Cracked windscreen

[BigBoss168]

I smashed the windscreen on my Boxster a couple of months ago in exactly the same way (except in my case one of my wipers had gotten twisted around so the metal was the first thing to make contact with the windscreen). Luckily my insurance policy had a zero-excess windscreen replacement policy, otherwise it would have cost me $1400.

[TimMc]

Don't companies like Windscreens O'Brien have them in stock? They replaced the screen on one of my E30s a few years ago for something like $500.
"We can repair or replace any piece of glass on any make or model of vehicle and our workmanship is guaranteed for as long as you own or operate the vehicle."

[qship]

Just my luck. Broke 2 in the space of 6 weeks. The first was a rock from an oncoming car (Novus tried to repair, but it was right in my eyeline), the other a truck who pulled over too much and sprayed me with rocks. Both cases on country roads where I was doing 100kph and so was the oncoming vehicle, so about 200 kph of missile!

At the time about a year ago no one made screens for the coupe except BMW. In both cases I had the RACV fit it (ironically they got them from my local dealer) and it saved me about $400 each time. Shows what the BMW markup is! Maybe OBriens or someone now have the screen now. Each time they also had to replace the rain sensor.

[alik01]

qship, that's a really sad to hear mate, specially in such quick succession.

Taipan168, can't believe the Boxster had the same problem, crap that these guys haven't thought of this. Thankfully, although it was the metal that made contact with the glass as well in this case, the wiper arm itself was undamaged.

I just found out I've got glass cover!!! I already got in touch with BMW for it, they said they'll get back to me Monday. Feeling like I dodged a bullet there!

On a side note, not at all a fan of O'Brien, they did such a shocking job on the weather seals on Golf GTI in WA after someone broke into it. Thing kept leaking after 3 fixes!

[555]

I'm curious as to the 'strength' of the windscreen... I've have two chips in mine already, one was behind an X5 which flicked up a small rock - repaired by OBrien (almost invisible), and the other (yet to fix) was second car behind a semi and rock flew over first car and collected passenger side, small star chip in it...

I've had multiple hits to the windscreen on my 350Z and not a single chip...(similar speeds) almost always on the f'ing Monash, with all the upgrades, there is road debris everywhere...

[alik01]

555, I was reading the babybimmer forum
and they were complaining about the same thing, saying the 1er screens were particularly susceptible, also some speculation that it might be due to the shape, etc... But from what you say the X5 seems to be just the same and you'd think they'd at beef it up on the closest thing they have to an offroad vehicle!

Hope it's not the case as there is so much gravel on the roads here, it's really just a matter of time!

Just got the quotes in O'Brien want $1700 for the replacements and 2 weeks to get one and BMW quoted $1820 at 'trade' rates and 1 week to get it up here. Trying to get the insurance guys to cough up the extra for BMW to do it!

[Cuz5150]

Originally Posted by Lester

Yes - this topic has been discussed before, but fair warning to all new 135i owners.

Hahaha.....in 10 different country warnings! I can read the 3, so very well informed.

[wkthyk]

Replaced my screen a few months back, nrma sent me to O'brien at Roseville to fix. Sure they have stock as all 1 series use same screen. Replaced under windscreen cover policy.

[aus135i]

for 135i the screen cost 900ish.. (BMW OEM screen) 3rd party only 400ish i got it done i know =)

[dr.bmw]

nasty! certainly looks like an oversight from BMW, I haven't heard of wipers cracking windscreens before!

[SimonB]

For those of us who were members of these forums from way back before the 1 series was released in Oz, this isn't a surprise - due to a few USA based users who cracked screens and then some Oz users too. Unfortunately for newer members, it is something they're not aware of. I do think that there should be a warning of some sort.

[rori zahr]

I cracked mine yesterday! same story, opening the bonnet with wipers up... I don't wanna go through the feelings I had at the moment
1st of all, I felt like I'm the most stupid creature in the universe and 2nd, I was completely sorry that my car had somehow lost it's virginity so please guys,double check your wipers are in normal position before opening the bonnet.
Took my car to the dealership for windshield replacement, it's completely covered by my insurance, I should get it back today but I was surprised that the windshield costs a bit less than 400 USD. it's way cheaper than what you guys are saying it costs in the US!!!
I can't wait to get it back later this afternoon, hope they'll do a good job. I have some concerns regarding the wipers, could the twist have damaged them?

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by aus135i

for 135i the screen cost 900ish.. (BMW OEM screen) 3rd party only 400ish i got it done i know =)

+1.

The quotes I see elsewhere for 1600-1800 seem a bit high.

The big daddy though is the new 7 series. (I know because I had one big crack recently). Cost was $3500 from BMW. (rain sensor, high beam assist, heads up display)

Always good to have additional glass insurance!

[alik01]

Rori, I feel your pain. I went through the same feelings and this thread really should be a sticky to warn all the new owners.

Mine was finally fixed last week after going back and forth with the insurance guys who didn't want to pay more than $980 for it, as they figure $1800 was beyond the fair and reasonable amount the quoted on the clause. After threatening to take it to Insurance Ombudsman, they finally settled.

BMW here took a few weeks to get the windscreen in and they finally fitted it and everything is great now!

Lesson learnt as well! Now I'm always mindful of the wipers when I'm washing!

[BenõrTheBMW]

Did this yesterday. Funny that I just saw this for the first time a day after I cracked it.