Dealer for Windshield Replacement? Or Safelite?

[destroy26]

Post #37 Contains my most recent Update

I have a 17 xdrive 35i that needs a new windshield due to a large rock that hit it last Thursday. The break is directly in my field of view and is too deep for Safelite to fix/fill with resin, thus necessitating the replacement.

I have the heads up display and understand that this requires a specific type of windshield.

Long story short, I've been trying to get my local BMW dealership to give me a quote on the replacement (since they won't work directly with USAA to fund the work) but they've been a massive pain to even get a quote from, which is a whole different story.

My question:

Do I absolutely need the dealership to do this work? Or can I have Safelite do the replacement? I'm concerned over: The windshield being installed correctly; the windshield being OEM; the heads up display and any other safety features working correctly post-install.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

[crystalworks]

I'm sure Safelite could get it done for you. I doubt very much that the dealership employs windshield techs.

After watching this video. I'd have no hesitation having an aftermarket business do my glass. It's all they do every day. Just my thoughts though, maybe someone who's actually had a replacement will chime in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o0pRorSXfc&t=1078s

[1norseman]

Safelite can do the job. They have the tools to calibrate any sensors etc.
BUT, if you use Safelite, inspect the job closely when they are done. Most of their techs are good, but not all of them.

Last time I had to go back and get windshield redone, due to the rubber gasket having big gaps at the top. Was in a hurry and didn't see it until a few days later when I was going to wash the car.
Safelite is great with taking care of any mistakes, but now you lose another day.

They also try to offer you Safelite brand glass, but so far they have supplied OEM when I have asked for it.

[shimmy23]

last i checked the dealers sub this out. you'll probably get a safelite tech anyways. there is a false sense of security that the dealers perform better work. IMO, the only thing you get from a dealer is the record/paper that says it was done at a dealer and potential help from BMW NA if shit happens.

[RED_Y_]

I think you can ask them for OEM glass vs their glass. Most of the time these are the same (just no BMW logo) but I've seen few stories here about HUD being bleak or distorted after windshield replacement.

[kdad]

Yea safe lite is generally fine
Main thing is to make sure the Hud works as others pointed out

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

The dealer is going to call Safelite, anyways.

I had a bad experience where the new glass was installed minus the upper rubber trim moulding.

Make sure yours is there when they are done - it is easy to overlook until much later.

[destroy26]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

The dealer is going to call Safelite, anyways.

I had a bad experience where the new glass was installed minus the upper rubber trim moulding.

Make sure yours is there when they are done - it is easy to overlook until much later.

Did this occur at the dealer? Or third party?

What's the best way to ensure it's installed correctly? Take pics of the current windshield and compare post-work?

[Djhumvee]

I do this for a living. No dealer does their own glass, and if they did.., lol they issues you would have would be astronomical.

Don't use Safelite, Some great techs, some ok techs, some horrible techs, and you may not know if they did a mediocre job until years later..

Request oem glass, if they don't authorize it go over the aftermarket glass with a fine tooth comb and look for any defect or bad bend you can. Do not put a PGW glass in your car, any aftermarket brand except them, they're bottom of the barrel.

Have a smaller shop do the work, a place that has had the same tech locally for a decade or two. The chains (Safelite) go through techs pretty quickly, you could have a guy that's done it for 10 years or it could be someones first day on their own..

[Djhumvee]

Originally Posted by destroy26

Did this occur at the dealer? Or third party?

What's the best way to ensure it's installed correctly? Take pics of the current windshield and compare post-work?

ask for a video taken of the entire pinch weld immediately before the glass is installed, if they scratch the body removing the old glass it'll rust at some point, and you won't know until years later.

[Maverik259]

Safelite did my M5 with no issue. Just request oem glass through insurance and they approved it. Safelite even came to my house which was great. Dealer wanted 2x as much and risk of me having to cover the difference with insurance so no thanks. And my dealer does it in hours. Certainly doesn’t call safelite lol.

Rim/leather repair is another story.

[destroy26]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Safelite did my M5 with no issue. Just request oem glass through insurance and they approved it. Safelite even came to my house which was great. Dealer wanted 2x as much and risk of me having to cover the difference with insurance so no thanks. And my dealer does it in hours. Certainly doesn’t call safelite lol.

Rim/leather repair is another story.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have the heads up display? If so, any issues with legibility, brightness, etc?

[phipark]

Originally Posted by destroy26

Thanks for the reply. Do you have the heads up display? If so, any issues with legibility, brightness, etc?

Just had Safelite replace mine. They do all the calibration. My X5 is fully loaded including HUD. No issues at all.

The total charge to insurance was a little over $2k, so I'm assuming this was OEM glass or similar.

[destroy26]

Originally Posted by phipark

Just had Safelite replace mine. They do all the calibration. My X5 is fully loaded including HUD. No issues at all.

The total charge to insurance was a little over $2k, so I'm assuming this was OEM glass or similar.

I appreciate the reply. I gave my insurance company (USAA) the “go ahead” to initiate the process with SafeLite this afternoon. Just waiting to hear back regarding scheduling.

The only concern I have at this point is how much of a fight it may be to get an OEM windshield covered. I have no reason to believe it won’t be, but USAA outsources glass coverage to “SafeLite Solutions” (SafeLite’s insurance arm) and the process thus far has been massively frustrating and disappointing.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Safelite installed a windshield for me last month. It was coming out of pocket, so I went aftermarket.



Total: $408.77
No flaws. Made in USA, SolarTint, aftermarket glass.

[Djhumvee]

I just bought a solar coated glass for my f15 (not the same as solar tinted), haven't ever seen an x5 with solar coated before but I like the way they look whenever you see a Volvo drive by.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Djhumvee

I just bought a solar coated glass for my f15 (not the same as solar tinted), haven't ever seen an x5 with solar coated before but I like the way they look whenever you see a Volvo drive by.

these are the purplish hue ones right?

[Djhumvee]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

these are the purplish hue ones right?

yes. its an aftermarket (Pilkington) but the etching looks like how oem's are marked, so im cool with it.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Djhumvee

yes. its an aftermarket (Pilkington) but the etching looks like how oem's are marked, so im cool with it.

Pilkington is good. I've never had issues with them

[Ascotgrun]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

Safelite installed a windshield for me last month. It was coming out of pocket, so I went aftermarket.

Attachment 3296809

Total: $408.77
No flaws. Made in USA, SolarTint, aftermarket glass.

Do you have HUD?. If so, did they order specific HUD compatible glass. That's a decent price you paid. I recently got a stone chip, hasn't started cracking yet, but I fully expect it to if FL gets a cold snap.

[unluky]

Originally Posted by Ascotgrun

Do you have HUD?. If so, did they order specific HUD compatible glass. That's a decent price you paid. I recently got a stone chip, hasn't started cracking yet, but I fully expect it to if FL gets a cold snap.

Have it filled ASAP! I've had good chips repaired that lasted many years after.
Agreed - HUD glass is expensive. I think when my X5 with HUD went out - I went with their glass and it was still like $1,500? I just had my Audi SQ5 break and it has HUD and acoustic glass, so OEM was the only option - $1,800.

Both were safelite - they are blocks from my work and do a great job for me.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by Ascotgrun

I recently got a stone chip, hasn't started cracking yet, but I fully expect it to if FL gets a cold snap.

Agree with @unluky - it's smart to pay the $99 to get the chip filled.

You will thank yourself when you get a hit with another rock in a year, or two.