E46 touring faulty rear screen heater / radio reception

[MogulBoy]

My father's E46 heated rear screen has packed up and his local franchised dealer has charged him £90 to diagnose that the entire rear screen 'probably' (!) needs replacing at just over £700!

I've done a bit of Googling on his behalf and my first hit was someone on eBay selling a used E46 touring screen with a faulty heating element! Is this a common fault? ... and on another thread, someone helpfully listed a number of potential problem areas.

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/2002-e46-3...

The lack of demisting is a safety issue so he really shoud get it fixed before too long but the faulty FM reception is also a pain for him. I suggested a Pure Highway or similar DAB unit might still be able to get a decent signal through to the head unit but I'm not sure about that if the whole FM reception is going to be rubbish while the fault persists with the rear screen? It appears that the aerial and the heated screen element are one and the same thing...

I think he should go back to the dealer and ask for a more specific diagnosis as he has paid for one (!) and it must be X, Y or Z that is at fault.

Does anyone out there have any views or ideas for a cost effective solution?

[paoloh]

1 brick thru back window will sort the issue.

[Sticks.]

Surely worth getting another opinion at an indy. £90 seems steep.

Btw I reversed into something which was overhanging and smashed mine. Lucky it was insured.

[MogulBoy]

I dont think it's an insurance jobbie, sadly.

[paoloh]

MogulBoy said:

I dont think it's an insurance jobbie, sadly.

If you don't mind me asking, WHY?