[GerryM5]

Just noticed 6" crack just in front of my mirror. Buch of dots there and will that require a BMW dealership replacing windshield?

[Steelguin]

I would use satellite. They can use oem glass as well if that’s what you want.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by GerryM5

Just noticed 6" crack just in front of my mirror. Buch of dots there and will that require a BMW dealership replacing windshield?

Nope, I had mine replaced by Glass America through my insurance. Their preferred installer is safelite, but they refused to approve factory glass. Glass American was able to pull some magic and get the factory glass for me. Just had to pay the $100 glass deductable. I have a thread on here about my experience from a couple months ago.

Long story short, whoever you use, be sure they give you factory glass and not some cheap knockoff crap. The factory glass has the bmw emblem on it.

EDIT: here's a link to my thread.

PSA: Put wipers down when lifting hood. https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1809689

[Quicksilver_M2C]

I had the front windshield replaced at the dealer because safelite does not use OEM glass. Can't tell it was replaced, looks like it came from the factory.

[Mullins]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver_M2C

I had the front windshield replaced at the dealer because safelite does not use OEM glass. Can't tell it was replaced, looks like it came from the factory.

Dealers use 3rd party companies like safelite to do replacements. I've personally used Safelite directly and they did supply OEM glass upon request, although it did cost extra.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver_M2C

I had the front windshield replaced at the dealer because safelite does not use OEM glass. Can't tell it was replaced, looks like it came from the factory.

Safelite replaced with oem glass for me like a week ago.

[KevinC]

After multiple horrific experiences with incompetent Safelite techs, I will NEVER let anyone from that company ever touch any car of mine again. Ever.

OEM BMW glass is not expensive. I would hold out for it, or just pay the difference if your insurance only wants to pay for generic.

[mcvaughan]

Only use OEM glass to avoid headaches.

[Steelguin]

Safelite replaced mine with OEM its perfect.

[Moflow]

I have no experience with safelite, but I do know that if you have your windshield replaced by someone who isn't careful you can have big problems with corrosion later in the cars life. That may or may not be an issue for you, but i've seen some bad stuff on older cars.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by Moflow

I have no experience with safelite, but I do know that if you have your windshield replaced by someone who isn't careful you can have big problems with corrosion later in the cars life. That may or may not be an issue for you, but i've seen some bad stuff on older cars.

Corrosion of what?

[nearwater4me]

I believe it had something to do with incomplete seal against the body, and moisture seeped through, resulting in water damage plus corrosion.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

Corrosion of what?

The metal surrounding the windshield as its easy for moisture to accumulate in there if its not sealed perfectly.

[pz619]

I went with safelite and their glass and have no issues. Only difference is it doesn’t say “Connected Drive” which is a plus to me and it doesn’t have the BMW logo. Also fun fact: the dealership here says even if you do it there, they just contract it out to safelite. The safelite guy confirmed it too.

[jayvee619]

I had my front windshield replaced at Safelite as well a few months ago, they had no issues with getting me the OEM glass. Instead of choosing to have one of their mobile vans come over I decided to have the work done at one of their locations. Felt more comfortable having the work done their as oppose to at my apartment complex or work lol.

[GerryM5]

Thank you all reading your experiences have helped and I will go with BMW replacement windshield.

[gemini.m3]

Here's a tip for any windshield replacement on BMW.

The A pillars inside the car have a wide gap so when they throw aftermarket adhesive on you will see the adhesive 90% of the time - they can't really predict how it lands because put it on in this kind of orientation /\ and then it flattens out.

Ask them to install a "foam dam" its a little piece black foam that will prevent the majority if not all of the black shiny adhesive to show in your car. I went through this twice on two different cars and they had to re do the replacement.

[yuriydee]

Originally Posted by Steelguin

Safelite replaced mine with OEM its perfect.

Same here, replaced mine a month ago. Though I did have to call a few times to make sure my insurance approved the OEM glass. Other than that no problems so far.

But one thing that surprised is how quickly mine cracked within 6 months of ownership and not a lot of driving. On my other Honda after 5 years of driving, no cracks.

[GerryM5]

$2165.00 windshield replaced and electronics calibrated by BMW Stevens Creek, Santa Clara, CA. I sure they subbed the windshield install by did the calibration(?). State Farm insurance covered it minus $250.00 deductible.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by GerryM5

$2165.00 windshield replaced and electronics calibrated by BMW Stevens Creek, Santa Clara, CA. I sure they subbed the windshield install by did the calibration(?). State Farm insurance covered it minus $250.00 deductible.

Did that price at least include a reach-around, or maybe a weekend in Tahoe?

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by detroitm2

Corrosion of what?

The corrosion occurs typically from the tools used to removed the windshield. They are sometimes metal and damage the paint under the glass while they are cutting the urethane. Happened to my 1999 323. Rust forming around the windshield pillars.

Safelite (maybe some others IDK) use nylon rope to avoid that and also use primer whenever needed. They source OEM glass directly from a local dealer and all of their aftermarket glass is manufactured by OE suppliers in the same plant. The manufacturing process is necessarily different because the OEM process requires mass production of a couple of part numbers while "aftermarket replacement are made in application batches.

Totally get the preferences for logged glass. Just wanted to point out the differences, at least as far as Safelite is concerned.

As mentioned, dealers do not install glass but sub it out. I prefer to work with A brand that has a reputation to uphold and through my insurer recommendation in case there are issues later. Even if I had to pay a difference.

My 2 cents.

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by yuriydee

Same here, replaced mine a month ago. Though I did have to call a few times to make sure my insurance approved the OEM glass. Other than that no problems so far.

But one thing that surprised is how quickly mine cracked within 6 months of ownership and not a lot of driving. On my other Honda after 5 years of driving, no cracks.

Because of fuel economy requirements, glass is becoming thinner, lighter and more complex, and expensive to accommodate ADAS cameras, HUDs, etc. They do in fact break easier as a result.