Windshield Replacement

[Newjack]

Hey everyone,

Looking to get my windshield replaced on Tuesday. I'm still rocking the original OE windshield and it is very pitted and has multiple rock chips. My insurance will be covering this and recommended Glass America to have it done. I plan to have it replaced with Pilkington glass, but I've heard of issues with cheap chinese pilkington glass on some newer F model BMW's.

Has anyone recently replaced their windshield? Is there anything I need to look out for or request? Is there something better than pilkington glass that I should be using? While my current windshield is pitted, it isn't wavy at all and is just fine. I'm hoping to get the same quality.

[Vas]

Are you able you request an oe factory windshield?

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[John in VA]

These cars are old enough that insurance rarely covers glass from BMW. Pilkington or PGW will come from China or Mexico these days. My glass guy gets one of each in case the fit is off. Pilkington is OEM - get that one if it fits!

[ELCID86]

The Pilkington one I got works well. Be sure to spray some water and test the RLS before you leave the shop.

Edit: to Rob’s point test it. Mine is DOT177 and works fine.

[Sockethead]

Rob, make sure you test the auto headlights and rain sensor before you pay for it. Pilkinton glass I got last spring, neither works and I didn't catch it right away.
The DOT number on mine is 177

[Newjack]

Are you able you request an oe factory windshield?

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That would have to come directly from the dealer right? Not a third party?



These cars are old enough that insurance rarely covers glass from BMW. Pilkington or PGW will come from China or Mexico these days. My glass guy gets one of each in case the fit is off. Pilkington is OEM - get that one if it fits!

So getting the Pilkington is still the way to go?


Rob, make sure you test the auto headlights and rain sensor before you pay for it. Pilkinton glass I got last spring, neither works and I didn't catch it right away.
The DOT number on mine is 177

This is good advice, I'll make sure to check that before he leaves. The service drives to you, its not a shop or anything. Do you have any issues with your glass besides the rain sensor? Nothing wavy going on? Did you get yours done at the dealer? I'm pretty sure the glass they install will be pilkington, but won't have the roundel on it.

Remind me again what DOT numbers are for?

[bvmackin]

I go ahead and pay for the OEM glass rider on my insurance policy. My original BMW OEM glass was badly pitted, but I got "lucky" with a new rock chip which quickly developed into a crack long enough to warrant replacement. My insurance pushed Safelight to do the replacement, but I insisted in OEM glass which was installed by a third party installer recommended by my indie mechanic. The third party installer ordered glass from local BMW dealer (cost about $500 for glass) and installed at no cost to me. No "waves" in OEM glass, and rain sensor verified to work properly before "completion". I've used Pilkington on other e46's an although pretty good quality and much cheaper, there were noticeable waves in glass.

[ELCID86]

That would have to come directly from the dealer right? Not a third party?




So getting the Pilkington is still the way to go?



This is good advice, I'll make sure to check that before he leaves. The service drives to you, its not a shop or anything. Do you have any issues with your glass besides the rain sensor? Nothing wavy going on? Did you get yours done at the dealer? I'm pretty sure the glass they install will be pilkington, but won't have the roundel on it.

Remind me again what DOT numbers are for?

BP wrote up some info on windshields and DOT a while back—has to due with where manufactured iirc. See if you can find it.

[kayger12]

+1 on trying for the BMW glass. I swung for the fences with a cracked windshield a few months back and NJ Manufacturers covered it. The Safelite guy couldn't believe they approved factory glass for a 12 year old car.

They can't say yes if you don't ask.

[Sockethead]

I had NJM too Keith. I really like that insurance company

Rob, I started a thread on glass a while back. I don't have time to look for it right now though. I'm not at home. The DOT number tells you where it was manufactured.
Interestingly, Shawn has the same DOT glass as me and he had no issues although his gasket is ill fitting in upper left corner just like mine

[BADCLOWN]

I had mine replaced with pilkington 2 years ago I think, it’s been fine.

[Newjack]

I've emailed my insurance company agent again asking about getting OE glass installed. I have State Farm. If they won't help me with my current policy I'll be taking my business elsewhere. Their rates are way too high and being a customer for over 10 years hasn't earned me anything.

I get so sick of always having to be on my toes about this stuff.

