[soflacarguy]

Ive been lucky enough (until now) to not have any experience with this. Looking for any advice or suggestions.

[sl0m0]

Gotta replace the entire car.

Joking aside, once a chip has spidered to that extent you will need a new windshield. The rule of thumb is that if you can cover it with a dime than you might be able to repair it, sometimes up to a quarter but the more it is spidered the harder a repair is.

[ThunderM240]

Originally Posted by sl0m0

once a chip has spidered to that extent you will need a new windshield. The rule of thumb is that if you can cover it with a dime than you might be able to repair it, sometimes up to a quarter but the more it is spidered the harder a repair is.

I agree ... I had one on my F32 that wasn't as spidered but couldn't be fixed. Since it was low on the passenger side not in my view, I decided not to replace windshield figuring I would wait to see if I got another. Not sure dealer noticed it when I traded car because they never deducted for new windshield in trade allowance.

[soflacarguy]

Appreciate the responses.

So is Safelite the best way to go, or should I contact the dealership? OEM is important to me don’t want any generic glass lol. Also I have the HUD if that matters…

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

Appreciate the responses.

So is Safelite the best way to go, or should I contact the dealership? OEM is important to me don’t want any generic glass lol. Also I have the HUD if that matters…

Someone else on here replaced their windshield. They went with Safelite and I recall they had a good outcome. You can search this forum for that thread.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by Bandit009

Someone else on here replaced their windshield. They went with Safelite and I recall they had a good outcome. You can search this forum for that thread.

It may have been me. I had a good experience - I requested OEM glass which they sourced within a few days. I went to a facility for the replacement instead of the mobile. They estimated 3 hours and was out in around 1.25 hours and everything came out perfect. They will have to drive your car to calibrate the cameras.

[XC3LLR8]

I would definitely talk to Safelite about a repair before you settle for replacement. I've had repairs done that were spidered the sized of a quarter, and I believe technology has advanced to go even bigger.

[sleeves007]

I've just been through this, cannot be repaired as it is on the black part of the screen. My chip was smaller and developed a large crack which spanned half the windscreen.

Requested OEM glass and was fitted by autoglass in the UK via insurance. Can't tell it has been replaced. A short drive whilst connected to a Laptop calibrated the camera and has been perfect now for over a month.

[Nate48]

I used Safelite back in the day on my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It needed a new side back window from hail damage.

It was one of the best "auto" customer service experiences I've had. They came to my work. Called me when they arrived, I handed them my keys, went back into work. They called me in about 30-Minutes to come back out and take a look when it was done. Seamless.

[soflacarguy]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

I would definitely talk to Safelite about a repair before you settle for replacement. I've had repairs done that were spidered the sized of a quarter, and I believe technology has advanced to go even bigger.

In your experience repair is preferable to replacing?

Is it hardly visible once repaired?

[soflacarguy]

Originally Posted by sleeves007

I've just been through this, cannot be repaired as it is on the black part of the screen.

What is the relevance of being over the black part? Repair’s usually done from inside or outside?

[sleeves007]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

What is the relevance of being over the black part? Repair’s usually done from inside or outside?

No idea, before it cracked more and spread it was only a chip. I looked into repairs and all the advice was replace, even when it wasn't cracked across half the windscreen.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

What is the relevance of being over the black part? Repair’s usually done from inside or outside?

The repair is done from the outside - they inject a solution that fills the crack/chip and then hardens, making it invisible. You can buy a kit to do it yourself, it's cheap.

[soflacarguy]

So I spoke to the dealership’s service advisor because they actually were calling me to schedule my next maintenance.

The guy said Safelite does not use OEM, and if I want OEM I should just bring it to them but insurance may not cover it? Any validity to this?

[Cwatt79]

Just something to keep in mind as you make your decision. I had to have the driver door glass replaced after my car got broken into last month. Safelite quoted $400, and a local repair glass shop said they would charge $150 to install it if I provided the glass. The OEM glass from the BMW dealer was $180, and I decided to have the dealer install it. My final bill was $1,008. They charged four hours of labor at $179/hour. Said it took them two hours to clean the broken glass from inside the door.
I believe Safelite can source OEM glass if you specify.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

So I spoke to the dealership’s service advisor because they actually were calling me to schedule my next maintenance.

The guy said Safelite does not use OEM, and if I want OEM I should just bring it to them but insurance may not cover it? Any validity to this?

SafeLite CAN source OEM, my replacement has the BMW roundel.

[sl0m0]

Originally Posted by soflacarguy

So I spoke to the dealership’s service advisor because they actually were calling me to schedule my next maintenance.

The guy said Safelite does not use OEM, and if I want OEM I should just bring it to them but insurance may not cover it? Any validity to this?

Oem vs non oem glass has negligible difference. The insurance company knows that and won't pay the dealership premium.
I wouldn't stress about oem glass.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by sl0m0

Oem vs non oem glass has negligible difference. The insurance company knows that and won't pay the dealership premium.
I wouldn't stress about oem glass.

You risk the HUD not looking as good as OEM, if equipped. On a new car (even old car)I prefer OEM parts, but that's just me.

My windshield was replaced through insurance and there were no questions asked from my insurance regarding my request for OEM glass.

[sl0m0]

Originally Posted by MPR

You risk the HUD not looking as good as OEM, if equipped. On a new car (even old car)I prefer OEM parts, but that's just me.

My windshield was replaced through insurance and there were no questions asked from my insurance regarding my request for OEM glass.

I've had 3 windshields replaced on my x3, never an issue with HUD. Usually the glass comes from the same manufacturer as OEM, just without the bmw logo.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by sl0m0

I've had 3 windshields replaced on my x3, never an issue with HUD. Usually the glass comes from the same manufacturer as OEM, just without the bmw logo.

Stick with non-OEM then. If I have the option of OEM (with roundel) at no extra cost or time, I'm going OEM.

[soflacarguy]

Thanks for everyone’s input.

Found out my neighbors M4 was done by Safelite, and it’s not clean. He got the OEM glass after requesting it, but the overall job is noticeably not factory quality. Reviews for my local Safelite locations are hit or miss, so Id rather not gamble.

I live in FL where insurance has to cover replacement 100% - so I’ll just be taking it to the dealership. Im due for service anyway so it will be a 2 for 1 visit.

As I understand it, if anyone other than BMW does the job, BMW warranty will no longer cover anything that goes wrong related to the windshield replacement.