Replacement BMW Windshield doesn't fit

kurtd

kurtd

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Hello,
About a year ago I decided to spring for a new windshield for my coupe and as part of some other work I'm now trying to get it installed. The problem is it won't fit. The part was sourced from Mobile Tradition and has BMW markings on the glass. The glass man spend several hours and couldn't get it to fit / stay in. When compared to the current window it is wider as it has less of a bend at the A pillar.

I spoke with Carl Nelson and he said all the front windows are difficult to fit and due to the flex of the car and the glass can bend over time. The current windshield has been with the car for 20+ years. We had a glass guy order up an aftermarket part and while slightly different in shape than the BMW part it won't fit either.

Has any one experienced this problem or have suggestions? The only option I have at this point is to reinstall the old glass.
 
kurtd said:
I spoke with Carl Nelson and he said all the front windows are difficult to fit and due to the flex of the car and the glass can bend over time. The current windshield has been with the car for 20+ years. We had a glass guy order up an aftermarket part and while slightly different in shape than the BMW part it won't fit either. Has any one experienced this problem or have suggestions? .
Click to expand...

I certainly wouldn't argue with Carl Nelson, but his explanation seems odd to me (glass bending? car flexing?).

My only data point is a windshield replacement 5 or 7 years ago when a pit on my original glass turned into a crack. I ordered new glass from BMW, and it went right in. Removed it a few years later to paint the car, and a few months later, it went right in again.

So, while I'm certainly not saying that your experience has never happened, I can say that it doesn't always happen.
 
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Almost 20 years ago (so my memory of this is very faded) I had the opposite problem. I tried to repace my cracked (original) windshield in our 70 2800CS with a high quality aftermarket piece that had all the right numbers and had the BMW logo. It was from LOF (believe that stands for Libby Owens Ford). Anyhow it just would not fit. I seem to remember it being too small even with a new gasket and moulding installed, it was not right.

I sent it back and got a OEM unit from Maxillian, at a much higher price than the LOF one. In 1994 the OEM unit cost almost $600. It was a struggle but we got it in and it has been there since.

Attached is a scan from some measurments we took at the time as I had to convince the insurance company why we had to go with the OEM glass. Note at the time I also had a unit from a 72CS we had as a parts car. Notice the difference in the size of the LOF versus the new OEM Sekurit unit and the old ones. Part number was 51-31-1-811-131.

Wonder what the measurments are on yours?

Hope this helps.

jjs2800cs
 

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Thanks for the diagram jjs2800cs!

I also got my windshield from Maximillan and I'm a bit mystified why it won't fit.
 
Trial and error

I have a very good upholstery shop that have replaced the headliner on several cars during the last year. As the front and rear screens need to be removed, we have taken the opportunity to change to new glass and new rubber seals. The rear window is easier and usually fits on the first attempt. The front screen is very annoying. Usually 3-4 attempts, if not more. The glass often needs to be moved when the rubber seal is in place and the two are mounted in the car, in order to get a perfect fit. This can be done by pulling, rocking, pushing the glass and its seal. There is a bit of play and space for this delicate operation. They say it´s a nightmare to get 100% right.

Once the provided seal (BMW via W&N) was too small. Just wouldn´t stay around the glass on a table prior to installation. Kept coming off in a corner. I returned it and got another one.

Just to share some recent experiences with you all.
 
+1 for body flex

anecdotally, anyways.

Look at how little stiffening there is above the dashboard, it's easy to imagine that the car is flexy around the windshield frame.

Another suspect area is the manner in which the car sits. Is it up on stands? Their placement can introduce flex that might cause the windshield to refuse installation. If no stands, did the WS come out easily? Is it available for comparison purposes, to see whether the replacement is the same size?

IIRC someone (coupeking?) might have a lexan windshield avaialble. Not certain how careful one would have to be, long term, to live with a lexan 'shield, and how often you'd have to polish it.

My cycle helmet visor is surely in need of better polishing than I can give it. The topic of "what's the best visor polish" goes 'round and 'round.
 
A quick update, I elected to have my original window re-installed and sort it out later
Anyone in the bay area want to try a new window in their car?
 
FWIW...
I just installed a new windshield from ProSource Glass with a seal from BMW and it fit perfectly. Prosource is a member here and can get the windshield to a warehouse near you. He is on the east coast and had the windshield transfered to a warehouse here in Los Angeles for just a $10 transfer fee. Total cost was $270!
I highly recommend him....It was a real pleasure dealing with him.
DaveG

P.S. See my other post with some tips to make the install a little easier....
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11647
 
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