[spielnicht]

My recently chipped windshield has spider webbed into 2x 6+ inch cracks. Crap.

I'm only getting original BMW glass to replace it. Used Safelite once before and never again.

The question is, should I schedule an apt with the dealer's service center or body shop? Not sure who usually handles this.

[overcoil]

My dealer has the service center do seat cushion replacement and not the body shop, so it may not be obvious

when you call ask who does the windshield install. I think it's common items like that are farmed out to third party.

[Efthreeoh]

Agree Safelite sucks; been through this several times.

Some dealerships replace windshields and others say they do but just farm it out to a local glass shop. Safelite has a virtual market lock on windshield replacements since it has Agreements with most major insurers, and it sets the price insurers are willing to pay. When I last had to replace the E46 cabrio windshield, I checked with BMW of Sterling (VA). They said their techs installed windshields, but the price was over $500+ more than the going rate insurance will pay.

BMW of Fairfax has one of the best BMW-dealer body shops on the East Coast. I've had my Z4 repaired there twice, with fantastic results. I'm sure Fairfax does their own windshield replacements. You should check with them.

Other than that, there are plenty of local glass shops in the Northern VA area that will install BMW glass or good equivalents (Saint Goblain, PPG, etc.)

In Warrenton there is Warrenton Auto Service (they did my E46), but their website says they are temporarily not doing auto glass repair..

[spielnicht]

Thank you both.

Called up my dealership service dept of choice (which happened to be BMW of Fairfax) and they handle the replacement for a flat labor fee of $300. The glass I can order myself through the parts dept at a nice discount so definitely going that route. All in all, it'll cost me $250 more than what Safelite would charge but I'm good with that to get original glass and have the dealership install it. Th one time I used Safelite on my wife's old ML350 the tint was awful and the glass was somehow too small and caused the most annoying whistling on the highway.

BTW - this is for my new [to me] E89 Z4. I didn't even have it 3 weeks and one drive (ONE F*ING DRIVE) on 66 caused this.

[tranquility]

I guess you don't have insurance coverage? Ya, definitely insist on good quality glass, I tried the cheaper one (the insurer default) but it was lousy since it cracked right away from sitting outside(!) and rendered the rain sensor useless.

[spielnicht]

I do have comprehensive coverage but trying to minimize the reimbursable cost since most insurance companies will basically only cover "safelite" cost.

Originally Posted by tranquility

I guess you don't have insurance coverage? Ya, definitely insist on good quality glass, I tried the cheaper one (the insurer default) but it was lousy since it cracked right away from sitting outside(!) and rendered the rain sensor useless.

[Germanauto]

Just got it done on the X5 the other day. After a lot of ignored calls to the dealer service dept., was finally was able to get ahold of somebody willing to help. They scheduled us within a couple days and fixed it in a day.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

I do have comprehensive coverage but trying to minimize the reimbursable cost since most insurance companies will basically only cover "safelite" cost.

Ok, I'm confused about those terms, but don't you have a specific coverage for windshield replacement? I had mine replaced a while back and it didn't affect my premiums. If I recall correctly, the cheaper one I still had to pay a little bit on top ~$100, but they screwed up since that cheaper glass was really lousy, so I got the better BMW OEM for virtually the same cost.

[Almuliman]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

My recently chipped windshield has spider webbed into 2x 6+ inch cracks. Crap.

I'm only getting original BMW glass to replace it. Used Safelite once before and never again.

D'oh. Sorry to hear that.

What'd Safelite mess up? They've done well for me with chip repairs, but failed with the one windshield I had them do (on our old Odyssey). Their mobile guy completely screwed it up (broke the cowl, put the rubber buffer *over* the old one, dirty handprints all over,...) Shop took care of it w/o charge (duh), but only after not actually having the windshield for the first appointment, and then not sealing it correctly resulting in a third trip to the shop.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ok, I'm confused about those terms, but don't you have a specific coverage for windshield replacement? I had mine replaced a while back and it didn't affect my premiums. If I recall correctly, the cheaper one I still had to pay a little bit on top ~$100, but they screwed up since that cheaper glass was really lousy, so I got the better BMW OEM for virtually the same cost.

Would you mind sharing the rough cost both of those options for glass?
I have a very small chip in mine so am thinking about buying one and keeping it in storage just in case.
Thanks

[spielnicht]

Glad to hear that. I'll make sure the parts have all arrived before I schedule the apt.

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Just got it done on the X5 the other day. After a lot of ignored calls to the dealer service dept., was finally was able to get ahold of somebody willing to help. They scheduled us within a couple days and fixed it in a day.

My comprehensive deductible is $500. Long story short, I didn't pay attention when I added the Z4 as I was conducting the purchase transaction with the seller and left the deductibles at default. I usually have comprehensive at $200. Now I either pay the $500 deductible or try to get it done for less and cover it myself. I'm at roughly $650 - so might as well just go through the insurance.

