 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  01-02-2008, 04:32 AM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |  Windshield replacement and the adventure
Hey mates.
**Please note that below are only facts and in no way am I pushing slander about these companies based on anger as I am not upset, just disappointed**.
The time came to replace my factory windshield after 150,000 miles of highway use (I cracked it). Where to go??? I did research and found Triumph/Diamond Glass Company had a good reputation. My main demand was to get a TRUE BMW OEM windshield, not a sub-standard aftermarket unit. I had learned this lesson many years ago.
I ended up going to “89glass.com” as it looked as though they scheduled all the appointments and were affiliated with Triumph/Diamond Glass with no additional charges. They are an agent instead. I E-mailed them my information and they promptly called me the next morning. Truly polite and helpful, but I was suppose to get a call back with the price difference for a true BMW supplied windshield vs “OEM”. No call back for 2 days (plus a pricing issue later on) so I went straight to Triumph/Diamond since they were coming by the next morning anyway. They said that it would be OEM glass placed on my BMW. No problem then… lets proceed with the install date and skip the BMW factory glass with the Roundel on it.
The installer called me early in the morning to say he was on the way. He arrived a little early, which is great as I needed to get to the office. My BMW was 1st and then the Subaru (cracked windshield weeks earlier). I removed all trim panels and the installer worked quickly on my BMW as I started work on the Subaru trim.
The glass on the BMW says “FY” as the manufacture. Who is this company? The quality was not bad, but the rearview mirror mounting base was most defiantly not factory and looked a little cheap. So everything got wrapped up and the installer was off in no time. About 2 hours… wow, fast! The Subaru came out perfect, but as I was sorting through the gasket install on the BMW, I noticed the driver’s door was not closing correctly onto the gasket. The gaps were odd and uneven.
Well boys and girls, wouldn’t you know it… the entire windshield is 1/3 of an inch to the driver’s side. Way out of spec! Huge gap on the passenger side and very little on the driver’s side. Big problem! I called Triumph/Diamond Glass and they said no problem, we will come with a PPG windshield and do a reinstall.
The factory adhesive takes hours to dry and one can readjust right away, but this is not factory adhesive. It is quick dry sealant so no way of moving this baby. There are specific guide tools for setting a BMW windshield and let me tell you… find them or make something similar! The Subaru windshield dropped right into place due to the “A” pillar design, but not the 318ti.
Now let’s discuss Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM). This term is abused and misused. If something is stated to be OEM, that can mean that it is an OEM part for some other auto manufacture out in the world, not necessarily the car you have. Case in point... “FY” glass (Fuyao Group) is an OEM manufacture for many cars in China (where it is also made), but not ONE document has any listing for OEM approval by BMW, yet they are sometimes passed as BMW OEM. Fuyao Group (FY) was a substandard windshield (and other glass) manufacture years ago (listed in U.S. based legal proceedings documentation), but has become a strong contender in reference to quality over the past 5 or so years. Still not OEM BMW approved.
There are 2 state side OEM manufactures I can find and that is PPG and PILKINGTON. So what’s my point… That simply put, the term OEM needed to be addressed and that proper preparation makes a huge difference if you want it done right! This story is actually much longer, but I won’t bore you any further. Contact me if you have any questions and I will try to get back to you soon, yet may be delayed due to working on this upcoming CAVALLINO CLASSIC Ferrari show in Florida. All the best.
P.S. If all goes well in the end, I will stick with Triumph/Diamond Glass Company. Update coming…
Cossieturbo |  |  | | 01-02-2008, 04:51 AM | #2 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
i need to bookmark this as i have a couple cracks in my windshield and will need it replaced at some point. thanks for posting the info and your experiences! __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 01-02-2008, 05:01 AM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
No problem. I have specs and part numbers for replacing and will try to get those on soon... Upper gap (about 6-8mm), lower spacer sizing (coming soon) including rubber pads, etc... The information may vary if a car has been in a collision. I should have pics soon as well.
Cossieturbo | | | | | 01-02-2008, 05:12 AM | #4 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
bookmarked! once you have all the specs and info together, i may ask you to create a KB article  or i could potentially do it for you if you don't care to. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 01-03-2008, 02:26 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
Thanks mate. I may have to leave it for you to sort, but I might have a small vacation in late January. I never vacation, but I'm getting old ad tired.
