[slammed335i]

my windshield is cracked and needs to be replaced...what do u guys recommend satellite windshield or oem windshield? thanks

[ZuerstBMW]

OEM.

[drummer12]

I hear the OEM windshields are really strong...

[MYV]

I asked safelite to buy the OEM windshield from a local dealership and then install it for me.
Saved me a ton on outrageous dealership labor costs.

[Dark_Knight_335]

I am always worried about aftermarket replacement windshield jobs (workmanship, seal, etc.) I was thinking of getting mine replaced in the spring (some light pitting has developed and some wavy weird imperfections at the bottom of the windshield, anyone else have these issues with their 3 Series coupe? Seems common.)
For the bimmer there are a whole other bunch of concerns- the rain sensing wiper module for example, and if the seal and fit was not as good, if not better than factory... Well.... Those concerns stop me from actually going through with the replace until god forbid some other force makes me do otherwise. Thoughts? Experiences? 2009 328 coupe here.

[just4kickz]

safelite is a legit company...they do good work & fast... but i don't know if they have locations in NJ

[DUBZRO]

they have locations in NJ, i work for safelite. I am a repair tech and Im from NJ but live in ATL now. You have two options. You can have the OEM glass ordered through us which will save you a bunch of money, or you opt for our glass which is the exact same glass as the oem, made to the same DOT specs with the same exact glass/material, only missing the BMW stamp for about half the price.
Now as stated above there are some windshields that are made very cheaply and are badly shaped. Those are the "usual" aftermarket windshields you come across at your smaller glass companies that claim to beat prices.... this is your least expensive option, and may not even be available for your car. So i say you really have 2 options.
Safelite is the #1 glass company in the states and every job is warrantied for Life.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Oh yea I know Safelite- they did 2 windshields for me over the course of my car ownership- always a top notch job. Just wondered how it would go with BMWs (my last two replacements were on an 88 Chevy Beretta and a 94 Ford Contour).

[328i]

Guys glass is glass, if it's DOT approved quality will be good. BMW does not make their own glass, they either use Pilkington, Sekurit, or PPG, it depends on availability to the factory. I'm pretty sure your safelite glass will be one of these brands, since last I heard they don't have their own brand glass for BMW's, but if you call I'm sure they'll tell you. Also, most dealers outsource the install, often to safelite, and then bill you the dealer labor rate instead. Don't waste your $$ for a BMW stamp on the windshield.

[Tory]

Originally Posted by 328i

Guys glass is glass, if it's DOT approved quality will be good.

[jaguar36]

If you have the rain sensor go to the dealer.

I got that whole "its the same glass except for the logo" schpiel, and now my rain sensor is worthless (which is a bitch since there is no other way to do intermittent wiping)

Also I'd stay away from Safelite, I had two windshields from them before, and one leaked, and one made a ton more wind noise than the original.

[3X3=5]

Originally Posted by jaguar36

I got that whole "its the same glass except for the logo" schpiel, and now my rain sensor is worthless (which is a bitch since there is no other way to do intermittent wiping)

Can you elaborate on "rain sensor is worthless"? I'm a second owner and I can tell my windshield has been replaced. I feel like my rain-sensing wipers aren't sensitive enough and it's at the highest setting. I've searched and found that almost everyone feels that their wipers are too sensitive at at the lowest setting. I wonder if it could somehow be due to the aftermarket windshield. I really don't see how though because I tend to agree that glass is glass, provided that it's manufactured to the same specs.

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by 3times3

Can you elaborate on "rain sensor is worthless"? I'm a second owner and I can tell my windshield has been replaced. I feel like my rain-sensing wipers aren't sensitive enough and it's at the highest setting.

Yep that's exactly what the problem is with mine.

Originally Posted by 3times3

I really don't see how though because I tend to agree that glass is glass, provided that it's manufactured to the same specs.

Sure if something is manufactured at the same place, with the same quality, to the same specs, its the same. But there is no way to know if thats the case or not with OEM vs Aftermarket glass. Just because it comes from the same factory doesn't mean its the same.

[chip2058]

I had safelite replace my windshield once with OEM glass. The insurance had no problem charging it out that way. They also had no problem with the rain sensor (and even my stickers) What they did have an issue with is they broke the clips and didn't replace them so when the car went above 70 I would get a buffeting noise in the car. They reimbursed me to have my dealer correct the clip issue.

On the other occasions where I had to have them fill a spider or crack though they've been great and efficient.

[3X3=5]

Originally Posted by jaguar36

Yep that's exactly what the problem is with mine.



Sure if something is manufactured at the same place, with the same quality, to the same specs, its the same. But there is no way to know if thats the case or not with OEM vs Aftermarket glass. Just because it comes from the same factory doesn't mean its the same.

So you're saying the glass itself is causing the sensor not to work properly? Any idea how that's possible? I could see that happening if the aftermarket glass were wavy/distorted in such a way that it would obscure the sensor, but I think my windshield looks perfect clear.

[jaguar36]

I don't know if its the glass itself, or how it was installed, or what. I certainly think its possible that it is the glass though, and that it has a slightly different thickness, color, composition, index of refraction, or something else that is different than the OEM glass and is throwing off the sensor.


I would just go to the dealer though, then it doesn't matter if its the glass or the installation or whatever, they're on the hook to fix it right, and you have recourse with BMW NA if they don't.

[3X3=5]

I think I'll just Rain-X until I get another chip, and when that happens choose my replacement windshield carefully. Not really worth replacing the current windshield over this.

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by 3times3

I think I'll just Rain-X until I get another chip, and when that happens choose my replacement windshield carefully. Not really worth replacing the current windshield over this.

I'm going to see if the dealer can do something the next time I'm there, otherwise, that's my plan as well.

[The_DDub]

I am a 2nd owner of my car and it looks like the windshield was replaced. It doesn't have a Pilkington or BMW stamp.

- My rain sensor works since my auto wipers work
- Not sure about extra wind noise since I haven't driven/rode in a car with all original glass
- Not sure who installed it, etc.

[3X3=5]

My rain sensor still works, I just feel like it lags behind a bit. When it's raining I notice that the windshield is getting pretty wet/obscuring visibility and about 1 second after I feel like it should have activated the wipers will go. This is on the highest setting. Most of the time though it starts to bother me and I'll tap the stalk to wipe the window manually or just turn it on low.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Same issue here. I think it's just a symptom of the RS