Windscreen replacement - as close to OEM as possible?

[Robbo]

Sadly, owing to the cold weather, a chip on my windscreen has now become a crack.

The car is a 740d and has the original BMW spec 'climate comfort' windscreen with the blue tint, in addition to the self-driving systems, adapative lights, HUD, etc.

If I go through the usual channels with Autoglass via the insurer, will they turn up and fit something a bit naff? Anyone had experience of this recently?

I might see what my local BMW dealer (who are very good) advise too.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Can the crack be repaired?

 

[Robbo]

Can the crack be repaired?

Nope, it's quite big. The chip wasn't very big and had been repaired but it seems to have cracked anyway.

 

[alexp999]

Car manufacturers don't make their own windscreens, the branding is just done for them.

Generally the "non OEM" windscreens that places like Autoglass use are the same company that make it for the car manufacturer, just without the branding.

A combination of looking up the reg and asking you questions should have them replace it with all the same features and tint, etc.

I had my screen replaced and all they checked was what colour tint (gave me a couple of options to chose from). Otherwise afaik they got everything else from the reg, the non OEM screen had a perfect colour match to the side windows, the heated screen elements (which are still working fine nearly 5 years later) and all the cameras and sensors are still happy.

If that wasn't the case, I'd have kicked up a fuss to get it replaced with OEM if they can't match it otherwise.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Car manufacturers don't make their own windscreens, the branding is just done for them.

Its more than just branding - the product is made to the exact specification of the manufacturer. You've no way of knowing whether this is the same as the specification used for the manufacture of aftermarket screens.

Generally the "non OEM" windscreens that places like Autoglass use are the same company that make it for the car manufacturer, just without the branding.

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't and the last couple of aftermarket screens I've had were not from the original manufacturer of the glass anyway.

 

[alexp999]

Its more than just branding - the product is made to the exact specification of the manufacturer. You've no way of knowing whether this is the same as the specification used for the manufacture of aftermarket screens.



Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't and the last couple of aftermarket screens I've had were not from the original manufacturer of the glass anyway.

If it is the correct specification windscreen then the only difference is branding.
It should be possible for autoglass to get the exact spec just without the branding.

And a bit like tyres, I'm sure the glass manufacturer changes over the production of the vehicle.

 

[[TW]Fox]

If it is the correct specification windscreen then the only difference is branding.

What is the correct specification? How do I know which specification is used by a windscreen replacement firm and whether it is the same as that used by the vehicle manufacturer?

It should be possible for autoglass to get the exact spec just without the branding.

It should be possible, but the specification delivered will be down to what the customer has ordered - do you not think it's possible that the specification might differ between customers and that a company specialising in fitting aftermarket screens to older vehicles might opt for a different specification to one fitting screens to brand new vehicles they manufacture themselves?

Like I said, this is before we consider that you are not normally offered a choice of manufacturer - the last screen I had fitted was not made by the original supplier of the windscreen it replaced, it was made by a different company which made aftermarket windscreens.

 

[Robbo]

I think it's probably a mixed bag. I'm going to speak to BMW and then my insurer and try and get an idea of how things work.

If Autoglass turn up and I'm not happy with the glass, I'll stop the work going ahead...