[andrew.webber]

Hi Guys,

I am after some advice with regards to a windscreen replacement on my 2012 F30.
I have just got a major stone chip and crack on the centre left hand side and I am going to get the windscreen replaced via an insurance claim I think.
I am with direct line and I wonder if anyone has had any experience with getting a windscreen replacement done with them.
I have the auto wipers with the rain sensor in the top centre of the screen – should I insist on a genuine BMW screen – if I can that is or do I get have to put up with anything that they decide to give me (the cheapest I guess)?

Any help / advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Andrew

[irishandrew]

Hi,

Simplest thing to do is give them a call. I had a nasty stone chip on the windscreen of my F30 (before I changed it last month) right after that dump of snow. Was a bullseye just above the wipers.

Autoglass came out and managed to repair it, but it almost cracked whilst they were doing it. It was also still really obvious afterwards (due to the size) so I enquired about a replacement screen - I had exactly the same reservations as you!

The guy there told me that it's very easy for them, as the f30 is so popular they keep lots of screens for any setup. He assured me it was genuine BMW however unless I could verify that myself I wouldn't hold my breath!

As I changed my car I never bothered with replacing the screen, but would have just called Autoglass direct to confirm the screen manufacturer and part number, and compare it against BMW.

-A

[andrew.webber]

Thanks irishandrew - I had an online chat with Autoglass and they said that they use the same supplier / quality as BMW would, with the sensor etc. in the right position but the windscreen would not have the BMW logo on it!!

They said that to replace with an official BMW screen that the insurance company would have to auhorise it first and it could take up to 3 weeks to get one if they do!?

Umm insurance renewal time is due very soon so maybe that is my lever to get an official BMW replacement windscreen or maybe it makes no difference?

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by andrew.webber

Thanks irishandrew - I had an online chat with Autoglass and they said that they use the same supplier / quality as BMW would, with the sensor etc. in the right position but the windscreen would not have the BMW logo on it!!

They said that to replace with an official BMW screen that the insurance company would have to auhorise it first and it could take up to 3 weeks to get one if they do!?

Umm insurance renewal time is due very soon so maybe that is my lever to get an official BMW replacement windscreen or maybe it makes no difference?

Had mine done over the new year. Genuine glass takes less than 24 hours to authorise through autoglass mate.

Although did take a week to arrive........

[andrew.webber]

Originally Posted by Rukka

Had mine done over the new year. Genuine glass takes less than 24 hours to authorise through autoglass mate.

Although did take a week to arrive........

Thanks for that Rukka - are you with Direct Line also?

Andrew

[teaston]

I'm very surprised that Glassman hasn't commented yet!

[AlanYoro35i]

Had mine done 2 months ago. I did not talk with my insurance, i called the autoglass hotline , told them i want a bmw glass and you can deal with my insurance directly to get authorisation. Took a week for the glass to come but all was good and they reset the adaptions too. I just insisted my car is under 3 years old and i am allow to have geniune bmw parts.

[ioannisG]

Originally Posted by AlanYoro35i

Had mine done 2 months ago. I did not talk with my insurance, i called the autoglass hotline , told them i want a bmw glass and you can deal with my insurance directly to get authorisation. Took a week for the glass to come but all was good and they reset the adaptions too. I just insisted my car is under 3 years old and i am allow to have geniune bmw parts.

Did exactly the same on mine. It had a glass chip when I bought the car (AUC as well ffs!) that I missed during handover inspection. Called autoglass as they are the only supplier for Admiral that I'm insured with. I insisted on genuine BMW glass to be fitted. They authorised it with Admiral in a couple of days and it was replaced in under a week.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by ioannisG

Did exactly the same on mine. It had a glass chip when I bought the car (AUC as well ffs!) that I missed during handover inspection. Called autoglass as they are the only supplier for Admiral that I'm insured with. I insisted on genuine BMW glass to be fitted. They authorised it with Admiral in a couple of days and it was replaced in under a week.

Good to know, i'm also with admiral now.

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by andrew.webber

Thanks for that Rukka - are you with Direct Line also?

