Windshield

timothy2001 · 12-20-2020, 10:00 AM

Mine is somewhat pitted and is showing its age from 2011 and I am considering replacing it. On the Safelite site using the rain sensor and solar coated option I am quoted $340 which seems very low. I suspect this is an aftermarket windshield and I recall reading that there can be issues with these and it makes far more sense to replace with OEM especially with rain sensor.

Anyone have experience with doing this....OEM vs. aftermarket?

Helmsman · 12-20-2020, 10:48 AM

Sorry no experience from Safelite. However driving a 2011 I can say a new windshield makes a huge difference. Of some reason the M3 window seem to withstand the road worse than my previous cars, looks like shite when the sun coming through.
Replaced twice (our insurance cover), lovely each time.

Do it!

GRUESOM3 · 12-20-2020, 11:22 AM

I had it done on my daily e90 328i 2 times. Do not use the one with the green tint. It looks like crap. I forgot the brand which they used first time. Second time around I got a pelkington brand with gray top, looks oem and much better.

Cyberdemon · 12-20-2020, 12:08 PM

I've used non OEM glass on two cars and didn't have an issue through safelite. Maybe it's luck of the draw but truthfully I didn't have an issue. One car had the rain sensors too and the cutout was a slightly different tint but nobody besides me would notice that.

OEM glass was a significant up charge vs completely free.

drrust · 12-20-2020, 01:17 PM

I've used the Safelight version, no issues with it. It even pits the same way the OEM one does!

djsilverjohnson · 12-20-2020, 02:05 PM

We replaced the windshield in my wife's 2013 E93 right after we got it. I think it was a Pilkington but it did make a big difference in the view. When you start reading about windshields you'll quickly get a headache from all the inconclusive and incompatible information. Just make sure you get one that works with your rain sensor.

ha9981 · 12-20-2020, 02:11 PM

So far I've struggled to find OE replacement in 2020. The two brands that manufactured for E9x are Pilkington or Saint Gobain.

In Canada glass installers claim that aftermarket supply from both brands is pretty much non existent as there are too many new products for them to stock for new cars due to camera and sensor options.

I've only found BMW Genuine (Saint Gobain) at the dealer I recall ~$400 USD was the best price I found online from a dealer.

12-20-2020, 10:00 AM	#1
timothy2001 Major 849 Rep 1,180 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 M3 E92 [0.00]	Windshield Mine is somewhat pitted and is showing its age from 2011 and I am considering replacing it. On the Safelite site using the rain sensor and solar coated option I am quoted $340 which seems very low. I suspect this is an aftermarket windshield and I recall reading that there can be issues with these and it makes far more sense to replace with OEM especially with rain sensor. Anyone have experience with doing this....OEM vs. aftermarket? Attached Images Last edited by timothy2001; 12-20-2020 at 10:58 AM..
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12-20-2020, 10:48 AM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4465 Rep 7,109 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Sorry no experience from Safelite. However driving a 2011 I can say a new windshield makes a huge difference. Of some reason the M3 window seem to withstand the road worse than my previous cars, looks like shite when the sun coming through. Replaced twice (our insurance cover), lovely each time. Do it!
	Appreciate 1 timothy2001848.50 Quote

12-20-2020, 11:22 AM	#3
GRUESOM3 Major 1092 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: 3 NA cars and 1 Turbo car Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (4)	I had it done on my daily e90 328i 2 times. Do not use the one with the green tint. It looks like crap. I forgot the brand which they used first time. Second time around I got a pelkington brand with gray top, looks oem and much better.
	Appreciate 1 timothy2001848.50 Quote

12-20-2020, 12:08 PM	#4
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	I've used non OEM glass on two cars and didn't have an issue through safelite. Maybe it's luck of the draw but truthfully I didn't have an issue. One car had the rain sensors too and the cutout was a slightly different tint but nobody besides me would notice that. OEM glass was a significant up charge vs completely free. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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12-20-2020, 01:17 PM	#5
drrust Captain 336 Rep 724 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	I've used the Safelight version, no issues with it. It even pits the same way the OEM one does!
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12-20-2020, 02:05 PM	#6
djsilverjohnson Private First Class 116 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	We replaced the windshield in my wife's 2013 E93 right after we got it. I think it was a Pilkington but it did make a big difference in the view. When you start reading about windshields you'll quickly get a headache from all the inconclusive and incompatible information. Just make sure you get one that works with your rain sensor.
	Appreciate 1 timothy2001848.50 Quote

12-20-2020, 02:11 PM	#7
ha9981 Second Lieutenant 94 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2007 328i e90 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	So far I've struggled to find OE replacement in 2020. The two brands that manufactured for E9x are Pilkington or Saint Gobain. In Canada glass installers claim that aftermarket supply from both brands is pretty much non existent as there are too many new products for them to stock for new cars due to camera and sensor options. I've only found BMW Genuine (Saint Gobain) at the dealer I recall ~$400 USD was the best price I found online from a dealer.
	Appreciate 1 timothy2001848.50 Quote