Cracked windscreen

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 06:51 AM

Hey guys, my first new thread is unfortunately a very sad one!

I finally got all my car wash goodies today from Chemical Guys. Decided to give the car a proper wash - the Citrus wash was amazing, came through really nice on the Karcher.

After cleaning everything and then drying, I wanted to clean up all the door jams and I popped open the bonnet without realising the wipers were up and this pressed the wipers to the windscreen which promptly cracked!

Just wanted this to be cautionary tale and also see if there is anything I need to look out for when getting these guys to replace it.

Thanks.

Taymaishu · 11-27-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alik01

Hey guys, my first new thread is unfortunately a very sad one!

I finally got all my car wash goodies today from Chemical Guys. Decided to give the car a proper wash - the Citrus wash was amazing, came through really nice on the Karcher.

After cleaning everything and then drying, I wanted to clean up all the door jams and I popped open the bonnet without realising the wipers were up and this pressed the wipers to the windscreen which promptly cracked!

Just wanted this to be cautionary tale and also see if there is anything I need to look out for when getting these guys to replace it.

Thanks.

Ouch sorry to hear that mate

Good tip though - never thought of that and it's obviously an easy one to do. I'll keep that in mind in future.

Have you got glass coverage? Those windscreens can be very expensive to replace!

123D-M · 11-27-2009, 08:04 AM

Not the first one to do this, certainly won't be the last. An unfortunate flaw in the design I'm afraid.

d3syd · 11-27-2009, 08:15 AM

Sorry to hear that. Heartbreaking.

There were a number of cases of this happening early on in this forum in the States and Europe before we got our cars. Easy to do.

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the sentiments guys.

It was terribly easy to do and heartbreaking to behold. Taymaishu, have to check my policy to see if I've got glass coverage, should be fine hopefully!

Horrible design flaw though, never had a problem like that with any other cars, usually they just pop down. So did BMW replace any on the early days or was it caveat emptor?

Anyway, lesson learnt!

123D-M · 11-27-2009, 08:30 AM

Don't remember ever reading that anyone got it replaced under warranty. Think you'll have to cover this one yourself unfortunately. Insurance should come to the party I think. Most policies have glass cover.

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123D-M

Don't remember ever reading that anyone got it replaced under warranty. Think you'll have to cover this one yourself unfortunately. Insurance should come to the party I think. Most policies have glass cover.

I know, I was just wondering if BMW did replace them at first as this is clearly a design flaw, but maybe BMW didn't expect
owners to be such idiots!

Will defintely get insurance in on the party, quite sure I got glass cover, just need to ring up and check. Worse comes to worse, will just have to bite the bullet and pay for it!

Taymaishu · 11-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alik01

I know, I was just wondering if BMW did replace them at first as this is clearly a design flaw, but maybe BMW didn't expect
owners to be such idiots!

Will defintely get insurance in on the party, quite sure I got glass cover, just need to ring up and check. Worse comes to worse, will just have to bite the bullet and pay for it!

I'd argue this one. There's no warning and it's NOT an obvious mistake to make.

How can you expect that when you're washing the car you can't do that? There should be a warning to prevent that damage...

jksgoh · 11-27-2009, 03:24 PM

damn, sorry to hear that.
but thanks for the tip i didn't know you could crack it that easy!

is it a big crack?

TP 135i · 11-27-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

I'd argue this one. There's no warning and it's NOT an obvious mistake to make.

How can you expect that when you're washing the car you can't do that? There should be a warning to prevent that damage...

OK....first off, I'm very sorry to hear of the OP's cracked windshield.

NOW I don't agree with the subtlety of this "warning" but (at least in the States) in the owner's manual on page 216, BMW warns of damage......"To avoid damage, make sure that the wiper arms are against the windshield before you open the engine compartment". This is in the section explaining how to replace the wiper blades. The problem is that it doesn't go on to explain what kind of damage can occur and the warning should be on page one in big bold RED print.

And, sadly enough, we have been discussing this issue on this forum for about a year.

Taymaishu · 11-27-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TP 135i

OK....first off, I'm very sorry to hear of the OP's cracked windshield.

