Windshield replacement.

[B-Dawg]

So after a recent 300 mile trip I now have a large crack extending from the edge. Called Safelite and they quoted $850 to replace with a OEM glass. Which is outrageous considering that the glass retails for $300. But my dealership service advisor also gave me a quote for $1,525. Seriously. Are they for real?

[jkoral]

Did you double check your insurance policy for glass coverage? Many policies have a no deductible or $100 deductible glass coverage.

I have the former and have had windshields replaced at the BMW dealer without having to pay a cent (and no effect on my premiums).

[kleach18]

Definitely check your insurance policy. In the past I had my insurance repair rock chips without me paying a cent. I know with USAA you get like 6 free rock chip repairs a year. That and if its bad enough they will pay for a new replacement every few years.

[Focusedintntions]

I had to get my windshield replaced 2 months after I bought the car. I ended up paying a bit over 800 something to get it replaced at the dealer. Granted I'm a member of the CCA and the dealership gave me a 20% discount on parts. The glass was over 600 bucks and the labor to replace it was 150 bucks. Call around to different dealers and maybe take a look at joining the cca to for the price break. Stay away from company's like safelight as they do not use oem glass, even if they say they do, they don't.

[B-Dawg]

Thanks for the info. $800+\- is much more palatable than $1600. Here is the breakdown they gave me to try and justify it:

Glass:$453.41
Rain/light sensor:$159.87
Adhesive kit:$115.05
Windshield glue:$50.93
Support clips:$69.86
Parts total:$849.12
Labor:5.5hrs @$123 per hour-$676.50
Total repair:$1525.62 plus tax.

[KingOfJericho]

The only windshield available for the 135i is made by Pilkington. There is no "generic" windshield. Safelite replaced mine when it broke and it was indeed a Pilkington glass with the BMW rain sensor. One thing that I will mention is that they usually try to use a generic seal around the window. Make sure they pick one up from the dealer otherwise it will look quite strange.

[KingOfJericho]

Also the 5 hours of labor is a joke. It took Safelite an hour and they came right to my office. The dealer will put the glass on then stare at the car for the next 4.5hrs.

[vanbmw]

I had mine replaced and they charged my insurance company around $800. The BMW dealer near me has a contract with a mobile glass company. BMW ordered in the windshield and the glass company comes and does the repair at the BMW shop. Very nice, clean install. Exactly the same glass as stock and I couldn't tell it had been replaced. Turned out perfect.

[B-Dawg]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The only windshield available for the 135i is made by Pilkington. There is no "generic" windshield. Safelite replaced mine when it broke and it was indeed a Pilkington glass with the BMW rain sensor. One thing that I will mention is that they usually try to use a generic seal around the window. Make sure they pick one up from the dealer otherwise it will look quite strange.

That's what I thought as well. I'll be sure to specify the BMW seal. Thx.

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Also the 5 hours of labor is a joke. It took Safelite an hour and they came right to my office. The dealer will put the glass on then stare at the car for the next 4.5hrs.

Haha that was my first thought. 5.5 hours to replace a windsheild? Come on.

[Dackelone]

I have had my windshield replaced twice now. Both times by my BMW dealership. Over here a new BMW glass windshield ran about 1,100 euros. That is about $1,400. I have a 300 euro deductible for my comp claims.

[luv135i]

5hrs of labor? lol

[lastMleft]

5.0 labor crooks!!!

[ahfunaki]

Everyone should make sure you have a $0 deductible on glass! It doesn't cost much and if your windshield breaks one time it will more than pay for itself...

[That_1_Guy]

That is crazy... there are places that can do it cheaper.

I just had mine replaced here in Germany not too long ago, after BMW quoted me 1,100 Euro, I said screw that and found a local glass place.

This place, Auto-Glass DE did all the labor, parts replacements, and new glass for 570 Euro. AND, they saved my Swiss Vignette as well as my ADAC sticker. Amazing work.

When I went to pick the car up, the guy complemented my ride cause he drove a 120D, and asked me for a quick ride down the autobahn, I told him I had to get back to work, but then he offered to knock 50 Euro off if he could have a ride in the no speed limit zone. So I agreed.... awesome people.

Just saying, there are deals out there to be had. Just gotta find them.

[gwhiz]

I just had mine replaced under glass warranty a few weeks ago. My glass company had to fight with my insurance company to get OEM glass in there because, apparently there is an aftermarket/generic windshield that isn't nearly as good (according to the glass company). Fortunately, I made sure that I have a $0 deductible with my glass coverage with how miserable the AZ freeways are - you get a major chip in your windshield at least once a year. But they also had the windshield replaced in less than 30 minutes so 5.5 hours is a total scam! Granted, this company was recommended by the dealership and the techs told me that they have done hundreds of BMW windshield replacements and that they had it down to a science lol. Maybe your dealership has a bunch of morons working for them.

[ejm3]

Yeah I have full glass coverage (no deductible) and I don't pay any extra for it. They steer me to Safelite (I have used them other cars) but I believe you can go to the dealer for factory glass if you want. The advantage of using Safelite (or similar) is they will come to you to do the repair rather than leaving it at the dealership while they apparently spend 5.5 hours fixing it. Maybe that includes watching the glue dry.

On my Acura TL Safelite did the window and the next major rain storm I noticed a slight drip on the passenger side but no big deal and didn't worrry about it as it was only a drip or two and only when it rained really really hard. Then maybe a year and a half later it started dripping significantly more so I called Safelite and they came out to re-glue it.

That didn't work so they put a whole new windshield on it and it was fine after that.

I think my sister gets a new free windshield like once a year.

[aerobod]

Had a Sekurit windshield fitted to our 135i last year - CAD$298 including labour and seals.

In general, most glass places here charge about $300 for Pilkington, Sekurit or PGW windshields (all OEM windshield providers to BMW) for most common BMW windshields with a rain sensor.

[PA135i]

Had mine replaced twice since new. Both times the cost was around $510 TOTAL.
I don't understand why your cost would be so high.

[KingOfJericho]

You guys all need to change your insurance policies to non-ded glass...

[B-Dawg]

So Safelite completed it with Pilkington glass and OEM molding $779 all in. Completed in 80 mins. So slightly less than the 5.5 hrs it would have taken the dealer.

And I am going to add the zero (or at least small) deductible glass coverage ASAP.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Also the 5 hours of labor is a joke. It took Safelite an hour and they came right to my office. The dealer will put the glass on then stare at the car for the next 4.5hrs.

Agreed.