[agarbati]

So yesterday I'm a good 50 feet behind a semi. It was windy so he was being buffeted a little. Left most lane and his rear wheels slightly cross the shoulder median.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a black rock come flying at me. Looked about the size of a dollar coin. Anyways, I hear the clink and think, well that wasn't too bad, it didn't sound too loud.

Then I look at the top left corner of my windscreen and it chipped the windshield. It even caused the chip to spider a little.

I took the car to a body specialist and he said that it might not be repairable.

So questions:

Should I live with it? I'd hate to have the original windscreen replaced so soon.

Replace it - and how good are replacement windscreens now-a-days? My BMW dealer actually referred me to another glass repair shop so it wouldn't be 'OEM' work.

[Jesse Wilson]

Most dealers outsource thier windshiled replacements. Alot of windshield places have much more experiance replacing windshields then a dealer.

I just had mine replaced by a local glass company. It got cracked about 2 weeks after I bought it last July but I just now got around to getting it replaced. I just specified with the glass company and my insurance that I wanted OEM glass from the dealer and gave them the part number. It was done in about an hour and a hlaf and looks great.

I would suggest you trying to find somewhere that offers Diamond Fusion coating for your windshield. We were loosing a windshield a month on our Isuzu NPR delivery trucks do to the windshields vertical position, since using the Diamond Fusion coating we havent replaced our windows in about a year. I can't say enough about this stuff. I have since used it on all my personal cars with much success.


Jesse

[shimshimhada]

Yeah, I'd rather go to a place that specializes with glass.

[txusa03]

You are lucky it did not leave a ding or fat old paint chip on your hood. That looks even worse. I rather have the windshield damage. IMO

[tl_boy]

Refer to my post (last one) here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=rock+chip

Can the fix it (as opposed to repair)? Basically, if it is smaller than a dollar bill, they can fix it.

Your cost: Insurance will pay for it, no deductible in most situations (they would rather you fix it than they have to pay for a new windshield later down the road when it spreads).

Repair vs. Replace: If you replace, you will lose the original, OEM seal around the windshield. If not replaced 100% properly, this can cause leaks. Replacement glass would need to be Pilkington brand or BMW labeled Pilkington glass. Either case, our cars have a rain sensor, so that glass is special, and they would need to reconnect it to the wiring (i believe located in rearview mirror). You would pay the deductible, and it may affect your insurance premium. If you cannot live with the repair, this is the way to go. If it can be repaired however, you may want to try that route. I did (refer to picture in my post), and it is almost entirely gone. It looks like a scratch.

Where to get it done: Replace: if you decide to replace the windshield, check out a few auto glass repair shops in your area, most bmw dealers subcontract the work out, and dont' do it themselves. They may even say "we do it here at the dealership" but then, upon further questioning, you find out another company comes and does it for them 'onsite'. It would probably be better to go to an experienced shop directly, tell them you want to replace it and insurance isn't gonna cover it (so they lower the price), then get insurance to cover it after the price is finalized. That way they won't rape your insurance co. and your ins. co won't rape you later.
Repair: Your ins. company may reccomend Safelite. I'd be cautious with them though as i hear they can finish a job in 15 minutes or less. I'd find an independent company, and ask them what products they use, and the procedure, and how long it takes. If they say 10-20 minutes, be cautious. My guy spent 30-40 minutes or so, and i was pleased with the results. You get to chose who you wish to repair it, and insurance will pay.

[pawarrant]

After having my new 325xi for 2 weeks, I had a rock hit my windshield leaving a 3" crack. After a few days it kept getting bigger. I finally had to contact my insurance company. They let me pick who I wanted to do the repair, so I used a local glass company that the local BMW dealer recommended. I had to pay $100 deductible, but the glass company said the replacement would have cost me over $500 if I didn't go through my insurance company since BMW requires OEM on leased vehicles which mine is. My '03 325 had the windshield crack from a rock too. I don't know if I'm just unlucky or if German glass sucks?

[tl_boy]

there isn't any solid data that i'm aware of, but do a search on bimmer websites about this. bmw glass is fckin weak dude.

Originally Posted by pawarrant

After having my new 325xi for 2 weeks, I had a rock hit my windshield leaving a 3" crack. After a few days it kept getting bigger. I finally had to contact my insurance company. They let me pick who I wanted to do the repair, so I used a local glass company that the local BMW dealer recommended. I had to pay $100 deductible, but the glass company said the replacement would have cost me over $500 if I didn't go through my insurance company since BMW requires OEM on leased vehicles which mine is. My '03 325 had the windshield crack from a rock too. I don't know if I'm just unlucky or if German glass sucks?

