Broken windscreen - autoglass

Broken windscreen - autoglass

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Freakuk

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

150 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
So on the way into work this morning something hit the screen and made an almighty mess, impact area about the size of a gold ball and multiple ring fractures dispersing across a foot square of the screen.

I've called autoglass and they're set to replace it on Friday (non in the local depot), my question is will they fit an OEM screen and are there any issues if they don't?

I've called them back with the part number and manufacturer but do I have any grounds to ensure they fit an OEM screen??

How has anyone else approached this?

Cheers

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Freakuk said:
So on the way into work this morning something hit the screen and made an almighty mess, impact area about the size of a gold ball and multiple ring fractures dispersing across a foot square of the screen.

I've called autoglass and they're set to replace it on Friday (non in the local depot), my question is will they fit an OEM screen and are there any issues if they don't?

I've called them back with the part number and manufacturer but do I have any grounds to ensure they fit an OEM screen??

How has anyone else approached this?

Cheers
When I had the screen changed in my VW CC, it was done by Autoglass and they used a non OE screen, not that I had any problems with it or the fitting.

When I needed one in my 997 I told the insurer I wanted my indie to arrange it and use an OE screen. They had no problem with that. Only issue was that I had initially to pay the full invoice, around £600 or so, then claim it back, but it was refunded in about a week.

dadofbud

589 posts

208 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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Based upon my many previous encounters, they will fit a cheaper pattern part, sorry

ro55a

705 posts

153 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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I recently had auto glass, via insurance company, change the screen in my 986 boxster. They had to order in the part and asked whether it was heated, what colour top tint I required. They were very helpful, when the screen turned up it was exactly the same as factory, by the same glass manufacturer but was not from porsche and not listed OEM. Problems since...none, really happy. Mind you, I stayed with the car the entire time and made sure it was fitted "properly" ie) not rushed and double checked by myself.

London GT3

1,025 posts

240 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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My experience of pattern screens is that they are not as good as OEM but this was on a BMW. I would be more concerned about the quality of the fitting.

Glassman on here is based in North London and travels around the home counties. First class service and a really top bloke as well. His company is Glasstech.

Glassman

22,501 posts

214 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
OEM parts: much will depend on your policy, and how it is worded. Some will be very explicit about what parts are used, whilst others are open to interpretation.

I agree with LondonGT3 about the difference in quality and it is a subject which has taken a lot of research to find the definitive answer. Despite what anyone says (and 'they' will try and convince you otherwise) other than one or two exceptions, an OEM - ie car manufacturer branded - glass is usually not the same as an aftermarket version, even if it is by the same glass manufacturer. At a glance, both examples will look the same and will appear to feature the same hardware, silkprint; be of similar dimensions, etc but those little differences are there to be found. Not even the glass manufacturers are being up front about it, making statements such as the glass,"responds to OEM main technical and aesthetic characteristics." The same vague statement could be made about fake Armani sunglasses!

A little more on that subject here.

Check your policy, or see if you speak to your insurer directly (whatever you do, do not select the 'windscreen' option if your call goes via an automated switchboard!) Equally as important is the installation. There are so many misconceptions about automotive glazing and there are a lot of guys in the trade (for the national companies as well as the small independent vendors) who simply aren't good enough, or do not possess enough specialist experience. Many couldn't care less and will fit a Porsche windscreen using the same mentality required to fit a Ford Transit windscreen.


Freakuk

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

150 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies..

So I spoke to Porsche today, £500 for the screen and if they fit a further £175

My insurer says they will cover £200 max for a screen, so I'd still have to pay £475. Or I can just pay my excess of £75 and get whatever Autoglass provide.

Part of me wants to buy OEM but I can't warrant £400 out of my own pocket, hmmm.

Dolf Stoppard

1,318 posts

121 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
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Not an expert on this topic at all but when it comes to Autoglass (and I guess any other firm) the quality of the work done will be dependent on the skill of the person doing the job. Like in any business, some staff will be better than others. If you do go down the Autoglass route I'd be tempted to have it done at their premises. When the job is done you can go over the car very carefully and if there are any problems you can easily escalate them to whoever is in charge.

As far as the OEM / non-OEM screen is concerned, the main source of problems tends to be if you have things like auto-wipers and the sensor is built into the screen. When a non-OEM screen was fitted to my last BMW and the rain sensor wouldn't work properly, to be fair to Autoglass they swapped it for an original screen without argument. The straightforward non-OEM screens I've had have been fine and Autoglass will fit thousands upon thousands of them every year. Your local OPC may even use them to fit their pricey OEM screens.

Like I say though, I'm no expert!

Wozy68

5,387 posts

169 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
Freakuk said:
Thanks for the replies..

So I spoke to Porsche today, £500 for the screen and if they fit a further £175

My insurer says they will cover £200 max for a screen, so I'd still have to pay £475. Or I can just pay my excess of £75 and get whatever Autoglass provide.

Part of me wants to buy OEM but I can't warrant £400 out of my own pocket, hmmm.
I'd be having a chat again with them .... Its a Porsche, not a Fiesta and I'm guessing complete with Porsche tax.