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ok, I'm confused about those terms, but don't you have a specific coverage for windshield replacement? I had mine replaced a while back and it didn't affect my premiums. If I recall correctly, the cheaper one I still had to pay a little bit on top ~$100, but they screwed up since that cheaper glass was really lousy, so I got the better BMW OEM for virtually the same cost.

They're just all about minimizing cost and increasing profitability, so the quality of the glass is questionable and most of the time they just rush everything and screw it up.

Originally Posted by Almuliman

D'oh. Sorry to hear that.

What'd Safelite mess up? They've done well for me with chip repairs, but failed with the one windshield I had them do (on our old Odyssey). Their mobile guy completely screwed it up (broke the cowl, put the rubber buffer *over* the old one, dirty handprints all over,...) Shop took care of it w/o charge (duh), but only after not actually having the windshield for the first appointment, and then not sealing it correctly resulting in a third trip to the shop.

The windshield retails for $570 but I can get it for $350 from the dealer with discount. Add $300 flat labor cost, so $650+ tax in total. Mine is an E89 - so yours would be even $50 cheaper for the windshield.

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Would you mind sharing the rough cost both of those options for glass?
I have a very small chip in mine so am thinking about buying one and keeping it in storage just in case.
Thanks

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Would you mind sharing the rough cost both of those options for glass?
I have a very small chip in mine so am thinking about buying one and keeping it in storage just in case.
Thanks

They didn't put meaningful #s on the invoices but I paid CAD100 out-of-pocket for the lousy FYG and got a sweetheart deal on the CARLEX and only paid an extra CAD115.

If you only have a very small chip and it's not bothering your sightlines, I would leave it to save the hassle.

Originally Posted by spielnicht

They're just all about minimizing cost and increasing profitability, so the quality of the glass is questionable and most of the time they just rush everything and screw it up.

For sure, they initially kinda insisted upon going w FYG for all replacements, but it really sucked - I tried and it cracked all by itself and it rendered the rain sensor inoperative. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise since if I went for the good glass right away I would've had to pay $500 extra.

[PittsDriver]

I used Safelite to replace the windshield in my 2007 Porsche C4S. They were the preferred provider recommended by Allstate that would have left me out of any paperwork loop and made it easy to I went. The GPS stopped working after the replacement and after two attempts I took it to the Porsche dealer who was finally able to get it working. Safelite messed it up and failed to fix it but to their credit they did pay the shop bill at the Porsche dealer.

There are other good choices so they'll never see another car of mine.

[spielnicht]

Sorry to hear that. Nothing worse than having to go through loops correcting a job that you know would have (and should have) been done right the first time around by the dealership or a competent shop.

Originally Posted by PittsDriver

I used Safelite to replace the windshield in my 2007 Porsche C4S. They were the preferred provider recommended by Allstate that would have left me out of any paperwork loop and made it easy to I went. The GPS stopped working after the replacement and after two attempts I took it to the Porsche dealer who was finally able to get it working. Safelite messed it up and failed to fix it but to their credit they did pay the shop bill at the Porsche dealer.

There are other good choices so they'll never see another car of mine.

[spielnicht]

Windshield ordered. Spent time last night googling whether Virginia is one of those states that has laws in place against comprehensive claim being used to adjust your rates and couldn't find anything. I'm counting the days for the 5 years to lapse since my wife had an accident (at fault) to bring my rate down again - not taking a chance for $150. I'm gonna leave the insurance out of it and pay it all myself.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Windshield ordered. Spent time last night googling whether Virginia is one of those states that has laws in place against comprehensive claim being used to adjust your rates and couldn't find anything. I'm counting the days for the 5 years to lapse since my wife had an accident (at fault) to bring my rate down again - not taking a chance for $150. I'm gonna leave the insurance out of it and pay it all myself.

I live in VA. No issue. Comprehensive claims do not affect your insurance rates. On my E90 I've made 4 deer accidents, 1 rodent, and 1 my-dog-ate-my-fenders damage claims since 2007, I know first hand it does not affect insurance rates. I'm insured by one of the top three national insurance companies.

[spielnicht]

Thank you for confirming that. I will then submit my receipts to Geico to get reimbursed.

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I live in VA. No issue. Comprehensive claims do not affect your insurance rates. On my E90 I've made 4 deer accidents, 1 rodent, and 1 my-dog-ate-my-fenders damage claims since 2007, I know first hand it does not affect insurance rates. I'm insured by one of the top three national insurance companies.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Thank you for confirming that. I will then submit my receipts to Geico to get reimbursed.

Shit Geico... maybe just check with them to be sure - Lol. There is definitely no law in Virginia that mandates a rate increase.