[dbs600]

Hi everyone,

Hope all is well.

Having my windshield replaced due to scratches and pitting.

How do I tell if the replacement matches the correct part number?

The numbers at the lower driver’s side corner don’t correlate with the part number for my VIN. Any way to decipher? I want to ensure the shop orders the correct windshield and not a less expensive alternative.

If both my original and the replacement have the same numbers in the lower driver’s side corner, I suppose all is fine, but I’m anticipating they may be different – due to changes in what’s written over the years – even though the windshield may be the correct one.

I’m going to view the replacement before it’s installed. Is the part number on the windshield anywhere?

Thank you!

[Stück]

BMW does not put part numbers on glass. The numbers in the corner cannot be used to directly identify the correctness of the glass.

Have the dealer decode your VIN and sell you the correct glass per the VIN.

[Quicksilv3r]

Originally Posted by Stück

BMW does not put part numbers on glass. The numbers in the corner cannot be used to directly identify the correctness of the glass.

Have the dealer decode your VIN and sell you the correct glass per the VIN.

This is especially so if your car is equipped with HUD.

[SLVSRFR]

I had my windshield replaced by safelite about a month ago. They asked my year, model, and if I had HUD (which I do) and if my rain sensor was attached to the windshield. They even gave me the infrared reflecting windshield. Had no issues and my windshield is much better without all the chips and scratches

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Stück

BMW does not put part numbers on glass. The numbers in the corner cannot be used to directly identify the correctness of the glass.

Have the dealer decode your VIN and sell you the correct glass per the VIN.

Shop is supposedly ordering correct glass per VIN, but how do I, myself confirm? Horrible there's no part numbers on glass! No way to decode what's written? Any way of confirming whether or not "Climate Comfort" glass?

Thanks for your insight on this matter!

Originally Posted by Quicksilv3r

This is especially so if your car is equipped with HUD.

Are you saying it's more likely there aren't part numbers on glass with HUD?

Originally Posted by VNGNCE5

I had my windshield replaced by safelite about a month ago. They asked my year, model, and if I had HUD (which I do) and if my rain sensor was attached to the windshield. They even gave me the infrared reflecting windshield. Had no issues and my windshield is much better without all the chips and scratches

G-d BMW glass is so soft! And yes, I'm so nervous over creeks, rattles, leaks, etc.! Good to hear yours came out well.

[Stück]

Confirming climate comfort is as easy as looking at the glass. Climate comfort glass has a iridescent shimmer to it, similar to oily residue on water, when viewed from outside the car.

This gives the glass an overall bluish green pearlescent hue.

Once you know the difference you can determine it in a momentary glance.

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Stück

Confirming climate comfort is as easy as looking at the glass. Climate comfort glass has a iridescent shimmer to it, similar to oily residue on water, when viewed from outside the car.

This gives the glass an overall bluish green pearlescent hue.

Once you know the difference you can determine it in a momentary glance.

Thank you again.

Yes, I know what you're referring to, but not always easy for me to see; dependent on lighting I feel.

For some reason, Mercedes solar glass is far more obvious.

[dbs600]

Hi all,

So, to update everyone:

I viewed the replacement windshield today and the numbers at the lower left driver’s side corner don’t match that of my original windshield.

The replacement windshield numbers are:

Saint-Gobain
Sekurit
E8 43R – 004107
DOT617 M505 AS1
E 000234

I also only have a partial numbers from my original windshield - as my car is currently at an inaccessible lot of the body shop - but from prior photos of my car, I’m able to see:

Saint-Gobain
Sekurit
E6 43R – 00115…

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to confirm the iridescent blue color of solar climate comfort glass because the windshield was wrapped up inside the workshop, etc.

Should the non-matching numbers be concerning? Do these new numbers supersede the old ones? I can’t understand why part numbers aren’t on glass, or why aren't able to readily decode what's written!

Thank you very much.

[Stück]

Both windshields were made by Saint-Gobain Sekurit
The original windshield was approved in Chech Republic (E8), the replacement in Belguim (E6).

Both share the same registration number (43R)

The approval number (004107 vs 00115x) varies between the two because they are different manufacturing lots.

DOT numbers vary by maker, and should be unique to a given maker.

AS1 refers to the impact test rating, AS1 being the best. AS2 doesn't pass all tests and should not be considered for windshields as its of a lesser quality.

[dbs600]

So very helpful; thank you!

Any additional insight as to the 505 and 234 numbers?