NOW I don't agree with the subtlety of this "warning" but (at least in the States) in the owner's manual on page 216, BMW warns of damage......"To avoid damage, make sure that the wiper arms are against the windshield before you open the engine compartment". This is in the section explaining how to replace the wiper blades. The problem is that it doesn't go on to explain what kind of damage can occur and the warning should be on page one in big bold RED print.

And, sadly enough, we have been discussing this issue on this forum for about a year.

Interesting - i've never seen it in my manual.

Then again, i've never had cause to read the manual for washing my car. But fair enough i see your point.. A bloody sticker on the inside of the windscreen or top of the wipers would work well.

TP 135i · 11-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Interesting - i've never seen it in my manual.

Then again, i've never had cause to read the manual for washing my car. But fair enough i see your point.. A bloody sticker on the inside of the windscreen or top of the wipers would work well.

EXACTLY.......I would have never known of this little warning if it were not for this forum.......search "cracked windshield" and you will see many others that have done the same thing....it's very sad to read.

Lester · 11-27-2009, 03:51 PM

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

bozola · 11-27-2009, 04:34 PM

Should be a STICKY.

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 05:01 PM

Taymaishu, I agree, it's not at all an obvious thing, and it sucks that it happened to me but at least it's a lesson learnt, and perhaps this thread should be sticky and keep over-enthused new owners from getting into the same trouble!

It seems strange that BMW hadn't noticed this during the design process, they are usually seem pretty careful with the attention to detail, which is one of the reasons why don't mind paying the premium for them.

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

damn, sorry to hear that.
but thanks for the tip i didn't know you could crack it that easy!

is it a big crack?

Yes it is really easy to do, there was no warning or give, the pressure from the gas chambers was enough to inflict the crack. It is fairly big, looks exactly like the picture Lester kindly put up, except mine cracked upward. Will take a picture in a little bit and put it up.

cozza · 11-27-2009, 06:58 PM

Damn! What a bugger! Did it bend/damage the wiper blade arms?

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 07:24 PM

The wiper blade arms are fine, there's a scratch on the bonnet edge though.

qship · 11-27-2009, 09:52 PM

Hope your insurance covers it. It is about $1200 -$1600 to replace and of course no one other than BMW has replacement screens.

The voice of someone on their 3rd screen.

Zuzu · 11-27-2009, 10:33 PM

Ouch...Thats just bad luck.

If you have the glass breakage option in your insurance policy it will be a godsend..Very small excess to pay if any..

qship · 11-27-2009, 10:48 PM

I do now - not then. And of course have not had an issue since......................!

alik01 · 11-27-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qship

Hope your insurance covers it. It is about $1200 -$1600 to replace and of course no one other than BMW has replacement screens.

The voice of someone on their 3rd screen.

How'd you go through 2 screens???

Really hope insurance covers it too! But I thought
it might cost more than $1600, so at least that's something. I contacted BMW here and they said they'd get quote for me on Monday.

I haven't been able to call the insurance to clarify everything, but if I do have the cover, as I understand it, I don't pay any excess and it doesn't affect my no claim bonus! Just have to wait and see.

