If my windscreen cracked...
If my windscreen cracked...
Author
Discussion

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

236 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Do I have the right to ask my insurance for BMW glass?

Rakoosh

347 posts

193 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
You'd have to check the terms of your insurance.

You may be allowed to choose but the insurance may have a cap.

For example - my insurance has a cap on what it would pay out for a new windscreen (but I go through a specialist so may be different).

Luckily its high enough I think (£1k) - but I have heard examples of a cap of £500 and people paying the difference above and beyond the £500.

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

236 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Thanks.

R0B.

124 posts

209 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Axa wanted an extra £250 on top of the £50 excess to fit a genuine screen to my E46 coupe recently.

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

236 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
That's fair enough, I'd rather pay the extra and get a screen that fits and won't leak!

FoundOnRoadside

436 posts

167 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
You may find it'd be cheaper to just get an independent windscreen place to fit a genuine screen, rather than pay your insurance excess, plus any extra they want to charge. Plus you'll not have the retards from Autoglass fking it up.

louiebaby

10,883 posts

214 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
I recently had the screen replaced on my E39 Tourer by National Windscreens. It doesn't leak, but the rain sensing wipers don't work any more. (They never really did to be honest.)

I solved this by pulling the plug out of the rain sensor, which means I now have (non-adjustable) intermittent on the position that used to be for the rain sensing option. Which is kind of de-technology-fying, but in an effective way.

I'm happy with the situation.

dave_s13

13,988 posts

292 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
I also had an E39 screen replaced by autoglass, this was a few years ago.

Had no problems with the replacement, auto wipers still ok etc.

On the other had I just had ther screen done my Naional on my stbox ford focus and the masking tape used to hold the glass in place while the adhesive cures has bonded itself good and proper to the roof and some of the screen. I don't care too much as it's a £500 car at a push and covered in dents but still, if it had been my rather more pricey E61 I would have killed someone.

I've tried soapy water, WD40, cooking oil and even a non solvent based nail varnish remover.....won't fecking budge!!

Glassman

24,570 posts

238 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
That's fair enough, I'd rather pay the extra and get a screen that fits and won't leak!
The key is in the fitting of the screen. Yes, there are some shockingly bad (quality) aftermarket versions on the market, but generally, a leaking windscreen is down to installer error. Don't swallow any of this product failure nonsense either (extreeeeeemely rare, but a good fitter will know if there's something wrong at the time).

In answering your question, yes you can ask (sometimes insist) on OEM glass. There are circumstances which may qualify more than others, such as the marque/value of the car, its age or simply your choice (especially if the policy does not say otherwise).



Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

269 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
That's fair enough, I'd rather pay the extra and get a screen that fits and won't leak!
When you check the price I think you'll rapidly change your mind!

Glassman

24,570 posts

238 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
dave_s13 said:
I also had an E39 screen replaced by autoglass, this was a few years ago.

Had no problems with the replacement, auto wipers still ok etc.

On the other had I just had ther screen done my Naional on my stbox ford focus and the masking tape used to hold the glass in place while the adhesive cures has bonded itself good and proper to the roof and some of the screen. I don't care too much as it's a £500 car at a push and covered in dents but still, if it had been my rather more pricey E61 I would have killed someone.

I've tried soapy water, WD40, cooking oil and even a non solvent based nail varnish remover.....won't fecking budge!!
Poor (on their part).

Technology advancement in adhesives means that the decking properties, grab strength and SDAT of a GOOD bonding system means that using tapes to hold the screen in place is no longer as important. There are some, more upright screen which might call for it, but generally, if you do have to use a tape (and there are good/bad tapes for this) by using a good bonding system means that by the time you have fitted the car back up, done the paperwork and put all your tools and equipment away, the adhesive would have started to cure enough to hold the screen in place.

On a Focus, there are usually supports on the scuttle area upon which the glass will rest as the adhesive cures.

Call them back. You might need a panel wipe / pain thinners type product to lift the baked on tape adhesive.

dave_s13

13,988 posts

292 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Glassman said:
Poor (on their part).

Technology advancement in adhesives means that the decking properties, grab strength and SDAT of a GOOD bonding system means that using tapes to hold the screen in place is no longer as important. There are some, more upright screen which might call for it, but generally, if you do have to use a tape (and there are good/bad tapes for this) by using a good bonding system means that by the time you have fitted the car back up, done the paperwork and put all your tools and equipment away, the adhesive would have started to cure enough to hold the screen in place.

On a Focus, there are usually supports on the scuttle area upon which the glass will rest as the adhesive cures.

Call them back. You might need a panel wipe / pain thinners type product to lift the baked on tape adhesive.
I've tried, they are saying it says in the post job paperwork that the tape must be removed after 1 hour. Trouble is the screen was fitted at my wifes work (a large school). She was busy all day and the admin staff who took the keys back off the chap did not pass on any paperwork of any kind. I've asked for it to be referred to a senior manager anyway. I either want them to tell me how I can get it off myself, send someone out to try and get it off or refund me my £60 excess.

Glassman

24,570 posts

238 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
Shouldn't have left tape on the car in my opinion.

But in the circumstances, it would be foolish of them to argue about it. I'm sure you didn't use them by choice - contact the insco if they don't look after you. They recommended them.


Slurms

1,254 posts

227 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
I'm with Admiral and My Lexus IS-F needs a new windscreen, Admiral only authorise "dealer parts" for a car which is less than 3 years old so i'd have had a Pilkington part fitted, I asked the installers what the price difference was for a Lexus OEM part (with the intention of paying the difference) and the difference is about £8 - so needless to say i'm having the Lexus screen fitted.

It's probably the same screen at the end of the day but it definatly pays to ask the question as often the price isn't that different.