New windshield needed in Los Angeles area

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EJ333

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Happy 2016 New Years. Unfortunately, my windshield got hit by a rock the size of a golfball. Oh well... there goes the original glass with the original stickers.
Good thing is that I have zero deductible for glass claims and that there was no injury to myself nor any other part of my coupe. Just got off the phone with the insurance people, and she told me that if I go with their preferred vendors like Safelight Auto Glass they will give a lifetime warrantee on the install. Of course, I can choose my own vendor as well. Does anyone have a referral for a glass outfit in the Los Angeles or surrounding area ? Is there any ancillary issues I need to be aware of ? Is the quality of glass different from current OEM vs. aftermarket ?
 
No idea, but if you need dash (wood or gauges or dash pad) work, good time to get that done while the glass is out.
 
Aftermarket vs OEM

The general consensus is that OEM is preferred. Chinese aftermarket glass (as opposed to glass sourced by BMW from who knows where) even if it fits well, will cost you points at shows where such things matter. Even if you don't ever "show" your ride, it's something that might bug you and cause regret. It also may or may not be important to the next owner.

Searching this forum, you'll find stories of a few who have had fitment issues with both OEM and aftermarket glass. I suspect some of these cars were built on Monday morning, Friday afternoon, or during Octoberfest. It could be that the glass might have been just plain out of spec.

If you have the option of maintaining original, IMHO, don't just do it- insist on it.
 
Speaking of CNPR (Carl and Peter Racing, from the mouth of the man himself, many years ago)... Carl once speculated on this list that the difficulties with glass fitment had much to do with the flexibility of the coupe body, particularly when the glass was removed. This suggests carefully blocking up the body so as to minimize stresses prior to glass removal, and not adjusting the supports until a glass is replaced.

Carl, hello from Hawaii, you still aboard?
 
I would run over to CoupeKing.
The shop there knows the trick to keep the rubber seal from receding and leaving the gap.
Where else can you find someone who has done dozens of coupe windshields?
 
EJ333 said:
....and she told me that if I go with their preferred vendors like Safelight Auto Glass they will give a lifetime warrantee on the install.
Click to expand...

I would be very leery of going with a chain glass installer. e9's and other cars of that era mounted their windshields with a gasket, but by the mid 1970's automakers had switched over to glued-in windshields. Consequently even experienced glass installers may never have encountered a gasketed windshield. And you don't want your's to be their first!

Where in southern California are you? I have used Rufino here in Orange County - he is based in Anaheim and can be reached at: 714 292 5811. If you really want to use Safelight, make sure the guy they send has experience with gasketed windshields.
 
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