Need a new windscreen - How to convince insurance to use a genuine BMW part?

Burned_Alive · 2 Aug 2011 at 21:27

Today I received an absolute corker of a stone strike and this has left me with a cracked windscreen. From previous stories, I'm a bit wary of having a non BMW screen fitted due to incompatibilities with rain sensors and what not.

Does anyone have any tips? I'm insured with Admiral, but not too sure who they actually use for windscreen replacement.

The Edge · 2 Aug 2011 at 21:35

Just tell whoever it is that you want a genuine screen.

worked for me.

Burned_Alive · 2 Aug 2011 at 21:40

The Edge said:
Just tell whoever it is that you want a genuine screen.

worked for me.

Hmmm, thought it would be more hassle than that.... ringing them tomorrow, so fingers crossed really.

naefeart · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:17

Burned_Alive said:
Hmmm, thought it would be more hassle than that.... ringing them tomorrow, so fingers crossed really.

Sometimes it can be, all depends on the ins company and the actual person you deal with.

Some 3rd party glass fitters will tell you they can supply BMW screens. Genuine BMW screens have a BMW rondel - usually near where the tax disc would go. Good luck.

BennyC · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:23

Burned_Alive said:
Hmmm, thought it would be more hassle than that.... ringing them tomorrow, so fingers crossed really.

Seems like a logical idea. Tell them of the incompatibilities and let them know that you'll only be accepting like for like or that if it doesn't work properly that you'll be requiring another replacement.

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:33

National Mobile Windscreens will source and fit BMW marked glass for you.

Burned_Alive · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:46

[TW]Fox;19730153 said:
National Mobile Windscreens will source and fit BMW marked glass for you.

Are they the company that Admiral use then? Because I cant find any mention of this in policy documents.

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:47

I think they are actually the preferred supplier to Admiral. They certainly were at some point.

Liampope · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:14

I'm with Admiral and had my screen replaced last week. It is indeed National Windscreens. They fitted a genuine (vauxhall for me) screen.

Will Gill · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:20

autoglass installed BMW glass in my car

Amoeba · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:28

Curious - what is the difference between a BMW screen and an aftermarket screen?

The biggest problem I had with my aftermarket replacement screen on the Nissan was the crap generic trim they used as it didn't have the rain deflector around it. Took it back to them and said I wanted the OEM Nissan but had to pay for it myself as the insurance wouldn't cover the cost of the trim, only the glass

.

daveydave · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:29

[TW]Fox;19730314 said:
I think they are actually the preferred supplier to Admiral. They certainly were at some point.

They still are. You'll get BMW glass.

Burned_Alive · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:20

Amoeba said:
Curious - what is the difference between a BMW screen and an aftermarket screen?

The biggest problem I had with my aftermarket replacement screen on the Nissan was the crap generic trim they used as it didn't have the rain deflector around it. Took it back to them and said I wanted the OEM Nissan but had to pay for it myself as the insurance wouldn't cover the cost of the trim, only the glass .

I suspect there may not be much difference in the actual glass, but the fit and electronics for sensors are apparently much different.

Thanks for all the input guys.

jamoor · 3 Aug 2011 at 10:08

Just get a pilkington one, I got mine replaced with pilkington and it had all the same markings as my old screen except it had pilkington written on it.

I am sure they make them for BMW anyway.

Gooner14 · 3 Aug 2011 at 10:44

My Pilkington one is crap. There is increased wind noise when travelling at speed. Update us how you get on as I need to replace mine and I'm with Admiral too, and would like a BMW one.

Dr. Pain · 3 Aug 2011 at 11:02

Gooner14 said:
My Pilkington one is crap. There is increased wind noise when travelling at speed. Update us how you get on as I need to replace mine and I'm with Admiral too, and would like a BMW one.

Thats nothing to do with the glass, thats the monkeys that fitted it incorrectly!!

jamoor · 3 Aug 2011 at 14:16

Dr. Pain said:
Thats nothing to do with the glass, thats the monkeys that fitted it incorrectly!!

Yes, more than likely

Simon · 3 Aug 2011 at 17:13

Its just a different badge on the glass, otherwise identical.

Pilkington make glass for most OEMs and the only difference between factory and aftermarket glass will be the ink squirted onto it.

Five_Star · 3 Aug 2011 at 18:48

Gooner14 said:
My Pilkington one is crap. There is increased wind noise when travelling at speed. Update us how you get on as I need to replace mine and I'm with Admiral too, and would like a BMW one.

I know its not a BMW but we have a replacement Pilkington screen fitted to our Focus ST.

I have no issue with the fitting, but the screen has roughly half the number of heating elements that the Ford screen has.

It also has a much larger gap between the heating elements and the A pillar meaning that most of the main screen is clear when icy but a massive column of iced screen near the edge that makes junctions very hard to see out of without moving your head well forwards.

I'd always get a official manufacture screen after we had a Pilkington one

Liampope · 3 Aug 2011 at 18:59

Oooh look at you with your Ford heated front window!

Why has no other manufacturer implemented this (or have they)? I loved it on the old scorp. Have they somehow protected it with an invincible patent or something?