sure everything is up to snuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know the sensor came installed, they hadn't tried to glue it on. It wasn't the wiring, that was fine. I have used those windshields in the past without problem, but am not sure that was on a BMW with a rain sensor, I don't have records. The shop said they weren't usually a problem with BMW rain sensors, and suspect it was a bad batch from the supplier. But it was a lot of trouble this time. I would just ensure that they guarantee the rain sensor will work properly, and take it back right away if it doesn't.

Thanks for posting the part number, my windshield was cracked last night & I just used that number to order a new one using my 0 deductible glass coverage. Thanks!

I've got zero deductible glass on my car, Safelite did my glass, and it worked great. All they had to know was the make/model/year, and whether it has rain sensing wipers, and they came to my house and did the replacement.

That is who is doing it.

They were good. They replaced the windshield with one that had a slight ripple on the driver's side, when I called them about it, they came out the following day and did the replacement again, this time with a perfect windshield. Never had a problem since.

You know, you guys were beating me up about the Alpina thing, but damn these are really tempting

RARE Genuine Factory BMW x5 Alpina 21" Rims 21x10 and 21x11 5 Awesome Shape | eBay

It might be suggested I could acquire these. However someone else may want my jewels in her little hand if I did.

slowlanemcvane:
so you recently used safelite and had a great experience? which part number did you use and which style of windshield did you get? can you post pics?

All this talk about glass.
Curiousity intrigured me.
Call my local Safelite Guy.

He told me all insurance companies with the Glass Coverage will only cover 3rd party glass. IF the vehicle is a year old, example 2014 or 2013, the coverage will cover OEM glass. Anything older, 3rd party glass only.

Get a bmw tech to install it as per bmw repair instructions or you might be sorry. I will stick my neck out there and say "run away from Safelite". One guy showing up at your house and using way too much urethane and puts it on the body instead of the glass (completely wrong). Then procedes to install the glass all by himself. The windshield is a structural part of the vehicle and needs to be installed as per the repair instructions.
Just my 2cents

btw. If you are persistent, insurance will cover it at near dealer price. It is an uphill battle though.

One more note. If memory serves, BMW spec is non conductive urethane

Can Safelite order the (OE part#) glass from a BMW dealership and the owner covers the difference (3rd party glass cost)?

It is still cheaper (safelite labor) + OE Glass (if the owner is willing to pay the difference)

Also curious.. about too contact them also regarding my windshield.

I used Techna Glass on my 545i back in 2010. No issues.

My insurance guy got me a special price break since he had some contacts with places like this and got me a price less than a walk in. I don't have windshield coverage on my policies since the company lumps it in with any other kind of claim. I think I paid about 200.00 installed tops.

The PN I asked for was aftermarket and on eBay for 150.

Personally if it were me since windshields only are replaced once every how many years unless they get cracked, I'd pay the difference to have the job done right.

I have full glass coverage on my X5 (0 deductible) but I would make it a point to be sure I was getting the replacement done per BMW spec, with the glass I wanted (comfort climate).

FWIW, Safelite isn't the only glass replacement company in the country, there are plenty others, just gotta shop around. Safelite spends a ton of money on advertising and marketing to brokers so a lot of insurance agents send them the claims.

I should know, my wife is claims manager at the agency we work at. Safelite comes in all the time giving her free pens and pads and shit lol

I have GEICO, and glass on the Mercedes broke... Dealer wanted something crazy, insurance would cover only so much of it upto the 3rd party limit, I would have to pay difference... Talked to Safelite, the insurance would cover it all, with 3rd party glass...

the Safelite asked if there was a sensor on the glass, there was, and they "certified" to the insurance that the only way is to go with OE glass...

they went with the OE glass, with the Daimler signature and Tri-Star mercedes logo, for $50 deductible...

Term -

Maybe that's the loophole. I know my Bodyshop guarantees OEM glass coverage, etc, etc with no money out of pocket. Then again, my Bodyshop is crazy with the adjusters. They easily get 2X payout than what you would normally get from a *normal Bodyshop*.

Windshields are made by 2 or 3 companies worldwide, and once they slap the OEM logo, the price of said windshield goes up.
I changed the windshield on both the e39 and e53 with "aftermarket", no issues. On both the rainsensor & light sensor work fine (recalibrated at home with GT1/INPA after the install).
The BMW windshields come in 2 basic flavors, with and without the rainsensing/light sensing cutout & attached lens. Then they vary for both styles - comfort, yada yada.
Another reason BMW will charge you more, because you NEED the OEM shims around the windshield, so it sits correct and you have no wind noise at speeds. The shims can be re-used if the glass company knows what it's doing. Otherwise if destroyed you need new ones. One could contact the dealer and ask what's needed to install a new windshield. He'll give you the list, and you can pick everything else except the windshield.

Good point about the OEM shims, i will keep that in mind next time i am replacing my windshield in my car..

Based on my experience 5 years ago, State Farm covered what they can allow (but I paid the difference for the OE parts)

Sharing the PN's


BMW X Series (E53,E70,E71,E83) X5.

P/N: 51317064862 -Green windshield, shade band+rain sensor.

Green windshield, shade band+rain sensor. Glazing. BMW X Series (E53,E70,E71,E83) X5 (1998 - 2007) # 51317064862

P/N: 51317182004 - Cover, windshield.

Cover, windshield. Glazing single parts. BMW X5 (1998 - 2007) # 51317182004, 51318402457