[stressdoc]

I've replaced a couple windshields, which ins paid for no problem. I wonder if ins would not cover diamond fusion as a preventative? What is the cost, and is there any effect on visual acuity?

[Jesse Wilson]

No visual drawbacks whatsoever, and the coating was coverd with my glass install through my insurance. I just had the glass place build it into the price of the entire windshield replacement.


Jesse

[Jesse Wilson]

Diamon-Fusion hydrophobic nanotechnology:

HOW DIAMON-FUSION® WORKS

Applications
DFI’s nanotechnology, patented in the US as Diamon-Fusion®, is an award-winning technology that uses a chemical vapor deposition process.

DFI’s nanotechnology is applicable to most surfaces containing silica (silicon dioxide) such as glass, ceramic tile, porcelain, and granite.

Vapor Deposition
The specially formulated vapors react with the moisture on the surface and the silica in the material to be treated. DFI’s nanotechnology is generated by a two-stage chemical process.

The chemical reaction created in the first stage causes a “cross-linked” and “branched” silicone film to be grown from below the surface out.

The second stage ‘caps’ the entire chain of atoms. This unique ‘capping’ substantially increases the hydrophobicity and durability, leaving, chemically speaking, no points of attachment for contaminants and creating a truly repellant charge.

Independant Testing
Dr. William C. LaCourse, Professor of Glass Science at the Institute for Glass Science and Engineering at Alfred University, New York, an independent testing laboratory. Dr. LaCourse is an expert in the study of glass and ceramics. He has done testing for major companies like PPG and Kohler.

Dr. LaCourse states in his reports that our improved process has a remarkably low coefficient of friction when the glass is wet. He states that when glass is wet, it is by far the most dangerous period with regards to the potential for damage. The report says that the (main) usefulness of your coating lies in its maintenance of a low friction coating over the life of the glass.


Most small impacts that typically hit windshields during normal driving conditions which cause chips, dents and cracks on untreated windshield will bounce right off a Diamon-Fusion (DF)-treated windshield.

The impact resistance properties that Diamon-Fusion® provides (see test results above by William LaCourse) creates greater safety by increased durability. In addition, Diamon-Fusion® lasts much longer and is less affected by the abrasion caused by the windshield wipers.

It has been proven by independent studies that a hydrophobic coating such as Diamon-Fusion®, applied on car windshields and side glass, improves visibility during rainy conditions over 30%, giving an additional second of reaction time to the driver and improving response time by 25%, which translates into an invaluable safety feature.

Thus, the increased visibility enables the driver to see and respond to road hazards quickly. Under snow or severe weather conditions, the very low coefficient of friction on a DF-treated surface makes the windshield much easier to clean the snow or crack the ice adhered to the glass, without the need to use a heavy-duty scraper, creating a time-saving added-value in addition to the minimal effort involved. Since driving is mostly a visual activity, the increased visibility factor becomes crucial as a safety feature.






Here is a local article about Diamon-Fusion hydrophobic nanotechnology:


Press Release - US Military to use the same glass safety technology as local glass company
SAN CLEMENTE – (BUSINESS WIRE)—October 2005- Diamon-Fusion International, Inc. (DFI Nanotechnology), global developer and exclusive licensor of the Diamon-Fusion® patented hydrophobic nanotechnology, has been tested and approved by a US Military (US Army) prime contractor, PAS Armored, Inc., to supply its nanocoating to US Army military vehicles, which will improve safety under the wide range of adverse weathering conditions that such vehicles drive through.

“Sand-pitting and erosion under desert-like weather conditions have a very harsh impact on the visibility of military vehicles and Diamon-Fusion® substantially improves visibility, as tested by the US Army”, a Senior Official source reported.

PAS Protective Armored Systems has recently acquired a DFI license to fulfill the US Army’s new order of heavily customized glass armored systems, which includes the application of the patented Diamon-Fusion® nanocoating.

DFI’s nanocoating was specified and will be applied on the US Army’s High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The HMMWV's mission is to provide a light tactical vehicle for command and control, special purpose shelter carriers, and special purpose weapons platforms. The HMMWV is produced in several configurations to support weapons systems, command and control systems, field ambulances and general cargo transport.

PAS produces customized protective glass systems for police patrol cruisers, fully armored vehicles, private vehicles and executive transportation. PAS is an industry leader in glass and polymer lamination and specializes in bullet-resistant and security glazing for government, military, institutional and commercial clients. PAS also custom-develops systems for a variety of ballistic, forced-entry and impact-resistant applications, including automobiles, aircraft, boats, and architect applications such as prisons, guardhouses, and law enforcement facilities.

