Windscreen Replacement

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Dave L2
Joined: Tue 25 Jul, 2006 10:34
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: North Essex

Windscreen Replacement

Post by Dave L2 »

Along with everyone else, I'm pretty fed up with prices charged by insurance companies and now that I find that a windscreen replacement actually counts as a claim which can affect premiums and, in some cases NCB, I'm wondering about having my windscreen replaced without going via my insurance company.

My local Indy, PMW Limited, don't do windscreen replacements and Autoglass can do it for about £440. I'm not sure if the autoglass replacement screen will be genuine BMW glass, if there is such a thing or if it even matters. So I was wondering if anyone else has experience of having a screen replaced outside of insurance or any suggerstions apart from "am I going mad?" ;)

I don't want to end up with a crappy quality cheep screen but if I can do better the £440 I'd be interested.

TIA
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Screen

Post by Guest »

I managed to break my original screen wile trying to replace the mirror, so as it was muy fault, I paid for the new one.

It was fitted by autoglass for about £80 - back in 2001. £440 seems a terriffic price hike, but perhaps it is a special price for insurance companies to pass on in higher premiums.

Check around, and specify that YOU are paying for it.

I had the second screen fitted six months later, after a stone cracked it, and am now looking for another replacement to get rid of all the little chips gathered in the UK over the years.

I wonder what a BMW dealer would charge? It may be surprising.
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And_101
Joined: Tue 20 Jan, 2004 00:52
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Post by And_101 »

Funny this question should come up. I am thinking of a new screen replacement, and I don't fancy the monkeys at Autoglass having a go at it. So I asked my BMW dealer and they indicated in the region of £400-£500, but that would be with genuine BMW glass.
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

Guys

Not sure if this would be much help re originality of windscreen glass but I believe 95% of all automotive glass is made by Pilkingtons Glass subsiduary "Triplex" in the good old UK. Most of this glass is shipped to Europe and around the world.

You should see a branding on the glass with "kite mark" so you can tell who it is made by (most cars have Triplex brand but I know they used others as well). This may have changed over the years with increasing branding awarness ie may now be branded as BMW even though made by Triplex.

My understanding was that it was actually very hard to get non Triplex car glass as it i such a specialised and patented float process they use (they invented the process)

Coming from St.Helens where this glass is made I remember stories of employees buying glass from Germany cheaper than they could in the UK where it was made ! (ie even after shipping across europe twice :head: )

Also I have had some quite bad chips repaired by autoglass rather than replacement over the past couple of years. I have always been very pleased with the results and can claim for this under most policies without affecting NCB. In fact should not cost anything if insurance approves (we just had to pay VAT element and claim back as company policy)
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And_101
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Post by And_101 »

Direct Line have started levying an excess on repairs to Windscreens now - I expect they were being "ripped off" by autoglass doing unnecessary "repairs" to screens.

In my case I have found that my glass is pitted with small chips, but also scratches like someone has been skating on my screen - particularly annoying at night...
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Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
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Post by Justin Time »

I just rang Admiral and found that I can recieve free windscreen repair, and have to pay a £70 excess if it needs replacing. NCB is not affected. However, it doesn't cover the rear screen as the policy "only applies to screens made of glass".
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Autoglass

Post by Guest »

I wouldn't call the Autoglass screen fitters 'Monkeys' as they have far more expertise in this field than any BMW mechanic (sorry - 'Technician') who may be learning how to fit a screen on YOUR car. Experience makes for a better job, and the quality of the screen fitting constitutes quite a bit of the car's stiffness.

I doubt if a BMW logo on the screen makes it any better - last time I looked, BMW did not make glass - they buy it from Pilkinton of Saint-Gobain etc. who make glass to the same standard for all cars fmo Ford to Roll Royce.
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c_w
Joined: Thu 19 Aug, 2004 16:50
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  M roadster S50

Re: Screen

Post by c_w »

Mike Fishwick wrote:
It was fitted by autoglass for about £80 - back in 2001. £440 seems a terriffic price hike, but perhaps it is a special price for insurance companies to pass on in higher premiums.
Yep, as soon as they know it's a "claim" via an insurance company the price seems to quadrouple. I was quoted some thing like £300 for a screen for my 205GTi from the big names (who all now appear to only do insurance work going off their prices), but smaller independents still do them for reasonable prices (£80 I think it was).

There been a huge advertising campaign for the last few years by Autoglass, some chirpy brummie saying how you should get your windscreen fixed if it has a tiny chip and it won't cost you a thing as your insurance will cover it.



I must admit I thought most insurance companies charge a £50 excess and it won't affect NCB (at least mine is atm).
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And_101
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Re: Autoglass

Post by And_101 »

Mike Fishwick wrote:I wouldn't call the Autoglass screen fitters 'Monkeys' as they have far more expertise in this field than any BMW mechanic (sorry - 'Technician') who may be learning how to fit a screen on YOUR car. Experience makes for a better job, and the quality of the screen fitting constitutes quite a bit of the car's stiffness.

