Windshield replacement - solar?

[sippinblkgold]

Originally Posted by SchillerM

Notice any reduced ability in the radar detector? I was under the impression with the comfort windshield you had to place detector by mirror in the cutout area?

Any chance to get a pic of the mirror area from inside? Hard to tell where the cutout is, we mount detector up there anyways, but also have EZPass up there.
Matt

I second this question. I'm supposed to have mine replaced this week and I'm not sure if I want to Solar guard glass or not...worried about V1 working properly.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by sippinblkgold

I second this question. I'm supposed to have mine replaced this week and I'm not sure if I want to Solar guard glass or not...worried about V1 working properly.

yea I actually did notice the radar issue and I have to move it to the cutout area, I've been having problems with GPS in my radar, I have the Passport Escort 9500 with GPS with red cameras and speed traps and ect. I've noticed that it constantly looking for GPS and seems to have a hard time getting it.

here is the cutout you can really see it I'll take a better pic from the inside tomorrow

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by sippinblkgold

I second this question. I'm supposed to have mine replaced this week and I'm not sure if I want to Solar guard glass or not...worried about V1 working properly.

pic above should help you

[sippinblkgold]

I'm torn on whether to get the solar glass and deal with radar and GPS headaches or to get the non solar and possibly apply a clear ceramic solar block tint.

[Cbozz]

i'm going to move my detector

Originally Posted by sippinblkgold

I'm torn on whether to get the solar glass and deal with radar and GPS headaches or to get the non solar and possibly apply a clear ceramic solar block tint.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

yea I actually did notice the radar issue and I have to move it to the cutout area, I've been having problems with GPS in my radar, I have the Passport Escort 9500 with GPS with red cameras and speed traps and ect. I've noticed that it constantly looking for GPS and seems to have a hard time getting it.

here is the cutout you can really see it I'll take a better pic from the inside tomorrow

My 9500ix has zero problems obtaining and holding a GPS signal with solar glass. You might just need to move it down a touch. Mine is hanging from the rear view mirror.

Every once in a while it does briefly lose the lock if I'm driving through downtown Chicago -- the tall buildings will interfere with the signal, but it seems to reacquire fairly quick.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by dparm

My 9500ix has zero problems obtaining and holding a GPS signal with solar glass. You might just need to move it down a touch. Mine is hanging from the rear view mirror.

Every once in a while it does briefly lose the lock if I'm driving through downtown Chicago -- the tall buildings will interfere with the signal, but it seems to reacquire fairly quick.

actually I have it on the bottom of my windshield, I pulled the cord behind the navigation and came out of the logic 7 center speaker vent so radar is sitting about 2/3 inches above the dash, honestly sometimes it has GPS but a lot of times its searching...

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

So I just got my windshield installed yesterday and it came with a climate control film on it and has a cutout for surpass on both sides of the mirror as you can see in the pic and also the purple hue, I posted a pic but it was dark and cloudy so it actually looks blue not purple, I guess it all depends on the lighting... I'll post some more pictures later

I notice on your windscreen there's a band either side of the mirror (horizontal mirror shaped cut out - top & centre). When I bought my car it had this too and I always suspected the car dealer did a swap of the M3 windscreen with a cheaper one, but now I don't think so. You mention this is a cutout for the "surpass" -- I'm pleading automotive ignorance here, but what's that?

Anyhows - I was just about to pony up $1200 AUD to the local BMW shop to have the windscreen replaced with a "correct" one, but looking at yours it would appear that I already have the "correct" windscreen. So once again - a big thank you.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

I notice on your windscreen there's a band either side of the mirror (horizontal mirror shaped cut out - top & centre). When I bought my car it had this too and I always suspected the car dealer did a swap of the M3 windscreen with a cheaper one, but now I don't think so. You mention this is a cutout for the "surpass" -- I'm pleading automotive ignorance here, but what's that?

Anyhows - I was just about to pony up $1200 AUD to the local BMW shop to have the windscreen replaced with a "correct" one, but looking at yours it would appear that I already have the "correct" windscreen. So once again - a big thank you.

no problem

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

no problem

... BTW - got it! The cut out is for radar detectors and toll devices!

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

... BTW - got it! The cut out is for radar detectors and toll devices!

I figured, is yours with blue tint as well of is it purple?

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

I figured, is yours with blue tint as well of is it purple?

Hi - I'm colour blind. I think it's blue, but here's a photo!

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

Hi - I'm colour blind. I think it's blue, but here's a photo!

you should take a picture in the sun because I can't even tell the color on this pic

[satz]

Like one of the posters above, I too had to push to get my E90's non-climate comfort 'screen replaced with a climate comfort one recently.

Waste of time and money, as I had to pay the difference, and it doesn't really seem to block much heat from the sun (and that's in winter!). Also it doesn't have a gray band at the top, while my factory one did.

