It had to happen on the long road trip...

[CrazyIvan]

So I left my house in TX enroute to DC area yesterday. Just outside Dallas, stray rock (bolt?) off the truck lands on the passenger side of the windshield. Nice, 1-inch "star" appears Not too bad, Safelite can fill it in and it will be barely visible - I tell myself. Not even 10 minutes later: highway joint + M3 with a chip on the windshield = crack That just great. Worst part - the crack extended all the way to the edge. I watched it slowly crack throughout the day.

Today, I continue my trip. Called BMW Assist when I was in Nashville area. I asked them straighforward if they can find me: 1. BMW dealer 2. OEM windshield in stock with all the trim pieces 3. Installer ready to go. Kudos to BMW Assist, they connected me to the BMW of Nashville as they've met all the requirements. Service manager told me that I'm looking at $700 out the door. Deal. I rolled into the dealership at 9am, left at noon. They did great work with installation, no complaints. Just one hiccup: SA hands me an invoice and its showing $950!!! I asked him, what happened to the quote I got? He just looks at me and does absolutely nothing. I didnt have much of a choice but pushed back anyway. I tell they guy that he better find out what happened to the quoted price. He comes back with the "discount": it is now back to $700 with some change. I paid and left. I'm still debating whether I should mention this practice to BMW NA.

Observations:
1. !@#$ always happens when you least expect it.
2. Just deal with it
3. Kudos to BMW Assist - that little button in a headliner
4. Shame on BMW of Nashville for trying to "milk" a customer in an emergency situation.

Thanks for reading, just wanted to share
My M3 is like new again

[HighRevM]

Good you got it fixed. SA must of thought you were so eager to get it fixed that price was not an option. Blows!

[JIO]

From the office of Consumer Protection:

17. Does an auto repair shop have to give me a written estimate? What happens if the final bill exceeds the estimate?

Under County law, you are entitled to a written estimate if you ask for one and the repairs will cost more than $25. The repair shop must have a sign posted that advises you of this right. The shop is allowed to charge you for the time spent preparing a written estimate. The final repair bill may not exceed a written or oral estimate by more than 10% without your prior authorization. However, oral estimates are often hard to prove.

[ThunderMoose]

I have had several windshields replaced through my insurance company. Out of pocket costs per windshield have been in the neighborhood of $50. Do you plan to file a claim?

[robb7979]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

So I left my house in TX enroute to DC area yesterday. Just outside Dallas, stray rock (bolt?) off the truck lands on the passenger side of the windshield. Nice, 1-inch "star" appears Not too bad, Safelite can fill it in and it will be barely visible - I tell myself. Not even 10 minutes later: highway joint + M3 with a chip on the windshield = crack That just great. Worst part - the crack extended all the way to the edge. I watched it slowly crack throughout the day.

Today, I continue my trip. Called BMW Assist when I was in Nashville area. I asked them straighforward if they can find me: 1. BMW dealer 2. OEM windshield in stock with all the trim pieces 3. Installer ready to go. Kudos to BMW Assist, they connected me to the BMW of Nashville as they've met all the requirements. Service manager told me that I'm looking at $700 out the door. Deal. I rolled into the dealership at 9am, left at noon. They did great work with installation, no complaints. Just one hiccup: SA hands me an invoice and its showing $950!!! I asked him, what happened to the quote I got? He just looks at me and does absolutely nothing. I didnt have much of a choice but pushed back anyway. I tell they guy that he better find out what happened to the quoted price. He comes back with the "discount": it is now back to $700 with some change. I paid and left. I'm still debating whether I should mention this practice to BMW NA.

Observations:
1. !@#$ always happens when you least expect it.
2. Just deal with it
3. Kudos to BMW Assist - that little button in a headliner
4. Shame on BMW of Nashville for trying to "milk" a customer in an emergency situation.

Thanks for reading, just wanted to share
My M3 is like new again

I'd probably have tried to determine if the truck was in fact "leaking" debris, and then called the police. 35 is horrible for this.

[BMW Fanatic]

$700?! A windshield on my NON-M E90 used to cost in the region of $1600 from the stealership. Don't think I wanna find out what it is for me ///M E92

[M3SQRD]

Glad things got repaired and the rest of your trip was safe!

[persian54]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

$700?! A windshield on my NON-M E90 used to cost in the region of $1600 from the stealership. Don't think I wanna find out what it is for me ///M E92

non M e90 should be the same or similar windshield as a M


Insurance should cover it if you pay your deductible, but I'm not sure if it's worth it

[BMW Fanatic]

Originally Posted by persian54

non M e90 should be the same or similar windshield as a M


Insurance should cover it if you pay your deductible, but I'm not sure if it's worth it

It's really not worth it via insurance, I had to put 4 (or was it 5 can't remember right now) replacements on the E90 in a period of JUST 2 YEARS!

Gonna put one on the ///M right after winter and the salt leaves the city.

[jqsmooth]

DAmn! Everything is so expensive with this car. Glad to hear BMW Assist and the repair went well. Trying to jack you wasn't cool. F'ing shady. I tell you, people try to take advantage of you when you're in a tough spot. There's no sense of decency anymore.

[JohnnyRoaster]

In Massachusetts there is zero deductible on glass. I had a similar situation happen to me a couple of weeks ago on I495. I was in the left lane overtaking a truck with a trailer behind it. A bolt came off the truck slow motion matrix style and hit my windshield with a huge thud. To my surprise the windshield just got a small pit from the impact.

I was washing my car last weekend and to my horror I found two deep scratches on the power dome. I would take a close look at the hood to make sure you don't have any damage.

[Erie Von Otto]

Mine was about four months old if even and some debris hit the bottom right of the windshield. By the following morning, it had spread across the lower portion of the windshield by about 8". Replaced via USAA at a whopping $50. BUT, the replacement is not as clear as the original. Somewhat wavy on the passenger side. Not too bad, just annoying when you notice it.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

It's really not worth it via insurance, I had to put 4 (or was it 5 can't remember right now) replacements on the E90 in a period of JUST 2 YEARS!

Gonna put one on the ///M right after winter and the salt leaves the city.

wtf why so many?

[Singletrack]

Damn that is an expensive install. Others, not in such a pinch, might check to see if PGW, formerly PPG, has windshields available for the car.

http://www.prostarsautocare.com/

[BMW Fanatic]

Originally Posted by persian54

wtf why so many?

Just bad luck I guess, especially in Calgary though we have mad amounts of rocks and road debris flying around everyday..

[persian54]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

Just bad luck I guess, especially in Calgary though we have mad amounts of rocks and road debris flying around everyday..

Damn what a burn

[Darth One]

i replaced a BMW windshield (not on the M) and was billed $3500, all covered by insurance at zero deductible. so these prices (and what insurance will cover) seems to vary greatly.

[Nine]

What brings you out to DC? Btw, DC roads are pretty bad, do not valet your car if you are staying in the city.