Tale of E89 windsceen replacement...

[firebobby]

Maybe will all these cock ups, they may learn by their mistakes ...... eventually :wink:

 

[ronk]

Maybe will all these cock ups, they may learn by their mistakes ...... eventually :wink:

You would hope so but they have been well aware of the problems for some time now !

 

[Napastar]

I look after motor claims for a large well known insurer and over the last few years have started to see increasing problems with windscreens fitted by glass companies compared to cases where customers go back to manufactures. In fairness to the glass companies its now no longer a simple case of glass replacement as so many functions / driver aides/ "gadgets" can be linked to the screen.

In some cases its not just sensors for Auto lights/wipers/climate etc but can I believe include City Safe Braking systems that often need re calibrating if the screen is replaced.

Its a diffcult one because the price charged by manufactures to replace sceens is astronomic compared to the glass companies. I'm not an underwriter, but if everyone went back to the manufactures for screen replacement, premiums would no doubt be significantly increased

 

[bob4333]

I look after motor claims for a large well known insurer and over the last few years have started to see increasing problems with windscreens fitted by glass companies compared to cases where customers go back to manufactures. In fairness to the glass companies its now no longer a simple case of glass replacement as so many functions / driver aides/ "gadgets" can be linked to the screen.

In some cases its not just sensors for Auto lights/wipers/climate etc but can I believe include City Safe Braking systems that often need re calibrating if the screen is replaced.

Its a diffcult one because the price charged by manufactures to replace sceens is astronomic compared to the glass companies. I'm not an underwriter, but if everyone went back to the manufactures for screen replacement, premiums would no doubt be significantly increased

I think that's fair, useful comment and worth pausing for a moment to let it sink in.

We've all got used to paying a price for having just the glass replaced. We now perhaps need to think of the windscreen as a more integral part of the vehicle that relates to and provides input to other vehicle systems. It ain't "just glass" anymore.

I've been lucky so far with my Z4, but in the last 10 years have had screens replaced on new cars 3 times - and they're never the same as the manufacturer's OE fitment. Twice the mobile fitter turned up with glass that was the wrong spec.

I hate to say it, but if it ever happens to my Zed, I think I'm off to the dealer.

 

[Z4M-2006]

I priced a screen for mine at the dealers and it was £230..

Assuming the aftermarket screen is half price it's hardly a massive saving on the item so doubt it would affect premiums..

Main dealers just use outside fitters anyway, but use OEM glass

 

[ronk]

I would rather mine was fitted in a warm dry environment rather than under a makeshift tent on the driveway.

 

[bob4333]

Main dealers just use outside fitters anyway, but use OEM glass

From what I understand that's true, but usually the dealer uses the same company and the same fitter. I doubt they'd put up with the hassle of a bodged job and p*ssed off customers.

And worth remembering, your contract is with the dealer, not the glass company.

 

[BLZ]

Well they came today as promised. The fitter complained that the last guy had put it in too tightly and he didn't know if he could get it out. he made a call to his boss and after some swearing started the job. The new screen was genuine BMW as it had the logo on it. I noticed that there was a clip missing on the cover that covers the wiper bases and one clip was broken. The result is that the shroud doesn't fit flush to the windscreen. I will get a couple of new clips and do it myself. I know its only a piece of glass but the quality seems better than the last one. Otherwise is looks fine. Time will tell. Hopefully thats the end of it. In future I will not worry about insurance cover for windscreens, but if the worst happens I'll take it to the dealers and pay the price.

 

[TitanTim]

My thinking would be take it to the dealer if you have a BMW pcp on the car and then any mess ups BMW finance can chase the dealer as its their car. I think it would be in their interest as the car will be returned back to them anyways after the pcp has run it's course. Just my take on it.

Tim.

 

[metal licker]

Had a chipped windscreen fixed by Autoglass through my insurer made a good job of it but took 4 weeks wait for a 15 min job
Talking to the fitter he said that Autoglass have shut nearly all their on site locations and all the fitters have is their vans and a lock up that stock is delivered too

 

[BLZ]

I have asked the dealer for a price for replacement. They said they replace all the seals as a matter of course and the total cost would be about £600. The glass that Autowindscreens fitted is the same as a new Z4 in the showroom( Guardian). A new problem is getting new clips for the outer cowling(the one under the bonnet) the dealer doesn't seem to have a part number for them.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Them quote off my dealer was in the high £800's.... Although the screen itself is around £230..

There are no seals or trims to replace when the screen comes out..