[bimmerlex]

Last week I had a rock chip on my windshield, it was just about a dime size all around, so I got it fixed last Saturday by Allstate glass (insurance covered all the cost, no dedactible, I paid $0). Just yesterday I got another one of the same size but on the other side of windshield. Both times the rocks were really small and the impact was not that strong at all. First one came out from the opposite side of the freeway (I'm still guessing how that could happen), and yesterdays came somewhere from the side, and there was no any bus, truck or heavy vehicle around. I mean, what the hell is that windshield made of? Seems like a cheap a$$ plastic.
I am now seriously considering something like a clear bra for the windshield. Does anybody know where I can have one installed in Los Angeles / SF Valley area?

[ksfrogman]

I've never heard of anyone installing a clear bra onto the windshield. I could be wrong, but I would think a flying rock would then dent your clear bra and still crack the window. Then you'd have to remove the bra material to fix the glass.

[docmal]

BMW dealerships have a "protectant" coating they can apply that they claim will reduce the chances of this. Im not sure how a liquid applied "protectant" can do this but I guess it's possible. I wasn't willing to give it a try for $700.

[bimmerlex]

The insurance company had also offered to replace the windshield with either OEM or aftermarket glass, and I only have to pay $300 dedactible. Is there any aftermarket glass that is harder than OEM?

[canucklion]

that's pure dog doodoo they're telling you

Originally Posted by docmal

BMW dealerships have a "protectant" coating they can apply that they claim will reduce the chances of this. Im not sure how a liquid applied "protectant" can do this but I guess it's possible. I wasn't willing to give it a try for $700.

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

I've never heard of anyone installing a clear bra onto the windshield. I could be wrong, but I would think a flying rock would then dent your clear bra and still crack the window. Then you'd have to remove the bra material to fix the glass.

Your license plate says "OEM LOL" That is by far the best license plate I have ever seen. Crazy ride ksfrogman.

I already had to replace my windshield. Everytime I hear a rock hit my windshield I cringe. Because not to long after my windshield cracked, my father got a crack in his windshield. Mass roads suck.

[japac1]

I agree with everyone. I have never seen such a soft glass. And I also find that even little things like road debris, liquids (I'm still not sure where they are coming from) are constantly sticking to the glass. It's as if the angle of the windshield invites this kind of stuff.

[spoondog]

I noticed the same thing I thought
bmw windshield sucks
I have a lot of knicks but no cracks yet

[GS833]

I know what you mean, I had to replace my windshield already. I'm also very unhappy about the paint quality, it seems to get chips very easily. My last non BMW car (my STi) was driven hard and heavily tracked and I did not get any chips at all in the 2 1/2 years I owned it.

[Revlis]

Windshield=rock candy
Paint=Tofu

It's funny as I walk through a parking lot and see Acuras, Chevys, Fords, all with superior Paint finishes. Less Egg shell, deeper shine, etc...

Ah well, I spend most of my time IN my car, and so far I am pleased with what's IN the car.

[Dinan335i]

Yep. I got 2 little chips in my windshield driving the car home from the dealer! Talk about BS. And I was in the right lane, cruising slow, and keeping a big distance b/c I wanted to keep the front free of chips prior to getting the clear bra. Still got a couple little paint chips also

I threw down the cash for the "full protection" clear bra that basically covers my entire front end. Really helps with peace of mind as I hear crap hit my car on the freeway. Now if I could only find a solution for the windshield!

[Bimmer335i]

I agree. The quality of these windshields is very questionable at best. And the paint chips. Unsat!!

[Dascamel]

Two chips during my European driving, although that was 120+mph.... Kinda strange havent gotten a single chip since, over 3k miles stateside.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

I've never heard of anyone installing a clear bra onto the windshield. I could be wrong, but I would think a flying rock would then dent your clear bra and still crack the window. Then you'd have to remove the bra material to fix the glass.

Something like this would help to keep down the amount of cracks and pits formed by small rocks. Big rocks would still be a problem. However I think the clear bra would be harder to keep as clean and transparent as just the glass would.

[EHDEN]

if you live in FLorida and your windshield gets cracked, your insurance HAS to replace it for free.

[DFW_M]

try driving the car on paved roads...
23 months later, one chip, behind the big truck that was carying gravel...
It is soft, so is any windshield that has sun protection in it...

[bimmerlex]

Originally Posted by EHDEN

if you live in FLorida and your windshield gets cracked, your insurance HAS to replace it for free.

I don't mind to pay $300 dedactible and get my windshield replaced, but if I replace for OEM - I'll have the same cheap quality and problem again, and if I go aftermarket I'm not sure the quality will be equal to OEM or even worse. That's why I wonder if there is any better quality aftermarket glass.

[bimmerlex]

Originally Posted by dr325i

try driving the car on paved roads...
23 months later, one chip, behind the big truck that was carying gravel...
It is soft, so is any windshield that has sun protection in it...

What do you mean paved roads? I got both chips on a freeway with no trucks or any large vehicles around that time.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by bimmerlex

What do you mean paved roads? I got both chips on a freeway with no trucks or any large vehicles around that time.

it must have fallen from an airplane above...

[achien]

Originally Posted by bimmerlex

What do you mean paved roads? I got both chips on a freeway with no trucks or any large vehicles around that time.

Now that's bad luck! I thought I was having a bad day when two (2) trucks boxed me in at 6:00am in the morning, on an repaired highway which was just started the night before, the chip was not significant though.

[bimmerlex]

Originally Posted by dr325i

it must have fallen from an airplane above...

I'm about to believe that 'cause one of them even came from an opposite traffic on another side of the freeway, and due to some physics laws I can't figure out how could that happen

[AlB]

This is a cross post from my CHEAPASS BMW Windshield post of a few days ago, It is also the reason why bmw doesnt fix the problem (except of course for europe where the raods are far cleaner):


Guys showed up with Dealer glass to fix the windshield turns out BMW sent the wrong glass...typical.

BUT the truck had three other windshields in the bed, ALL BMW, ALL BROKEN! I asked them and they said OH YEAH, way more BMW glass gets replaced by them and they are not even a dealer favorite to do it.

Turns out NONE of the local BMW dealers (Penninsula CA) do there own glass. They contract out to local glass shops and then mark up the SH-T out of it. My cost to replace windshield from glass company was ~$580 and the dealer said somewhere around $1200!!! Oh and my SA said I would have to pay out of pocket and get my insurance company to reimburse me. So the dealer pockets an absolute gift of $600 with no effort, no wait for settlement with insurance and no liability (glass company guarantees work)

State farm has caught on to this scam and will not pay for BMW dealers to do it.

SO: Conspiracy theory confirmed. CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMAPNY AND ASK FOR A QUOTE ON A $0 DEDUCTIBLE GLASS COVERAGE Its costing me about $20/year and witha windshield at $600 bucks it's a no brainer
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06 330i gry/blk everything but iWreck, nav & pdc
carbon splitters, door trim, grill