[heywooood]

I have a cracked windshield, passenger side top corner...not really noticeable but will have to get it replaced at some point.
Is it best to stick with the dealership for this?
I have a quote from a shop in the GTA for $250+tax and he says it's as good as OEM, won't mess up the rain sensor etc, but it just seems to good to be true.
Thanks in advance...

[dpw198]

When I had purchased my 325i from my cousin several years ago, the going rate at the dealer was around $1500 to replace the windshield. I asked why so much and the answer I was given was the rain sensor module is fixed to the glass and all BMW windshield come with the module attached and there is no way to get it off the glass.

Since the car was leased, my cousin asked the lease return guy if he knew a place that will do the windshield for less than the dealer. We were recommended an indie shop in Mississauga that did it for about $250. The rain sensor module is "taped" to the glass using a double sided silicon pad. The guy was able to cut the rain sensor off the original windshield and stick it back on with a new silicon pad.

Sorry for a long winded answer, but yes you can do it elsewhere at a much lower cost than the dealer.

PS - I can't for the life of me remember the name of the place right now, but I may have a receipt somewhere at home if you want me to look it up for you.

[KJ43]

Becarefull with the aftermarket windshields. There are two kinds. There is a chinese made one that is cheaper (about $200) and a euro made one (about $350). I got mine replaced by Pro Auto Glass in Woodbridge and they do the windshields for Marenello BMW. I went with the euro windshield.

[Yvette]

Dont you have insurance? I paid $200 deductible and replaced it with OEM.
Total cost was $950.

[Bajan Loch]

same question; why aren't you going through insurance and just pay the deductible?

[zenn243]

I had mine replaced a year ago at an indie shop for around $300. There were no problems with the rain sensor.

[heywooood]

Insurance is my first option, just wanted to see if there was an alternative. My insurance guy tells me this is a special type of claim that won't come back to haunt me, so that pretty much seals it for me. Thanks for the advice.

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by heywooood

Insurance is my first option, just wanted to see if there was an alternative. My insurance guy tells me this is a special type of claim that won't come back to haunt me, so that pretty much seals it for me. Thanks for the advice.

There's a guy that people used on this forum...he can install OEM glass for like $500...he's located somewhere in Scarborough...SoniBMW and a few others knew about him.

[Volasko]

A windshield replacement is a zero fault claim as it wasn't your fault a rock hit your windshield. My comprehensive deductable was $500 so I went with a factory replacement when I got a massive crack. They were able to reuse the rain sensor and total bill was $975 at Maranello BMW in Woodbridge (Maxbimmer price with Mike Agius in parts).

[325iSA]

Originally Posted by zenn243

I had mine replaced a year ago at an indie shop for around $300. There were no problems with the rain sensor.

Hey Zenn243,

I was trying to replace the weatherstrip on my windshield, and tried to hammer a part of the aluminum in, but cracked the top portion of my windshield. I might get my windshield replaced, but wanted to ask you for some advice:


Did the indie shop use a new glass, or pulled one off a old car from a junkyard?
How happy are you today with your glass, wind noise, rain sensor working, and cleanliness of the installation?
Any other advice you can throw at me is appreciated.

My goal is to find a low cost solution to fixing my windshield.

Thanks

[cwarren]

most insurance co. will not pay for oem glass you have to ask for it and be persistant . but i can say if you get ppg,gaurdian,pilkington your good to go if you can get sekurit glass its oem without the bmw logo just ask retailer for a paticular brand. only oem moldings and make sure they replace it !!!

[Chris@codemybimmer]

i did mine at apple autoglass
sounds sketchy but they do good work.
instead of the 250 option i got them to get me a genuine bmw wind shield for 450.
same thing though, they cut the tape on the sensor and remounted it onto the new windshield.
from what i understand if you return the car from lease without a "certified bmw windshield" they will charge you to get it replaced.