My windshield wiper arm broke my windshield

Sportstick · 05-25-2017, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

don't use safelite. THey do not use OEM glass and you will have to go to the dealer anyway.

This is not true. I've had OE glass installed by Safelite twice....once with an OE Mercedes-Benz windshield right from my then-MB dealer to Safelite, and once an original Mopar windshield for a Jeep. The decision depends on your insurance coverage and/or willingness to pay the difference from aftermarket glass. If your coverage is lower and you wish to save $$, Safelite does have aftermarket glass.

scottyn · 06-03-2017, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omasou

Years ago, I overheard a mechanic service mgr. conversation where they broke a windshield and have always been extra careful every since.

I wouldn't bother with BMW or the dealer as BMW did not design the wiper blade locking mechanism and it was just bad luck. Take a trip to Walmart there are 3-5 ways a wiper blade attaches to the arm for all manufactures.

Great idea.

Dealers do not replace glass. They call a third party. If the car is newer let the dealer manage it and get a loaner. If older find out who they use and if you like them use them. Some times dealers will tell you to deal w/it yourself regardless of car age.

If the car is older they may have a non-OEM glass option. If newer or special (LR heated windshields) they will use OEM. When you talk to the repair place ask. If they have both for your car your insurance may make you pay the difference.

Do not replace the glass first and call insurance second. That is a guaranteed denial.

In fact insurance at least State Farm is using a separate glass insurance company. So when you call they forward you to them and they make the appointment.

You basically described my experience spot-on. BMW did not care, and none of the dealers around here actually do the work themselves. My dealer recommended a place with pretty terrible reviews, but one of the other dealers recommended one that seemed much better. I got my insurance company to contact the shop, and they agreed on pricing. But since my car is a 2015,I couldn't get the full cost of an OEM part covered. Apparently they will only pay for OEM parts if the car is from the current model year or the one just before - I think the guy at the shop said some insurance companies will only do OEM parts on current model year cars

So I ended up paying the difference, but that was a (relatively) meager $136 while the insurance paid $607. I am pleased with the result, however, and am pretty sure it's the exact same windshield that was used at the factory.

shark715 · 06-04-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This is not true. I've had OE glass installed by Safelite twice....once with an OE Mercedes-Benz windshield right from my then-MB dealer to Safelite, and once an original Mopar windshield for a Jeep.

I can confirm that Sportstick is correct. Needed a new windshield for our X5 with HUD. Only BMW had one, so that's where Safelite sourced it from.

morphomeman · 06-05-2017, 06:08 AM

The point that I take away from this discussion is that the problem is not restricted to this model or make. The same thing happened with my wife's CR-V a few years ago when a kid at Pep Boys was installing a new set of wipers. The only advantage of a BMW is that, for some model years, wiper replacement is part of the service package. So you don't need to touch the wipers EVER for the first few years.

lateapex'er · 06-05-2017, 01:18 PM

This exact same scenario happened to me this past weekend. I just recently purchased my car 2 weeks ago, so it a real pain in the ass to see. I have yet to contact my insurance but will be taking care of it soon, as the crack has begun to spread. Is the consensus here to go through Safelite?

Dylan86 · 06-05-2017, 05:45 PM

Gotta love windshield coverage, especially on these cars where the bill is upwards of $6-800 installed.

scottyn · 06-06-2017, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateapex'er

This exact same scenario happened to me this past weekend. I just recently purchased my car 2 weeks ago, so it a real pain in the ass to see. I have yet to contact my insurance but will be taking care of it soon, as the crack has begun to spread. Is the consensus here to go through Safelite?

Sorry to hear that. I felt bad enough, and I've had the car for 2 years now. Safelite is OK for the most part, but you might look around for an independent shop with good reviews. Your dealer may even be able to recommend a place for you. But which ever route you take, be sure to specify if you want an OEM replacement.

lateapex'er · 06-07-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottyn

Sorry to hear that. I felt bad enough, and I've had the car for 2 years now. Safelite is OK for the most part, but you might look around for an independent shop with good reviews. Your dealer may even be able to recommend a place for you. But which ever route you take, be sure to specify if you want an OEM replacement.