I doubt if a BMW logo on the screen makes it any better - last time I looked, BMW did not make glass - they buy it from Pilkinton of Saint-Gobain etc. who make glass to the same standard for all cars fmo Ford to Roll Royce.
Sorry but my experience of Autoglass screen fitters are that they are monkeys or cowboys - maybe they're ok with ordinary cars like ford mondeos, but I'd not trust them with my Zed. I had 2 bad, separate experiences with Autoglass - and that was with a Ford Fiesta. Just because they have "experience" of fitting more screens than a BMW mechanic/technician does NOT necessarily mean they do a higher quality job. Don't confuse quantity with quality :lol:

I've never for one moment thought that BMW make their own glass, but I'd rather buy components manufactured to original specification for things like glass - nothing worse than finding the windscreen tint is a different colour!
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Mike
Joined: Wed 14 Apr, 2004 10:53
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Post by Mike »

I had my windscreen cracked by some local wise boys a few years ago. I went through my insurance and it cost me only £25 and did not count as a claim. Ill check the small print on my policy now to see if things have changed.
Autoglass did the job. Initially they tried a eastern cheapy as that is what the guy had been given but it refused to fit correctly being not bent enough. It was proud 5mm at the top corners. The Autoglass guy recommended me to refuse it and ask for a BMW screen. I did by phone and next day it runed up with the same fitter and popped in fantastically. The autoglass guy says they are told to try the cheapy screens first and only go for the real products when the client complains. He did not like this policy and always told the client not to accept it. Not sure if he still works for autoglass!!!! I expect not.
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Ncb

Post by Guest »

The 'Doesn't affect your NCB' but is OK until you want to change conpanies, when you find that you are registered as having had a claim. Nohting is free.
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Dave L2
Joined: Tue 25 Jul, 2006 10:34
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Post by Dave L2 »

Mike's last comment is spot on. The only reason I found out about the windscreen replacements counting as a claim was when I was phoning around last time for new insurance. The telephone bod asked the usual any claims or convictions question and my reply was that I had had a screen repair. At first he was going to list that as a claim but checked and said that as it was only a repair it didn't count but if it had been a replacement then it would have.

As far as affecting NCB is concerned, let's face it, if insurance companies have an oppertunity to get more money on your premium then they will take it. So a screen replacement might not effect NCB at the moment but I'm thinking, watch this space.

I'm trying to get a quote from my local dealer to see how that compares so I'll let you know.
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BAZ 2780
Joined: Mon 15 Dec, 2008 14:55
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Post by BAZ 2780 »

Autoglass only supply glass from the vehicle manufacturer.

I had them replace the windscreen on my Impreza and they charged me £750 as the glass was supplied by Subaru. My insurance does not have glass cover as its a traders poicy.

They will fit a cheaper windscreen if you supply it though.

As with any other profession, you get good installers and some not so good. I have used Autoglass many times in the past and only have good things to say about their service. You dont get to be the biggest for nothing, and there is no bigger automotive glass repairer/installer in the country. However, I do have a mate who wouldnt use them again if his life depended on it, as he had a bad experience with the windscreen they installed in his Escort Cosworth.

As I said before you get good glass fitters and not so good ones.

Not sure this helps you at all, but thought it was worth a mention.

Thanks
Barry
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Dave L2
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Post by Dave L2 »

It's a bit late I know but I promised an update and so here it is.

Looks like I'm going down the autoglass route as local dealers want £550 to do the same job. TO be fair to the dealers Autoglass did quote me £550 before they knew I was insured with Admiral and then offered me a £110 discount.

Thanks for all the advice.
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varptr
Joined: Thu 11 Sep, 2014 14:39
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Re: Windscreen Replacement

Post by varptr »

Hi,

Just had my windscreen replaced by Autoglass as the previous one was original from 2001 and badly pitted.
They quoted me around £360 originally, then when I booked the job that had risen to around £375. When I questioned that, they reduced it to around £330 but said if I paid for it immediately It would only be £302.23 which I did.
So that is what my screen cost me, they did a good job and now I can see out at night.
So looks like you can haggle!
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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Re: Windscreen Replacement

Post by lightning »

When mine cracked earlier this year l insisted that BMW fit the new screen. The insurance company was OK with that but the excess l had to pay was £140 rather than £70. But it was worth it to get a genuine screen. BMW replaced the surround as well which they had to order in.
They had the car for a week! But it's a perfect job they've done.
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Dave L2
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Re: Windscreen Replacement

Post by Dave L2 »

Isn't it nice when your old threads come back to haunt you :)
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Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
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Re: Windscreen Replacement

Post by Rafolian »

Here in Spain, I have used Autoglass on 4 occassions through my insurance. Twice (3years apart) new windscreen on Porsche 944S2, new screen on partners Yaris, and new rear screen on my Fiat Ducato. Never had any excess to pay, and never affected my future premiums.
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