Andrew

No, I'm with Admiral but the point I was referring to was that it doesn't take long for Autoglass to get a response from your insurer.

[andrew.webber]

I have just spoken directly with Autoglass and they say they will not replace with an official BMW screen - then said it is exactly the same glass but without the BMW logo!!

Could not get anywhere with her - all she said is they would pay up to £125 so I could pay the rest and get a BMW logo one!!

The crack is quite bad and needs repairing but I might try and leave it and move away from Direct Line when renewal comes up in 6 weeks time!!

Anyone any idea of how much BMW would charge! (besides silly money)?

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by andrew.webber

I have just spoken directly with Autoglass and they say they will not replace with an official BMW screen - then said it is exactly the same glass but without the BMW logo!!

Could not get anywhere with her - all she said is they would pay up to £125 so I could pay the rest and get a BMW logo one!!

The crack is quite bad and needs repairing but I might try and leave it and move away from Direct Line when renewal comes up in 6 weeks time!!

Anyone any idea of how much BMW would charge! (besides silly money)?

This is exactly the reason i didn't insure with Direct Line despite them being the cheaper option. I asked the specific question about genuine glass and they said that they wouldn't authorise it.

Also, they will give you £125 towards doing it yourself but you still have to give THEM your excess!!!!

I believe a genuine screen is around £350 plus fitting. If i were you, id go with your second option.....


PS. Admiral will authorise a genuine screen for a car under 3 years old with no hassle......

.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by andrew.webber

I have just spoken directly with Autoglass and they say they will not replace with an official BMW screen - then said it is exactly the same glass but without the BMW logo!!

Could not get anywhere with her - all she said is they would pay up to £125 so I could pay the rest and get a BMW logo one!!

The crack is quite bad and needs repairing but I might try and leave it and move away from Direct Line when renewal comes up in 6 weeks time!!

Anyone any idea of how much BMW would charge! (besides silly money)?

Is it a Pilkington screen? By the sounds of it then yes it is, and will be exactly the same, including the sensor fittings as the genuine BMW marked one. Made in same factory to the same standards.

Other than that it's up to you whether you feel it makes a difference.

[andrew.webber]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Is it a Pilkington screen? By the sounds of it then yes it is, and will be exactly the same, including the sensor fittings as the genuine BMW marked one. Made in same factory to the same standards.

Other than that it's up to you whether you feel it makes a difference.

Yes it is a Pilkington screen on the car currently but would Autoglass replace with a Pilkington one (albeit without a BMW logo)?

I guess that I could ask them but they will just fob me off I bet!!

Thanks
Andrew

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by andrew.webber

Yes it is a Pilkington screen on the car currently but would Autoglass replace with a Pilkington one (albeit without a BMW logo)?

I guess that I could ask them but they will just fob me off I bet!!

Thanks
Andrew

I haven't had a new screen from them for a while, but when I did, they were fitting Pilkington but without BMW roundel.

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'm very surprised that Glassman hasn't commented yet!

I can no longer resist

[Mark83]

Hi
I also replacement a windscreen in my M2. And I was happy with their work.

[Glassman]

[Alscoob]

Had mine replaced with Autoglass 18months ago, needs changing again numerous small chips but in sunlight the whole screen is covered in road rash, previous screen lasted much longer, no road rash & only changed because it cracked. Similar driving / roads for both

Suspect that the quality of my replacement was not as good as original

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Had mine replaced with Autoglass 18months ago, needs changing again numerous small chips but in sunlight the whole screen is covered in road rash, previous screen lasted much longer, no road rash & only changed because it cracked. Similar driving / roads for both

Suspect that the quality of my replacement was not as good as original

First and foremost, it's the condition of the roads. Secondly, was the replacement windscreen genuine BMW?

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by Glassman

First and foremost, it's the condition of the roads. Secondly, was the replacement windscreen genuine BMW?

Nope, well no BMW markings anyway so assume not

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Alscoob

Nope, well no BMW markings anyway so assume not

There are a lot of copies out there (copied from the original) and many of them are nowhere near as good as the genuine ones.