[BMWuser1000]

I am looking to replace my windshield and was wondering if anybody has had any experience with Safelite. I've gotten a quote from Safelite and BMW with Safelite being about $200 cheaper. Is saving $200 worth it or should I should I pony up the extra money and go with BMW knowing the job will be done right? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA.

[A321]

In 2019, the difference in quotes was substantially more than $200 using the same two you used. I went with Safelite with no issues to date.
BTW….I’ve only used Safelite for the past 20 years because I figure they DO windshields everyday, ALL day long.

ymmv

[Fredo]

I replaced the windshield on my 2011 X3 with Safelite. They charged $495 as compared to $1,500 at the dealer. I'm very happy with the results. Safelite installed a Pilkington.

I only have one complaint: the driver's seat got some black stuff on it during the install. It was easy to clean, but I didn't notice until I sat on it.

[mainbearing]

You can ask what glass they use (if the operator can pull that up). Or ask for Pilkington, a brand of Nippon Sheet Glass.

[tcphoto]

I replaced my windshield with a regional shop a few months ago, it is not Pilkington glass but I've been pleased with it. I got a referral from my State Farm office and paid $350 for home installation, the car is twelve years old with 133K miles and I thought that $350 was appropriate. The previous glass was damaged by roadwork and the Private Contractor paid for it.

[ryan stewart]

I've had two done by them and it's fine. I did spec OEM and it was only a few hundred than the PGW one they wanted to use.

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by BMWuser1000

I am looking to replace my windshield and was wondering if anybody has had any experience with Safelite. I've gotten a quote from Safelite and BMW with Safelite being about $200 cheaper. Is saving $200 worth it or should I should I pony up the extra money and go with BMW knowing the job will be done right? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA.

I've had several windshields & side windows replaced by safelite. Some were Pilkington, some weren't, although aside from the label, I couldn't tell the difference. Your dealer likely subs that out anyway. Replacing windows isn't their bread and butter and like others have said, that's all safelite does.

[macloren]

Safelite replaced my windshield with OEM one. No issues at all.

[mainbearing]

Love the name Pulling Ton! Had not thought 'bout that. LOL!

Originally Posted by e91Owner

Some were pulling ton

[ryan stewart]

So one thing I could note, and Im not sure if its shape or thickness, but my car previously had a PGW or whatever and there was more of a gap between my dash and the windshield than there is now with the pilkington one. I could also tell there was a little bit of irregularity around the edges of the previous one (small distortions when looking through) but Im OCD so you might never notice them.

The main annoyance with the non-pilkington and the dash gap is my sun shade would slide down into the gap and not be held up by the visors if I wasnt careful putting it in, thats gone now.

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Love the name Pulling Ton! Had not thought 'bout that. LOL!

That's funny. It's amazing what Apple will autocorrect.

[nsjames]

I was unhappy with my safelite experience.

broken and not installed correctly things.
it was a hassle to get them to make it right.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by nsjames

I was unhappy with my safelite experience.

broken and not installed correctly things.
it was a hassle to get them to make it right.

Glad you posted first. I found Satellite unsatisfactory as well. I discovered at the first time I removed the cabin airfilter housing months later, the installer left out the rubber seal. And the rain sensor was moved over from the old glass, it's never worked quite right since, even after resetting it with my Bav Tech scan tool.

[marvinstockman]

First, BMW doesn't make glass. A major manufacturer makes the glass and puts the BMW name on it.

Regarding installation, the dealer probably outsources the installation to 'someone, anyone', as I don't imagine a dealer keeps a glass mechanic on staff.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

First, BMW doesn't make glass. A major manufacturer makes the glass and puts the BMW name on it.

Regarding installation, the dealer probably outsources the installation to 'someone, anyone', as I don't imagine a dealer keeps a glass mechanic on staff.

I don't think anyone was saying that BMW makes glass, just that the glass with the BMW logo is usually better, by one of the better brands.

I had two bad experiences with Safelite. The replacement glass they used for two different cars was garbage with visible fishbowl distortion and ripples on both of them.

I noticed my 330 has Pilkington/BMW glass all around except the windshield which has a BMW logo but says Saint Gobain.

[mainbearing]

Whether it is Safelite or PGW, I think the tech who happens to work on the car makes all the difference. Good help is to hard to find these days, even with restaurants -- all those help wanted signs out there! You can walk pass more job openings than new cars on dealer lots.

You can ask Safelite (or PGW shop) to use PGW or Pilking Ton. I would take either of these.

[ryan stewart]

Very much so. I actually setup my garage and prepped it by removing the trim, wipers, lower panel, etc. Just to make sure he did a good job and didnt break clips and whatnot being in a hurry. I then put the trim back on with new clips, etc (the old ones were rusted and brittle as hell anyway).

[marvinstockman]

In all cases, and before they take out the old windshield, ask to check the new windshield for distortion.

It is also better to take the car to the glass shop for installation.

[krhodes1]

I had a terrible experience with Safelite with a different car. After two tries and destroying $500 in trim parts each time, they ended up paying the Mercedes dealer to do it. And that was on a w123 300TD!

So when the windshield cracked on my BMW wagon, I insisted on having the dealer do it. Cost ~$1500, but I have zero deductible glass coverage, so made no difference to me. Can't tell it was ever replaced, other than I lost my umwelt sticker from Euro Delivery.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Fret not. Use Safelite but call them and tell them to use Sekurit-Saint Gobain. They'll try to use their "OEE" (OEM Equivalent) glass - it's another word for aftermarket. Don't accept it. Get OEM, but you've gotta directly call and tell them.

[eljay]

As said above, make sure that they use OEM glass: Pilkington or Sekurit-Saint Gobain.

[marvinstockman]

And check the windshield before they put it in.