A rock hit my windshield and my 545i is at a BMW dealership (Stevens Creek BMW) for repair. Their estimate to replace the windshield was a whopping $1,275 USD. Because the dealership isn't one of the "approved" insurance vendors, my insurance company called several other glass shops in the SF Bay Area and got competitive quotes for about HALF the price.

Assuming the glass specialists in the area use the same original OEM parts, paying about $600 EXTRA to a BMW dealership seems like an awfully high premium. I've read a lot of other posts of faulty windshield seals/whistling complaints and I am concerned however that a glass specialist might not know how to install it properly to avoid the whistling issue. If I get it done by a glass specialist and the whistling problem appears, I assume the related repair work wouldn't be covered under BMW warrant and that I'd be stuck with the repair cost.

Any advice on what to do? If anyone in the SF Bay Area has had any luck with a windshield replacement and has any recommendations, advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

 

Nearly all, if not all dealers outsource their glass replacement jobs. IMO, Glass Doctor, if one is in your area is tremendous(I've had personal experience.)

 

I had my head up display windshield replaced by Capitol Glass. Did an excellent job, the parts are OEM. Cost me about $800 or so, but the HUD windshield costs more than the standard windshield. Niktee is right that dealers seems to outsource glass work - Capitol Glass also do Mountain View BMW's windshield work, not sure if they do Steven's Creek as well (SCBMW is also my dealer). Long story short you'll get the same job for less if you go outside the dealers for glass work.

 

Thanks - I'll give Capitol Glass a call.

With respect to the reported "whislting" problems, any idea as to whether the issue related to faulty factory installations or a problem with the specific type of moulding used? Just want to try and nip this in the bud and avoid the problem up front if at all possible.

 

Not sure - luckily mine doesn't whistle, but there is a TSB out on whistling windscreens that seems to point the finger at installation, specifically how the moulding at the top of the screen was fitted. The Capitol Glass guy seems to have done a lot of E60's from talking with him so hopefully the screen would be fitted properly. I really can't tell that mine was ever replaced.

 

As other said, dealers outsource this. I had a windshield replaced on a previous BMW and the dealer wanted a lot more. I used Smart Auto Glass and they did an excellent job. They used BMW OEM windshield and installed it at my house (you're not supposed to drive it for several hours). When I called to make the appointment I politely asked for them to send their best installer, so I had to wait a few extra days, and the guy was excellent.

 

The whistling is a factory installation problem. Replacing it by hand would probably be just fine.

 

I had mine replaced on my 2001 330ci by a outside glass company through insurance,($100 deductable),OEM with rain sensor and they did a great job,no problems.IMO only go with OEM.
Do a search on the subject there's tons to read.
cheers
vern

 

MAKE SURE WHOEVER DOES IT SEAL YOUR WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY!!! You don't want whistling noise at 120+ mph. That's from experrience.

 

Windshield repair is often the last condition to be fixed on a car, truck, or SUV. Unlike body damage or engine trouble - which typically have to be addressed immediately - windshield damage can exist for months or even years before car owners finally get around to making the repairs. However, there is more to windshield repair than just cosmetics, and many consumers are learning that waiting can often cause more damage and cost more money than getting it fixed in the first place auto glass replacement quote.