E39 M5 Replacement Windscreen

[andy3781]

Hi all, just after a bit of advice really... A couple of weeks a go i got a big chip in my windscreen which quickly developed into a large crack. Anyway to cut a long story short i had the windscreen replaced a couple of days ago through my insurance company but hadn't needed to drive the car until this morning when i needed to drive it to work. The car used to be silent on the motorway it had no wind noise or anything... that was until i had the windscreen done, now it sounds like the window is slightly open at anything over about 50 mph. So after being completely pissed off for the entire day at work, I got home and did a search about windscreen replacement for the e39 on the M5 board. It came back with a few post from people having similr problems after windscreen replacements and that it has to be done with special tools and spacers that BMW supply and has to be held in place for 24 hours before being driven. As far as i know the guy that came from auto windscreens used no special spacers or anything like that because i watched as he did the entire job. It looks as if he's just glued it in and hoped for the best. So the question is do i get the same people back to come and bugger it up a further few times or do i get it done properly? And whoends up paying if i've got windscreen cover in my policy?... Plus where do i stand with the insurance company if i wanted to take the car to BMW to fit the windscreen properly if it needs special fitment?

Cheers
Andy

[MarkwG]

I've not had this exact issue, but my gut says register your complaint with the insurer, if they paid, then take the car to the main depot, if possible, & explain your displeasure on site. I'd also print off the forum pages which detail the issue, to me that shows you've done your research & won't be pratted around. I believe there are a couple of window guys who post here, a general post might attrract their attention, & they may be able to offer more specific advice. Good luck!

[Neil.D]

If you have excessive wind noise it means there is a gap in the resin around the winsdcreen.

I had mine replaced a couple of weeks ago and no special tools were used and its silent in that area.

Phone back the windscreen company and they will come out and re-do.

They need about an hour to set - I left mine for a day before driving. I had a couple of little creaks when I first moved it but that was it.

[andy3781]

Cheers for the replys, going to give the windscreen people a call tomorrow then and see where it goes from there. Its just annoying that people cant seem to do a thorough job anymore!

[E36GUY]

andy3781 said:

Hi all, just after a bit of advice really... A couple of weeks a go i got a big chip in my windscreen which quickly developed into a large crack. Anyway to cut a long story short i had the windscreen replaced a couple of days ago through my insurance company but hadn't needed to drive the car until this morning when i needed to drive it to work. The car used to be silent on the motorway it had no wind noise or anything... that was until i had the windscreen done, now it sounds like the window is slightly open at anything over about 50 mph. So after being completely pissed off for the entire day at work, I got home and did a search about windscreen replacement for the e39 on the M5 board. It came back with a few post from people having similr problems after windscreen replacements and that it has to be done with special tools and spacers that BMW supply and has to be held in place for 24 hours before being driven. As far as i know the guy that came from auto windscreens used no special spacers or anything like that because i watched as he did the entire job. It looks as if he's just glued it in and hoped for the best. So the question is do i get the same people back to come and bugger it up a further few times or do i get it done properly? And whoends up paying if i've got windscreen cover in my policy?... Plus where do i stand with the insurance company if i wanted to take the car to BMW to fit the windscreen properly if it needs special fitment?

Cheers
Andy

Autowindscreen repairs are supposed to have a lifetime guarantee so if it has stress fractured, then get them back to replace it. I had my M3 done last week and the chap told me this.

[Glassman]

E36GUY said:

Autowindscreen repairs are supposed to have a lifetime guarantee so if it has stress fractured, then get them back to replace it. I had my M3 done last week and the chap told me this.

AW is three years afaik.

[andy3781]

I read somewhere that the noise could also be down to the car missing the rubber jacking points. so i thought id go out earlier tonight and have a look before calling the window place back and having a rant. Spent ten minutes looking around the car for possible causes and then realised all the pollen filter assembly hadnt been put back together correctly and had literally just been shoved in! So after fixing it back in properly i decided to take the car for a quick run down the motorway to see if the noise had gone... Got in the car, turned it over and all i got was clicking from the starter and the headlights flashed over so the bloody battery is now dead for some reason! Thing is there was no signs of it being on the blink a couple of days before which was the last time i drove it! So while im on this subject, does anyone know if replacing the battery is a quick in and out diy job or is it like most things on this car overly complicated? Any prices, suppliers, best type of battery would be helpful too!!

Cheers in advance to whoever replies! Still dont know if i've gotten rid of the wind noise either!!!!

[Glassman]

Wind noise is usually down to a gap in the polyurethane adhesive, or the non-sticking of it (bad preparation or the glue bead wall not being high enough when the glass was laid on it).

There has been another cause for wind noise on the E39 which was identified about 10 years ago and it was claimed to be down to camber, or the way the screen is packed out from the aperture (pinchweld recess). Some installers may use over-sized blocks and others may not use any at all. Personally, I can't see how you could get wind noise on any car if you stick to the basics and get them 100% right.

Seems to me that the OP's car was rushed, or done by at least one careless installer. Highlight all the issues (also mention the filters) and request that they sort it. Ask for a report on what they identify the problem to be.

If you need further assistance with this, give me a call (number on website via profile) or send me a PM and I'll respond to that.

[gavinbailey]

Andy

For batteries Eurocarparts is your best bet. Battery replacement is an easy 10 minute job - it's under the boot floor. There's an extensive thread here to help: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...

Edited by gavinbailey on Tuesday 23 March 10:33

[E36GUY]

gavinbailey said:

Andy

For batteries Eurocarparts is your best bet. Battery replacement is an easy 10 minute job - it's under the boot floor. There's an extensive thread here to help: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-dis...

Check BMW first though. I have found OEM is cheaper for batteries than others

[5 In a Row]

My battery died unexpectedly last week as well but seems to be fine after a recharge.

Helfrauds had the Bosch ones in (they actually had something for an M5 in stock ) at £110 and £120 depending on warranty length which was only £10 more than online.

[gavinbailey]

Re: battery pricing BMW Dealers can be suprisingly competetive on some items however OEM batteries for the e39 M5 from my local dealer were around £150 (with 10% discount), whereas Eurocarparts had the Bosch equivalent (the same rating in a/h and CCA as the OEM), for around £105. You'll see the comparison in the thread I posted earlier.

I've no connection with Eurocarparts at all apart from posting the link - I had intended to buy a battery last week however my existing battery proved to be ok.

Edited by gavinbailey on Tuesday 23 March 18:33

[trooperiziz]

The usual reason for battery failure is due to the final stage unit for the blower going crazy. They last for rough 50k miles before needing to be replaced, as they start to run your fan at random intervals, even with the car switched off. A £50 part and 20 mins to fit it yourself.

[5 In a Row]

trooperiziz said:

The usual reason for battery failure is due to the final stage unit for the blower going crazy. They last for rough 50k miles before needing to be replaced, as they start to run your fan at random intervals, even with the car switched off. A £50 part and 20 mins to fit it yourself.

I think that's what mine is doing.
After I switch the ignition off the fan will blows for a few seconds then goes off, then comes on again, goes off, etc.

Is there a 'how to' guide on M5 board?

EDIT: found it.

Edited by 5 In a Row on Wednesday 24th March 08:43

[andy3781]

Managed to get a new battery its a bosch s5 from eurocarparts of the shelf too! 5 year warranty so hopefully it should be ok. £126 not bad just didnt have the time to shop around to be honest but its a near perfect fit too. Car seems to be ok now, just done a couple of short journeys to see if its holding the charge and fingers crossed it seems ok. Just that bloody windscreen to sort now, phoned the autowindscreen place today and they are supposidly getting back to me! We live in hope.