Ouch, rock dingle smack dab in the middle of the front windshield

[Rustycat]

I guess it's my own fault. I was driving in the right hand lane of a divided highway-- a place I rarely visit, and, a van came by passing on the left and, WHACK--a dime sized chip out of the front windscreen right in the middle. I
immediately searched out a glass shop and had the rock chip filled within 30 minutes after it chipout was created. It came out pretty good, and I have to
look fairly hard to see the patch job. The cost was $40, which I paid out of pocket, rather than use insurance to cover it. When I was talking with the shop and inquired about the possibility of a new windshield, they volunteered that they were the glass installer for the local BMW dealership. This made me wonder about the issues of using factory glass and the cost associated with BMW oem as opposed to aftermarket and the issues with the rain sensor. Anyone have any experience they can share on windshield replacement--costs, success rate, damage to the car from a poor job, etc.

[Hawkeye]

I have a chip as well... have not looked into getting it replaced completely, but the patch job (while I can see it all the time, it has held for the past 1-2 years now with no more spidering or anything).

Sucks to have something like that on such a nice car. I hear the windshields for these cars are really expensive though (over $500 expensive). I have not confirmed that though.

[Rustycat]

I'm restoring a vintage Mercedes SL, and, just for some perspective.....it makes everything on the Z4 Ms seem reasonably priced, ng., wry lol.

[psygnosis]

well for the roadster, on realoem the windshield without the rain sensor is $410 and with it is $450 I would think that a windshield place could get it cheaper and the dealer would be more.

I caught a rock right bellow my wiper on the way to work and when I went home it had already spread.

edit: pretty much the same price is listed on realoem for the coupe as well

[nadaclue]

I'm in the process of getting quotes for my roadster, I took a rock right into the middle of the windshield directly where the rain sensor is and it immediately split 12" in each direction.

Most quotes are in the $400-450 range, installed by a mobile installer. That's with the rain sensor as well.

[GeorgeT]

Had the windshield in my 7 Series replaced with OEM glass by an independent shop - Winshield - $1200, labor and materials - $300. In SC your Comprehensive Insurance policy will pick up the entire cost.

[david_lm]

Claimed mine on insurance and had it replaced by a reputable mobile installer in just about 45 minutes for $100 even.

[pokeybritches]

I was changing in the car and pulling on my stuck shirt over my head when WAM!! the windshield shattered. The dealer recommended a local shop and I had it done for much much less. I don't remember what it cost, but I'd like to say it was over $100 cheaper than the dealership. The only downside is that the rain-sensing wipers don't work as well as they did before. The difference isn't dramatic. They just feel like they are a couple iterations behind in changing conditions. Then again, they may work just as well as before and I'm imagining things. Maybe I'm just more focused on their operation now since I had my glass replaced. Either way, they still work and I'm happy I saved the money.

[Rustycat]

Of course I'm absolutely concerned about the rain sensing sensitivity, and would not want to feel like I received a product that wasn't equal to OEM. The real issue I worry about is quality and warranty of the installed windshield. I had a new windshield installed on my wife's Avalon and it whistled. I complained and they gobbed on some silicone, which seemed very shoddy to me. Didn't completely solve the problem and
it still calls attention to itself a freeway speeds. Needless to say, this is not something I
want to go through again,and I worry if a nondealer (yeah, I know the Dealer sends the car out to an independent) transaction would have the same level of concern over quality and taking care of the customer as a Dealer would have.

[Hawkeye]

Well, I may not have to worry about it now although it is great to see prices! I found a 2006 M Coupe I am making an offer on today I think...