Windshield replacement - my experience

[jmackro]

A few months ago, the windshield on my 1970 2800 CS coupe spontaneously cracked. When I looked closely, the crack was around an old stone chip - it extended from the lower gasket up about 6". And, it was right in the driver's line of sight.

While my CS is FAR from concours, a cracked windshield was a bit much to live with. So, I began my search for a replacement. I began by calling LaJolla Independent - they said that they had them, but that their price would be the same as from a BMW dealer, and that unless I wanted to drive down to LaJolla (only about an hour from S. Orange Cnty - in retrospect, maybe I should have), it might be simpler to just order one from my local dealer.

I discussed the problem with my local repair shop (Professional Motorcar, here in San Juan Capistrano), and they said "no problemo - we have a great glass installer, and will just get the part from the dealer". A price of about $400 was quoted.

Well, the first glass that arrived was for a different BMW model. Once the dealer realized that we were talking about a 36 year old car, they upped their price quote, and said that none were available in the US. After about a 3 week wait, one arrived from Germany. Price: $547.50. Installation was cheap at $80, and now my CS has an uncracked, unpitted windshield.

The moral of the story is that if you need a windshield, be prepared to shell out $550 bucks and to wait.

[Johan]

go where and click on special offers :

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/frameparts.htm

They've had that offer for some time now.

I just bought one there and had it replaced. I can see again, like getting new glasses :)

Sorry but you got ripped off.....

/Johan

[velocewest]

Even with insured shipping to the US that would probably beat the dealer price. I'm surprised BMW is asking so much for glass.

[glenn in encinitas]

If you are in the EU, then Walloth or other suppliers might make the most sense for a windshield. If you are in the U.S., then be prepared for large shipping costs (it is a windshield after all) and a follow-up letter from Uncle Sam asking that you pay the duty charges.

Heck, a drive from San Juan Capistrano to La Jolla is less than an hour. You could have had the glass installer meet you there and driven home that day- but of course my hindsight is 20/20. Which dealer did you get it from and what are the markings on the glass?

Regards,

Glenn in Encinitas

[coupeguy]

[
W&N will not ship to the US, tried to get them to since they have clear glass which the CSL should have, and which is not available in the US from anyone.




quote="Johan"]go where and click on special offers :

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/frameparts.htm

They've had that offer for some time now.

I just bought one there and had it replaced. I can see again, like getting new glasses :)

Sorry but you got ripped off.....

/Johan[/quote]

[jmackro]

Glenn in Encinitas had asked about the markings on the windshield I recently purchased (for $550!!!)

In the lower corner on the driver's side, it says:

(small roundel)
SEKURIT
Saint Gobain
FIRA / F-HI
DOT 27M582AS1
(squiggly line) D289

So, is St. Gobain the patron saint of windshield installers?

Regarding driving down to LaJolla - when I called them, they said that their price would be the same as the dealer, so my regrets about not driving down there were regarding time, not money. Assuming they had one in stock, I could have avoided the 3 week wait that it took the dealer to get it. I didn't ask my shop which dealer they were dealing with (Irvine BMW near the Spectrum is the closest), but they reported that they were told that there were none in stock in the US, and that we had to wait for the next boat to come over from Germany.

[Johan]

"W&N will not ship to the US, tried to get them to since they have clear glass which the CSL should have, and which is not available in the US from anyone. "

didn't know that, sorry.

I am in europe and can help if you want to "bounce" a windshield over me.
If anyone is interested I can look into the shipping costs.


/Johan