Anyone used budget windscreens?

[menor95]

Hi all. Today I was driving back from visiting a friend and rather large stone chipped and cracked my windscreen clearly beyond repair. When I got home I rang autoglass and they quoted me get ready for it - £379 :!: . Madness. So I found a few other businesses that will replace for under £150 for example this one. http://www.budgetwindscreens.co.uk/?gcl ... wwodqHEAqQ

Anyone ever tried them? I am north east london. Could someone please recommend me a good company that wont rip me off.

My car is a 2003 Z4 bmw 2.5i - Left hand drive.

By the way im not sure if this is the right section so please excuse me if it is not.

Pascal

[CYMR0]

First question: does your insurance cover it? Many policies will have windscreen cover and you pay a much smaller excess than for standard claims, and it isn't assessed for future premiums.

Can't comment on the specific provider though.

[menor95]

Nope I am not covered for windscreen replacement

Pascal

[Superhoop]

If you want an honest, opinion, search out Glassman on here, maybe send him a PM? As his username suggests, it's his job, and I'm sure he'll know more than most, and from the posts I've seen from him before, he's always really helpful when it comes to recommending good fitters

ETA: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Found his profile - he's got a link to his website on there, and he's based in North London, so might even be able to fit it for you

Edited by Superhoop on Thursday 5th December 23:42

[numtumfutunch]

Call your local indie

I had a side window smashed in the autumn and due to having a juicy black mark on my licence (thanks Direct Line) decided it was probably easier to pay for it myself

Usual window companies all asked if it was an insurance job or not before quoting and then uncannily all came up with much the same price
My nearest "official" dealer came up with a price which was frankly cuckoo

My tame indie quoted less than 2/3 the price of the glass specialists even after buying the glass from the franchised dealer

Shop around

[TooMany2cvs]

numtumfutunch said:

Call your local indie

Another vote for this.

I had a windscreen replaced in my ol' Saab 900 a couple of years ago. Autoglass made a _right_ mess of it. Three hours it took, and then peed water in, because they'd ripped the lower corners of the seal. "Fortunately", it picked up another stone shortly after. My insurance covered glass, but would only pay directly if Autoglass did it. However, if I paid initially, I could get the glass replaced by whoever, then reclaim it. Job jobbed. I called an indie, and they replaced it. I'd got a replacement gasket anyway. Quick and leak-free job. The same outfit have also done the double-glazed plastic "upstairs" window in our hightop VW camper, after a pigeon headbutted it at 70mph... Not a job they particularly enjoyed, but I dread to think the mess an "as-seen-on-tv" chain would have made of it.

[anonymous-user]

Superhoop said:

If you want an honest, opinion, search out Glassman on here, maybe send him a PM? As his username suggests, it's his job, and I'm sure he'll know more than most, and from the posts I've seen from him before, he's always really helpful when it comes to recommending good fitters

ETA: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Found his profile - he's got a link to his website on there, and he's based in North London, so might even be able to fit it for you

Edited by Superhoop on Thursday 5th December 23:42

+1 for Paul at Glasstec - did a replacement on my 500 last year, and the quality of the job was second to none.

[Engineer1]

A cheap replacement may not have any sunband or dot pattern round the mirror, either of which is a PITA as the Original windscreen had them for a reason,

[road_rager]

I recently used Vince screens who are a local company to replace the screen on my forester, and they did a great job. It was half the cost of the national chains and they did the job within a couple of days. It had the correct top tint and heated element. The chap who fitted it did a great job. The glass was by a polish manufacturer but seems good quality.

[road_rager]

I recently used Vince screens who are a local company to replace the screen on my forester, and they did a great job. It was half the cost of the national chains and they did the job within a couple of days. It had the correct top tint and heated element. The chap who fitted it did a great job. The glass was by a polish manufacturer but seems good quality.

[anonymous-user]

My previous experience with Autoglass suggests that everyone gets the 'insurance' price. Auto windscreens were half the price.

[crossy67]

Give Paul a ring.

Is the cheapest going to be the best? I know, the inverse can also be true, the most expensive isn't always the best either. The best way of ensuring you get a decent job and a fair price is to go by recommendations from people who know.

[menor95]

I will get my screen replaced with glass tech as his reputation seems to be good. I will let you guys know how he does the job.

Pascal

[Henry Fiddleton]

I used them on my MX5, out of my pocket.

They were fine, and cheap.

[Glassman]

menor95 said:

I will get my screen replaced with glass tech as his reputation seems to be good. I will let you guys know how he does the job.

Pascal

Dobry wieczór Pascal

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Mówić do ciebie szybko.

Mistrz Szyby!

[crossy67]

Master Glass!!! Really?

[menor95]

Today Paul from http://www.glasstecauto.co.uk/ replaced my window from my Z4. Very friendly man and excellent service. He shows good attention to detail and does the work to a high standard. I would recommend him if you are looking to have your screen replaced.

Pascal