[AlexC2er]

Can someone tell me if this needs to be fixed, or can I live with it. I can feel like being a little rough on my fingers. I don’t even know when I got it.

Thanks

[advr6]

It's probably cheaper to get it fixed than the deductible for a new windshield. I had to replace mine recently. Minor ding from a stone near the A pillar turned into a crack within 2 minutes ...

[J-RO]

Safelite repair...safelite replace.

[Navin_Johnson]

Depending on your insurance coverage, it could be covered. I carry zero deductible comprehensive on both my cars. That covers glass damage and collisions with moving nature (deer, not trees). I've only used it a few times in 40 years, but knowing it's there allows me to sleep at night. If you've ever wacked a deer, you know how much damage they can cause.

[MPR]

Some policies have whats called full glass coverage, which handles glass repairs with no deductible. I recently had this coverage added and moved my comp deductible to 500 since it no longer matters for glass, I previously had it at $100 specifically for windshields.

Even when my ins co handled glass under comp, they waived the deductible for glass repairs, so its worth contacting your insurance company. You could also buy a kit to fill that crack, its a cheap and easy diy.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by J-RO

Safelite repair...safelite replace.

Oh hell no. Keep those butchers away. Find a local indy guy with a solid reputation.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Can someone tell me if this needs to be fixed, or can I live with it. I can feel like being a little rough on my fingers. I don’t even know when I got it.

Thanks

I had a similar one, slightly smaller but with some star lines. I repaired it myself with an Amazon repair kit - which is similar to what the autoglass stores use. I'm very pleased withe the results - can't tell, unless I really search for it an look very closely.

My thinking is to avoid windshield repairs as much as possible, as there is always the chance the installation will be less than perfect. So I tend to collect a few minor chips with repairs, and only go for the insurance change once I get too many small ones or a large one.

If you change your windshield with every chip, you'll be going through a lot of them, the way our roads are.

[BG42]

Last few insurance companies I have had offered free repairs, assume it's because it's cheaper to drill and fill than it is to replace the entire windshield. The repairs were always free. I would probably fix it sooner than later hate to see it spider web across the whole windshield.

[LivingInSalt]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Oh hell no. Keep those butchers away. Find a local indy guy with a solid reputation.

nobody will have more experience replacing windows than Safelite's people

[Antique-ace]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Oh hell no. Keep those butchers away. Find a local indy guy with a solid reputation.

I've had Safelite replace a cracked windshield in several of my cars over the years, most recently my 2014 Audi S7. I requested they use an OEM windshield (which they did and my insurance paid the entire cost). Each time I was entirely satisfied with the job Safelite did (and I'm really picky when it comes to the work done on my cars).

[Fronzdan]

I thought zero deductible glass replacement was standard in the US? I guess not, but I’ve always had it.

I don’t even think they can use non-oem glass anymore, but you can always tell them they have to use it. And if you have the HUD, they have to use BMWs glass for the proper reflective properties anyway. You don’t want to just live with it, unless you get it epoxied. That’ll just grow if you don’t.

If you bring it to the dealer they usually just send it off to their glass guy, but then you’ll for sure get someone who does a lot of BMWs, plus you can bitch at the dealer if there are problems.

I’ve had mixed results with glass companies, but mostly good. Did an Audi, a Lexus and a two BMWs before. Only the Lexus had a water problem and that wasn’t Safelite.

[MPR]

I had my windshield replaced by SafeLite in March of last year and requested OEM glass. No pushback from SafeLite or my insurance company, and $0 out of pocket. They were able to source the glass within a few days.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by MPR

I had my windshield replaced by SafeLite in March of last year and requested OEM glass. No pushback from SafeLite or my insurance company, and $0 out of pocket. They were able to source the glass within a few days.

Seems like safelite and repair kit are my options here. I might go down to safelite and see what they say first

[J-RO]

Over the years I have used Safelite to repair cracks in at least five various windshields. Always on time, professional and fixed the problem.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by J-RO

Over the years I have used Safelite to repair cracks in at least five various windshields. Always on time, professional and fixed the problem.

My visit last March was the first time ever going to one of their facilities and it was very nicely done. They are really the only ones id trust to do a windshield. That is the core business and they have a great reputation.

[Invisiblename]

Over here in the UK windscreen repair is normally included in our insurance “free of charge”, for a replacement there is usually an access - mine is £60 - none of which impacts on my No Claims Discount. I’m in the process of having my screen replaced due to a double impact & 1 inch crack on the passenger side. I requested that my insurance company authorised the use of a BMW OEM glass, which they have. Now just waiting for to arrive.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Seems like safelite and repair kit are my options here. I might go down to safelite and see what they say first

I'd get the crack fixed to avoid the crack growing.

I let a small rock chip go unrepaired in my Boxster windshield and after a few years it grew into a windshield wide crack. (See pic.)

Had to have the windshield replaced. (By Safelite. Same store, same tech, a number of dealers (Porsche, BMW, M-B, etc.) used.

More recently my 2023 MINI JCW windshield picked up a rock chip. Straight away went to Safelite to have a repair (not a cosmetic repair) done. Cost about $180 and took less than 15 minutes.

The chip was still visible but I was assured the repair would keep the glass from cracking.

I'll never know. For other reasons -- I had pretty much forgotten about the rock chip although it was visible -- I traded in the car. The JCW was only about 9 months old, had around 7K miles on it and had received better than factory servicing all documented. Traded it in to the BMW dealer -- where I had the JCW serviced -- for a 2024 BMW 230xi.

Got a less than expected trade in allowance for the car because of the rock chip. That knocked the car from excellent condition to the next level down and dropped the trade in value by around $1000.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Seems like safelite and repair kit are my options here. I might go down to safelite and see what they say first

Fixed?

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX5MC

Fixed?

Been busy, haven’t been driving it much and just delaying it. I’ll do it soon. And yeah I lazy

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Been busy, haven’t been driving it much and just delaying it. I’ll do it soon. And yeah I lazy

Ha, no problem. This is something that can happen to any of us, just curious as to what other do -- lesson learned for me also. Thx!