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      06-09-2012, 05:09 PM   #1
sn19
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Crack in the wind shield!

Noticed a very long crack in the wind shield while cleaning my 2012 X3 35i today. Not sure how it happened. Was fine when I drove it home yesterday. Apparently it is not covered under warranty. Called up our local BMW service- collision center was closed and the guy told me that it can cost around $600.00. Called up few local places recommended by my insurance company. Lowest quote I got was from glass doctor for $382.00- with lifetime warranty and free replacement if it is damaged again within 12 months. Any one with any experience like this? Is this a good deal? I am yet to speak to BMW collision center on Monday. Kind of pissed off that it happened without any cause and the warranty not covering it!
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      06-09-2012, 06:12 PM   #2
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I replaced a 325i windshield about five years ago with a private company here in San Diego. They charged me about $500. If I remember correctly they purchased the windshield wholesale from BMW since the car had rain sensors for the wipers.
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      06-09-2012, 06:14 PM   #3
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I had this happen to me as well. I had a very small chip in the center bottom of the windshield, about a week later I came out of the supermarket to find a crack the length of my windshield. I was thankful to have replacement glass coverage on my car insurance. The BMW windshield that works with the HUD is quite expensive at over $1000 and it was 100% covered by my insurance.
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      06-09-2012, 06:30 PM   #4
sn19
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Thanks for the replies guys. I have comprehensive coverage on my insurance with $500 deductible. I was told that the same thing applies to the wind shield. My windshield does have rain sensors but no HUD. I was told by the gloss doctor receptionist that the glass is aftermarket, very similar in quality to the original, but different name. Are there any specifications for the quality of the wind shield?
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      06-09-2012, 07:29 PM   #5
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I replaced a windshield on 325i and was insured but had to pay $250 out of pocket for the BMW branded version.

While researching I had heard rumor that there had been trouble with after market glass with the rain sensor.

It may have been a lot of BS but I was suckered and wanted to avoid any hassle.
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      06-09-2012, 07:45 PM   #6
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The only BMW standard that I know is that they use Climate Comfort glass which helps insulate the passenger cabin from both heat and noise. I am sure 3rd party glass can probably meet this standard but you probably need to be specific about asking for it.
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      06-09-2012, 07:49 PM   #7
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Weird. I have Farmers insurance - glass is like $5 a month and they replace the windshield for free. I've gone through like half a dozen windshields in the past few years and have never had a problem.

I have heard though that rain sensors + aftermarket glass can be problematic. Whatever you buy, I would ask if the aftermarket glass causes a problem what they'll do about it.
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      06-09-2012, 08:28 PM   #8
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A lot of these options are unknown in the insurance unless you have a problem and enquire about it! I have Allstate and I am sure they have something like this too. Will talk to BMW collision center on Monday and decide on it. If it is less than $600.00, might as well go with BMW just to avoid any hassles. Appreciate the input.
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      06-09-2012, 09:06 PM   #9
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Why take a chance on non OEM, when the price difference isn't that large? It's a critical part, the car is new and it's cheap insurance against the chances of having it replaced a second time if the non OEM rain sensors are bad. What does "similar" really mean? You can see out of both of them? Same materials and/or construction? Cheap knockoff?
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      06-09-2012, 09:42 PM   #10
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SN10, are you by chance in one of the four states where zero-deductible windshield replacement is available under the comprehensive portion of your insurance? The four states are FL, KY, MA, and SC.
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      06-09-2012, 10:18 PM   #11
sn19
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Radioactive- makes sense. Just have to make sure that the BMW collision here does not charge a bomb!
02420X3- nope, not in the mentioned states. Get to learn a new thing every time with the auto insurance policies!
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      06-10-2012, 07:28 AM   #12
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I just had mine replaced last week, at the dealership. Was heading up to the cottage and the tractor trailer in front of me either dropped a bolt or drove over one and kicked it up....came flying at me...saw it just in time to duck. Sounded like a gunshot inside the car...scared the crap out of me.

In any event, the bolt left a HUGE divot in the windshield which couldn't be repaired by the auto-glass guys. Had it priced with a cheap knock-off replacement for roughly $750CAD, installed.

Then went to my dealership...cost was $1,200, but they guaranteed they would be able to "save" the rain-sensor when removing the broken windshield, which they did.

Anyway, I would stay away from the non-oem stuff....in my opinion. Ultimately, there's always a catch for such a price difference.

Oh...insurance didn't cover it. My deductible is higher than the cost of replacement.

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      06-11-2012, 12:59 AM   #13
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Always have comprehensive insurance I replaced my 3 series windshield 2 times within a month because of cracks and didn't cost me a dime.
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      06-11-2012, 08:45 AM   #14
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I do have comprehensive coverage, but still have 500$ deductible. Got a quote from BMW collision today- $960 installation included. If I go with the after market glass, I will be paying 380$, everything out of pocket. Might as well go with the BMW glass with my $500 deductible.
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      06-11-2012, 10:03 AM   #15
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Make sure they use OEM glass. I had a screen replaced on my E90 that had auto wipers. They didn't use OEM glass, but "approved" glass. The sensitivity of the wipers was never quite the same again!
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      06-12-2012, 07:55 PM   #16
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Interestingly, my windshield story is completely different.

Mine is being replaced on Friday under warranty, because the glass is distorted.

Looking through the windshield from the driver's seat across into the passenger's half of the windshield, the glass makes everything you see look "wobbly".
There are distinct "waves" in the glass surface that distort everything you look at.
Sitting still they are just noticable, and at slow speeds it is quite distracting.

Good news, as soon as we pointed it out to the dealer, they authorised the replacement, we just had to wait for the glass to be delivered.

Hopefully the new one will be a better quality than the original.

I hate to imagine how much the part costs here.
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      06-12-2012, 08:29 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2 View Post
Interestingly, my windshield story is completely different.

Mine is being replaced on Friday under warranty, because the glass is distorted.

Looking through the windshield from the driver's seat across into the passenger's half of the windshield, the glass makes everything you see look "wobbly".
There are distinct "waves" in the glass surface that distort everything you look at.
Sitting still they are just noticable, and at slow speeds it is quite distracting.

Good news, as soon as we pointed it out to the dealer, they authorised the replacement, we just had to wait for the glass to be delivered.

Hopefully the new one will be a better quality than the original.

I hate to imagine how much the part costs here.

Had that in a 330i. Took FOREVER to get them to see it, which meant o me eye were actively trying not to since it was so obvious. Was gret after replacement. Never a problem
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      06-12-2012, 08:38 PM   #18
sn19
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Mine has a chip at the bottom of the glass on the black strip which I noticed late- probably triggered the crack. Anyway, after a lot of drama between the BMW body shop, insurance and the broker- getting it replaced through safelite. But getting the original BMW OEM glass.
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