[spmd11]

So, do I repair or replace?

Totally sucks.. on our way home from Chicago to Louisville, in downtown Indianapolis.. a car 6 car lengths in front of me flicked up a nice big stone onto our windshield, 2011 X5 5.0.

Already have an appointment for Monday morning for glass company to inspect it. Do you think that it can be repaired? Or should I replace? I know replacement will never be as strong, due to factory seal.

Ugh...

[mike3000fl]

most likely will spider web out from there when you hit a speedbump or pothole. the acrylic fix might hold it together.

whats your deductible for windshields? FL has no deductible for a windshield claim. if you were in FL i would tell you to bang on it a few times so that it had to be replaced.

[obert]

Just had the samething happen to me last week. I had a repair place come to my house the next day and repair it. You can see were it was alittle but its not going to crack and cost me hundreds to replace. My insurance covered 100% of the repair cost

[PA66400]

If you use BMW glass and new rubber seals and the installation is done by a qualified dealer, then this glass is as good as the day the car came off the line. In my area of NA, the climate and weather and aggregate used for winter traction on the roads means that most cars get a new windshield every 3 years. Glass insurance is not offered by most companies. I have always used OEM glass (my BMW retailer offers nothing else) and although it may cost anywhere from $700-$1100 every third year, my car is as good as new with the replacement and I have the bonus of no more fine haze on the glass with the new installs. Don't worry and replace the whole windshield. Your glass is not repairable.

[eaglesfan83]

Probably could fix it but will still be noticeable. Would say to just replace it if you have insurance to cover it.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by PA66400

If you use BMW glass and new rubber seals and the installation is done by a qualified dealer, then this glass is as good as the day the car came off the line. In my area of NA, the climate and weather and aggregate used for winter traction on the roads means that most cars get a new windshield every 3 years. Glass insurance is not offered by most companies. I have always used OEM glass (my BMW retailer offers nothing else) and although it may cost anywhere from $700-$1100 every third year, my car is as good as new with the replacement and I have the bonus of no more fine haze on the glass with the new installs. Don't worry and replace the whole windshield. Your glass is not repairable.

Of course it's not repairable. Glass can never be repaired. But the OP can have it filled so it doesn't spread.

[my03e46]

This same thing happened to me today. Luckily my dad owns a glass company and fixed mine when as soon as it happened, however, most places will only repair the chip if it is smaller than a quarter in diameter and is not in the drivers view (windshield wiper range)... Just some info, if you get it repaired its usually like 25-50 dollars. You could at least do this until summer when the roads get cleared up

[AndreyT]

Originally Posted by spmd11

Already have an appointment for Monday morning for glass company to inspect it. Do you think that it can be repaired? Or should I replace? I know replacement will never be as strong, due to factory seal.

Depends on your expectations for the repair. The purpose of repair is to prevent the damage from spreading. Typically the repair will somewhat reduce the apparent diameter of the chip, but it won't make it disappear entirely.

I would say that you should repair it, especially considering the location of the chip: it is out of view and is completely invisible from the driver's position. If the repair fails, then you'll have a chance to replace the windshield.

Most insurance companies I know do repairs for free (i.e. they fully cover the cost, no questions asked).

[spmd11]

Thanks guys, for your responses... I am in Kentucky, and we are a zero deductible state. USAA has told me already that it is my choice to have the windshield replaced, if I wish.. also, they told me that I can go BMW glass if I choose.

So, I think that I will replace the entire windshield

[be1ieve1111]

Yeah if it's free why even bother risking it? Get it taken care of .

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by spmd11

Thanks guys, for your responses... I am in Kentucky, and we are a zero deductible state. USAA has told me already that it is my choice to have the windshield replaced, if I wish.. also, they told me that I can go BMW glass if I choose.

So, I think that I will replace the entire windshield

Get it done by the dealer or good Indy shop, not local glass place. Yes, I know, they will (probably) contract it out anyway, but they will be responsible for it.

My Indy shop does their own windshield replacements, surprisingly enough.

[spmd11]

What is a "good Indy shop"

[DaveL]

Way too new to deal with a crack the only answer is have a new windshield replacement just get it done right and if they promise the repair before 24 hours it was done wrong...Remember this!! If you were driving a Dodge this would never of happened.lol

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by spmd11

What is a "good Indy shop"

"Indy" = "independent"...a BMW specialist shop, with certified mechanics that work (ideally) only on BMW, but NOT affiliated with a dealer.

Do a forum search for your area, you'll turn one up.

Here are a couple examples from where I live and used to live, both did great work on my cars:

In SF Bay Area: http://www.bavpros.com/


In DC: http://www.bmwexcluservice.com/ (web site seems to be having problems)

[lopealle]

Cheaper through insurance

[SomeRandomer123]

Our 330d has had 4 windscreens and they have felt and looked no different than when it was new.

[Route 16]

Sorry to thread jack but I do need advice since you're in the Bay Area too. This happened to my Mercedes last night. Multiple BB gun pellets drive by hit my driver rear window, after closing the door after inspection, it spider webbed and everything fell to pieces.

Insurance will cover 100% and I will pay the $500 deductible but this is vandalism and I am not at fault so does that mean I pay nothing? Being a lease car, do I let my dealer know that this happened?

The glass is made tinted.

I would rather get an original window from factory ordered from an Indy shop "B-Line Auto Body" in San Jose is my top choice, or bring it to the dealer since insurance pays for everything anyway.

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

"Indy" = "independent"...a BMW specialist shop, with certified mechanics that work (ideally) only on BMW, but NOT affiliated with a dealer.

Do a forum search for your area, you'll turn one up.

Here are a couple examples from where I live and used to live, both did great work on my cars:

In SF Bay Area: http://www.bavpros.com/


In DC: http://www.bmwexcluservice.com/ (web site seems to be having problems)

[John 328i]

I would totally repair it. Looking at where it is at, you won't be able to really tell.

[queensfield]

Ouch, if insurance is covering it, replace it otherwise repair. If you replace, make sure that the sealing around the new windshield is done right to prevent any future water ingress.

[Coolieman1220]

repair it, its not in a noticeable spot. i hate having the glass replaced, i'll never be the same

[Route 16]

Don't mean to thread jack but I hope you guys can help in my situation too.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=627397

[John 070]

Go ahead and replace it ($0 deductible and told OEM is ok). Pay attention to the area with the rain sensor, they'll probably end up breaking the clamshell and the wire might look stretched (many techs are lazy and they'll let it dangle, just like some let the brake caliper dangle by the brake line). Make sure you have a BMW logo on the glass--since your insurance will pay, don't accept the Saint Gobain or Pilkington without the BMW logo.

BMW glass is soft, it's just going to happen again, but again, since it's $0, no brainer to go for OEM. g/l