[Secret_Squirrel]

Hello forum members. Long story short, my windshield has a crack going lengthwise from one end to the next. Need to get it replaced. I have rain senor wipers so I know its not going to be cheap. Anyone here, around the chicago area, had their windshield replaced? I want a new oem one. Im going to call around tomorrow and see what the damage will be. Shop doesn't have to be in Chicago, I dont mind driving up to 45mins to a reputable shop.

Luke.

[J-Spec Dan]

I got a new windshield in Michigan before I moved out here. I also have rain sensors as well. I used safelite and it cost about 480. turns out the guy from safelite who installed my windshield is the guy who does the installations for Erhard BMW in Farmington Hills (major dealer around the corner from where I used to live). he told me that the windshield he was going to isntall, even after I requested an OEM windshield, is preferred by the dealer. Probably because of $$$ but it has been on 6 months and has held up well. and that's coming from driving in an area where paved roads aren't kept up particularly well from small rocks.

He also told me that he would've charged the dealer the same price and the dealer would've charged me like a grand and pocketed over 500 for themselves.

so my roundabout way of saying safelite is OK to use. just make sure you ask for an OEM rubber seal and not a universal rubber seal.

[NickTheStick]

Let me preface this by saying I have not had the entire windshield replaced, only a crack filled.

With that being said, I used http://foxvalleyglassshop.com/ on recommendation from my state farm agent. They were absolutely great!

My 2nd choice was http://www.aaronglass.com/ as my girlfriend had used them in the past and had a great experience as well.

Best bet is to call around and get some quotes. I actually had fox valley match Aarons price.

[willie55912]

I had mine replaced 5 months ago. Do not expect to get a OEM replacement from the insurance company. I called my car insurance company (State Farm) at first; stating I needed an OEM windshield also and got the run around...some gal that did not know cars at all. She stated I have to get approval from some one higher up....etc etc. I called the BMW shop which is part of a larger auto conglomerate of several auto makes and they had their own glass replacement company. They could give me an exact fit replica, one that the insurance company would approve made by the same glass company in Europe for BMW. He also arranged the area claim rep to approve the claim. Out of pocket costs for OEM are about $1200 and the shop replacement was about $550. I could not tell the difference, wiper sensors work fine. The only problem you might have if you have heads up display, and those take a much more expensive windshield according to the service manager. My experience was hassle free, other than waiting for 2 hours to have it replaced. I paid nothing out of pocket for the replacement.

[AceOnShake]

My sister replaced her 2011 X5 windshield with safelite. Was put on perfect and the guy who even installed this says he does this at the dealer as well. They use the same glass not sure if it was oem or not but costumers who want a new windshield outside insurance get this one. Price at dealer about rough estimate 1400 and safelite was around 475. My insurance company wanted a 500 dollar deductible for this so I went my own route.

Most of these windshields are good but the only thing you need to worry is the seals. I've heard some get water into it and just are headaches.

[Toad335]

Call Safelite. I just had one replaced on a 2009 E90 and the only option they had was OEM Pilkington for my car, so that's what I got without any questions asked. Insurance covered other than my $100 deductible. Took it to Safelite location and they did great work.

[Secret_Squirrel]

thanks for the info guys. safelite looks like the way to go