[magic77]

Well could avoid it any longer after last nights hit I now have a crack and two chips so new screen.


Seems admiral is using National Windscreens, anything I need to watch out for as the car has few toys and I dont want any probelms.

From realoem what I can see there is a specfic screen for when you have

Climate Comfort screen with
AutoWipers / Lights
High Beam Assistanant and
Climate Control

From past stories on here I dont want to get any problems last thing I need right now

[xenon]

As long as you tell them that when you book it will be fine.

[Russ.C]

Speaking to people about windscreens I have been told that the auto wiper sensor is easy to damage when replacing the screen, I would personally ask who the screen is being supplied by and ensure it has the band at the top for sun protection if applicable! I think my screen is saint gobain, ask them what they will replace as part of the job (seals etc)

I personally think they will be fine but recommend you go to one of their warehouses not a guy that comes to you

[magic77]

thanks mine is without the green band at top so thats ok not a fan of that had on my e46 didnt like it.

They are based not far from me but as working all next week need them to come to the car lets hope its ok.

Any ideas if I need to worry about resetting the rain sensor

[xenon]

The sensor can be damaged as can anything, but an experienced fitter will have seen it all before. They're not as unusual as they used to be, load of cars have them now.

[magic77]

I think it be the usual take pictures of the car and body work before hand and ensure they dont damage anything

[m@rk]

From experience, there is as much chance of these guys messing things up as the main dealer.

I have had the screen on my A7 replaced TWICE in the last 8 weeks by National Windscreens and both times I can't fault the job they did.

It's as much down to the individual fitter on the day as the company doing it.

When I had my 335D I got really anal when the screen needed replacing and insisted on getting the main dealer to do it with genuine glass etc etc etc

With hindsight, I clearly put too much thought into what is a straight forward job and if they do mess up, you get them to come back and sort it out.

[ukbeemerboy]

I had my windscreen changed National Windscreens back in April. My car has auto wipers, auto lights and high beam assist. All works as it should after the new screen was fitted and I couldn't praise the job they did enough. Top job!

[Glassman]

The deal between Admiral and their nominated supplier - National Windscreens - is such that the only party it really suits, is the insurer; it's an average invoice deal (which I know is very low in value) and the only way NW can service the agreement is by supplying cheap glass from China, Poland and wherever else they can get it cheaper than the going rate. NW are a network of independent companies working under one banner and one 'arm' of that network is a glass supplier.

NW have also 'trained' Admiral staff on how to deal with windscreen calls, and what to say. There used to be some exceptions/exclusions to the 'approved/nominated/preferred' supplier arrangement, but this training has seen to this! However, there are circumstances which will give you a chance to get what YOU prefer in terms of authenticity/quality of parts, and who fits them.

OP: what is the age of the car?

[AlanYoro35i]

My wipers are not as sensative to the rain even with a inpa reset after NW replaced my windscreen...anyome can advise?

[magic77]

Originally Posted by Glassman

The deal between Admiral and their nominated supplier - National Windscreens - is such that the only party it really suits, is the insurer; it's an average invoice deal (which I know is very low in value) and the only way NW can service the agreement is by supplying cheap glass from China, Poland and wherever else they can get it cheaper than the going rate. NW are a network of independent companies working under one banner and one 'arm' of that network is a glass supplier.

NW have also 'trained' Admiral staff on how to deal with windscreen calls, and what to say. There used to be some exceptions/exclusions to the 'approved/nominated/preferred' supplier arrangement, but this training has seen to this! However, there are circumstances which will give you a chance to get what YOU prefer in terms of authenticity/quality of parts, and who fits them.

OP: what is the age of the car?

Car is a 2009 LCI model

[AdzC]

When I had my R32 Golf I had a replacement windscreen from Auto Windscreens.

I asked them if I could have a genuine VW one. They said that they had to speak to my insurer (Adrian Flux) at the time for authorisation.

They agreed to provide a VW one and everything was fine with installation etc. It may be worthwhile asking for a genuine BMW replacement rather than a third party manufacturer.

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

My wipers are not as sensative to the rain even with a inpa reset after NW replaced my windscreen...anyome can advise?

What are NW saying? Or the insurer, you know, the people who told you to use them in the first place?




Magic: These are the brands, in order of preference if it was my car (and I qualify this with +20 years in the business fitting the buggers!).