I looked up the DOT codes and while I don't know what Pilkington DOT glass this company will use, I'd still rather have that BMW roundel on it. Glass is one of those things you engage every time you drive your car. You are always using it, just like a keyboard, shoes or your bed. I really want to get something quality and not have to worry about it for a while.

[John in VA]

I've emailed my insurance company agent again asking about getting OE glass installed.
If you're willing to pay the difference between the aftermarket glass your insurance typically wants to use vs. dealer glass it shouldn't be a problem. Flex your muscles with the agent!

[daytona90t]

I just had a Pilkington windshield installed last week and It looks absolutely perfect, no waves or defects. Both the auto headlights and auto wipers work just as they did previously, so no issues there either. The installation of the gasket is another story and I hope that I can eventually get it set in evenly all the way around.

[Sockethead]

I just had a Pilkington windshield installed last week and It looks absolutely perfect, no waves or defects. Both the auto headlights and auto wipers work just as they did previously, so no issues there either. The installation of the gasket is another story and I hope that I can eventually get it set in evenly all the way around.

Can you post the DOT number here?

[John in VA]

I just had a Pilkington windshield installed last week and It looks absolutely perfect, no waves or defects. Both the auto headlights and auto wipers work just as they did previously, so no issues there either. The installation of the gasket is another story and I hope that I can eventually get it set in evenly all the way around.
Same here with the '02 325xi - perfect fit & operation with the Pilkington.
If you're referring to the trim around the top & sides of the glass, if it doesn't fit correctly (ex. - glass isn't centered in opening) it will have to be cut out & repositioned.

[Sockethead]

DOT number?

[Vas]

Can you post the DOT number here?

Or a picture of the label

[daytona90t]

Can you post the DOT number here?

I will try to grab it later today and post.


Same here with the '02 325xi - perfect fit & operation with the Pilkington.
If you're referring to the trim around the top & sides of the glass, if it doesn't fit correctly (ex. - glass isn't centered in opening) it will have to be cut out & repositioned.

I don't think its so much that the windshield is off center, as the space between the windshield and the A-pillars where the seal fits is fairly even all the way around, I think its more that the seal itself got a little twisted when they were fitting the glass into place. Since I got a nice windshield and it seems to be centered and sealed well (no air noises) I am going to see if i can twist the seal into place better with my plastic trim tool kit.

The E46 windshield is a tough install with the molded seal that has to be placed in with the glass. I had a windshield replaced in my E83 X3 last year and it is a much more straight forward installation. The glass gets glued on without the seal and the rubber seal then gets pushed into place around the windshield afterward, there are also A-pillar trim pieces that cover up the sides of the glass, so you only ever really see the rubber strip at the roof line.

[Newjack]

I just had a Pilkington windshield installed last week and It looks absolutely perfect, no waves or defects. Both the auto headlights and auto wipers work just as they did previously, so no issues there either. The installation of the gasket is another story and I hope that I can eventually get it set in evenly all the way around.

This is exactly what I'm avoiding. I don't understand how something can break, you have insurance, and they say "oh well replaced it for free!" and then give you a shit version of what you originally had.

No, I'm paying you bastards to replace what I already own.

Depending on what the difference is in OEM vs Chinese windshield, I'm gonna raise hell about it (politely)

[John in VA]

DOT number?
This is in the 2002 325xi (sedan) with factory trim surround:

31245

[L0veZHP]

I went with Safelight. They come to your house and do everything for you. Just set an appointment. The guy that was doing my car was also a BMW enthusiast and knew his stuff well! He also had told me that he can tell my windshield had been replaced before and it was a bad job. He scrapped down all the excess glue on the car and mounted everything perfectly. The glass seemed to be OEM and had everything the same as my other windshield. With the same decals around the windshield and same small black dots around the rain sensor. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171016/c6c37cdd8b92be5d84dfd647ff61fb54.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171016/c20a3dfac50cb427b8d5f1a12e72e769.png

That black interior tho [emoji102]


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[Sockethead]

This is in the 2002 325xi (sedan) with factory trim surround:

31245


Hmm... looks like yous is either US or England... http://www.carwindshields.info/dot_db

This just verifies how many different places glass is manufactured.... even by the same company

[daytona90t]

This is in the 2002 325xi (sedan) with factory trim surround:

31245

Just checked, my DOT number is also 682.

