Cracked windshield after 3 days
12-23-2005, 05:33 AM
#11
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
A couple of observations:
All windshields (front and rear) are now STRUCTURAL parts of the body, and as such there is considerable dynamic tension on them. You should bear this in mind if and when replacement time comes, and never have one of those roving vans come to your (uneven) driveway to plop one in. They are a major source of working noises and creaks.
BMW windshields use a 2 part compound for sealant/adhesive. One part etches the glass so that the second has better grip and seal. If they screw up with the 2-stage process, you'll get air and water leaks--the latter provided an avenue for water to ruin my E39's black box brain adjacent to the steering column. (The glazer paid). And wind noise at higher speeds can be really annoying.
I have always found BMW glass to be brittle--in the sense that flying debris leaves micro pores/pits in the surface--much more so than American glass that seems to be more resiliant. I have never had a glazer confirm my suspicions, but 30+ years of direct "observation" leads me to believe this.
Finally, except for this new one (#7) I have never owned a BMW that I didn't have to replace the windshield, at least once. Seemingly insignificant chips always evolve into cracks.
Any glass engineers out there?
Ray Hull
All windshields (front and rear) are now STRUCTURAL parts of the body, and as such there is considerable dynamic tension on them. You should bear this in mind if and when replacement time comes, and never have one of those roving vans come to your (uneven) driveway to plop one in. They are a major source of working noises and creaks.
BMW windshields use a 2 part compound for sealant/adhesive. One part etches the glass so that the second has better grip and seal. If they screw up with the 2-stage process, you'll get air and water leaks--the latter provided an avenue for water to ruin my E39's black box brain adjacent to the steering column. (The glazer paid). And wind noise at higher speeds can be really annoying.
I have always found BMW glass to be brittle--in the sense that flying debris leaves micro pores/pits in the surface--much more so than American glass that seems to be more resiliant. I have never had a glazer confirm my suspicions, but 30+ years of direct "observation" leads me to believe this.
Finally, except for this new one (#7) I have never owned a BMW that I didn't have to replace the windshield, at least once. Seemingly insignificant chips always evolve into cracks.
Any glass engineers out there?
Ray Hull
12-23-2005, 08:28 PM
#12
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545i Orient Blue, Auburn Int. Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Satellite Radio, Logic 7 , Nav... European Delivery 3/21/05 Redelivery 6/1/05.
I just had my windshield replaced two weeks ago due to a crack from a rock on the highway. Now just 30 minutes ago, another rock was pitched up on to my windshield on the highway and I have another crack 
I heard both rocks hit the windshield, but they didn't seem that hard! Now I need to call my insurance agent and tell him I need another windshield replacement... argh!!! 
I heard both rocks hit the windshield, but they didn't seem that hard! Now I need to call my insurance agent and tell him I need another windshield replacement... argh!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
umichchris
Private Member Classifieds
13
12-10-2015 01:00 PM
Kostadin Konstantinov
E60 Discussion
0
07-15-2015 08:19 AM