Autoglass is replacing my windscreen
Autoglass is replacing my windscreen
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Discussion

toon tvr

Original Poster:

348 posts

253 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
Hi all,
Happy new year!

My insurance company have arranged for RAC autoglass (Newcastle)to fit a new windscreen,
has any TVR pistonheader used these guys before?

SharkyTVR

413 posts

259 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
Nope - but I know a man who has, and had a very bad experience. Be VERY careful that the technician knows what they are doing, else you potentially could have trim repairs (expensive) to deal with.

Also, a neighbour of mine works for the RAC as a mobile windscreen fitter, and he told me he has never been trained on TVRs, only "ordinary spam-cans".

Don't mean to be a doom-monger, but maybe you should see who your local TVR independent recommends.

>> Edited by SharkyTVR on Tuesday 3rd January 13:30

cerby4.5

1,643 posts

271 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
Hiya
I asked about this some time ago and was advised against it. Hence why I am still waiting for a replacement screen to become available that I can get my local specialist to fit.
Cerby

targarama

14,785 posts

313 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
My old Chimaera was done by them. They had it in at their depot all day so the more knowledgeable ones could work on it. Did a 99% great job. One tiny nick in the trim, but nobody would spot it.

My T350 has also had a new screen. It was done at the dealers, but even they got in one of the big firms to do it. The dealers local screen fitting depot had a guy who they send for all the TVR screen jobs so he was more aware than most. No damage at all. Not perfect fitting on one of the side rubber, but the dealer sorted this later anyway.

griff50tvr

320 posts

275 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
Had the misfortune of having to have them replace the screen on my Mazda shopping trolley. Its a long story but, eventually, I had to have a new dashboard at £600 - paid for by them of course, but aggro .... . Make sure they cover up everything that moves and everything that does not move ..... and then cover up everything else as well. Oh, and the valet who was first called to try and repair the dashboard told me of many times when he's had to repair A-pillars where they have scored them when cutting out the old screen . Would I let them do the Griff, absolutely never.

>> Edited by griff50tvr on Tuesday 3rd January 16:52

Cossie.

7,977 posts

279 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
targarama said:
My old Chimaera was done by them. They had it in at their depot all day so the more knowledgeable ones could work on it. Did a 99% great job. One tiny nick in the trim, but nobody would spot it.


Another one here! No complaints.

big.jezz

83 posts

262 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
they totaly fecked mine up when they put it on they did not put the roof back on right i did not notice till it rained the screen they have fitted was to big the roof would not fit in the gap

when they have done it just make sure the roof fits
if not make them do it again
ps they did get it right in the end just took 3 times

Red V8

873 posts

257 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2006
quotequote all
Toon... related thread here, albeit Autoglass www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=231498&f=112&h=0

Mad Mitch

842 posts

258 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
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After considering having a new screen because of the usuall de lamination issues, i spoke to one of autowindscreens top men who advised me against it unless screen was broken or failed mot etc.!!!!! He also said that the two main areas causing problems was the screen beading, this needs to be trimed and shaped to fit and the basic body shape. The screen is structural and gives the front some extra stability and resistance to flex. Once it is removed things can move slightly causing re fitting probs. If i had decided to go with it he wanted the car in the workshops and for at least a day to minimize the chance of problems. All that said, if they damage your car in any way or cant get it right, once they have commited to doing the job they have to put things right so although it may cause a few problems and delays it has to be sorted by them..... I have read a link on here somewhere though when the car had to go back to the factory to be put right.!!!!

Hoover.

5,993 posts

272 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
Been many a thread on this on some of the other forums:

1) Don't get a mobile fitter, get it done at the depot.

2) Take some photos of the interior and exterior around the screen before works are undertaken for a record.

3) Talk to the person doing the work, make sure they are happy with what they are doing. Point out the cost of re-trim is v expensive.

A few pointers.