Got it. Thanks!

mcwinterr · 07-01-2017, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This is not true. I've had OE glass installed by Safelite twice....once with an OE Mercedes-Benz windshield right from my then-MB dealer to Safelite, and once an original Mopar windshield for a Jeep. The decision depends on your insurance coverage and/or willingness to pay the difference from aftermarket glass. If your coverage is lower and you wish to save $$, Safelite does have aftermarket glass.

The same thing happened to me today on my 2017 M240i (lifted wiper up, attachment disengaged, and the metal arm snapped back, hitting the windshield and cracking it). This seems to be a possible defect in the wiper attachment, and will mention to BMW the next time I'm in, but I digress.

Called Safelite and got a quote for an OEM replacement for $630. Does this seem like a proper price (for some reason, I imagined it to be much higher)?

Of course, my deductible with progressive is $500, so it looks like no claim for me...

Sportstick · 07-01-2017, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcwinterr

The same thing happened to me today on my 2017 M240i (lifted wiper up, attachment disengaged, and the metal arm snapped back, hitting the windshield and cracking it). This seems to be a possible defect in the wiper attachment, and will mention to BMW the next time I'm in, but I digress.

Called Safelite and got a quote for an OEM replacement for $630. Does this seem like a proper price (for some reason, I imagined it to be much higher)?

Of course, my deductible with progressive is $500, so it looks like no claim for me...

Sorry that I do not know, as I never saw the amount....you have a deductible on glass? With zero deductible on glass, I've not become familiar with prices.

Lenman · 07-07-2019, 09:05 AM

The same thing happened to me with my windshield.

Did anyone manage to get it covered by bmw warranty?

Chances must be slim but it seems to be quite common.

morphomeman · 07-08-2019, 06:12 AM

No manufacturer will cover windshield breakage, especially if it is due to the wiper snapping back. This is not the result of a defect, but a simple accidental occurrence that can happen on any car.
Don't bother trying.
If you don't have full glass coverage, you have learned your lesson. Get a new windshield installed by a reputable shop and move on.

aturk · 07-08-2019, 09:21 AM

This happened to my m235i while at the dealer getting maintenance done. They owned up and replaced the glass in a few days - gave me a 535 as a loaner.

I just had safelite came out and replaced the windshield on my 2013 Acura TL, I requested OEM glass and my insurance (AAA) agreed. They also noticed some of my rubber windshield trim starting to decay so they were able to get that claimed for me as well.

Climate Changer · 07-10-2019, 07:56 AM

Happened to me as well. In the winter cleaning snow. The blade slipped out of my hand and BAMM, CRACK. My insurance tried to get me to agree to a safelite windshield. I refused and took it to bmw and they installed it. All covered by insurance.

Sportstick · 07-10-2019, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climate Changer

Happened to me as well. In the winter cleaning snow. The blade slipped out of my hand and BAMM, CRACK. My insurance tried to get me to agree to a safelite windshield. I refused and took it to bmw and they installed it. All covered by insurance.

There is also the option of Safelite using an OEM windshield. We've done this twice, covered by insurance. Safelite picks up glass from dealer. I was more comfortable with techs who do glass replacement all day/every day.

Tslbmw · 07-10-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climate Changer

Happened to me as well. In the winter cleaning snow. The blade slipped out of my hand and BAMM, CRACK. My insurance tried to get me to agree to a safelite windshield. I refused and took it to bmw and they installed it. All covered by insurance.

There is also the option of Safelite using an OEM windshield. We've done this twice, covered by insurance. Safelite picks up glass from dealer. I was more comfortable with techs who do glass replacement all day/every day.

+1

We recently had this done on our 2018 Odyssey - safelite got the OEM windshield from the Honda dealership down the street, but it in at the safelite repair shop; and they even take care of the radar calibration. A++ job - like you said, I trust the guys that do it all day/every day.

Climate Changer · 07-11-2019, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

There is also the option of Safelite using an OEM windshield. We've done this twice, covered by insurance. Safelite picks up glass from dealer. I was more comfortable with techs who do glass replacement all day/every day.

