Winshield chips/cracks

[FogCityM3]

Ask any professional windshield installer (the dealers usually contract this out) and they will say that each BMW generation windshield has gotten thinner/lighter, all in the name of weight reduction.

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Ask any professional windshield installer (the dealers usually contract this out) and they will say that each BMW generation windshield has gotten thinner/lighter, all in the name of weight reduction.

Exactly, which is why rock/chips and issues go up monumentally.

My Evo VIII had a paper thin windshield that chipped in the first 3 months, and then cracked! If you replace with a non-OEM that's slightly thicker, you'll be fine.

The caveat with those with the HUDs, is that you really can't since the coating on the windshield is specific to BMW - I've replaced it on the F30, and had to go with OEM due to that (I've replaced 1 so far).

[LDSM]

I've read on the forums, another reason for all the cracks on BMW's windshields are because they contribute to the stiffness of the chassis, they're harder to help with the flex of the chassis. And like most materials that are harder, they're more prone to chipping and cracking.

[redz06]

Originally Posted by rcclarke

As an additional data point, my daily driver is an F30 328 that's two years old. With 15k on the odo, I have yet to have any issues with chips or cracks in the windshield.

That said, I tend to keep always keep two to three car lengths of open space between myself and the car in front of me.

You don't state where in the US you drive, but it must not be near me. Here gaps of 2 to 3 car lengths are immediately filled by other drivers. But 2 or 3 car lengths will not do you enough good anyway. You need clean roads and other drivers who have not been driving on gravel roads and good luck.

My current BMW is a 2011 335i sedan (shopping for new M3). I have had to replace the windshield twice due to chips from pebbles thrown up by trucks/cars hitting the windshield. And the chips always grow rapidly into cracks which sometimes span the windshield. I had my windshield replaced by Safelite and they asked me if I wanted to replace it with OEM glass. I said "no way, it cracks too easily". They installed Pilkington glass and within 3 months I had another pebble hit it which made a crack that was 5" long within an hour. I had the crack fixed immediately before it could grow any further. These windshields are too fragile.

On the glass thinness discussion, I can only say that I have owned Corvette Z06's for the last 13+ years and have put a total of 50,000 miles on them, inclusive of some very long road trips. All Z06s have very thin, very light glass for weight savings. I have never had a rock chip or a windshield crack on these cars. Go figure.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by THEROK

Even if I had to redo it every year, I'd still pay for it at $3-400 a pop to retain the factory seal.

I haven't replaced mine for 2 years and I'm fine, but then I don't daily drive it, but do put about 10K miles a year on it. Had it on my RRS, GT3, and Land Cruiser with no complaints.

Worry free driving. I just wish Metropolitan detail weren't the only authorized dealers in the Seattle area because they're charging more than other areas like Socal for the same product/labor. But those guys are cool so whatever.

300 to 400 is very reasonable. Metropolitan quoted me $900 for my wife's SQ5 and once I heard it needed to be done every year, I did not even bother.

For me there is a limit between a reputable shop and reasonable price.

Once I get my M4, I will take it there for clearplex if they install it for $400. But they have never managed to earn my business with either clear bra, tint & etc.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by TTG

300 to 400 is very reasonable. Metropolitan quoted me $900 for my wife's SQ5 and once I heard it needed to be done every year, I did not even bother.

For me there is a limit between a reputable shop and reasonable price.

Once I get my M4, I will take it there for clearplex if they install it for $400. But they have never managed to earn my business with either clear bra, tint & etc.

That is so damn stupid of them to charge $900. That is 2/3rds of the price of a replacement from BMW!!

As I mentioned earlier I had my windshield done on the M4 three days ago for $250 plus tax. Currently allowing it to 'cure' with sun on the windshield but the install looks pretty good so far.

Bish

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by TTG

300 to 400 is very reasonable. Metropolitan quoted me $900 for my wife's SQ5 and once I heard it needed to be done every year, I did not even bother.

For me there is a limit between a reputable shop and reasonable price.

Once I get my M4, I will take it there for clearplex if they install it for $400. But they have never managed to earn my business with either clear bra, tint & etc.

Wow. $900? Tough call at that price. Like I said, we need some competition in the Seattle area. Then things get real for the consumer.

The alternative is driving unprotected. I might be crazy enough to pay $900 on a new car I care about. You definitely don't need to replace it every year. I've been there, done that.

[F80silverstone]

I don't get it. I assume you guys all have full glass. Most of my windshields last 18 months or so and Geico gives me a new one.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by F80silverstone

I don't get it. I assume you guys all have full glass. Most of my windshields last 18 months or so and Geico gives me a new one.

That depends on the state you live in. In WA State they don't give you anything since most of us go through a windshield once every 6 months.

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by dondula

I only have 3k miles on my car since getting it in June. I don't drive it daily, but trust me, you will pick up some.

I called around asking if there is a protective film they can install over the windshield, A lot of tint places won't work with the stuff, but they said there is a product, it's similar to what they use for front bumpers.. I called to a place out of state that actually does it, Its 600 bucks to do the windshield and it only lasts a year. They said it's only done for track cars and not for daily drivers.. They said its not even street legal in some states to do the film on the windshield..

I surfed the net and there is nothing else to prevent rock chips.

I have Clearplex installed. Cost $200. Its a thick window film.

http://www.clearplex.com/

[SuckaGDog]

Originally Posted by MMG640

I have Clearplex installed. Cost $200. Its a thick window film.

http://www.clearplex.com/

Did you contact them directly to get one custom cut for your car's windshield? I looked at their online selection and there is not many cars at all to choose from.

How long have you had it? How has it held up with the windshield wiper use?

[TTG]

Originally Posted by MMG640

I have Clearplex installed. Cost $200. Its a thick window film.

http://www.clearplex.com/

Please share who the installer is for $200.

Thank you.

[vcASL]

I got a chip too, just over a week old at the time and around 250 miles on the clock.

Haven't had a chip in about 15 years.

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by TTG

Please share who the installer is for $200.

Thank you.

It was done when I bought the car in Portland. I don't know the vendor who did it.

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by SuckaGDog

Did you contact them directly to get one custom cut for your car's windshield? I looked at their online selection and there is not many cars at all to choose from.

How long have you had it? How has it held up with the windshield wiper use?

Had it done by the dealership. I've had it since I got the car in April. I try not to use my wipers a lot, there is a coating on there that beads the rain away. It's taken a few hits and is holding up well.

[AMPowerJ]

I went through two windshields on my E90 M3. Age old problem ... it's not if; it's when with these things.

[trailmixuf]

1700 miles. Went out to drive it. Do not even remember being hit. But sure enough there is the tiniest of rock chip with a ~15 cm L shaped crack to the left of my rear view. Super annoying. Talking to my insurance to see if I have any options for replacement.

[cctm4me]

Mine got a chip/small crack inside the first 1000 miles. Didn't even see or hear anything that may have hit the glass at all. Very suspect.

[Vigilant]

On the way back from PCD in October last year after picking up my F80...surface blemish, thankfully not crack caused by gravel truck on I-26. Not even 50 miles in!

[AutoPG]

I've been installing ppf for 15 years and finally started installing windshield protection. Been on the car for 4 months and so far so good. Brand is Clearplex

[m3z]

840 miles in and i got a fat crack. Quick question. If I do t have hud should I go for a non OEM replacement? And if I did, which brand is best to go with??

[black335i]

Hot a chip on mine also. Repaired at safelite