BMW Windshield replacement

[Jorge86]

My car has a couple of cracks which can be repaired at no charge thru my insurance. The insurance called safelite, they came out to my house and said that my windshield has been repaired before, and that they recommend a new one after more that 3 cracks. I wanted a new one anyways. I have a 100 dollars deductible.
Has anyone replaced their windshield and would an aftermarket one would be okay or should I try to get a BMW windshield?

[az3579]

My car has a couple of cracks which can be repaired at no charge thru my insurance. The insurance called safelite, they came out to my house and said that my windshield has been repaired before, and that they recommend a new one after more that 3 cracks. I wanted a new one anyways. I have a 100 dollars deductible.
Has anyone replaced their windshield and would an aftermarket one would be okay or should I try to get a BMW windshield?

Do you have the rain sensor? I think you do, in which case, I would go with a BMW one. I think aftermarket wreaks havoc with it. I've read a couple of stories...

[danewilson77]

I was quoted about $600 for Pilkington glass installed at indy. BMW glass is of much better quality than aftermarket imho.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Stu]

+1, demand OEM glass, even if the insurance company tries to make you get aftermarket. Make sure it is BMW glass when you get it. Also, make sure Safelite actually installs the glass properly, I have heard of them doing inferior jobs. Nothing would be more obnoxious than finding out you lost sound insulation because they installed the glass improperly.

I've had them replace a corner glass once on a different car, they did an excellent job. Very fast, too.

Also, make SURE the rain sensor (if you have one) is attached from the factory. They will get bubbles and all sorts of shit in it if they install it afterwards.

[Jorge86]

I actually don't have a rain sensor. I am going to ask my insurance how much of a difference I have to pay to get a BMW windshield.

[spencers]

Get Sekurit or Pilkington

And make doubly certain they use OEM moulding

[johnrando]

Safelite just did mine. $300+ for non BMW, $600+ for BMW. My heart said OEM, my wallet chose non-OEM. Works fine, looks fine. I haven't had a chance to use the wipers yet. If it makes you feel any better, they did ask about rain-sensors, etc before they ordered the glass. John

[az3579]

My experience with their non-OEM brand is that it pits far too easily. In about a year's time, you'll have just as much pitting on your glass as your 5-6-7- or 8-year-old OEM glass. Personally, I will never choose aftermarket glass again.

[aurelius]

I replaced the windshield on my former E46 ('01 ZSP sedan) with rain sensor. BMW dealer wanted $1200. Ended up paying $400 using OE BMW glass. Installer came to me, which is key because the car must not move until the adhesive dries.

As for the prices quoted above, that was in 2004. Your results may vary but I bet dealer pricing is still at least double that of a good independent installer.

[Jorge86]

They said that I get lifetime warranty and that if i don't like it later on they can see what other options there are. I think I'm going non oem. Hopefully everything goes well.