Replacement windscreen on a BMW

ketma

ketma

ketma

Associate
Joined
14 Dec 2003
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522
Location
Lincs
Hi,

Driving home today, heard an almighty bang and managed to pick up a 5" crack on the windscreen, unfortunately it needs replacing.

The car is a BMW 335d e92, 7yrs old. I'm insured with Admiral who use Autoglass. Its never had a replacement screen.

These things happen, and I just want it doing right, but I've read a few horror stories of not using OE glass.

What do you guys suggest? Just let Autoglass use their 'equivalent' glass and get on with it, or insist on OE? (although this only seems to be applicable for cars up to 3yrs old).

Thanks.
 
BMW AG make everything from a Mini One to a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Don't be fooled in to thinking that because a piece of glass is somehow 'equivalent' to OEM standard or produced by the same people as the OEM one, that it is the same or as good as the piece of glass supplied by BMW for your car.
 
Last edited:
jono_astra said:
From autoglass "For windscreen replacement, we only use glass manufactured to OEM standards, whether sourced from original equipment manufacturers or other suppliers, ensuring that the glass we fit is as good as the original piece of glass we are replacing. We believe that the best replacement glass comes from the companies who supply the original glass to the world’s leading car manufacturers."
Click to expand...

My 'OEM standard' Autoglass screen on my E39 is crap.
 
Your rain sensor tint area may well bubble and peel. Just a thought!

Having said that, when AG changed the windscreen on the old car (after they failed at repairing a stone chip on it resulting in a free windscreen), it was excellent quality for the remaining 5 years I drove the car some 40,000 miles over that time.

You win some, you lose some.
 
I have had these non OE-branded glass and they are distorted.
Apparently, the glass is very difficult to make and is graded.
The car maker gets the first class stuff, then SEKURIT/Saint Gobain etc... will brand the glass that is not quite original quality, the rest will get some other brand or be unbranded.
If a car maker gets a batch of glass and one is found to be below their required standard, they will reject the whole batch.
 
@Fox - why is your OEM screen crap? Was it not fitted correctly or can you simply tell the quality is inferior to the original?
 
My OEM screen had a graduated tint, they fitted a crap looking one with a block tint and refused to do anything about it.
 
ketma said:
Hi,

Driving home today, heard an almighty bang and managed to pick up a 5" crack on the windscreen, unfortunately it needs replacing.

The car is a BMW 335d e92, 7yrs old. I'm insured with Admiral who use Autoglass. Its never had a replacement screen.

These things happen, and I just want it doing right, but I've read a few horror stories of not using OE glass.

What do you guys suggest? Just let Autoglass use their 'equivalent' glass and get on with it, or insist on OE? (although this only seems to be applicable for cars up to 3yrs old).

Thanks.
Click to expand...
My X5 windscreen was cracked a month or two ago and they replaced it with a Nordglass item. Long term wear etc will tell but I know that compared to my original windscreen the rain sensor now works better for whatever reason. I have no issues with oem quality.
 
I insisted on OEM glass for my Focus - Autoglass said that's fine - that's extra 450 quid on top of excess - I bet your replacement glass is just as good put that in - :)

Have auto wipers and lights and not had a problem yet - :D

Dave
 
I've had 3 front windscreens in the past 4 years.
First and second were both Autoglass replacements - tinted, rain sensors, etc and have been absolutely fine. As clear as the original.
My most recent replacement was one I had to pay for myself - as I'd had so many screens (I've now had 3 front and 1 rear in 4 years) I was going to start losing NCB.
This one is a "Nordglass" relacement. Again cannot really fault it. It's as clear as the original, tints look as good as the original and the rain sensors work as they should.
I'm pretty sure that although the first two were stammped with VW/Audi badges, all of the replacement glass I've had will have been "OEM equiv." which so far has been fine.
 
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