Tom Briggs, Vice President of PAS, Inc., reported: "We are thrilled to have been awarded this new order by the US Military; the DFI nanocoating will add safety to the US Army ground combat vehicles, such as improved visibility during adverse weather conditions, which can potentially help save lives by reducing field accidents.”

Guillermo Seta, Vice President and Executive Director of DFI Global Operations, added: "We are proud to work with PAS Armored, a prime contractor for the US Army, to improve durability and overall performance to their ballistic glass systems”.

Cathryn Scheeler, President of Desert Breeze Glass, added: “"We are proud to be the first and only auto glass company licensed to apply the same DFI nanocoating to the windshields here in Arizona”.

DFI’s nanocoating supplies a full range of multi-functional characteristics include: water and oil repellency (hydrophobic and oleophobic,), impact and scratch resistance, protection against graffiti, dirt and stains, finger print protection, UV stability, additional electrical insulation, protection against calcium and sodium deposits and increased brilliance and lubricity. DFI’s nanocoating, a patented process, works at nanoscale levels to change the molecular composition of any silica-based surface. Diamon-Fusion® provides a cross-linked, branched, and ‘capped’ coating along with a strong and durable covalent bond.

For more information about DFI and PAS, visit their websites: www.DFInanotechnology.com and www.PASarmored.com

[bmwexecutive]

Sorry for bringing back and old thread but 50 feet behind a Semi is NOTHING! I was trailing at least 1,000 feet (!!!!!) behind a dump truck in the next lane and as soon as I switched lanes and got behind him I heard a barage of little rocks hitting my car. I immediately dove out of the lane but I couldn't believe at such a distance how that was happening. I was nearly 1/5 of a mile away from the truck and still I was getting hit by rocks. Isn't that impossible!? As soon as I got out of the lane though the noise stopped.

[Gearcraft]

whenever i see trucks i try to stay away if possible. (go to another lane and slow down a bit until i find an opening to pass)

you cannot live with the crack for too long specially when temperature starts changing. moisture seeps into the cracks and when temperature changes the moisture expands and creates more cracks. and dont even try to fix it with a cheap fix-it kit cause in my experience and experts' experience they dont work well. save the money for a new windshield.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by Gearcraft

whenever i see trucks i try to stay away if possible. (go to another lane and slow down a bit until i find an opening to pass)

you cannot live with the crack for too long specially when temperature starts changing. moisture seeps into the cracks and when temperature changes the moisture expands and creates more cracks. and dont even try to fix it with a cheap fix-it kit cause in my experience and experts' experience they dont work well. save the money for a new windshield.

What does a new windshield cost?

[Gearcraft]

ive never had my e90's windshield replaced. no idea for the e90's.

but my step-dad's 02 sequioa got 2 stone chips and 2 spider cracks. the aftermarket windshield cost 180 bucks including the labor from a ghetto windshield shop. the OEM is around 1 gran and the stolen OEM is 500 bucks.

seriously. the guy asked me if i wanted the stolen OEM which is much better. didnt have enough money though. lol

[ages944]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

What does a new windshield cost?

If I remember my dealer correctly, they said the windscreen's about $600 to replace. Dunno, maybe they're full of it.

[Victor.L3IchibanM3]

this has happen to my lexus before which I went to the dealer and ask for the price which will cost me about $700 so my friend introduce to this one Viet dude who does his own business which he install the same damn wind shield for just $120 which includes everything

[fnu02]

Originally Posted by agarbati

So yesterday I'm a good 50 feet behind a semi. It was windy so he was being buffeted a little. Left most lane and his rear wheels slightly cross the shoulder median.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a black rock come flying at me. Looked about the size of a dollar coin. Anyways, I hear the clink and think, well that wasn't too bad, it didn't sound too loud.

Then I look at the top left corner of my windscreen and it chipped the windshield. It even caused the chip to spider a little.

I took the car to a body specialist and he said that it might not be repairable.

So questions:




Should I live with it? I'd hate to have the original windscreen replaced so soon.

Replace it - and how good are replacement windscreens now-a-days? My BMW dealer actually referred me to another glass repair shop so it wouldn't be 'OEM' work.

you should've took down the truck's company name and license plate, or

sometimes they have the actual phone number of the business on there.

If you called and told them what happened, they would've paid for it...

[NuovoTech]

If you called and told them what happened, they would've paid for it...

Legally, if the stone was kicked up by the truck's tire they are not liable. If it came from the bed of a truck & you had witnesses, that might be a different story...