[Bee Pee]

Folks,

Got a stone chip close to passenger A pillar - developed into a crack. My insurance is covering new screen c/o autoglass.

Need a steer as never had a BMW screen crack before so keen to know about re-install of rear view mirror/FLA/KAFAS camera onto new screen and re-calibration of the system etc ?

Anyone had their screen changed via A/glass able to give me any tips ?

TIA

BP

[Nadz]

I had one replaced on my old F11. There is a plastic clip that is glued onto the inside of the screen by the fitter. The camera modules fit onto this if I remember correctly.

Mine did not need calibration and I think it's a fairly straightforward fitting. May be slightly different if you have hud though.

[stu14t]

I just needed to get the rain sensor reinitialised, just to calibrate for the new windscreen. You can do that with yourself with ISTA

[Abzynthe]

Had the screen on my old 420d changed. We informed them beforehand as to what the car had, and they sent out a 'specialist' (so not all fitters are trained to do it?) who was used to changing the BMW screens.
He changed the screen, plugged something in then went for a 5 minute drive to make sure everything was working.

[Bee Pee]

Update:-

Got OEM screen part # from my friendly BMW parts dept then spoke to A/glass and they have confirmed their screen is compatible with my car [A/glass rep quoted correct OEM part # w/o being prompted which I took as a positive sign).

A/glass also said that new gel pad is supplied for rain/moisture detection so no calibration/ADAS needed given my car's spec ie VLD/HBA only and no driving assistant/lane detection options.

Thanks all for the input, car ia A/glass 1st thing Wednesday morning.

BP

[Nadz]

BP. Just make sure they cover inside of a pillar. They scratched my lining when fitting old screen out.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Nadz

BP. Just make sure they cover inside of a pillar. They scratched my lining when fitting old screen out.

Naz - OK and thanks for the tip. Cheers, BP

[pdk42]

Every non OEM screen I've ever had has been inferior to the original. Waviness is usually much worse. Fitting very variable too. Worst example was RAC who took three attempts to get it right on my E46 - the final one also including a guy from a paint shop to fix the damage the second attempt caused.

[teaston]

They’re fitting mine tomorrow, as long as the fitter doesn’t call in sick again!

[Wills2]

I had a really shit experience with autoglass for me they haven't got a clue what they are doing and a business I'd avoid like the plague.

Hopefully the OP experience will be better, but expect a cheap ill fitting screen not a BMW one.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I had a really shit experience with autoglass for me they haven't got a clue what they are doing and a business I'd avoid like the plague.

Hopefully the OP experience will be better, but expect a cheap ill fitting screen not a BMW one.

But what’s the alternative? Auto Windscreens are absolute muppets, definitely worse than Autoglass, just.

[pdk42]

I think the whole windscreen replacement business is crap. I suspect the insurance companies pay absolute bottom dollar and margins are wafer thin accordingly. So, we get cheapest of cheap glass fitted by poorly trained and under-paid staff.

[Daftasabrush]

The key (and alternative) is to choose your insurer carefully and pick one which allows you to use your own installer and BMW branded glass. There are loads of great independent installers out there and they can all source genuine glass from dealers.

[PX3]

Just to try and put the OP at ease some what, I had my windscreen replaced in Dec by AutoGlass and experienced no issues (420d).

At the end of the day, it is down to who you get, not who it's with.

[Alscoob]

Had my screen changed by Autoglass 12months ago, no problems with the fitter, bu the glass is crap. Now needs changing again full of small chips and a couple of larger ones.

[Nobby Clark]

Originally Posted by pdk42

I think the whole windscreen replacement business is crap. I suspect the insurance companies pay absolute bottom dollar and margins are wafer thin accordingly. So, we get cheapest of cheap glass fitted by poorly trained and under-paid staff.

With an excess of, what, £25 for a £600 screen? What else would you expect?
It's a UK problem, we want to pay cheapest bargain prices. Result, we get cheap product.

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

The key (and alternative) is to choose your insurer carefully and pick one which allows you to use your own installer and BMW branded glass. There are loads of great independent installers out there and they can all source genuine glass from dealers.

This^^^.

Far too many insurers rely on people not reading the documents. Most will say it's a small excess and you have to use their own repairers.
UK insurance group for example do this but they also allow you to go outside this but in that case will only pay up to £500. Lose lose situation for the Customer.

[Jeff123]

I would say from having a few fitted over the years that, as long as the fitter does a careful job you generally should be fine. I have had windscreens replaced that obviously had been replaced themselves and the trim had not been removed/replaced properly. If it was me, I would just make sure that everything looks OK and if you have time, actually watch the guy doing the job - very interesting.

[999rigger]

I have had 2 windscreens this year (due to stone cracks), both by Autoglass and they have both been very good fitters and i have no issue with the quality of the windscreen.

[R99]

I had mine done by National Windscreens.

Morons.

Branch manager was a complete clot who was plain rude and seemed personally offended that I wanted to make sure my car wouldn’t be damaged during the process and that I wanted BMW glass!

After a back and forth between myself & my policy underwriter it was agreed the genuine BMW glass would be authorised.

Had the work done by NW. They caused micro scratches & swirls in my paint as the cretins used rubber ‘blades’ to dry a dirty car to carry out their ‘pre-work inspection’ to identify any pre existing damage (ironic)

They also couldn’t align the wipers, they were left pointing down into the engine bay after multiple attempts to put it right. Rear view mirror cowling was also loose.

They lied when challenged and then were forced to pay for a full detail by my policy underwriter after I caused a shit storm.

Why can’t people just do their jobs properly?!

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by Nobby Clark

Far too many insurers rely on people not reading the documents. Most will say it's a small excess and you have to use their own repairers.
UK insurance group for example do this but they also allow you to go outside this but in that case will only pay up to £500. Lose lose situation for the Customer.

I think Admiral are one of the worst. £75 excess but if you don't use their 'approved' fitters, they will only pay £100 towards the screen or some bullshit.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

Had the screen on my old 420d changed. We informed them beforehand as to what the car had, and they sent out a 'specialist' (so not all fitters are trained to do it?) who was used to changing the BMW screens.
He changed the screen, plugged something in then went for a 5 minute drive to make sure everything was working.

+1 same for me. TO my surprise they used BMW glass too (I have a HUD so I'm guessing my insurance were appropriately peeved at the price of that windscreen versus others - still I only paid the same excess :-)

[Dr Forinor]

If AutoGlass etc are crap, is there not an option to get BMW to do it? Or does it not work like that?