[Sockethead]

My Pilkington is 177 maybe I'l ask for 682 next time... I waited too long to tell them about it so they won't fix the one I have.... I guess its going to have to break again ;)

[John in VA]

I guess it's going to have to break again ;)
It happens every day!

[Newjack]

Glass America called me back and said that State Farm denied my claim to have OEM glass put on the car. I would have to pay the difference of $300 for an OEM windshield. I haven't researched the costs in a while, but I thought a new BMW windshield is somewhere around $500?

At this point I'm just going to spend that $300 towards a better policy with a better insurance company.



10+ years of on time payments to State Farm with full comprehensive coverage.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CK5zZIYVAAAb5x0.jpg

[John in VA]

I haven't researched the costs in a while, but I thought a new BMW windshield is somewhere around $500?
Check with the guys at getbmwparts.com and mybimmerparts.com - both are dealerships in MD with internet discounts. Don't forget the trim surround.

[Vas]

Anybody know the part number for the windshield with the sensor?

[Newjack]

Anybody know the part number for the windshield with the sensor?

31247


I don't know which one is which, or what they mean with the green band

[kayger12]

For what it's worth, here's my recent factory glass replacement. 682
31248

[Vas]

31247


I don't know which one is which, or what they mean with the green bandNo clue either

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[John in VA]

No clue either
First one listed is green with rain sensor but no green tint band. Third one is green with rain sensor & tint band. Talk to your local dealer parts guys - they should know the difference!

[Vas]

New windshield installed.

I reached out to a mobile guy and told him what my requirements were. He was able to source a new windshield made by Sekurit who makes the OE glass for bmw. Dot 463 put the production in Bogota, Columbia.

I provided the installer with a genuine BMW windshield gasket I bought from fcpeuro.

Cost breakdown.

Gasket $35

Windshield $165

Install $70

Final cost $270

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180628/20bc3c125b7eb3037ccd32f473257b4e.jpg

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[Sockethead]

You did check your auto headlights and wipers, yes?

[ZHPizza]

Damn that's a great price

[ELCID86]

You did check your auto headlights and wipers, yes?

Please do. Spray water on it just to make sure the RLS is working.

[Vas]

You did check your auto headlights and wipers, yes?
Please do. Spray water on it just to make sure the RLS is working.It does work.

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[Sockethead]

I just noticed I have a chip in my new windshield. I'm gonna have to finish it off with the pick end of one of my body work hammers so I can get it replaced and have my auto wipers and headlights back. Hate to do that but it's the only way to get the defective windshield replaced.
Without the sensor working, my wipers are either on or off, there is no intermittent function and the auto headlights are on all the time.... so annoying.

[webster]

I just noticed I have a chip in my new windshield. I'm gonna have to finish it off with the pick end of one of my body work hammers so I can get it replaced and have my auto wipers and headlights back. Hate to do that but it's the only way to get the defective windshield replaced.
Without the sensor working, my wipers are either on or off, there is no intermittent function and the auto headlights are on all the time.... so annoying.

wow i just realized my sensor must not be working cause i have the same issue as you, wipers are full on or off and auto headlights are always on. i do have a rock chip (smack dab in driver's line of sight too...grr) but the sensor issues were present before i got the chip...

it never ends with these cars lol.

[Sockethead]

Mine worked fine before they replaced the windshield. Luckily, here in SC, your insurance company can't charge you your deductible for windshield replacement

[ZHP_Brandon]

I’d try decoding your vin and seeing if it has a option code and going by that, as well as the diagram posted above ^ to see if you can find a proper part #, I actually just let my little brother borrow my car to go to work and He cracked my windshield unintentionally so if you can’t find a part # I’ll take the reigns and go on the hunt for it too lol


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[fredo]

I asked my SA if he could recommend a shop for windshield replacement. He said they don't use other shops, they replace the windshields at the dealer. He gave me this price: $692 :

Parts : $473
Labor : $180
Tax : $39

I have a coupon that provides 15% discount so my total would be $588 OTD. I will think about it.

[BMWCurves]

I asked my SA if he could recommend a shop for windshield replacement. He said they don't use other shops, they replace the windshields at the dealer. He gave me this price: $692 :

Parts : $473
Labor : $180
Tax : $39

I have a coupon that provides 15% discount so my total would be $588 OTD. I will think about it.

My estimate was about triple that price, duh fuh?