Since the earlier thread has been locked as it travelled way OT...
The last time I needed a new windscreen I decided that having experienced a decidedly variable service from specialist firms, I would take it to the main (BMW) dealer to replace.
I was astonished that there was no quibble from the insurance company, only them telling me that I would need to pay upfront and send them the invoice for reimbursement (which only took a fortnight).
I haven't the faintest idea whether they subcontracted the job out to one of the specialist firms or did it themselves, but the result was the first replacement that went without a problem and that you couldn't tell from the original. They went went to the extent of replacing the airbag warning stickers on the windscreen (and included them on the invoice).
Mind you £450 for a replacement screen, meant that the insurance company didn't make any money out of me last year.
|
I too have an observation from the last thread. I'm not going to quote the relevant bit, but words to the effect of concern for the paint being scraped down to the bare metal in places with a bonded screen. never thought about it before but is it such a good idea to bond to paint instead of bare metal? I realise that the original concern was for scratches, but maybe this was deliberate, allbeit sloppy?
WTM
|
Usualy the resin used will bond to area within screen area.With paint on. Bit that was scratched was sloppy scrapping away of old resin/seperating smashed screen from original bonding. Not the first time its happened.Wont be the last..As for- is it a good idea to bond to paint rather than bare metal.It should make no difference.all screens are bonded after car is made.Ie fully painted
--
Steve
|
As for- is it a good ideato bond to paint rather than bare metal.It should make no difference.all screens are bonded after car is made.Ie fully painted -- Steve
True, but that doesnt mean its a good idea. All sorts of things are done at production stage that make sense economically but cause problems later.
WTM
|
All sorts of things are done at production stage that make sense economically but cause problems later.
Could you be specific and give us one or two examples?
--
L\'escargot by name, but not by nature.
|
>> All sorts >> of things are done at production stage that make sense economically >> but cause problems later. >> Could you be specific and give us one or two examples? --
Ask anyone whose car has failed mot for corroded steel brake pipes. They are cheaper than copper and can be prefabricated to exact bends so can be fitted quicker on a line.
OE exhaust systems are in one piece (again, so they can be fitted faster on the line) but need cutting off in pieces at replacement time, usually when only one section needs replacing. OK, the fast fit market is geared up to do this, but the cost will be factored in. Would it be cheaper without having to cost in a gas axe? dunno.
Car manufaturers do not exist to make cars. They exist to make money. If they can get away with passing costs onto someone else they will do.
WTM
|
"Would it be cheaper without having to cost in a gas axe? dunno"
Well if you have ever had to try and get a 5 year old exhaust system apart to replace a section you will realise the gas axe is a vital tool for the job. A mulitsection pipe usually has to be cut apart anyway.
|
|
|
|
>>True, but that doesnt mean its a good idea.
Aside points nothing to do with windscreen. Why are resin fixed windscreens not a good idea??
--
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
I broke a windscreen a couple of years ago during a wiper-blade changing accident. I phoned one company for a quote: 500 quid. Another company quoted 450. A third quoted 150. No prizes for guessing where I went. They did a great job too... couldn't tell it from the original.
|
I broke a windscreen a couple of years ago during a wiper-blade changing accident. I phoned one company for a quote: 500 quid. Another company quoted 450. A third quoted 150. No prizes for guessing where I went. They did a great job too... couldn't tell it from the original.
What was wrong with making a claim on your insurance? An accident is an accident.
--
L\'escargot by name, but not by nature.
|
What was wrong with making a claim on your insurance? An accident is an accident.
Maybe he was only TP,F&T?
|
Exactly right.
Though if I was fully comp I'd still have paid for this myself. 150 quid is a lot cheaper than a 24-year-old losing his no-claims against a 525i.
|
I thought a no claims bonus wasn't affected for windscreen claims?
And if the windscreen can be repaired, providing you use an approved repairer, it *shouldn't* cost you anything. If it has to be replaced, I thought all insurance companies charge £50?
|
|
Well... you learn something every day. Moot point though, because as you suspected I was only insured TPFT. I'll remember that for future reference though. Cheers.
|
I had the same experience i.e. the independent windscreen company screwed up what should have been a routine repair job (turned a 10 mm crack into an 18mm crack), after which I got the local BMW dealership to replace the screen. BMW Insurance agreed to this, no quibble. A couple of years later - no problems.
The same dealership also replaced the rear screen for me under warranty for a minor fault (the rear screen demister was causing AM radio interference). Again, no problems.
Oz (as was)
|
|
|
|