The install process was an absolute pain (at the BMW dealer). Took me 4 repeat visits.

And there seems to be more wind noise than before, despite all the surrounding seals seeming to be flush (that's what took 4 visits!).

[satz]

Does anyone know whether there are different 'grades' of climate comfort (some that block out more than others?)

And...whether the glass is any thinner than the non-climate?

[hackR]

geez...my 2008 e92 cost a cool $75k...why in god's name would you go for anything other than OEM+...while my car is now worth half that, i just recently had a crack due to a thruway stone...with allstate insurance, my local auto body shop worked with them to go with full oem windshield and associated OEM molding - not aftermarket safelite stuff...there's simply little reason, IMO, why you would change out the OEM for anything other than OEM...

[AamirAtl]

Originally Posted by hackR

geez...my 2008 e92 cost a cool $75k...why in god's name would you go for anything other than OEM+...while my car is now worth half that, i just recently had a crack due to a thruway stone...with allstate insurance, my local auto body shop worked with them to go with full oem windshield and associated OEM molding - not aftermarket safelite stuff...there's simply little reason, IMO, why you would change out the OEM for anything other than OEM...

I'm a sucker for OEM stuff as well. I find it comforting to know I'm getting the best fit possible because let's face it, I tell myself who else can do it better than the folks who designed and built it in the first place? However, you must understand how vehicle manufacturing works. Not every part is designed, produced, integrated, tested, etc. in-house. Many parts come from OEM suppliers - Denso comes to mind for Honda radiators, condensers, cooling fans; Pilkington windshield glass for BMW and Lexus; etc.

So to answer your question, why would you change out OEM for anything other than OEM? I can think of at least two reasons - to avoid the exorbitant markup dealers charge for the same product without the roundel; in some cases a different provider may have a superior product, perhaps as a result of correcting any previous issues.

When I buy new parts for my Bimmers from WorldPac, I pay aftermarket part prices but I frequently receive OEM surplus parts with the brand names/logos scratched out, at a significantly lower price. (see picture of control arms below).

Some aftermarket (non-OE) is junk. I wouldn't buy aftermarket sheet metal for any expensive car because the fitment will never be just right, no matter what. Some for major electronics/modules. But I'd gladly buy aftermarket radiators, condensers, window regulators, headlights/tail lights, air cleaner boxes, some suspension parts, etc., which save me a ton of money and sometimes even offer longer warranties than the dealer supplied OEM part.

[dparm]

ITT: people forget that BMW doesn't even make a ton of the parts on their car

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by hackR

geez...my 2008 e92 cost a cool $75k...why in god's name would you go for anything other than OEM+...while my car is now worth half that, i just recently had a crack due to a thruway stone...with allstate insurance, my local auto body shop worked with them to go with full oem windshield and associated OEM molding - not aftermarket safelite stuff...there's simply little reason, IMO, why you would change out the OEM for anything other than OEM...

In my case here's why: The original OEM windshield on my car was made by Pilkington. Years later when I had it replaced with "OEM" glass straight from a BMW dealer, it was made by St. Gobain. The Saint Gobain glass is soft and pitted easy so when I got a crack in it, I decided I didn't want to do that again. Contacted an indy glass installer and he easily found me Pilkington at less than half the cost.

[turbosocal]

Nice thread, and timely for me too. My OEM windshield is heavily pitted and time for a new one. I had been thinking of having my tint guy just apply a film to a new windshield. Any thoughts on films?

I'm not a big fan of the blue/purple tint of the "2838GYY with rain sensor, solar and solar-coated" version. What's the consensus? Subtle/Not-so-subtle? Hard to tell in pics posted so far. Can that be requested through Safelite then?

[betak]

A little late to the post...I'd recommend OEM glass with climate.

The physical appearance between OEM and aftermarket solar glass looks a little different as mine doesn't have any cutout areas, just a straight tint across the top. My Fastpass toll reader works fine just laid on the dash (center or left).

I can definitely notice a difference while driving. There's a lot less glare with the climate glass v. non-climate. It almost feels like you're looking through a pair of lightly tinted sunglasses which is especially nice if you wear prescription frames. Even on really bright days, I've been fine without sunglasses. At night, oncoming headlights appear slightly dim as well.

Not sure if it's fair to comment on the interior temp since the e92 has the advantage of additional tint, but on hot days, I have to let the e90 air out before hopping in. Never had to do that with the M.

Pitting is bad on Pilkington OE glass. I've seen Pilkington OEM glass (w/o bmw rondel) which appears to hold up a bit better. Saint Gobain glass has it's issues as well. I've never had a car where pitting wasn't an issue.

E90= Pilkington/BMW OEM glass w/o climate.
E92= Saint Gobain/BMW OEM glass with climate.
(sorry the picture quality isn't great, if anyone wants better detail, shoot me a PM)