[BlueSander]

Hi guys,

Got a small chip on my windshield yesterday. I fixed a few chips before but thought I should let Safelite do it this round on my 550. Anyhow, they cracked the windshield and I need a replacement now.

BMW tech at dealer looked and said too much suction pressure was applied hence it cracked. They gave me a quote of $3000!

Went back to Safelite, manager offered discounts so the bill is at $1750 for BMW glass.

I got Geico, these guys suck! They said if I use OEM part, my out of pocket is $750 doesn't matter if there is a discount or not.

Have anyone experience something similar before? is there a good course of action I should take here?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by BlueSander

Hi guys,

Got a small chip on my windshield yesterday. I fixed a few chips before but thought I should let Safelite do it this round on my 550. Anyhow, they cracked the windshield and I need a replacement now.

BMW tech at dealer looked and said too much suction pressure was applied hence it cracked. They gave me a quote of $3000!

Went back to Safelite, manager offered discounts so the bill is at $1750 for BMW glass.

I got Geico, these guys suck! They said if I use OEM part, my out of pocket is $750 doesn't matter if there is a discount or not.

Have anyone experience something similar before? is there a good course of action I should take here?

It’s always been my experience that if you want OEM BMW stamped glass, you pay the difference. Massachusetts is a full glass coverage state.

The glass satellite stocks is most likely glass from the same manufacturer that makes it for BMW, such as Pinkerton, you just don’t get the stamp.

I’m pretty sure the charge back to Insurance on aftermarket glass is about a grand, so $750 sounds reasonable. The dealer charging $3,000 is outrageous, $1,750 sounds like the cost safelite normally charges for OEM glass.

I personally would want the dealer to do the work, but $3,000 vs $1,750 is tough to swallow.

[BlueSander]

100%. I would love the dealer to do the work as well but it's ridiculous. Their quote for part is $15-1600 MSRP. The rest is for labor.

The invoice I have says the cost to Safelite is $1200 from the same BMW dealer.

Can't help but wonder whether the local dealer wants businesses from people at all?!?!

[ezaircon4jc]

I'm thinking they cracked the glass, they should replace it.

[BlueSander]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I'm thinking they cracked the glass, they should replace it.

Yea, I'm just not exactly the most aggressive guy when it comes to this. I tried reasoning with the Safelite manager and $200 of regular was what I got.

Will try to work with them again tmr. I just hope Safelite doesn't mess up my car replacing the windshield. I'm stuck with them for now. Dealer is absolutely too expensive.

[Joe-BMW33]

I think it's a stretch getting them to own a new windshield because of a chip repair causing a spider. One could argue it was most likely on the verge anyway and it probably was.

There is a lot of calibration that needs to be performed after you get new glass. Safelite should be able to do it. Check everything before you leave the shop.

[Warp Ten]

There have been some stories about non-OEM glass not working well with Head Up displays. I am surprised (but not really) that Geico wouldn't use it for a HUD equipped car. I may have posted this elsewhere here before, but I will do so again anyway. I had this issue on my 2016 Corvette Z06. The dealer said to use OEM glass, the sign on my windshield says it is specifically for a HUD, so I asked State Farm about it and they approved the OEM glass. The Chevy dealer had quoted about $1,400 for the replacement (using a third party contractor) so I am sure it cost State Farm less. A local glass company that my agent used regularly with good results did the work. Learned about an interesting new tool the installer used. Said it was his most prized possession. It is a winch like device that mounts in the center of the windshield and using a ratchet the installer pulls a thin stainless wire around the windshield perimeter to break loose the sealant. He said it saves a lot of sore muscles and time and avoids broken windshields. Fun to watch him put it in. Hope you get your situation sorted out. --Bob

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

There have been some stories about non-OEM glass not working well with Head Up displays. I am surprised (but not really) that Geico wouldn't use it for a HUD equipped car. I may have posted this elsewhere here before, but I will do so again anyway. I had this issue on my 2016 Corvette Z06. The dealer said to use OEM glass, the sign on my windshield says it is specifically for a HUD, so I asked State Farm about it and they approved the OEM glass. The Chevy dealer had quoted about $1,400 for the replacement (using a third party contractor) so I am sure it cost State Farm less. A local glass company that my agent used regularly with good results did the work. Learned about an interesting new tool the installer used. Said it was his most prized possession. It is a winch like device that mounts in the center of the windshield and using a ratchet the installer pulls a thin stainless wire around the windshield perimeter to break loose the sealant. He said it saves a lot of sore muscles and time and avoids broken windshields. Fun to watch him put it in. Hope you get your situation sorted out. --Bob

Now that Bob, is a midlife crisis car!

[BlueSander]

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate you for sharing! Your car looks great but the pictures make me feel a bit nervous knowing the car will be taken apart like that.

