B10 OEM windscreen replacement

[Ikule]

Just caught up with this saga Jim, what a right palaver this has turned into, hope 3rd time is a charm for you just like the saying goes.

Good luck!

[Alpina Jim]

Can’t believe what a saga this has turned into for you Jim. Fortunate this isn’t your main car (is it?).

Fortunately not Bob, hence why I am not getting worked up over the repair timescale.
Also I am lucky that although the damage to the windscreen is too much for a repair it has not started cracking yet, so my car is still usable in theory.

[Alpina Jim]

Just caught up with this saga Jim, what a right palaver this has turned into, hope 3rd time is a charm for you just like the saying goes.

Good luck!

I guess in part it is my fault for wanting an OEM screen Steve, although that is what I took out classic insurance for.
If I had known at the beginning that I could have gone to a BMW dealer to get it done I would have gone down that route, but then I would never have met the Autoglass fitter who is now starting to feel like an extended member of my family.

[Alpina Jim]

The saga continues.....

I had visit number 3 from Autoglass a few days ago.
The fitter arrived and advised me he had been given the same windscreen as on the previous visit, which was not the correct one then, yippee.
He contacted Autoglass technical support and they still insisted it was the correct one for my car, even though Realoem shows it as Jan 99 onwards and my car is July 98. Once again he took photos etc and fitted my mirror and rain sensor on the new glass, lo and behold the covers for the wiring would still not fit due to the mounting points for the mirror and sensor being in a different place to my original one. I felt sorry for the guy as he was basically being told he was doing something wrong, which I knew otherwise.

For obvious reasons I have now cancelled Autoglass and today went to my local BMW dealer. They have confirmed the correct windscreen for my car is available in Germany and allowing for delivery they have booked my car in for 2 weeks time.
They advised me they have their own technicians for windscreen installation, and regularly have to correct cars that have had windscreens fitted by other companies that have issues with wind noise etc.

Fortunately my insurance company has agreed to cover the cost, although I will have to pay the dealer initially and then claim the money back.

Next update in two weeks time, hopefully a positive one.

[Bob]

Wow, this is turning into a pitiful saga.

Fingers crossed it's sorted next time.

[BarryM]

This is standard practice when replacing most E39 windscreens....the number of threads on other forums about badly fitted E39 windscreens is quite high

I'm impressed your insurance company are paying for a dealer fitting Jim - who do you insure with?

Barry

[Metrics]

Feel your pain Jim, but must be good having to not fight with an insurance company over getting it done properly. Good to hear the dealer will fit it themselves too - can't get better than that!
Good luck!

[Alpina Jim]

A pitiful saga indeed Bob, hopefully to be resolved soon.

I am with Hagerty classic insurance Barry, my B10 being insured as a modern classic. Post 1990 cars have up to £1500 worth of glass cover and one can choose where to have repairs carried out. I only went with Autoglass as it was offered as an option when I rang to make a claim and I didn't realise at the time that I could have gone direct to BMW in the first place for glass. I will be happy when the job is done and I have the cost reimbursed, less the £100 excess of course.

Thanks Asim. I went to the dealer armed with a copy of the windscreen replacement process that you referred me to although I was wondering how I would be able to discuss it with one of the dealer service receptionists. In the end I asked the question as to who they used for a windscreen replacement job and after being advised they used their own technicians I was then assured they follow all BMW instructions. I just hope they still know how to work on a 21 year old banger as I doubt many of that vintage pass through their workshops now.

[Alpina Jim]

Some good news at last, Snows of Portsmouth BMW main dealer fitted a new windscreen to my B10 on Friday so the replacement saga is at an end .
The job looks excellent and I am amazed what a difference a new screen makes to the presentation of my car, and so it should at a cost of £887.
I met the BMW technician who fitted it as I agreed to leave the car overnight to increase the bonding time rather than risking moving the car too soon. He was very forthcoming and gave me confidence in his work. He complimented me on the condition of my 21 year old car and also mentioned that the workshop manager was admiring it and reminiscing about the E39 days.
To top it all the service reception guy I dealt with asked me to let him know if ever I decide to sell my B10, that day is still a long way off.
So all in all I am impressed with the service I received as someone who is not a regular visitor to the dealership, one minor quibble though is that the bill shows my car as a 320i convertible as their system does not seem to handle the Alpina chassis number for some reason.
All I have to do now is pass the bill to my insurance company to reimburse me, less my £100 excess of course, and explain why I have had a windscreen fitted to a 320i

[Bob]

Hallelujah!

[Alpina Jim]

Hallelujah!

Cheers Bob.

[Metrics]

Nice one Jim!
It’s always nice to have super sharp clear glass to look through, makes a big difference!

[Henry]

Interesting story, many years ago after doing an engine conversion on my m3 I was invited to Bruntenthorpe by Total BME mag so they could put some timing gear on it to see how quick it was. In relation to your story, once the car got to 140mph the wind noise went from pretty normal to absolutely horrendous, hadn’t a clue why until I asked a guy dressed in full BMW race gear if he would drive me round the track. As soon as he hit 140 he immediately told me my windscreen wasn’t fitted square.
I also thought I was a decent driver until he took me round for 4 laps. Then realised I hadn’t a clue.

[BarryM]

once the car got to 140mph the wind noise went from pretty normal to absolutely horrendous, hadn’t a clue why until I asked a guy dressed in full BMW race gear if he would drive me round the track. As soon as he hit 140 he immediately told me my windscreen wasn’t fitted square.

There you go Jim, best to give the car a run along the A27 upto 140mph to check the dealer did their job properly

[Henry]

Absolutely, you could even refer the court to this site as part of your defence.