Windshield crack - 2002 3Series xi

I own a 2002 3Series xi. This afternoon while I was getting back to
work after lunch, I got hit by a rock chip on the windshield of my car.
As soon as the chip hit the car I saw the hit mark and after like a
second delay an almost 6inches long crack appeared on the windshield.
By the time I got back to work, that crack was almost 10 inches long.
I'm not totally how to go about fixing this thing, I would appreciate
if somebody could guide me as to which windshield to go for. The crack
is bug enuff to be repaired. I read somewhere on this forum that BMW
OEM windshields arent good enuff, is that true?? I would personally
wanna go for OEM just to have a mental satisfaction.
Is my insurance gonna pay for it?? I have a comprehensive deductible of
$500. Its too high, how much a good windshield would cost me?? any good
names in the auto glass industry??
Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

"SD" > wrote
>I own a 2002 3Series xi. This afternoon while I was getting back to
> work after lunch, I got hit by a rock chip on the windshield of my car.
> As soon as the chip hit the car I saw the hit mark and after like a
> second delay an almost 6inches long crack appeared on the windshield.
> By the time I got back to work, that crack was almost 10 inches long.
> I'm not totally how to go about fixing this thing, I would appreciate
> if somebody could guide me as to which windshield to go for. The crack
> is bug enuff to be repaired.

That statement is a little scrambled, I think? Any crack more than about
3-4"
is too big to be repaired - you need to replace the glass.

> I read somewhere on this forum that BMW
> OEM windshields arent good enuff, is that true?? I would personally
> wanna go for OEM just to have a mental satisfaction.

I don't recall seeing any post like that. I would stick with OEM; my
experience with others (limited, I grant you) is that they don't fit.

> Is my insurance gonna pay for it?? I have a comprehensive deductible of
> $500. Its too high, how much a good windshield would cost me??

The windshield probably will be $500-$750 (I've never replaced my 330xi's,
but that's what others have cost me.) You're probably out-of-pocket for
most of it, unless you have a glass rider.

Floyd

I agree with Floyd as far as getting your dealer to do it with an OEM part.
Also check around and see if any independents can do it too - they are
*usually* a little cheaper. Quality of installation is variable so be
careful.

Check with your insurance carrier. Many include windshield replacement as a
no cost repair. Some charge a deductible, but it may be less than your full
comprehensive deductible.

I've had three windshields replaced and one rear window and I didn't have to
pay anything out of pocket.

If I rember correctly, the cost was around $350 for a GM (PPG I think)
windshield for a Monte Carlo - much larger than an E46.

Call your insurance guy!

"fbloogyudsr" > wrote in message
...
> "SD" > wrote
>>I own a 2002 3Series xi. This afternoon while I was getting back to
>> work after lunch, I got hit by a rock chip on the windshield of my car.
>> As soon as the chip hit the car I saw the hit mark and after like a
>> second delay an almost 6inches long crack appeared on the windshield.
>> By the time I got back to work, that crack was almost 10 inches long.
>> I'm not totally how to go about fixing this thing, I would appreciate
>> if somebody could guide me as to which windshield to go for. The crack
>> is bug enuff to be repaired.
>
> That statement is a little scrambled, I think? Any crack more than about
> 3-4"
> is too big to be repaired - you need to replace the glass.
>
>> I read somewhere on this forum that BMW
>> OEM windshields arent good enuff, is that true?? I would personally
>> wanna go for OEM just to have a mental satisfaction.
>
> I don't recall seeing any post like that. I would stick with OEM; my
> experience with others (limited, I grant you) is that they don't fit.
>
>> Is my insurance gonna pay for it?? I have a comprehensive deductible of
>> $500. Its too high, how much a good windshield would cost me??
>
> The windshield probably will be $500-$750 (I've never replaced my 330xi's,
> but that's what others have cost me.) You're probably out-of-pocket for
> most of it, unless you have a glass rider.
>
> Floyd

"SD" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I own a 2002 3Series xi. This afternoon while I was getting back to
> work after lunch, I got hit by a rock chip on the windshield of my car.
> As soon as the chip hit the car I saw the hit mark and after like a
> second delay an almost 6inches long crack appeared on the windshield.
> By the time I got back to work, that crack was almost 10 inches long.
> I'm not totally how to go about fixing this thing, I would appreciate
> if somebody could guide me as to which windshield to go for. The crack
> is bug enuff to be repaired. I read somewhere on this forum that BMW
> OEM windshields arent good enuff, is that true?? I would personally
> wanna go for OEM just to have a mental satisfaction.
> Is my insurance gonna pay for it?? I have a comprehensive deductible of
> $500. Its too high, how much a good windshield would cost me?? any good
> names in the auto glass industry??
> Please advise.
>
> Thanks in advance.

Easily settled, the windshield must be replaced. Call a local glass shop
and gete a quote, with and without coverage with a $500 deductible.

Chances are it's not worh claiming. Will your insurance go up if you make a
comprehensive claim? You don't mention your country so it's hard for us to
get too specific. Most places comp claims don't have any repercussions
unless you make a lot of them, then they force you to raise your deductible.
Save your claims for *real* expenses, claiming here is likely to net you
very little.

-Russ.

Had the ws replaced once on my E46 Coupe due to a crack forming because
of a stone strike in the black lower left area of the ws.

Absolutely no problems - the insurance fully covered it without a peep,
even after I INSISTED that it be done by my preferred BMW dealership
AND that they used OEM glass. (Incidentally, they did a flawless job -
afterwards you could never tell the ws was not factory fitted.)

My advice to you:
1.) Have it done properly by your preferred dealership - they said they
do 12 ws-replacements a week at mine, so no big thing for them. I let
them keep the car overnight to ensure the bonding had sufficient time
to fully harden before ever moving/flexing the car.

I'd strongly advise against having it handled by sock-puppets like
carglass or one of those jocks who comes and does it in 15 mins in your
company parking lot.

2.) Make sure you get an OEM ws fitted - especially if your BM has the
rain/light sensor and/or you have the 'climatic/tinted' ws option.

3.) If in some way you're not insured for ws replacements, still take
the trouble to have it done properly. Might be more expensive, but this
is something that could cause you much misery in the long run.