Anyway, This attachment... The top one shows the 3 spacers for the bottom of the window. The next shows the lower spacers for height and the last shows the side to side spacers. Good luck finding these side to side ones. | | | | | 01-03-2008, 02:36 AM | #6 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
looks like a doc from the TIS. did you actually find a source for the "spacer buffers" or either of the special tools? __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 01-03-2008, 02:39 AM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
I will edit this to clarify soon, but here is the pic for the rubber spacers (5.5mm tall) which control the distance of the bottom from the dash. The next pic shows the wooden spacers I made to control the height of the windshield to the top roof line so that you can get the 6-8mm you need at the top. They are 7mm (important part) by 12mm (Not as important). I will have more pics and better breakdown. Note the rounded corner on the wooden spacers. Important for easy seating. Thank s mates.
Cossieturbo
Cripes... part number for rubber spacers is... 51 31 1 925 433. You could probably find these at Home Depot. The rubber pads that is, but the dealer should have these at about 0.85 cents each and you need 3. The wooden ones I'll explain later. It's wood trim, but easy to make from Home Depot visit. you will need your Caliper to measure or a good ruler with mm's.
Yup... TIS!!! It works after a little bit of time learning. | | | | | 01-03-2008, 03:24 AM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
Wow. I would've never thought so much could go into replacing the windshield. Makes me not want to drive on the highway at all..
Sorry to hear about your troubles. But good work on the research! __________________ 
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 01-03-2008, 03:38 AM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
More to come mate. To do it properly, you need to take a few extra steps.
Update coming...
Cossieturbo | | | | | 01-03-2008, 04:25 PM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
New windshield in. Not a PPG as promised, but a Pilkington. A U.S. list OEM so it is ok. Here is a quick pic of the tape I applied to retain the location as the sealant sets. There is more info coming though. I will clean this all up soon so it's clear.
Cossieturbo
Now more... So this second go around with the glass installer was not as careful as before. Lots of scratched paint at the base of the window, 3 small cuts on the "A" pillar inner cover (Remove them if they are in good shape) and a carefree attitude about the whole thing. Many people would never see the deep scratches until heavy rust set in and the covers have to be replaced. I'll hunt for someone else next time. There were some pluses, but not worth the $255.00 I paid. The Pilkington Glass is actually less accurate in engineering then the FY I had. It's hard to win. | | | | | 01-07-2008, 07:05 AM | #11 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 |
I'm not sure why you had so many problems with this. Under florida insurance, windshield repair or replacement should be free. You shouldn't have had to shop for the price difference between a true BMW windshield. BTW, what glass company did your insurance recommend. When I cracked my front windshield and needed it replaced, I went with Safelite Auto (in tallahassee). | | | | | 01-07-2008, 01:35 PM | #12 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
Quote: Originally Posted by zboot  I'm not sure why you had so many problems with this. Under florida insurance, windshield repair or replacement should be free. You shouldn't have had to shop for the price difference between a true BMW windshield. BTW, what glass company did your insurance recommend. When I cracked my front windshield and needed it replaced, I went with Safelite Auto (in tallahassee). | In Connecticut windshield replacement isn't free, but I believe in Mass it is. It varies state to state. __________________
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 01-10-2008, 03:45 AM | #13 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 160 |
Yup, windshield replacement in Florida is free, but my car is registered in Ohio right now. We moved there about a year and a half ago and I lost money and then my mind. I was in the exotic sales industry up there and peeeewwwww. No one has money up there. Now I'm back in Florida for a few years working hard to make it all back. The good news is that auto insurance in Ohio is 1/2 of Florida's so it's cheaper for me to pay out of pocket every 6 months for a new windshield then pay the rates here.
The odd thing is that the FY windshield was actually true to shape compared to the Pilkington which is not shaped quite right. I found out that most companies buy a factory windshield and make a mold from that and then make windshields. Reverse engineering!
The paint scratches from the Sawsall with a special spatula end damaged the paint. The installer did not care. I will look at Safelite Auto next time... which I hope is a long ways away.
Cossieturbo | | | | |
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