They did offer me the option but I had to wait for a week to get the oem. Service center had it done the next day. I was also told by my SA that they contract windshield jobs out as well depending on the demand.

I have no issues with safelite install. Iv'e seen their work. I don't trust non oem windshields.

jondagger · 10-22-2019, 03:38 PM

I just went through the same exact thing.

Safelite did a factory replacement for free (Floridian) and the aftermarket glass from the China brand they offered is TERRIBLE quality, Kuwai or some shit. Couldnt see in rain. I used RainX, wax, sealant, alcohol. the wiper stains and water stickiness was unbearable.

I went OEM now, 260$, had to pay the difference. So far no rain but happy with the factory glass. the curves on the glass are the same. The markings when washing the car show its sturdy, not susceptible to permanent markings, like the china brand showed immediately.

Moral of story, if you are picky, SPEND THE EXTRA FOR OEM. China glass is shit despite what all those manufacturing or glass specialists say.

06-05-2017, 06:08 AM	#26
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	The point that I take away from this discussion is that the problem is not restricted to this model or make. The same thing happened with my wife's CR-V a few years ago when a kid at Pep Boys was installing a new set of wipers. The only advantage of a BMW is that, for some model years, wiper replacement is part of the service package. So you don't need to touch the wipers EVER for the first few years.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2017, 01:18 PM	#27
lateapex'er Second Lieutenant 123 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2014 228i M-Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: NJ/MD iTrader: (4)	This exact same scenario happened to me this past weekend. I just recently purchased my car 2 weeks ago, so it a real pain in the ass to see. I have yet to contact my insurance but will be taking care of it soon, as the crack has begun to spread. Is the consensus here to go through Safelite?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2017, 05:45 PM	#28
Dylan86 Colonel 1330 Rep 2,214 Posts Drives: F15d msport, F22 m235i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	Gotta love windshield coverage, especially on these cars where the bill is upwards of $6-800 installed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2019, 09:05 AM	#33
Lenman New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: F23 M240i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	The same thing happened to me with my windshield. Did anyone manage to get it covered by bmw warranty? Chances must be slim but it seems to be quite common.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2019, 06:12 AM	#34
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	No manufacturer will cover windshield breakage, especially if it is due to the wiper snapping back. This is not the result of a defect, but a simple accidental occurrence that can happen on any car. Don't bother trying. If you don't have full glass coverage, you have learned your lesson. Get a new windshield installed by a reputable shop and move on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2019, 09:21 AM	#35
aturk Private First Class 42 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M235i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	This happened to my m235i while at the dealer getting maintenance done. They owned up and replaced the glass in a few days - gave me a 535 as a loaner. I just had safelite came out and replaced the windshield on my 2013 Acura TL, I requested OEM glass and my insurance (AAA) agreed. They also noticed some of my rubber windshield trim starting to decay so they were able to get that claimed for me as well. __________________ 2014 M235i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2019, 07:56 AM	#36
Climate Changer Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xdrive convertible Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 230i xdrive co ... [0.00] 2019 x3 [0.00]	Happened to me as well. In the winter cleaning snow. The blade slipped out of my hand and BAMM, CRACK. My insurance tried to get me to agree to a safelite windshield. I refused and took it to bmw and they installed it. All covered by insurance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-22-2019, 03:38 PM	#40
jondagger Banned 90 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	I just went through the same exact thing. Safelite did a factory replacement for free (Floridian) and the aftermarket glass from the China brand they offered is TERRIBLE quality, Kuwai or some shit. Couldnt see in rain. I used RainX, wax, sealant, alcohol. the wiper stains and water stickiness was unbearable. I went OEM now, 260$, had to pay the difference. So far no rain but happy with the factory glass. the curves on the glass are the same. The markings when washing the car show its sturdy, not susceptible to permanent markings, like the china brand showed immediately. Moral of story, if you are picky, SPEND THE EXTRA FOR OEM. China glass is shit despite what all those manufacturing or glass specialists say.
	Appreciate 0 Quote