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Can anyone advise of the cheapest windscreen supplier in the UK?
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what car are they for? what size do they take? front or rear?
A few more details would be helpful!
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I had to replace my rear screen recently,ended up using a local firm at £97.One of the big nationals spent five minutes telling me how they would clean up the broken glass etc.then quoted nearly £300.Get the yellow pages and ring a few up.
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Enter the world of Right Royal Rip-off. I got a quote from Autoglass that I knew was outrageous because I found out the cost of components from a main dealer (not taking into account the trade discount that Autoglass would certainly get) and my regular bodyshop told me exactly how little time their glass man needed for the job (about a sixth of the time implied by the Autoglass estimate).
Follow Sierraman's advice, and also find a friendly bodyshop and ask them who they use (friendly = the governor wears overalls, not a suit).
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You could phone your insurance company and see what price they'll charge you for replacing it - I found mine very reasonable!
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Beware cheap...
I,ve had four windscreens on my Alfa (three replacements). I found that the OE type were much better than those fitted by Autoglass (through insurance).
The curvature of the OE type distorted the image much less at the edges of the screen.
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Uroglas had a big trade stand at the Beaulieu Motor Museum recently. Go to www.uroglas.com/ at least you will know the price before you start.
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I always thought (from previous threads on here) that Autoglass used OE glass...
Personally, I have used Auto Windscreens twice (now RAC owned) based purely on price (£120 as opposed to £300 roughly from Autoglass). On the Mercedes they used Secursiv glass and on the Volvo it was RAC branded glass (after the takeover obviously). Both jobs done to a good standard and no problems with the glass.
If it's a really old car or "bangernomics", try scouring a breakers yard and getting it fitted.
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Not so sure of UK's cheapest, but just ask your local independent car sales garage, or bodyshop, who the 'trade' use.
1/2 the price of the insurance job guys.
VB
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I thought all insurance had windscreen cover? Is it only Comprehensive that has it? My windscreen excess is 75 pounds and no effect on no claims.
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If it's a really old car or "bangernomics", try scouring a breakers yard and getting it fitted
Only if it is so old the glass is not bonded,getting a bonded screen out in one piece is almost impossible,maybe if you had one of the high intensity light tools that melts the glue.I asked the fitter about these when he did my screen and he had never heard of them.
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There are three good(ish) ways to get bonded screens out that I have used - doubtlessly there are more.
1) Use a vibrating L shaped knife specially made for the job
2) Use an L shaped knife and puller (Snap On vans did sell them)
3) Use thin cheese wire, with two people, one inside the car, one outside, gripping the end with a pair of pliers, and sawing through the bonding material.
Although it involves the costliest kit, I have found method 1 to be slow and cumbersome - perhaps I didn't have the knack?
Method 2 can be very fast and effective
Not having access to the special kit anymore, I tend to use option 3 - you usually get some suitable cutting wire with the bonding kit for the windscreen. With care, I find it much less likely that I will break a bonded screen than a traditional one. Although neither are entirely safe with me! :-)
With a bonded screen, leaving a window open until the glue has set is a good idea. If you don't, the air pressure rise as you shut the door can pop the screen out of place while the glue is still soft.
Number_Cruncher
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I broke a windscreen on my 525i whilst changing a wiper blade (boy did I feel stupid). I rang around for quotes and got the following:
Autoglass: 450 quid
National Windscreens: 400 quid
Auto Windscreens: 150 quid
Auto Windscreens got the job and I was very happy with the service and the results.
----
Life is complex; it has real and imaginary parts.
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