Best "come to your house" windshield replacements?

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:19 pm

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:43 pm

damn Brian that makes me love my $75 miata windsheild more!!!!

are you replaceing because of scratches or cracked? Give me the information on the cars and i can see if i can find a used one

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:52 pm

jeremy gast wrote:

damn Brian that makes me love my $75 miata windsheild more!!!!

are you replaceing because of scratches or cracked? Give me the information on the cars and i can see if i can find a used one

Jeremy, no kidding! Even the E36 windshield I replaced after I painted the car here at home was under $200.

The 330 has a large crack. It passes state inspection (passenger side) but its annoying as all get out to me and the screen itself has a lot of fine chips and sandblasting going on. The E39 is just sandblasted to pure hell.

2002 330Ci convertible w/rain sensing wipers
2003 540i touring w/rain sensing wipers and security system

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:14 pm

Brian Marks wrote:

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

Hans strikes again!

BretLuter · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:17 pm

Brian Marks wrote:

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

Hmm, is the security system something special/different than the earlier E39's?? My 2000 528iT has rain sensing wipers and security system (receiver in the mirror AFAIK) and the quotes I got were ~$300-350. The only thing that seemed to matter was the rain sensing wipers- the sensor mounts on the windshield in front of the mirror.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:25 pm

BretLuter wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

Hmm, is the security system something special/different than the earlier E39's?? My 2000 528iT has rain sensing wipers and security system (receiver in the mirror AFAIK) and the quotes I got were ~$300-350. The only thing that seemed to matter was the rain sensing wipers- the sensor mounts on the windshield in front of the mirror.

I didn't think it mattered, either, but Safelite says it does. When I had to get my E39 M5 windshield replaced I recall it being under $400 or $450, and it's basically the same as the wagon....so I'm confused.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:21 am

Brian Marks wrote:

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

Sounds like you figured out who not to deal with? Unless something is different with the 540, which I doubt, there is nothing in the windshield related to the security system. The M5 P/N is 51318259316 which has an MSRP of $527, Tischer BMW sells it for $421. So I would imagine this place you called has a jobber rate at Leith or Performance that is at least as low as Tischer's price. You do need a new seal, and it needs to be competently bonded to the car, but $400 for that?

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:44 am

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

Yikes, quote for E39 (which has rain sensing wipers and a security system, both of which apparently matter to the glass required) is almost $800. They said they had to get the glass from BMW and not aftermarket.

The 330 was more reasonable, but still almost $400, so I'm going to live with both for the foreseeable future. That's just too much.

Sounds like you figured out who not to deal with? Unless something is different with the 540, which I doubt, there is nothing in the windshield related to the security system. The M5 P/N is 51318259316 which has an MSRP of $527, Tischer BMW sells it for $421. So I would imagine this place you called has a jobber rate at Leith or Performance that is at least as low as Tischer's price. You do need a new seal, and it needs to be competently bonded to the car, but $400 for that?

Welcome back. I agree, something is off. I might call around further.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:20 am

SOS Windshield just replied to my email from a few days ago. $325 each out the door, including everything, done at my house...rain sensing wiper approved.

That's more along the lines of "ok, let's do it" than Safelite.

I've never heard of SOS before this thread so I might think about getting a couple more quotes to be sure.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:30 am

CORRECTION: The crazy price above was NOT from Safelite but from Interstate. Sorry for that, Safelite!

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:42 am

Now we have Super Glass at $275.17 for the 330 adn $246.49 for the 540, and if I do both at the same time $20 off of that.

Not bad now...down to about $500 for both. I'm definitely doing it, but want to see if SOS might want to match the price.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:01 am

Just look out for the quality of the glass is my only thought.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:04 am

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Just look out for the quality of the glass is my only thought.

Sure, but how do I judge if I can't see them side by side?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:10 am

Look for reviews.

We got a cheap glass on our 4runner and it chips very easily. Much easier than the factory glass did. Of course, this is just based on perception, since I can't really quantify that.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:16 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Look for reviews.

We got a cheap glass on our 4runner and it chips very easily. Much easier than the factory glass did. Of course, this is just based on perception, since I can't really quantify that.

Going with SOS. Spoke to him on the phone. Been in business a long time, knows quality from crap, and stands behind his work. Does a lot of the work for local auto enthusiast shops, etc. Cost is about $98 more for both than going with a volume type place, but I don't mind paying a bit more for quality and service.

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