need windshield replaced - have lane departure

[bejjutsu]

Hey All,

So, I got a small star chip (shallow crack) in my windshield. Took it to a reputable auto glass place and they cracked it further trying to fix it.
Anything I should be concerned about with the new windshield? I have lane departure, and they asked about that. It's a $100 deductible for the new glass, but that's all the info I can find.

Thanks

[rxmclaren7]

i too am curious about this also...i have a small crack in the windshield that was fixed but i am worried that it will crack further!

[wingFeather]

I've seen replacement M glass from Safelite that was not curved correctly. It installed no problem, but when you look at it, you could tell it was a cheap replacement. I don't know if all Safelite products are this crappy, but it was enough to make me avoid them in the future.

[bejjutsu]

So, I guess we should just insist on OEM? I hope that doesn't make this a more costly proposition.

[FNAWSM]

My windshield cracked on me the day after I bought the car. There must have been the smallest rock chip from the previous owner and when I washed it, the temp difference cracked it all the way across. So I had to replace it ($500 deductible). Im EXTREMELY picky with my car but I checked out the safelite glass before the install and it looked exactly like OEM. I have the 3rd visor with lane departure warning like you do. Ive been very happy with mine and you could never tell its been replaced. Here is a quick pic i took of my invoice including the part number etc so maybe you can have them pull it that way so you know its a good replacement. Hope this helps. Sorry for the sideways picture, I couldnt get it to rotate

[The00Dustin]

That is an OEM part number, and based on the infinitipartsusa price and information, I'm not sure it has the LDW. If that is the right glass, the price dropped quite a bit. On that note, I had a safelite person tell me they could get the OEM glass with LDW for a lot less than a dealership would sell it for. I believe they said it would be something more like $800 than $1500 (which is what everyone was saying it cost in 2009) if done through them with OEM, but this was years ago, and I didn't have mine replaced, so I don't remember for sure.

ETA: Yes, I know the invoice says with LDW. I wouldn't be surprised if the infinitipartsusa site was wrong (it says Base, which wouldn't have LDW), but I wouldn't be surprised if safelite used the wrong number on the right glass either.

[FNAWSM]

It cost $500 to replace through my insurance company but out of pocket it would have been over $1000. It 100% has the LDW because it has a notch out of the 3rd visor where the sensor is behind the rear view mirror. It has all the same markings that my original OEM windshield had so if that part # yields aftermarket glass without LDW then they def. used the wrong part # on the invoice.

[FNAWSM]

This link shows its 100% OEM with lane departure when you enter that part number into infinitipartsusa and yes it seems the price has dropped a few hundred over the years.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/Item-1- ... -90321.htm

[bejjutsu]

I'm pretty certain they ordered the glass already. So, I guess I'm stuck. As long as the LDW (which I hate) works, and it doesn't look weird, I'll be keeping it.

I'll post a picture with the specs.

EDIT: My glass place ordered OEM with lane departure (for about 17 million dollars), so not worth taking pictures. Seriously, who comes up with the prices for these parts?

[wingFeather]

You can thank the insurance industry. Same thing happened to medical prices. Since customers no longer pay with cash from their pockets & no longer see prices, these industries charge whatever they want.

[bejjutsu]

You can thank the insurance industry. Same thing happened to medical prices. Since customers no longer pay with cash from their pockets & no longer see prices, these industries charge whatever they want.

Very true.

So, my new windshield came to just under $1,200. $850 for the OEM glass (discounted 35%, ha) and the rest labor.
The deductible was only $100, but for anyone out there in the same boat, the stickers are the worst part. I have residential permit and registration stickers. (If only I had used http://www.stickershield.com)..

[bejjutsu]

BTW, @wingFeather, you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about the details of this car. Do you know anything about a plastic layer (non-tint) that could go over a windshield and protect it from rock chips?

[wingFeather]

Well, it's not really specific to the M, but there is a product called Diamond Fusion which you can have installed over the windshield... but it is about $400 and needs upkeep. They offer to replace your windshield for free if it chips or cracks, but from what I've read on forums elsewhere the company makes it near impossible to make a claim. http://www.diamonfusion.com/en/applicat ... ation.aspx

[bejjutsu]

Well, it's not really specific to the M, but there is a product called Diamond Fusion which you can have installed over the windshield... but it is about $400 and needs upkeep. They offer to replace your windshield for free if it chips or cracks, but from what I've read on forums elsewhere the company makes it near impossible to make a claim. http://www.diamonfusion.com/en/applicat ... ation.aspx

Interesting. At $400, that would take a while to make economic sense. I am almost certain I found a product on Amazon for around $25, but I haven't been able to find it again. Chips are so random, which I think is the annoying part. Despite driving on the highway recently with numerous quarry trucks, my chip occurred when some idiot in a corolla passed me on the right going 30 above the limit.

[wingFeather]

I agree, and I don't vouch for the product at all.

I've heard of people who've been happy using Clear Bra on the windshield, but I just don't believe it as the wipers would eventually scratch it up (and that material tends to yellow after a couple years).

The rock chip repair kits work okay for the money. The best chip repair I experienced was done at a glass shop for $50. They had some sort of industrial strength rig, unlike the cheap plastic things you can buy off the shelf.

[bejjutsu]

I agree, and I don't vouch for the product at all.

I've heard of people who've been happy using Clear Bra on the windshield, but I just don't believe it as the wipers would eventually scratch it up (and that material tends to yellow after a couple years).

The rock chip repair kits work okay for the money. The best chip repair I experienced was done at a glass shop for $50. They had some sort of industrial strength rig, unlike the cheap plastic things you can buy off the shelf.

That might be an option...Thank you for the info!
Yeah, I don't know why they crack my windshield from a little star chip. It was a top rated place, but they seemed a little clueless.. Oh well.