I'd like to know if either signifies 'solar' or 'climate comfort' glass. :|

Really need to get the complete set of original numbers...

[Stück]

Sorry missed one, the M number is a proprietary manufacturer number speaking the the construction of the glass, be it composition, thickness, color etc. This number is not standardized in the industry, so a M505 from a given manufacturer wouldn't relate to a coincidental M505 from another.

The E 000234 is a standards of safety conformity number.


and again, frustrating as it may be, BMW doesn't mark glass with useful stuff like with or without HUD or climate comfort to the best of my knowledge.

[dbs600]

Great(!); so M505 should be constant between the original and replacement windshields?

[dbs600]

To follow up, the following message from the glass manufacturer has put my mind at ease:

"It is possible that BMW had a second supplier for glazing parts on the F01/02 model 7-series. Nevertheless, we (Sekurit) exclusively supplied clear glass with thermo-control reflecting interlayer or green glass with solar-control interlayer."

I suppose this means that 90%+ of all US F01/02's (non-760's, ActiveHybrids and special orders) were not manufactured with Saint-Gobain glass.

Were any US F10's made with solar glass? M5's, ActiveHybrids?

[snj1013]

Originally Posted by dbs600

To follow up, the following message from the glass manufacturer has put my mind at ease:

"It is possible that BMW had a second supplier for glazing parts on the F01/02 model 7-series. Nevertheless, we (Sekurit) exclusively supplied clear glass with thermo-control reflecting interlayer or green glass with solar-control interlayer."

I suppose this means that 90%+ of all US F01/02's (non-760's, ActiveHybrids and special orders) were not manufactured with Saint-Gobain glass.

Were any US F10's made with solar glass? M5's, ActiveHybrids?

My windshield got cracked on the first day I drove my 2011 F10. My replacement glass does have the word Solar printed on it. Both were Pilkington.

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by snj1013

My windshield got cracked on the first day I drove my 2011 F10. My replacement glass does have the word Solar printed on it. Both were Pilkington.

Ha! Hmm... :/

[Tallest]

If your car came with comfort winshield you will have comfort windshield. It is covered by insurance I assume. So if it is, you get replacement. if for some bizzare reason you pay yourself, and your car has HUD and Comfort windshield it costs, like 1500 USD. So if you are paying way less you arent getting the HUD-Comfort screen.

Comfort screen is easiest to spot IF you have polarized sunglasses. They leave no doubt which cars have it.

OP, go to dealer and check which screen you got. Part numbers change on products. Anchoring yourself to those is wrong.

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Tallest

Comfort screen is easiest to spot IF you have polarized sunglasses. They leave no doubt which cars have it.

Thanks for this perfect, perfect advice!

[dbs600]

I'm going F'N CRAZY.

Windshield replaced with OE glass, but has the problem described in this thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...avy+windshield

When driving, making a turn and looking out the passenger side of the windshield, I see vertical distortion towards the bottom of the windshield, near the dash. Minimal, but it's there! My original didn't have this problem.

A body shop I got into argument with did the install. Glass was purchased from a BMW dealer, however.

Going to bring the car to the dealer tomorrow to show them the defect, but WTF! Warranty replacement of the part, maybe, but how am I going to get the dealer to cover the labor to put a new part in!? I don't want to go back to the body shop!

Would BMW corporate reimburse the dealer labor to put in new glass due to this defect?

This is so messed up.

[Stück]

BMW warranties all parts with labor inclusive when found to be defective.

No glass is perfect by sheer nature of construction, you're likely being hyper sensitive because you're looking for something to complain about.

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Stück

BMW warranties all parts with labor inclusive when found to be defective.

Didn't know this; a relief; thank you.

Originally Posted by Stück

You're looking for something to complain about.

Huh? Wrong, but think what you want!

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Stück

BMW warranties all parts with labor inclusive when found to be defective.

Any idea how this would work out in my circumstance where a body shop purchased the windshield from a BMW dealer, but I'd like the dealer to warranty and replace. I don't want to go back to the body shop. Any issue with the dealer doing the work and being covered under warranty? Thanks.

[Stück]

The typical process is to bring a part in for warranty loose, OR installed on the vehicle. A BMW tech must find the part to be defective, at which point it will be exchanged full-ride by BMW and given back to you.

If no defect is found you'll likely be asked to pay 1hr shop rate to release vehicle.

Make well and sure your defect in the glass isn't something that you're going to get laughed out of the service drive over.