[ESB]

So this happened 1-2 hours ago on I-10 driving to New Orleans

Looking at previous threads it sounds like most people end up going through Safelite.

I’m not sure how important it is to get this fixed ASAP but I have a bit under 1,400 miles left on my road trip to D.C.

I’m going to play it safe and schedule a Safelite appointment in Atlanta on Weds morning. Atlanta is my next stop after NOLA and I’m driving up Monday. Tuesday the car won’t be used.

I saw online that I need to coordinate with Safelite if I want OEM glass - so I’ll call on Monday. Hopefully it doesn’t cause a delay. And if it does I’ll probably need to move the appointment to a different city.

Is there anyone here that would recommend I cancel with Safelite and do the service with a dealer?

By the way what’s the part number for the OEM windshield? On getbmwparts I see two with the difference being something about smart high beams. I don’t know what that is so I assume I don’t have it? Car has executive package.

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...bC1sNi1nYXM%3D

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...bC1sNi1nYXM%3D

[ESB]

Once my windshield is replaced is there a way to know for sure the windshield that was installed is OEM? Would it have a BMW logo on it?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by ESB

Once my windshield is replaced is there a way to know for sure the windshield that was installed is OEM? Would it have a BMW logo on it?

Yes OEM windshields have a BMW logo on the bottom left of the windshield. And you do have smart high beams.

[KevinC]

There's no fixing that damage, you need a new windshield. If you're about to go on a long trip, I'd leave it for now - last thing you want to do is pay big bucks for a replacement, and have it get hit again. Murphy's law is real!

As for who to have replace it, I'd rather have my spleen removed without anesthesia, by a blind doctor with a revoked medical license, than let Safelite near any of my cars ever again. FAR too many butchers working for that crappy outfit. And I've spent a day in a big regional office of theirs getting my last butcher job done by them, and got to witness up close how the office was run, and it wasn't pretty. Never again. Find a well-recommended and reviewed local indy glass guy. Or ask your dealer who they use - almost all of them contract out their glass work. Your SA will know if they do a good job. If they tell you they use Safelite, run lol. My dealership actually does replacements in-house, the shop foreman is the only guy they let do them and he's great according to my SA. But that's rare. Lastly I recommend using OE glass, as BMW glass isn't expensive - compared to something like Lexus, which is a major gouge if you buy "their" replacement glass.

Good luck!

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by ESB

Once my windshield is replaced is there a way to know for sure the windshield that was installed is OEM? Would it have a BMW logo on it?

Yes, and up by the mirror it will say "Connected Drive" like your original windshield. A non-BMW replacement will be missing that verbiage.

[majodeoz]

i think in these cars the Windshield is not very good

[KiWiLiT43]

I second using anyone other than Safelite. I've had a terrible experience with them on two different vehicles, and would never let them anywhere near my BMW.

[ESB]

Okay thanks for the warnings.

You’d feel comfortable driving many more thousands of miles with this? 1500ish to finish this road trip and then unsure of how many back home in July but at least another 3000-4000 probably.

This crack is on the drivers side. I’m not sure how safe it is to keep driving with it and whether it’s more likely to shatter now if hit again in a nearby spot.

Maybe I can get in touch with a DC area dealer and see about getting it replaced by a trusted local shop there. That’d be another 1500ish with this crack but at least fixed before heading back to the west coast.

[ESB]

Or is this just not a big deal / worth worrying about besides looking ugly and being a bit distracting?

[DanG]

I would get it replaced. Odds of a new one getting cracked are low.

[medphysdave]

I echo what others have said. Leave it for the long trip. Replace it once home. As far as replacement. Ask the local BMW, Porsche, and exotic dealerships who they use for glass replacement. Most use a mobile installer and aren't doing it in house.

Folks are too sour on Safelite. They use OE glass if your insurance tells them to. They replaced the windshield on my F- Type SVR. Flawless experience, great work, they covered the leather dash, super friendly staff. It's a franchise so each location will have a different flavor.

I'm on my 3rd windshield. This time around I had my PPF place add a protective film to the outside. There is already one spot I can see where it has saved my glass. It's expensive. Especially considering insurance replaced glass at $100 a pop. However, it's annoying. If I can get 3 -5 years out of the window protection I'll call it a win. Water beads off nicely, easy to clean. You don't get all those micro nicks that the factory window seems to get from day to day driving. The regular window starts to look like garbage anyway after a few hours if you put enough miles on it. Glass seems super soft these days. I think it was like $600 to install. Worth it to have a fresh clear window with needing to replace the glass.

[Maynard]

I think you can put some superglue into the crack to strengthen it until you get home. The windshield will never shatter, it has a tough inner lining so all it will do is chip more or cave in, and that would take a lot. Repairing it once at home is better just in case you need follow up - if they botch something at a faraway place you'll never be able to get it put to rights.

[DanG]

Why would you want to be distracted by a crack for the rest of your journey? If you get it fixed by a national chain like Safelight any location could fix a problem.

[Enabled]

On my own M2C (and all M2C with connected drive), the part number was 51317273823

The gasket you should be using is 51317240671.

I ordered it myself and picked it up at the dealer under $300, and had my installer install it.

[MR2.M2]

I see there’s another windshield part no.: 51-31-7-286-104. Does anyone know what the difference is with the part listed by Enabled?

[Enabled]

You must absolutely use the BMW parts system for windshields, or better yet, get the part by VIN from dealer.

51317286104 has no rain sensor.
51317240639 doesn't have connected drive (the KAFAS camera).

[MR2.M2]

Thanks, Enabled. I’ll get the part by VIN through the dealer.

[Steelguin]

Called Safelite told them want OEM glass. They replaced it with OEM in my driveway and has been perfect 2 years now.

[myb24]

Cracked my windshield last year. After researching, found that safelite is hit or miss depending on installer and obviously doesn’t have expertise specific to BMW’s, so went through dealer. Insurance also covered the cost minus the deductible, which made it a no brainer to use the dealer. Check your insurance!