WindScreen Glass NLA(!)

Ed Doe

Ed Doe

Veteran
 Ashbourne or Frimley
Well this is a bit of a shocker - I have a cracked windscreen which needs replacing (duh).

I've had this before a few years ago, and previously National Windscreens have sourced a Genuine OE BMW glass no issue, so requested the same again this time.

They phoned me back - the OE screen is now NLA through BMW!! They did say if I could find somewhere with stock they would order it no issue, so I phoned Cotswold BMW as they do a cutters discount and I've always found them very useful - they did a UK Dealer stock search and Germany stock search - nothing in stock.

I'm gutted honestly - makes me suddenly quite aware that the car is getting on for 20 years old, and manufacturer parts support is inevitably going to decline. Sad times.


If anyone knows of stock of OE screens anywhere please let me know! Otherwise i'll have to commit to the NON-OE part and hope the fit and finish is ok... :(



Has anyone had a non-OE screen fitted before now - if so what is/was the quality like??

Cheers
 
I have an aftermarket windscreen on mine (fitted by the previous owner). No issues with the screen but I think an aftermarket gasket has been installed with it that does not fit perfect.
I think Pilkington made the screens for BMW’s of that era.
 
I had mine replaced with a genuine E86 screen a year ago. Mine was NLA as well but this was a top tint screen. It was very expensive as Autoglass did not want to supply it. We are normally offered Chinese replacements. I didn’t want to go down that route.
 
I had the windscreen replaced in my E89 last year and they fitted a FUYAO. Initially I was apprehensive but the clarity is fantastic and there is no distortion whatsoever.

Afterwards I googled them and found that they’re the OEM for many BMW windows. In fact, the OEM windows on my G20 330e are made by FUYAO.
 
Yes, there are lots of companies that produce glass for OE supply, and they also produce glass for the aftermarket.

They MAY be identical in performance and just have different screen printing of brand/regulatory info, or they MAY NOT! That's the risk you have with not fitting and OE screen.

But when an OE screen is NLA, your choices are limited, and you've only got the glass supplier/fitter opinion that it's OE quality - or maybe the fitter is just incorrectly paraphrasing what the manufacturer specifically states - so "conforms to the same technical & aesthetic parameters", could mean it's IDENTICAL or just mean it's the same size & colour...if it's identical then what not be clear about that in their statements?

Not forgetting that with an OE contract there will be QA/QC checks throughout the life of the supply contract - and if they differ/fail then the glass company is on the line for the replacement costs...with an aftermarket screen you're on your own arguing with a faceless windscreen fitting company or insurance company.

I've had plenty of OE and non-OE screen fitted, and none have been any worse than the genuine item...any issues have been down to poor fitting (not fitment), damage during fitting that has been hidden with gunk, or damage in use from stones/debris/windscreen wipers.
 
I've no idea if mine is the original, and I can't find a maker's mark but it does have the BMW logo on it.

I suppose we should just be grateful screens are still available, even if they aren't OE.
 
I see some Z4's have no screens, should you take it off or keep it on?
what is the purpose?

Thanks for info. I am a new owner of a 2006 (first timer)
 
Thanks Micke,
Mr Tidy said:
I've no idea if mine is the original, and I can't find a maker's mark but it does have the BMW logo on it.

I suppose we should just be grateful screens are still available, even if they aren't OE.
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If it has a bmw logo it'll be original bmw. The actual supplier is likely Pilkington based on what I've learned today!
 
From what I've read a genuine gasket is most important to get a good fit, kind of a non-negotiable for whoever is doing the fitting.

Think part no is 51317017021, pretty sure they are readily available.
 
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Hopefully that's the Part Number for the E86 as I bought one on Ebay last year, I've just been waiting for warmer weather to fit it.
 
AndyBeech said:
From what I've read a genuine gasket is most important to get a good fit, kind of a non-negotiable for whoever is doing the fitting.

Think part no is 51317017021, pretty sure they are readily available.
Click to expand...
I got an oem one couple of months ago direct from BMW so should still be available.
 
Had this issue 2 yrs ago trying to source an original screen for my coupe,local dealer traced a
factory screen with top tint for the Asian market in stock in China.
Took a week to get to the UK and was iirc around £700.
There was back then no genuine E86 screens in the UK.
 
Had Autoglass or similar do mine a couple of years ago. The glass was fine but the seal was awful and it cost them an extra screen taking it back out again to fit a different one. And then that seal took the two of us to fit it and it's not perfect.

So don't worry about the glass, just make sure to get an OE seal!
 
Sharelle said:
I see some Z4's have no screens, should you take it off or keep it on?
what is the purpose?

Thanks for info. I am a new owner of a 2006 (first timer)
Click to expand...
Errr?
Have you misunderstood? Windscreen = windshield? Therefore I suspect its purpose will become clear 😁
 
My original screen was heavily pitted, I suspect as a result of lots of track driving back in the UK. When I had a stone chip last year, somehow it propagated enough to fail the annual safety inspection.
My screen was replaced through my insurance company by the local equivalent of Autoglass using an “OEM screen ordered directly from BMW”. I took that at face value until today. Having now checked, the screen doesn’t have any recognisable brand on it, so clearly it was ordered directly from their usual glass supplier. It’s infinitely better that the 19 year old screen it replaced and the rubber seal almost fits, so I’m not too unhappy, but a little honesty would have been appreciated.
 
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