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Cracked my windshield today

I parked my car yesterday in an underground garage and to my surprise noticed a 8" long 'L' shaped crack today morning...maybe due to change in temperature...I dunno :dunno:

Called up the dealer today morning and was quoted $869 for glass and 4hr labor @120/hr. In MA, the insurance company pays 100% for glass replacement and there is no deductible either. So I called up my insurance company and they said that they can pay for the glass but can't pay the exorbitant labor charges. They suggested me that I can get the work done at JN Phillips Auto Glass, which is a reputed auto glass replacement chain in New England.

The JN Phillips guys told me that they can get the OE glass from the BMW dealer and can easily install it (I just have rain sensor, no HUD). This way I won't have to pay even a penny for anything and everything will be taken care of by the insurance company. So my questions is:

1. Is it better to get the windshield replaced indoor and not outdoors? I am anyways planning to get it done at their shop and not use their 'mobile glass replacement' service.
2. Any precautions that I need to take?
3. What brand of glass does BMW use these days? My stock glass is a BMW stamped- Saint Gobain glass. But the JN Philips guys told me that the BMW dealership is sending them some other brand.
4. Can the existing rubber/plastic gasket and moldings be re-used to water tight the edges?
5. I searched on the forum and some people complain about the rain sensors not working working correctly after their windshield was replaced. Is it a common problem? How is it resolved?
6. Has anyone used JN Phillips before? any reviews?

Am on my 3rd windshield. Dealer replaced he first two- $1200-1300 fix each time. With deductible I paid about $800 out of pocket. New OEM glass, new gasket (dealer said gasket has to be replaced). Rain sensor works fine- have had no issues other than $$$. Fix was overnight- they said that the glue (my word, not theirs) had to set for 24 hours.

I used JN Phillips in the Boston area. They get the OEM glass from BMW so your rain sensor should work. Mine had the HUD and everything was fine. Chambers BMW told me that they send all of their glasswork to JN Phillips so it's the same either way.

I went to their location. Given how cold it is, I think it is better to have it done indoors.

Replacing the glass, is an easy task. As long as they use OEM weather stripping and enough glue, which acts to hold the window, but also as a barrier against wind noise (whistling noise), it's an easy affair.

The glue does take 24 hours to cure, generally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wch X5 (Post 707596)

Chambers BMW told me that they send all of their glasswork to JN Phillips so it's the same either way.

Yeah, most dealerships either send their glass work out, or have an outside guy stop by the dealership to do the glass work. Typically not enough business to keep the expertise in-house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashankmittal (Post 707551)

if there is no impact on the windshield where the crack formed, BMW will warranty the replacement of the windshield. The seal should not be reused, and a new one should be put on. There are several different types of Urethaine available. 24hr, and bmw has been using 1 hour versions lately.

BE VERY CAREFUL----

Inspect the location of the VIN Tax Cutout after installation, the New glass from Saint Gobain made in Colombia has been hit or miss for proper location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killcrap (Post 707704)

Also be aware that there are (for some models) specific BMW procedures. Many big chains (safelite) have their own "methods" which is to hack out the old trim, squirt in gobs of urethane, and float the glass and OE trim on the surface.

I've gone around and around... ultimately the chains cannot (or wil not) certify that their methods will result in a car that meets all BMW standards (including crash test performance.) Maybe they just grew tired of the argument, but they paid for my last OE BMW glass at a shop of my choosing (not their chain)

A

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard (Post 707726)

there is no way to "hack out" the old trim and who cares? it is replaced whenever a replacement windshield is being installed. the only thing you have to worry about is curing time.

Make sure they use the OEM style top gasket or your windshield will make noise.

Also, unless you have time/transport, I would not have it done at the shop because it will have to sit for at least an hour after install (I always thought this was so the WS would not leak water/air. It is actually so the WS will not pop out when you hit the brakes hard). And 4 hours is a real ripoff because all the times I have had mine done, it took no more than 20 minutes.

Got the glass replaced today at JN Phillips. They installed the BMW OE glass (made by Saint Gobain, has BMW logo on it) and also new rubber trim. The installation was complete in under an hour and they took an additional hour for the adhesive to cure. All this was done inside a climate controlled workshop. They actually did a descent job and even ported over my EZ pass, inspection sticker and BMW service sticker to the new glass....and best of all, this all was done for free :)