[Mr Mech]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

When the windshield is replaced, is the rain sensor replaced or do they reuse the existing one? I've been given conflicting advice from my BMW dealer and Safelite...

They replaced the sensor on my 09 e90.

[TerraLvr335i]

Originally Posted by Mr Mech

They replaced the sensor on my 09 e90.

+1 on my 08 E90. The sensor was actually part of the windshield. It's why I insisted on OEM, actually.

Safelite did the swap, 40 minutes, in my driveway. Looked and worked flawlessly.

[X3Bimmer]

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

When the windshield is replaced, is the rain sensor replaced or do they reuse the existing one? I've been given conflicting advice from my BMW dealer and Safelite...

Safelite replaced today reusing rain sensor and it tested fine. I think for the F25 X3 it should be fine but other models may need to be replaced since the windshield mount is a different type...

[buze]

The X3 is a stone magnet. On my very first trip with it, perhaps 50 miles, I landed a stone from nowhere (there was nobody in front of me!) that left the windscreen needed changing. Doh.
Since then, I had a few others, luckily no other marks on the glass; quite a few on the paint tho :/

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by buze

The X3 is a stone magnet. On my very first trip with it, perhaps 50 miles, I landed a stone from nowhere (there was nobody in front of me!) that left the windscreen needed changing. Doh.
Since then, I had a few others, luckily no other marks on the glass; quite a few on the paint tho :/

Funny you say that, I just took a 3000 mile trip in my '14. No cars for quite a distance when SMACK! I got a pit from a stone. Stones from interstate resurfacing in a subsequent state netted me THREE more pits-one with a crack that is propagating, so looks like a new windshield for me! Trying to see the silver lining here: no visible dings in the paint anywhere from any impacts to the nose!

[plymjack]

Had our X3 a year and got a chip while on highway (M5 !) - had it filled, can still notice it but its passenger side so not an issue.

[Pitiful Old Man]

I think I can top everyone's rock chip story. Some years ago we picked up our new lease Ford in the company parking lot, drove less than 1 mile down the road and bang! there was the first chip. Some areas are really bad for windshields and Colorado is one of them.

Our 2011 X3 with 30K miles has had just one windshield replacement thus far, done by the dealer (Schomp BMW, Highlands Ranch). The $1200 cost was fully covered by insurance because I (sadly) anticipated regular windshield replacement.

I think that the rain sensor is an integral part of the windshield and not something added later. Similarly, if you have the heads-up display, the windshield comes specially coated on the inside. I would assume that any of the big glass shops are up on all this and can do a good job.