Everyone I have talked to, including people from Safelite, all suggested avoiding aftermarket glass at all cost as well.

I was referred to Glass America by a close friend ytd. Their request for OEM was surprisingly approved by Geico almost right away. As of right now, my deduction is showing $0. Let's hope it stays this way and they get my car fixed soon. The glass is being ordered directly from BMW (probably local dealer) and should be ready by Friday.

I will keep you guys posted!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by BlueSander

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate you for sharing! Your car looks great but the pictures make me feel a bit nervous knowing the car will be taken apart like that.

Everyone I have talked to, including people from Safelite, all suggested avoiding aftermarket glass at all cost as well.

I was referred to Glass America by a close friend ytd. Their request for OEM was surprisingly approved by Geico almost right away. As of right now, my deduction is showing $0. Let's hope it stays this way and they get my car fixed soon. The glass is being ordered directly from BMW (probably local dealer) and should be ready by Friday.

I will keep you guys posted!

Nice! Persistency pays off.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Now that Bob, is a midlife crisis car!

Yes but it is also my grocery getter. Doesn't everyone need 650 horsepower to get their groceries? If it is hot out, 0-60 in under 3 seconds helps get the ice cream home quickly. It's been a fun car and a daily driver when the weather is good. I have 30,000 miles on it now and the weather was good enough last year that it came down off the lift in April and didn't go back up until November, so the BMW 540xi got a long summer nap. Oh, and for the record, my midlife is long in the rearview mirror. Still having a bit of fun occasionally but not sure how long I will be able to keep getting in and out (mostly out). --Bob

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

Yes but it is also my grocery getter. Doesn't everyone need 650 horsepower to get their groceries? If it is hot out, 0-60 in under 3 seconds helps get the ice cream home quickly. It's been a fun car and a daily driver when the weather is good. I have 30,000 miles on it now and the weather was good enough last year that it came down off the lift in April and didn't go back up until November, so the BMW 540xi got a long summer nap. Oh, and for the record, my midlife is long in the rearview mirror. Still having a bit of fun occasionally but not sure how long I will be able to keep getting in and out (mostly out). --Bob

It's a beauty! You have three pedals in that bad boy? Tagging eliphil who also has a sweet vette as his fun car.

[LogicalApex]

I got a rock chip that cracked my windshield. Was a super smooth process using USAA. Allowed the dealer and BMW OEM glass with no deductible (I have full glass coverage). Was installed within 2 days of me seeing the crack.

Dealership bill listed the whole ordeal as just under $2K including recalibration.

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

It's a beauty! You have three pedals in that bad boy? Tagging eliphil who also has a sweet vette as his fun car.

Nice wheels amigo, looks like you use yours more than me. I have a 2019 and I’m at 9000 miles!

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

Yes but it is also my grocery getter. Doesn't everyone need 650 horsepower to get their groceries? If it is hot out, 0-60 in under 3 seconds helps get the ice cream home quickly. It's been a fun car and a daily driver when the weather is good. I have 30,000 miles on it now and the weather was good enough last year that it came down off the lift in April and didn't go back up until November, so the BMW 540xi got a long summer nap. Oh, and for the record, my midlife is long in the rearview mirror. Still having a bit of fun occasionally but not sure how long I will be able to keep getting in and out (mostly out). --Bob

Very nice Bob hope you’re enjoying as much as I do.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

It's a beauty! You have three pedals in that bad boy? Tagging eliphil who also has a sweet vette as his fun car.

No, sorry Joe, it's an eight speed automatic. I have had about 50-60 sports, high performance and antique cars over my years, all of which have been stick shifts and all of which have been used cars. When I ordered this in 2016 at age 70 I decided that I was old enough to deserve an automatic and a warranty. I really do like the A8 and when I have my monthly lunch with my long time friend and C4 Corvette ZR-1 engine builder, he always wants to drive it because, he says, "I like the automatic". The rest of his working life he spends driving 6 speed ZR-1s. --Bob

[eliphil]

Nothing wrong with that a vette is a vette……

[jsf721]

I have GEICO in NY and had a similar issue.

Safelite did the install and was fine. Truth is you’re as good as the tech assigned to your car.

I spoke to manager explained how Id like and experienced tech. Pre tipped him and told him I’d be waiting would like first appointment in the AM. Kind of watched from afar and it was fine. Been in over a year and zero issues.

I was pissed at GEICO but did not want to pay 1000 bucks out of pocket.

Originally Posted by BlueSander

Yea, I'm just not exactly the most aggressive guy when it comes to this. I tried reasoning with the Safelite manager and $200 of regular was what I got.

Will try to work with them again tmr. I just hope Safelite doesn't mess up my car replacing the windshield. I'm stuck with them for now. Dealer is absolutely too expensive.