You will allways hear about the bad jobs done as people who aren't happy generally moan, those that are happy are happy with themselves (ohh thats a bit deep for me.. )

If anyone is having trouble getting a new screen try this chap, sorted me out for a screen on my S when everyone else said none were available (prices are out of date and subject to screen availability).... I got the screen fitted by the RAC for £50..(they had the car all day, and had 3 attempts at doing it..... 95% happy with the final result, the mastic could have a bit tidier.. on the S its exposed with cover strips or rubbers unlike the Chimps/Griffs)


www.heatedwindscreen.com/acatalog/_Products_TVR_47.html

toon tvr

Original Poster:

348 posts

253 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
Thanks guys,

Lots of good advice, I've got the digital camera on charge to record the pre instalation condition and I'll make a point of passing on tips to the installer, then fingers crossed.

the don

120 posts

250 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
How much is a replacement trim before you start.
Northampton branch did a car of mine a year ago,
ballse'd up a perfectly good trim,
blamed everyone near by, but himself, and any thought of a refund or apology
gets met with casual indifference ever since.

Suspect they specialise in transits between 98-99,
any other vehicle will 'need a special bit mate'


NEVER AGAIN

bestofbritishmate

225

1,331 posts

256 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
They "tried" to fit a new screen to my old Alfa 156 and left a nice wind tunnel, which I discovered above 20mph. They got it right the second time but still.

Hoover.

5,993 posts

272 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
I don't know much it is to retrim the pilars/dash area..... but if you can't get matching leather your looking circa £3k for a full leather re-trim.

Don't for get to check the external body work as well for anywhere the knife might have slipped.

chrislafleur

100 posts

263 months

Wednesday 4th January 2006
quotequote all
Had my chim done over xmas at autoglass boro there had a problem with the trim but did lots of checks before starting the job every thing ok but when i got it home and washed it i found the trim had started to peel off and the glass had a floor in it they will have to change it all again [I will take some photos as well]

icb

782 posts

299 months

Thursday 5th January 2006
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They had 3 goes at mine and at 3 different depots. All cocked up, as seal at top of screen lifted within a few miles. Eventually had to go to C. neils, paid for by Autoglass. Never again.

gf350

805 posts

296 months

Thursday 5th January 2006
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They did the windscreen on my old bmw and made a hell of a mess of the paintwork, I also had to clean up all of the bits of broken glass they left in the engine bay, the windscreen was only cracked when I gave it to them.
Not impressed.

Red V8

873 posts

257 months

Thursday 5th January 2006
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It's understandable to hear of problem stories and whilst it sounds like replacing a TVR screen is a specialist job, I have nothing but praise the Autoglass guy that replaced my Audi screen, not only was it a good job, but I cracked it from the inside with a plank of wood (won't go into details) and they replaced it for the £50 excess... the twist was it should have cost me £350 as it was self inflicted, but the nice chap said 'no sir, I think you meant to say it was a stone chip!'

petros

2,441 posts

259 months

Thursday 5th January 2006
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They replaced the screen in my Chim, trouble is the screens they use seem to be a fraction smaller so you have to be very careful about gaps at the edges. Mine was done and had to be refitted 2 days later, looks ok now mind.

squirrelz

1,186 posts

301 months

Friday 6th January 2006
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I had my screen done at RAC Auto Windscreens Chesterfield - and they did a spot on job.

They had the car from Friday to Sunday, and the guy that did it used to work at a branch near a TVR dealer, and used to do all their windscreens. Can't remember which one - may have been HarrogateHC?

Absolutely no damage to the interior trim, the rubber trim he managed to get completely flat even in the corners, and the masking on the wing lifted a small section of lacquer which they rang and told me about, and had fixed by a specialist before I collected the car.

All in all, it was better than when I originally bought the car.

So I would suggest having a chat with them and decide for yourself whether they're going to do a good job, or whether it will be a "deferred success" to coin a 2005 phrase.