Stone + windscreen = how much?

[[k]arl]

Thanks to a flying stone on the M6 yesterday, I'm now in the market for a new windscreen for my 07MY Elise R. The screen hasn't cracked, although the hit has left a marble-like texture seemingly within the lamination, it's right in the middle on the passenger side, so it's probably going to need a new one.

How much am I looking at, all in, for a new screen from a dealer?

Thanks in advance!

[k]

[subaqua]

They aren't cheap and they are a bit trikier than your run of the mill mondeo screen apparantly... but two things to check first ... check ur insurance as you may have windscreen cover, with small excess and no effect on NCB... alternatively take it to a reputable windcreen outfit, who may sugest its repairable without replacing it.

[fish]

I damaged my 111R screen driving home from the dealers. From memory it was about £450 to replace.

[[k]arl]

Thanks for the info - I'll give my dealer a ring tomorrow. Frankly, I'd much rather they did the work than some generic, lowest-bidder Windscreens-R-Us outfit instructed by the insurance company, who will probably not have the equipment/adhesives/knowledge to do the work to the proper standard. I'll ring my insurers tomorrow to see if they will pay for the Lotus dealer to do it. If not, I may just take the hit myself.

From past experience, I'm dubious of the cowboys some insurers appear to insist on employing. Last year I had the windscreen replaced on my MGB via the Owners Club approved insurer - the windscreen company involved shall remain anonymous so as not to name-&-shame, but suffice to say the work took three weeks longer than estimated. Not only that, when the car was eventually presented for collection, the soft top didn't fit and the quarter-lights wouldn't open as the windscreen frame had been improperly refitted, the batteries were flat and the odometer had mysteriously gained about 100 miles.

[k]

[Scuffers]

get real...

dealers will only call in autoglass or the like, they won't fit it... (and proabbly won't even source the glass)

Elise screens are easy enough to come buy, Elise parts also have them (including heated ones)...

I paid some £300 for the last one I had fitted.

[justin220]

Scuffers said:

get real...

dealers will only call in autoglass or the like, they won't fit it... (and proabbly won't even source the glass)

Elise screens are easy enough to come buy, Elise parts also have them (including heated ones)...

I paid some £300 for the last one I had fitted.

Was thinking the same thing, your insurance should cover it for £50 excess i would think

[ALE 111s]

Had a small chip in mine repaired through insurance by Autoglass (no charge to me), and have to say the guy was very informed and said he had fitted a number of screens to Elise.

[nelly111s]

Promised Land said:

Scuffers said:

get real...

dealers will only call in autoglass or the like, they won't fit it... (and proabbly won't even source the glass)

you will find all elise windscreens are genuine lotus parts, no one else makes the screens, so if autoglass or whoever fits it, it will always come from the same place as the one your car had when it left the factory.

I don't think Lotus make screens - most are sourced from Laddaw or equivalent. Still, as far as the OP is concerned, don't be worried about the company you use - all the major ones get their glass from the same places - it's the individual fitter that makes the difference. If you can speak to the company and ensure they send you someone who's done an Elise before.

Nelly

[nsm3]

My screen and side windows are all AGP - never heard of them myself, but must be a Triplex type operation, who have the Lotus moulds (or whatever they use to make glass to a particular shape)?

You can guarantee it will be another (LTS) high price tactic as per the Yokohama AO48's!

[Scuffers]

Promised Land said:

Scuffers said:

get real...

dealers will only call in autoglass or the like, they won't fit it... (and proabbly won't even source the glass)

you will find all elise windscreens are genuine lotus parts, no one else makes the screens, so if autoglass or whoever fits it, it will always come from the same place as the one your car had when it left the factory.

that's never been the case...

Pilkinton make them orriginally, but now there are a few that make them (what's that say to you about numbers!)

Geary has the heated ones made, they are certainly NOT from Lotus...

[LotusEater666]

Had mine replaced recently by Autoglass. Only cost me £65 which was the excess on insurance. I might add they did an excellent job.

[[k]arl]

Thanks for all the input, chaps

My local friendly Lotus stealership quoted me £605 yesterday for a new 'screen. After recovering from the elaborate fit that news caused, I phoned my insurers who confirmed I had coverage, and sent AutoGlass over straight away. Turns out the chip cannot be repaired, so it will indeed be a new 'screen after all. The windscreen insurance excess is a much more reasonable £40, and the glaziers apparently have someone with the requisite experience to do the work.

Much to my concern, the dealership told me that Hethel apparently have no stock of spare windscreens. Hopefully AutoGlass will be able to get one directly from the manufacturer, whomever it may be.

[k]