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in other words, so what?

The 'so what' is directed back at you: why did you demand safelite install a "bmw" glass? I mean why worry about the glass if the methods/materials and install isnt as BMW designed it? Or are you just concerned with the logo?

So you're implying to use non-BMW parts because the installation method might be different than what you claim BMW service will do? I've had more problems with BMW service screwing up my cars than Safelite.

Who says that BMW's installation process is better or worse than any place else? Or are you just a fanboi and think that BMW does every thing right and is the only way to do anything?

On the roads here in NY/NJ/LI I replace the windshield every 12-18 months anyway due to the crap on the roads breaking/chipping the glass. Safelite has never been a problem.

Proper installation is ABSOLUTELY mandatory to assure that the car meets the original design intent and safety parameters.

Read the following story posted by an M5 owner on Roadfly.com (I realize that this was 10+ years ago, but BMW's design philosophy and repair approach has not changed):

Windshield Replacement – Wind noise solved – 2002 BMW M5

Below is a solution to wind noise that you may hear on the top of your windshield if you have your windshield glass replaced.

I had my windshield replaced and the wind noise on the top edge was loud. I took it back several times and the installer attempted to correct the problem by back filling the top seam with epoxy. It did not work. I was able to make the noise go away by putting racing tape along the entire top edge of the windshield and the noise was silent.

The installer had no idea how to fix it, as it looked cosmetically correct. So I did some research and found that others on roadfly.com (Roadfly.com Car Community. Featuring car reviews, new car prices, used auto parts, and the world's largest automotive forum.) have had similar problems and they pointed me to a special alignment gauge that may be needed. I called my local dealer and asked about buying the gauge and my parts guy printed out the windshield replacement directions. This document showed the exact procedure and several special tools that are needed to properly install the windshield.

I suspected that the installer did not have these directions, and to confirm this I ordered one of the tools to check if my glass was in spec. The tool ($7) is a small plastic gauge that measures the difference in distance between the outside top of the glass and the roof of the car. I found that the glass had just been set in place and it did not meet spec. I took the tool to measure some of the existing new 5ers at the dealer and it fit exactly on those newcars.

The glass is supposed to be depressed several mm below the top of the roof to “prevent wind noise” per the instructions. The windshield needs to be “pre-tensioned” along the top of the glass and measured with this tool before the adhesive sets. The pre-tensioning is done by taping three special BMW tools (3 foam blocks) to the top of the windshield. The foam blocks are then strapped down with a lot of pressure by running tape across the entire top of the glass and locking it in place in the door jams.

My installer had never seen these directions and agreed to reinstall the windshield per the instructions. He ended up breaking the glass getting it out as the epoxy glued it in there too well. He put a new windshield in per the directions and no more noise.

Get your dealer to print out the instructions (12 pages) if you have this problem or if you ever need to have this work done. I can scan in the directions and put it in a .tif file if anyone is interested in reading these. If so, email me.

Below is what I presented my the installer:

BMW M5 Windshield Noise

1. Do you have a copy of the BMW Technical Service Instructions for the Windshield installation?

2. Did you use BMW tool 51 3 130 (pretension support tool)?

3. Did you use BMW tool 51 3 120 to measure proper alignment?

4. Did you pretension the top of the windshield?

5. Did you use new BMW spacer buffers prior to installing the windshield? Were they placed in the correct locations? Did you use expanding foam tape at the base of the windshield per the BMW instructions?

6. Do you use a pneumatic or electric cartridge gun to apply the adhesive bead?

7. Did you cut the nozzle on the tip of the adhesive cartridge with an 8 mm by 11 mm slot per BMW spec?


BMW Parts List:

Windshield 51 31 7 059 697 List $325 Cost $276.25

Sealer Tape 51 48 8 224 782 List $8.40, Cost $7.14

Molding 51 318 159 784 List $32.25, Cost $27.41

Spacer Buffers, qty 3, .48 each

Subtotal $312.24


BMW Tools Needed:

51 3 130 Pretension Tool $13.00

51 3 210 Alignment Tool $7.00

My insurance was charged $995.

Not a fanboi, thats for sure.... at the end of the day you want the job done 'right'. I know safelite doesnt follow BMW procedures. I also suspect that many BMW dealers are hacks- either they'll do a half assed job or sub it out to someone to do the same. And we agree that BMW dealerships can be dangerous places for our cars!

But here is what we do know- follow the BMW procedure and the car will still meet safety standards and (as above) will not have wind noise. Becuase the procedure has been validated. If you look at the results with an install by Safelite and other companies we jsut cannot say if it is equivalent. yes, it looks OK and people report 'no problems'. But without validating the methods they cannot say it is the same.


As you point out, it may even be 'better'. How would we ever know?

Personally I have a 3rd party who has been doing german glass for 30 years do my cars. He has the tools, he orders the parts from the dealer. I am assured he is doing the job right.

Now, I will admit my argument is designed to get the insurer to allow me to not use their contracted glass installer- when pressed on the issue of "do the METHODS result in a car that meets the manugfacturers original safety standards" safelite refused to say "yes". My insurer said "OK, use who you want"

And my reason for discussing it here is so other owners can appreciate that a new windshield is "glass+install". A "BMW Glass" is half of the job.

A

PS The E39M5 issue above was quite interesting to watch unfold over the years...ive replaced mine 5 times.