Autoglass et al. As good as original or not?
Discussion
My Bentley Continental GTC screen has picked up a stone chip and crack at the bottom. It's the original screen.
It's years since I've had a car screen replaced but I recall having problems last time. Range Rover I think.
My insurer's (NFU Mutual) T&Cs suggest that they want to use Autoglass or another large chain. But I am concerned that the screen fitted won't be as good as the original.
Anyone any experience of non-original glass in more complicated cars?
It's years since I've had a car screen replaced but I recall having problems last time. Range Rover I think.
My insurer's (NFU Mutual) T&Cs suggest that they want to use Autoglass or another large chain. But I am concerned that the screen fitted won't be as good as the original.
Anyone any experience of non-original glass in more complicated cars?
In what way exactly is the screen "complicated"? Is it heated? Does it have radar/lidar mounted behind it? Rain sensors for wipers? Light sensors for auto lights?
There have certainly been cases of some types of sensors not working properly through replacement screens, although as above who fits it should make no difference. Also worth noting that most manufacturers use several OEMs and there's only a limited number of major windscreen producers so there's a good chance that an "aftermarket screen" will actually be OEM anyway.
If the car is still in warranty, check with Bentley whether an aftermarket screen will invalidate the warranty should one of the sensors mounted on it stop working.
There have certainly been cases of some types of sensors not working properly through replacement screens, although as above who fits it should make no difference. Also worth noting that most manufacturers use several OEMs and there's only a limited number of major windscreen producers so there's a good chance that an "aftermarket screen" will actually be OEM anyway.
If the car is still in warranty, check with Bentley whether an aftermarket screen will invalidate the warranty should one of the sensors mounted on it stop working.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 10th January 10:08
The only word of caution I have is that two of my cars have had replacement glass fitted, once due to theft/vandalism and once a replacement windscreen.
Both developed rust underneath the replacement glass due to what I assume was the installer scratching the paintwork during removal of the old adhesive.
Your Bentley might be fine, but definitely ask to observe the installation.
Both developed rust underneath the replacement glass due to what I assume was the installer scratching the paintwork during removal of the old adhesive.
Your Bentley might be fine, but definitely ask to observe the installation.
I would say with confidence that no car manufacturer directly makes windscreens (also generally most parts are subcontracted out, minus engine and body) and it is likely that there is only a few companies making a screen for this car and a good chance they are the supplier to the production line/ classed as OEM.
Cars from XYZ are mainly built from other subcontractor components, very little is built or designed directly for manufacture by the car manufacturer. Its probably why quality and reliability is quite high now as subcontractors specialise in field of parts rather than the manufacture dabbling in that area a few times every so many years.
Slightly skewed off topic but hope it clarifies that OEM doesn't always mean car manufacturer themselves. Not directed solely at OP, more for awareness generally
Cars from XYZ are mainly built from other subcontractor components, very little is built or designed directly for manufacture by the car manufacturer. Its probably why quality and reliability is quite high now as subcontractors specialise in field of parts rather than the manufacture dabbling in that area a few times every so many years.
Slightly skewed off topic but hope it clarifies that OEM doesn't always mean car manufacturer themselves. Not directed solely at OP, more for awareness generally
mintmansam said:
I would say with confidence that no car manufacturer directly makes windscreens (also generally most parts are subcontracted out, minus engine and body) and it is likely that there is only a few companies making a screen for this car and a good chance they are the supplier to the production line/ classed as OEM.
Cars from XYZ are mainly built from other subcontractor components, very little is built or designed directly for manufacture by the car manufacturer. Its probably why quality and reliability is quite high now as subcontractors specialise in field of parts rather than the manufacture dabbling in that area a few times every so many years.
Slightly skewed off topic but hope it clarifies that OEM doesn't always mean car manufacturer themselves. Not directed solely at OP, more for awareness generally
I understand what you are saying. The original screen is Bentley branded. Not that a little badge is of any importance, but it will have been made to a specification I imagine. I am just trying to ensure that I don't go to the trouble of having it fitted and then find that something or other on the car doesn't work.Cars from XYZ are mainly built from other subcontractor components, very little is built or designed directly for manufacture by the car manufacturer. Its probably why quality and reliability is quite high now as subcontractors specialise in field of parts rather than the manufacture dabbling in that area a few times every so many years.
Slightly skewed off topic but hope it clarifies that OEM doesn't always mean car manufacturer themselves. Not directed solely at OP, more for awareness generally
Don’t let them anywhere near your car with a pattern screen. It won’t fit and you’ll either end up with a squeak, leak or both. They’ll also re-use trim and it’ll be an utter mess.
My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
sleep envy said:
Don’t let them anywhere near your car with a pattern screen. It won’t fit and you’ll either end up with a squeak, leak or both. They’ll also re-use trim and it’ll be an utter mess.
My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
Another vote for Glassman.My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
He's an artist with a screen. His instagram account shows loads of botched jobs by big companies that he's had to sort out.
However, he's a Gooner. But, no one's perfect.
Blib said:
sleep envy said:
Don’t let them anywhere near your car with a pattern screen. It won’t fit and you’ll either end up with a squeak, leak or both. They’ll also re-use trim and it’ll be an utter mess.
My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
Where is he based?My advice would be to speak to Glassman on here and he’ll guide you through the process.
https://www.glasstecauto.co.uk
The bloke is mustard, he’s done at least half a dozen screens for me over the last 10 years over various cars and I’ve yet to pick up one fault with his work.
Another vote for Glassman.
He's an artist with a screen. His instagram account shows loads of botched jobs by big companies that he's had to sort out.
Check with your insurer, mine gives me option of choosing my own installer for a slightly higher excess (£100 vs £60). That said I've had 3 screens fitted in the last 12 months (unbelievable run after 15 years with none) by Autoglass and similar without any problems. As others have said, it's what they do day in and day out. Suspect it'll be exactly the same spec screen from the likes of Pilkington who probably are the OEM. No real demand on Bentley numbers to justify pattern parts.
vikingaero said:
In my experience, most of the aftermarket/non-OEM/pattern screens used by Autoglass seem to chip really easily again.
The two products are different. OEM [car] manufacturer-branded windscreens are produced to a blueprint specification which is owned by the car manufacturer.
The aftermarket versions are copies of the above. Autoglass like to call these copies 'OEE' which looks very similar to 'OEM' but it is not the same. Original Equipment Equivalent confirms that. You can get all technical about it by saying that the OEE responds to the same 'main' aesthetic and technical criteria as the OEM product, but the same can also be said for fake leather products bought from a street market.
Edited by Glassman on Sunday 10th January 11:31
Hammer67 said:
edthefed said:
The main dealer wont change the windscreen..
They will subcontract that to a firm like autoglass !
The main dealer I worked at for 25 years most certainly did fit screens. They will subcontract that to a firm like autoglass !
Not all main dealers sub everything out.
IME, the dealers that do replace in house will do it by the book, fitting almost every conjunction part the instruction recommends. It'll probably take two/three/four times longer to do it because they don't do it frequently enough. No problem with that but they do sometimes struggle to get them bang on despite the time taken. Conversely, there are windscreen fitters who have been fitting for years or turnover a high number of jobs for their employer and frankly speaking they should never be allowed near a car, never mind have the authority work on one.
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