Even the after market OE heated screen on my LR was covered in full when I claimed and it was alot more than £200.00

Another here for Glassman. smile



Edited by Wozy68 on Tuesday 15th April 11:01

nxi20

778 posts

204 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
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I've had a new screen in my GT3 every year for the last 6 years (trackdays & Euro trips are not kind to screens) and I've used a couple of the big chains who have eventually managed to order the right screen but seem incapable of getting it right first time - 4 visits is the record. The screen is nothing fancy, but not having PCM & rain sensors seems to throw them every time, even if you give them the VIN; in fact, Porsche even supplied the wrong screen once. I've had both OEM & genuine Porsche and as others have said, it's mainly down to the skill of the person fitting them as to how well it turns out. Definitely go to a depot as they are usually less stressed and often more senior than the boys on the vans.

All that said, I used Paul (Glassman) last time & it was so easy compared to all the other times I wish I'd known about him before. Paul is a top chap & a total perfectionist - needless to say, he used a genuine Porsche screen & got it right first time. I paid a larger excess but it was worth it for the complete lack of hassle. I'm sure I will be using Paul again later this year biggrin

dave0010

1,381 posts

160 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
If I was you I would be happy to use a national company. Yes there is always going to be a dependancy on the skill level of who ever turns up but the safety net is there if there is any issues.

Large national companies care massively these days about customer feedback and satisfaction. They will do what ever is needed to rectify any issue that may arise as to not tarnish there reputation.

It all comes down to how much you want to pay. If all you want to pay is £75 then there is your answer. If your happy to pay a little more do as others on here recommend and use Paul.

Forums can sometimes be a bad thing when it comes to subjects like this. People ignore all the good advice and focus on all the horror stories. Yes I'm sure some people have had there car proper f****d up by national companies. I'm also sure others have no hassle what so ever and are happy to use them.


Freakuk

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

150 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Further update... screen direct from Porsche is £500 including the VAT, my insurance will contribute towards it but I'd still have to pay £282 plus the £75 excess for OEM (fitted).

Autoglass however will supply and fit OEM for an additional £174 plus my £75 excess, so that's what I'm doing, screen should be here tomorrow fitted Friday, fingers crossed it will all go smoothly.

Glassman

22,501 posts

214 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Freakuk said:
Further update... screen direct from Porsche is £500 including the VAT, my insurance will contribute towards it but I'd still have to pay £282 plus the £75 excess for OEM (fitted).

Autoglass however will supply and fit OEM for an additional £174 plus my £75 excess, so that's what I'm doing, screen should be here tomorrow fitted Friday, fingers crossed it will all go smoothly.
I'm trying to work out how they got to £282.00.

ianwayne

6,243 posts

267 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
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I'm not sure a non OEM windscreen would be that bad, would it? They all have to be made to a certain industry standard.

Any new screen will be better than an old chipped and scratched one, regardless of the huge damage it now has. Personally, I would accept the one they offer but check it afterwards to ensure it fitted properly.

Glassman

22,501 posts

214 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
ianwayne said:
I'm not sure a non OEM windscreen would be that bad, would it? They all have to be made to a certain industry standard.

Any new screen will be better than an old chipped and scratched one, regardless of the huge damage it now has. Personally, I would accept the one they offer but check it afterwards to ensure it fitted properly.
They can be very bad in terms of quality. This 29 second advert captures a bit of the sentiment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLWgbZgkpZc

A certain industry standard could mean just scraping over the minimum criteria, and that's on the ones they check. Glass is coming in from all over the world, and everyone is pitching to get the quantities shifted, so the prices get driven down.

Besides, why should a consumer accept a cheaper product? The only party this benefits is the insco who will hike up your premium year after year and scrimp and scrape a payout when you suffer a loss?

ridds

8,191 posts

243 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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After I had a screen fitted recently and had a good old natter with the guy fitting the screen. The non OEM screens (some are autoglass/autowindscreens own brand) are pretty shocking. To the point that they don't like fitting them as they are so poor (shape, glass quality, transit damage etc).

If it were my P&J, I'd go OEM everytime.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
I've had new screens from Autoglass in two cars recently. It never even occurred to me they might be inferior and nothing struck me as different by way of appearance.

Much has been said on this thread, but nobody has pointed to any differences. Please explain, are they made from compressed grass and dung, or what?

Any how many dealer mechanics are skilled at fitting screens?

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
After market glass tends to be made out of glass and plastic the same as most OE screens.

The differences are things like shape, have you noticed how small the gap between the roof line and top of windscreen is getting? Some after market glasses haven't got quite the right shape. To most it's not noticeable but to a fitter it can be a source of embarrassment.

Optical perfection. Glasses can have all manor of distortion from the manufacturing process, these can vary from barely noticeable to giving you a headache whilst driving.

Many new screens are encapsulated, they have the trims bonded on to them. After market trims often don't fit as they should.

I have seen many after market Heated screens with elements like pubic hair, really thick and not very tidy.

And last but by no means least or all there is to say. The fit and feel of an OE glass is second to none. I would say most fitters these days don't fit many OE screens so don't get to experience the quality difference with a piece of glass that fits properly. Things like having the right shape so the glass sits the right distance from the body all round makes a huge difference.


As for mechanics fitting glass. Very few main dealers get involved so as a general rule very few mechanics fit glass. It's just easier for them to get a specialist in who does it 6-8 times a day and will take liability if anything should go wrong.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Well, bugger me with a rusty banana, I never knew that...

So, who makes the non OE screens, then?

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
crossy67 said:
As for mechanics fitting glass. Very few main dealers get involved so as a general rule very few mechanics fit glass. It's just easier for them to get a specialist in who does it 6-8 times a day and will take liability if anything should go wrong.
So nobody fits OE screens, then..??