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National Windscreens vs BMW parts for windscreen replacement?

3.7K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  pgenasi  
#1 ·
Hi guys,

I'm looking at putting in an offer for an approved used 2017 430d GC but it has a noticeable (but small) chip in the windscreen in the driver's line of sight! So I've asked them to replace the windscreen before I'd consider it. The car spec includes Heads Up and rain sensors so it obviously needs a specific spec of windscreen.

The BMW (approved used) dealer is prepared to fit a new windscreen for me before purchase but has said it will be a National Windscreens job (at the right spec) rather than official BMW part - mainly to keep costs down.

Should I be nervous? Are non official BMW windscreens ok as long as they are of the required specification? Has anyone had experience of using National Windscreens and been totally satisfied? And would it affect resale value 5-10 years down the line?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.
 
#2 ·
I think it largely depends on the fitter in question - the glass I would think is much of a muchness. A bad fit can cause all sorts of problems - eg water ingress causing rust, wind noise, calbration issues for driver assistance etc etc.

I had my E53 done by Autoglass and the chap who did the job was a proper craftsman and took a real pride in it. But there are also some horror stories out there. My advice would be to nicely (ie under the guise of providing tea/coffee and other general assistance) supervise the work to ensure that no corners are cut.

As to resale value - I honestly can't think most people would even notice if it's got dealer glass or not provided the fit is good. And 5-10 years down, whatever glass is in it will be pocked by all of the grit it will get blasted with over that mileage so I wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
#4 ·
I would say my experience with aftermarket windscreens is poor. I used to drive 30k miles a year and have had countless stones smacking into the windscreen over that time.

My e90s original screen faired well with most of them until one day I got a big old bullseye which by the end of my drive had cracked to the edge. This would have been 2-3 years use at that point.

I claimed on my insurance and National came out. First screen was cracked before they started so away they went. Second screen got fitted job done. Within a week I’d picked up a stone chip needing repair but had also found that they hadn’t fitted the shuttle panel properly so I was able to get them back to sort that and do the repair at the same time.

However over the next few months it was obvious that the spec of the glass was different to the OEM glass, as countless marks, small chips etc became apparent.

I wouldn’t go for a aftermarket screen again and would insist on OEM with the correct markings .... the glass just isn’t the same I’m my experience.


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#5 ·
I would say my experience with aftermarket windscreens is poor. I used to drive 30k miles a year and have had countless stones smacking into the windscreen over that time.

My e90s original screen faired well with most of them until one day I got a big old bullseye which by the end of my drive had cracked to the edge. This would have been 2-3 years use at that point.

I claimed on my insurance and National came out. First screen was cracked before they started so away they went. Second screen got fitted job done. Within a week I’d picked up a stone chip needing repair but had also found that they hadn’t fitted the shuttle panel properly so I was able to get them back to sort that and do the repair at the same time.

However over the next few months it was obvious that the spec of the glass was different to the OEM glass, as countless marks, small chips etc became apparent.

I wouldn’t go for a aftermarket screen again and would insist on OEM with the correct markings .... the glass just isn’t the same I’m my experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the feedback.
Luckily NW have agreed to supply and fit the proper BMW glass for the same price quoted for aftermarket glass!
Just waiting for this bl**dy coronavirus pandemic to go away so that we can all start getting back to normal life ?
Cheers and stay safe