1. OEM
2. Saint Gobain [Sekurit]
3. Pilkington
4. Guardian

The budget brands known to have been problematic for more 'intelligent; screens:

1. XYG (aka Benson)
2. Nordglass
3. Shatterprufe
3. Safevue

The rest literally is a roulette wheel, just as it is with the guy that turns up on the day to fit it...

[AlanYoro35i]

NW - gave me pilkington, my insurance said i cannot get a OEM one as the car is over 3 years old. If your car is less than 3 year old you can request OEM windscreen or so i have been told. Hope this helps

[AlanYoro35i]

Originally Posted by Glassman

What are NW saying? Or the insurer, you know, the people who told you to use them in the first place?




Magic: These are the brands, in order of preference if it was my car (and I qualify this with +20 years in the business fitting the buggers!).

1. OEM
2. Saint Gobain [Sekurit]
3. Pilkington
4. Guardian

The budget brands known to have been problematic for more 'intelligent; screens:

1. XYG (aka Benson)
2. Nordglass
3. Shatterprufe
3. Safevue

The rest literally is a roulette wheel, just as it is with the guy that turns up on the day to fit it...

My insurance is adminral, they told me to call NW, but i didn't bothered in the end as i kept being pushed around. Adminral said it is their responsability and NW keep telling me they never had any problems with other people...

[Glassman]

Having recently renewed my personal car insurance, it's very easy to be fooled by the 'UNLIMITED WINDSCREEN COVER' bit on the proposal. But when you ask them to elaborate what it actually means, no fecker can tell you without referring to notes, or calling on the office manager.

I don't think they make it clear enough. And to many policyholder, it comes as a surprise that they have no choice but to go with the insurer's nominated supplier rather than pay the balance ofter collecting the 50-quid the insurers offer if you don't want to do as you're told.

ICOBS 6.1.5 is a requirement.

"A firm must take reasonable steps to ensure a customer is given appropriate information about a policy in good time and in a comprehensible form so that the customer can make an informed decision about the arrangements proposed".

In my opinion, paying into an insurance scheme - one which indemnifies you for loss - what will happens in the event of a claim (ie, if there is any steering and/or limits/penalties/double excesses etc) is quite a salient point, no?

So many find out when it's way too late.

Today I costed up a to put a Porsche 996 windscreen right for an insurer. They have NW on their books as an 'approved' repairer. The car owner had a series of complaints: creaking, leaking, trim not right, A-pillar trim damage, cut to headliner; scratches to paint. As soon as a saw the car, the first thing I saw was the Ford Transit windscreen trim around the glass. I kid you not.

[AdzC]

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

NW - gave me pilkington, my insurance said i cannot get a OEM one as the car is over 3 years old. If your car is less than 3 year old you can request OEM windscreen or so i have been told. Hope this helps

My R32 was 7 years old when I had an OEM manufactured replacement.

I feel that you have been fobbed off there.

[AlanYoro35i]

Originally Posted by AdzC

My R32 was 7 years old when I had an OEM manufactured replacement.

I feel that you have been fobbed off there.

lol i knew it. but they weren't burging even when i said i will make a complaint to trading standards etc etc...

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

lol i knew it. but they weren't burging even when i said i will make a complaint to trading standards etc etc...

The only thing you can rely on if they dig their heels in is the policy wording itself. I think Admiral have addressed this now to ensure that NW get as close to 100% of the work as possible (so they're not paying out more than £120.00 a piece of glass or £25.00 for a repair).

Admiral may also waive the restriction if their nominated repairer cannot attend in a timely manner, but this is down to you to argue what is a reasonable length of time versus your circumstances (such as car stranded, or there will be other consequential loss).

I think all these questions are making a strong case for insurers to be more open about their repairers, or perhaps the right questions should be asked before inception?

To be fair (and I'm not having a dig) but when you swing for the cheapest insurance quote, this is the kind of bottom-of-the-barrel stuff to expect when it comes to claiming for a loss. I can't see the Admiral contract being a particularly lucrative one, but as long as they keep selling cheaper insurance packages, NW will have greater volumes to whiz their way through.

[magic77]

You would hope since its not a basic glass for mine it will be better quality I've known few people who had their BMWs done and no problems but no one with High Beam assist its the only thing that bothers me.

Wipers and Lights is proven tech so you would hope they can deal with it by now.

All glass has to meet some form of regulation / standard so shoudl be fine.