11-27-2009, 06:51 AM	#1
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Cracked windscreen Hey guys, my first new thread is unfortunately a very sad one! I finally got all my car wash goodies today from Chemical Guys. Decided to give the car a proper wash - the Citrus wash was amazing, came through really nice on the Karcher. After cleaning everything and then drying, I wanted to clean up all the door jams and I popped open the bonnet without realising the wipers were up and this pressed the wipers to the windscreen which promptly cracked! Just wanted this to be cautionary tale and also see if there is anything I need to look out for when getting these guys to replace it. Thanks.
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11-27-2009, 08:04 AM	#3
123D-M Captain 32 Rep 930 Posts Drives: BMW 123d M-Sport Coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Citroen DS19 P ... [0.00] 2009 123D M-Sport C ... [10.00] 2009 Mazda6 [0.00]	Not the first one to do this, certainly won't be the last. An unfortunate flaw in the design I'm afraid. __________________ 2009 123D Coupe \| Sedona Red \| Black Boston Leather \| Brushed Aluminium Trim \| Tinted Windows \| M-Sport Package \| 6M \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| Navigation \| Park Distance Front & Rear \| USB \| Bluetooth \| Voice Control \| Efficient Dynamics \| Rain & Light Sensors \| Xenon Lights My blog: http://urbanemusings.wordpress.com/
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11-27-2009, 08:15 AM	#4
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Sorry to hear that. Heartbreaking. There were a number of cases of this happening early on in this forum in the States and Europe before we got our cars. Easy to do. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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11-27-2009, 08:24 AM	#5
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the sentiments guys. It was terribly easy to do and heartbreaking to behold. Taymaishu, have to check my policy to see if I've got glass coverage, should be fine hopefully! Horrible design flaw though, never had a problem like that with any other cars, usually they just pop down. So did BMW replace any on the early days or was it caveat emptor? Anyway, lesson learnt!
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11-27-2009, 08:30 AM	#6
123D-M Captain 32 Rep 930 Posts Drives: BMW 123d M-Sport Coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Citroen DS19 P ... [0.00] 2009 123D M-Sport C ... [10.00] 2009 Mazda6 [0.00]	Don't remember ever reading that anyone got it replaced under warranty. Think you'll have to cover this one yourself unfortunately. Insurance should come to the party I think. Most policies have glass cover. __________________ 2009 123D Coupe \| Sedona Red \| Black Boston Leather \| Brushed Aluminium Trim \| Tinted Windows \| M-Sport Package \| 6M \| Comfort Access \| Heated Seats \| Navigation \| Park Distance Front & Rear \| USB \| Bluetooth \| Voice Control \| Efficient Dynamics \| Rain & Light Sensors \| Xenon Lights My blog: http://urbanemusings.wordpress.com/
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11-27-2009, 03:24 PM	#9
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	damn, sorry to hear that. but thanks for the tip i didn't know you could crack it that easy! is it a big crack?
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11-27-2009, 03:51 PM	#13
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Yes - this topic has been discussed before, but fair warning to all new 135i owners. Attached Images
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11-27-2009, 04:34 PM	#14
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	Should be a STICKY.
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11-27-2009, 05:01 PM	#15
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	Taymaishu, I agree, it's not at all an obvious thing, and it sucks that it happened to me but at least it's a lesson learnt, and perhaps this thread should be sticky and keep over-enthused new owners from getting into the same trouble! It seems strange that BMW hadn't noticed this during the design process, they are usually seem pretty careful with the attention to detail, which is one of the reasons why don't mind paying the premium for them.
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11-27-2009, 06:58 PM	#17
cozza ///Mthusiast 135 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: M135i (March delivery) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Damn! What a bugger! Did it bend/damage the wiper blade arms? __________________ ///M135i: AUTO \| ALPINE WHITE \| CORAL RED LEATHER \| HEATED SEATS \| SUNROOF \| NAV \| DAB TUNER \| HARMAN KARDON \| PERFORMANCE BITS 'N' PIECES
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11-27-2009, 07:24 PM	#18
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	The wiper blade arms are fine, there's a scratch on the bonnet edge though.
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11-27-2009, 09:52 PM	#19
qship Disillusioned bourgeois capitalist pig! 21 Rep 488 Posts Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malbin, Ozstralia iTrader: (0)	Hope your insurance covers it. It is about $1200 -$1600 to replace and of course no one other than BMW has replacement screens. The voice of someone on their 3rd screen. __________________ You can lead a fool to knowledge but you cannot make him think!
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11-27-2009, 10:33 PM	#20
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	Ouch...Thats just bad luck. If you have the glass breakage option in your insurance policy it will be a godsend..Very small excess to pay if any..
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11-27-2009, 10:48 PM	#21
qship Disillusioned bourgeois capitalist pig! 21 Rep 488 Posts Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malbin, Ozstralia iTrader: (0)	I do now - not then. And of course have not had an issue since......................! __________________ You can lead a fool to knowledge but you cannot make him think!
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