Just got my windshield replaced for the SECOND time today. OEM last time, PPG this time due to time constraints.

Since replacement, I've noticed that I can actually see the leading edge of the headliner's orangish material from the front of the vehicle. It's almost as if the headliner was installed too low..but not. I think the black "border" around the glass isn't as wide. Of course, the glass company insists that they're identical, and everything was installed properly. Owner of the company says it's entirely my fault for going with the PPG glass, and he supposedly told me it wouldn't be the same and that I should wait for the OEM glass to come in (lie).

Anybody else have this eyesore? I do NOT want to see my headliner's edge, period. Also, the glass seems to be tinted differently... No likey.

Advice?

 

First, I feel your frustration. It is actually not due to the width of the tint band, which does not appear to be significantly different between OEM and PPG glass. The PPG has a different profile at the top than the OEM windshield. It is hard to explain but it is more convex at the top, so it comes out further from the leading edge of the headliner. As a result, you can see a bit of the underside of the headliner material (orange-yellow), as you are describing. This gap from the headliner edge to the windshield is actually there even with OEM glass (a bit of a letdown in itself, as this is not how BMW finishes the e46, for example), but it grows noticeably wider with the PPG's different profile.

I too noticed what you are describing, and also noted the larger gap when I was cleaning the inside of the windshield upon getting it home from the glass shop. In my case, I pushed up on my headliner along the edge to be sure it was seated fully (b/c at first I worried that the installer had pulled it down or otherwise man-handled it when fitting the rain sensor) and it helped but the orange-yellow underside is still visible if you look for it. Give that a try and see if it helps a little.

I believe a better option is to buy a length of very narrow U-channel trim (you need only have enough to cover the thickness of the headliner) in black and place it over the headliner edge to finish the edge off.

And a final option is to have the glass-fitter swap out the PPG for the OEM glass.

On the positive side, the PPG glass is not without its advantages over OEM besides being cheaper (which of course it is that too)... it is reputed to be more resistant to rock chips than the OEM glass (which is horrible). It seems windshields are a bit of a wear item on MINIs.

Either way, a newly-fitted windshield is the time to clean it well and then start building up a generous coating of rainX!

 

Ehhh..
I don't think I'm going to settle with this. If the windshield is a different shape, it's simply not comparable to the OEM glass. Who knows if my rain sensor will even work properly. I'll have to keep a keen ear out for wind noise too, I guess.

What really gets me is that this guy charged over $100 MORE than what it cost to have OEM glass put in THREE WEEKS ago!

My car is 6 months old, should I settle for a bad fit, or push the envelope?

 

Just took at look at the windshield. Looks like it has a fat "forehead" way up top, if you will. Obviously the problem.

Bummer.

 

hi nsarchett - The rain sensor should work just fine. But "fat forehead" is a good term for the convexity.

If you don't want to be bothered getting a trim piece to cover up the edge of the headliner, go see your installer and make a fuss. He may be able to do that for you or even swap it out for OEM glass. It is too bad the installer charged you MORE for the PPG than the OEM though, that seems a bit "irregular" as list price should be about 1/2 for the PPG glass.

 

He charged my insurance. The total came to nearly $700. It was only $549 for OEM from Safelite. Luckilly, I only have a $100 deductible.

The installer wants nothing to do with making the situation better, and has made that very clear. My insurance is going to bat for me as progressive has a "100% satisfaction" thing going on. I've disputed the $100 charge on my AMEX, and won't pay until I'm happy.

I guess I'm one of "those" customers, but by golly I work hard for my money and expect to get what I pay for.

 

As well you should...fight until you are ABSOLUTELY satisfied...I WOULD!!

 

No, you're just someone who wants a job done right. Your insurance company will probably not pay for the installation unless the installer makes good. I would follow-up with a brief letter to your contact at Progressive explaining the problem and asking for the job to be done again with OEM parts. Also ask that they refer you to a different installer, at no additional charge, if the first installer refuses to do the work. It may take some time, but they should have enough leverage with the installer to get you satisfaction. Auto glass installers don't stay in business very long without insurance referrals.

 

 

We go through this all the time in both my bodyshops. The insurance company pays for replacement glass which may or may not be worth a crap.

There are a few glass companies that make glass for all the manufacturers. (LOR I think is the name) Then, as they are manufactured, they stamp each manufacturer's insignia in the glass designating the brand.

The problem is, you get aftermarket companies and many times the glass is such poor quality, you can actually see a distortion looking out the glass. (much like a cheap pair of sunglasses)

Point is, your insurance company will tell you call the glass company. They will replace it again (because it may be sitting too low, poor quality, wrong specs, etc, etc)

If the second glass is exactly the same, then the insurance company will pay for a factory glass.

This is not written in stone but usually the way it works....


UNLESS you push the issue with the insurance company and not allow them to use the same replacement.

If the black trim around the glass is different, that is usually enough of a discrepancy for them to issue an OEM one.