I worry mostly about the fitter damaging the car so just be case of wathcing them and checking the car. They are coming monday so will see , keep you posted

Thanks for the brands will check it out the OEM glass is Pilkington on the car anyway so anything better or same as this I dont mind.

Lets hope its not one of the cheap ones. At least I know how to spot them now

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by magic77

Youd hope since its not a basic glass for mine it will be better quality I've known few people who had their BMWs done and no problems but no one with High Beam assist its the only thing that bothers me.

Wipers and Lights is proven tech so you would hope they can deal with it by now.

All glass has to meet some form of regulation / standard so shoudl be fine.

I worry mostly about the fitter damaging the car so just be case of wathcing them and checking the car. They are coming mondoy so will see , keep you posted

The high beam assist isn't directly anything to do with the glass though... Its just hanging on the bottom of the interior mirror housing. Mine was fine after a new screen, I'm sure yours will be too.

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by magic77

Youd hope since its not a basic glass for mine it will be better quality I've known few people who had their BMWs done and no problems but no one with High Beam assist its the only thing that bothers me.

This is it: most problems are caused, or not spotted, by human failure. The high bean assist sensor is in the mirror assembly, non?

Originally Posted by magic77

All glass has to meet some form of regulation / standard

Correct

Originally Posted by magic77

so shoudl be fine.

Don't bet more than a few quid on it. They may 'pass' a drop test, but how, buy just scraping over the lowest pass level? It's a requirement, but you have to remember, they'll test one then produce a sh*t load before testing another. Whichever way it happens, passing a test is one thing, being of an acceptable standard is another, and although I do give customers the choice, some aftermarket glass should never be within five metres of certain cars. They truly are shite.

Originally Posted by magic77

I worry mostly about the fitter damaging the car so just be case of wathcing them and checking the car. They are coming mondoy so will see , keep you posted

This is more the point. Glass is replaceable. And I suspect this will not be the last/only windscreen change your car goes through.

It's not cool to hover around the tech, and if your perception of people is quite good, you should be able to tell - after the initial salutations - if he's a monkey or not. The condition of his van and the way he stores his tools is usually a good indicator of this too.

What he should be doing (in pretty much this order) is:

1. Checking that he has the right glass and that it hasn't been damaged in transit;

2. Inspection of your car (preferably with you) and making sure there is no damage, and that the wipers/rain sensor/HUD/etc are functioning correctly;

3. If he does use seat covers or masking tape over the pained areas around the windscreen, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It could mean he's conscientious and is about to do an amazing job on your car, or, it may mean that he's a bit nervous about damaging your car... or maybe even because he's still not very experienced;

4. A-pillar trims off is preferable, but not essential. Technically speaking, where possible, they must be taken off to prevent damage (to them) and, to aid inspection (of the bonding material between the two surfaces) when the new screen is in place;

5. Cutting back the old adhesive should be done with a chisel - NOT a retractable blade, similar to a Stanley knife.

6. The old screen should be cut out with wire, especially at the bottom. If he goes anywhere near your car with an extended Stanley knife-looking thing, set the dogs on him.

7. Wipers, and ALL the plastic cowling/filters whould be removed from the car. If he props it up, or doesn't take ALL of it off, stop him, phone Admiral and tell them that you have caught their nominated supplier's tech trying to f*ck your car. It's a practice known as 'diving' or 'scuttling' and is a massive no-no and I don't care what anyone says.

8. The new screen MUST be de-contaminated. That is, all traces of silicon must be removed from the contact surface of the glass. Not checked, must be removed (because all screens have varying levels of silicon contamination on the surface). Silicon traces present on glass mean that the bond (between the two surfaces) will fail or not last. He HAS to do it, no question.

9. Extra points for competence if he dry fits the screen first to check and mark for tolerances.

This is a basic guide and not the windscreen fitter's bible, but after +20 years in the trade, I'm still amazed at how many employed fitters will never be good enough to deserve the title of 'technician'. So many are still scratching the painted bits the customers don't see (and then painting over them with black adhesion promoter to hide them). When a new screen is fitted, you see the end product, and this is the crux of the matter: ANYONE can put a screen where it should be on a car, and make it look clean and 'fitted'. It;s what has happened underneath that screen, or before it went in that makes all the difference.

Good luck and I'm only a phonecall away if you have any concerns. Happy to help.