Tale of E89 windsceen replacement...

[Z4M-2006]

Got a big stonechip in the screen of car on 13th June... Big thing that looked like a bullet hole with 2 cracks emanating from it,straight in my line of sight too.


Called my insurance company approved glass replacement guys.. (autoglass)..

They took all my details and had no immediate stock,with the promise of a call the day after. They did call but told me that they couldnt locate a screen so couldnt give me a fitment date,advised me to call my insurance and try to arrange fitment elsewhere.

Called my insurance company and they said i was to get 2 quotes and they would authorise a repair .

Got quotes from Auto Windscreens and BMW Main dealer....Spoke to insurance and they obviously went with Auto windscreens,who also do work for my insurance company (Esure)

This takes us to the 6th July...... Auto windscreens come and fit a new screen. Wrong screen that was spotted immediately (by me) and the fitter called his manager to see what the procedure was.. Fit another screen,but needs a week for bonding to harden and order new screen.
I also notice that the Headlight beam assist now has a fault.... Call them and they say its because the wrong screen,it will be fine when the new screen is fitted.

Forward to today.....

New screen fitter arrives and he is upto speed with problems and HBA fault.. He removes screen,this time i stay with him all the time to see whats going on..

On removal we could see 2 problems.... The GPS Antenna has been damaged by the cutting wire when screen was removed and the wiring loom was chopped in 3 positions (all this was done at the first removal/refitment.)

Waiting for the call in the morning off the manager for car to be booked into BMW for new wiring loom and GPS antenna....


Honestly,you couldnt write it.......

 

[BLZ]

I also have a stone chip/crack in my windscreen. I am expecting Auto Windscreen to come on Friday to replace it. I have auto lights but not sure if I have HBA. How can I tell ? I'm not sure if I have GPS either. My car is a 2012 2.0 without sat-nav. I will defo stay with the guy during fitting. What should I be watching for ?

 

[mr wilks]

That's pants you'd think paying extra attention & being wary on the in built stuff would be common sense for the fitters on high end motors , obviously not with the number of similar experiences

 

[envy]

wow, what a ball ache. its not as easy as it used to be to replace something like a windscreen. i envisage more issues along the way and doesnt sound like it will be an easy fix

 

[Z4M-2006]

The fitter today knew about most stuff,he has been doing them for 20 yrs so is pretty clued up..

The problem is that the loom and GPS sensor are sat in the trunking that as at the top of your screen.... When the wire tool was inserted into the gap between screen and frame,the action of the removal tool sliced through everything that is inward of the screen..

If the internal A pillar covers and interior light panel cover was removed and loom pulled out of the way,then that would avoid any problems..

The HBA sensor is in the mirror...But the wiring upto the mirror is in the trunking,as is the wiring for all the other electrical parts...

 

[TomK]

It took the company used for replacement on my m3 until the 3rd time to get it right. Ordered the wrong glass on the 1st without the rain sensor and the guy decided to glue the original back, that looked great as you can imagine. 2nd time they came with the wrong glass again, jeez. 3rd time, lucky I guess, they did a great job.
You'd think it would't be that hard to work out the correct glass? Cutting the loom is the work of a true monkey

 

[andysat]

FFS!!!-like its been said you would think they would know/take care/find out what's behind the screen before they butcher the screens :thumbsdown:

 

[Zed Five]

Sounds familiar. This is from a few years back. The installer wanted to put in the new screen, then get his electrician colleague to take the interior apart later in the week to fix. :thumbsdown:

No way. I made him reconnect each wire with proper clips. Retested everything and got it documented.

Thankfully, no further problems.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Jesus!!!

Not as bad as that, but yea plenty of damage.

It's going into BMW and I'm going to press for a loom instead of repair...

 

[abeardo83]

Wow what a disaster!!
I had the windscreen replaced on mine earlier in the year. Autowindscreens did it. Took the fella literally an hour.

 

[ronk]

Scarey stuff!
We've just bought a 335 with a gizmo on the screen which (I think) reads the road signs etc and also has the head up display panel - I tend to think it will be outside the comprehension of an auto glass refit!

 

[pvr]

My X5 screen was replaced by the dealer, Autoglass could not do it. As they could not, I only paid the standard excess for a BMW screen and fitment.

 

[ronk]

My X5 screen was replaced by the dealer, Autoglass could not do it. As they could not, I only paid the standard excess for a BMW screen and fitment.

I just hope they realise it's beyond them before they (auto glass etc) start!

 

[pvr]

There was a tiny, weeny bit of free translation going on there … the tech that came for the repair of the glass (chip) said he could not repair it. I called the insurance company and told them that they said they could not replace it

 

[TitanTim]

Autoglass were featured on Watchdog the other week.

2.48 onwards,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaTl4aEJOvQ

Tim.

 

[Zed Five]

Scarey stuff!
We've just bought a 335 with a gizmo on the screen which (I think) reads the road signs etc and also has the head up display panel - I tend to think it will be outside the comprehension of an auto glass refit!

Can't Mrs Ronk read roadsigns? :wink:

 

[ronk]

No, she used to teach English!

In reality the gizmo reads the signs and shows them on the head up display - there's no excuses now I suppose.
We had a very nervous sales wallah when she tested her previous 3.0 tdi Audi - she said the car reared up !

 

[Steve109]

Just had weeks of frustration with Autoglass, directed to them by insurer 'esure'. Never call back and when I chase them they say out of stock of screen and its on order we will call you with update. Only time they did call was when I told them not to but email me as I was on holiday abroad. That was a message saying screen was in and could I call to arrange fitting, when I did call they denied all knowledge of the call.

Eventually found a local fitter who could do it 2 days after. Contacted esure who agreed to pay and said they were reviewing the contract with Autoglass. My advice folks do not believe a word Autoglass say and be ready with an alternative supplier.

New screen fitted in 90 minutes on the day stated and well pleased.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Nice one....

Auto windscreens called me this morning and the car has been booked into BMW for new Nav aerial and wiring loom for HBA..

Courtesy car provided

 

[BLZ]

I have had a cracked windscreen on my 2012 Z4 since last week. Insurance put me through to Auto Windscreens in Preston. They booked the job for today. I was little concerned when I read the horror stories on this forum.
They were very professional . Giving me a slot for today and a text when he was on his way. The fitter arrived, Reg , who was a very friendly man. Seemed to do a great job. I was intending to comment on this forum that people needing new windscreen needn't worry. I mentioned my concerns about people complaining that they have had the wrong screen fitted. He just laughed and said "Well it can happen". As he was putting the cover on the interior mirror he looked at me and said, "It's the wrong screen". He contacted his office who blamed the suppliers saying that it lists this screen for this car. I contacted my insurance, Hastings Direct, who just connected me to Auto Windscreens. I am now waiting for a call from their customer care department. It's no good insurance companies claiming windscreen cover if they fob you off to some aftermarket fitting company. You should be able to take it back to the dealer for replacement. A way to check if it's the correct windscreen. --If your car has auto lighting it will have a little blue window on the centre black area at the top middle of the screen. make sure the replacement screen has this box. Update at 1745. Auto Windscreen man just phoned. Said he had ordered a new screen from BMW but it wouldn't be here until Thursday. Rebooked the fitting for Friday morning. They were very apologetic, which I appreciate, but it's not the same as getting it right the first time.