Bottom line... DON'T SETTLE.

Go back and complain... I would. (and have)


Mark

 

Hello nsarchett,

I had my windshield replaced with PPG glass, and did not have any issues at all. When I researched it before it was fixed, a lot of people recommended PPG over the OEM glass, which has had a lot of issues. I know that this probably isn't too helpful, other than maybe yours wasn't installed properly or is a flawed piece of glass. Unfortunately, I had to have the windshield replaced since the PPG glass was installed (I was in an accident and the airbag shattered the windshield), and the collision shop replaced it with the OEM. So in a year of ownership, my poor MINI has had three windshields in it, and I haven't had any one in it long enough to tell a difference. But I definitely didn't have the problem that you speak of.

 

Good point pepper, it does sound like it's not so much a problem with the glass as much as the glass installation.

I would still complain to the glass company and push the issue with the insurance if you're not satisfied.

Mark

 

Had my windshield replaced with PPG and it looks fine to me. The headliner is hidden by the black band so even if it isn't flush, I can't see the edge of the headliner.

 

We just had our 03 MINI glass replaced. The shop put in something other than OWM glass. We questioned them about it and they said they won't use OEM on a car older than 2 years. The new glass had lots of distortion in it and we requested it be replaced. The glass shop then replaced it (at their expense) with OEM glass and all is well.

 

Thanks for the advice everybody.
The shop owner came out to see what was going on. He insisted that the install job was "good". I agreed that the labor was professional, and complete. But I insisted that the glass was indeed defective. I even pointed out that along the horizontal axis at the top of the windshield, the glass has pretty deep rippling all along the top. I noticed this on the bottom as well.

Of course, he denied that this defect was present! I was even lucky enough to have another R56 in the lot to check out..and sure enough...PPG glass WITHOUT the problems I have.

Again, he denied any issues.

Sooo..I told him that I wasn't comfortable paying for his service if I feel, and can prove to a reasonable extent, that the glass is defective.

From his mounth "If you dispute that F****** charge on your f****** AMEX, I'll take your *** straight to court". I of course sent him on his way and disputed the charge immediately. (have fun wasting your time in small claims for a $100 charge, buddy)

Progressive wants to send out an adjuster to look at it, and they've already ordered me some OEM glass. Soooo, it looks like I'm getting what I wanted after-all! Time will tell, I suppose.

 

arrrgggghhh, just got my first chip in my OEm glass and am dreading the day to go through this...thanks for all the insight and perspective.

 

nicely done nsarchett!

 

Excellent handling of the situation. The dude at the glass joint will likely be mowing yards next year somewhere. Glass companies die very quickly when insurance companies no likey them.

 

I'm glad you stuck to your guns. I hope that it gets fixed quickly!

 

How can everyone afford consistently replacing their windshields?!?!?! I have horrible car insurance which pays too much because some idiotic truck driver wanted to carry little pebbles to South Central LA. I love trucks. Anyways, I also have a ridiculous dent UNDER the antenna casing that I'm trying to get fixed. The dealers have quoted me 1400 for the rain sensing 2007 MCS windshield and 1100 to fix the stupid dent(s). Basically the garage landed on the antenna pushing down both sides of the roof base creating two dents on opposite corners of the antenna. It's ridiculous. I have some lovely scotch tape keeping out rain from seeping in the holes. Anyways, a) do you all believe in SafeLite? and b) do i just suck it up and spend all that money?!?

 

First of all, $1400 is WAY too much for glass. Safelife did my first one for less than $600. They're a reputable company.

Go to a real body shop to get an estimate on the dents, I bet they can do it for less cash.

 

On a more related note, I'm still waiting for the results of Progressive's "investigation" regarding the defective glass. Meanwhile, I've grown used to it and it doesn't bother me AS MUCH as it did. Maybe that's their plan.

I really don't want to see a cancellation from them, and they say they don't cancel for glass claims..but paying only $600/6mos for two cars with 300k full coverage is pretty darn cheap.

 

If your dealer is like mine, he only contracts out body, glass work to some one else, hench the extra profit.

 

Safelite in Chicago replaced my (non-rain-sensing) R56 windshield with PPG glass for about $300 back in April ... and that was the TOTAL bill, no insurance coverage for glass. No problems, no leaks, no whistles. (I DID go lower my comp deductible to $0 after that, though -- )

a) Safelite is a reputable company, and PPG glass is solid; I suspect that nsarchett got sold either a defective or a counterfeit windshield.
b) Keep shopping, and keep fighting!

 

Looking at my paperwork, this shop charged $793 for the whole job with PPG glass. The glass itself was $637.

Safelite charged only $690 for the whole job with OEM glass...... Anyone smell a ripoff? Of course, when I pointed this out to Progressive they weren't interested. No wonder insurance costs so much...

(hopefully google catches this. RELIABLE AUO GLASS in Auburn, CA SUCKS)