replacement windscreen OEM or Aftermarket?

[BOF]

I have had this beautiful car for only 6 weeks bought from MB (Drayton group) of Shrewsbury and the windscreen was hit by a stone causing a chip and crack.

I want OEM replacement windscreen but the insurance company want a cheaper aftermarket windscreen they are stating that as the car is nearly 4 years old they have the option to dictate what they want!
I am extremely worried as the MB garage say it will invalidate MB used car guarantee if none MB parts used.
MB state that the safety integrity of the structure may be compromised, special tools are required, thickness of glass, construction of glass, opaqueness of glass are different. Fitting is highly specialised to be carried out by MB trained personnel. Also adhesive must be left for x hours to set. Windows must be left open so no slamming of doors which will increase pressure and alter sealant fixing. Air bags if an accident may blow out windscreen if incorrectly fitted and so the list goes on. If MB fit at least I have a warranty if National Windscreen fits all I have is their warranty! Can I insist that the insurance company carries out my reasonable request. I have an automatic windscreen agreement attached to my fully comp policy
Can I insist that ins co uses MB official parts? They tell me on their T&C it says they can choose at their discretion but its in the very small print and its only on their website (not everyone has internet) also its not in their booklet" Important notes re your Insurance"
Is this an unfair unenforceable clause? Is there an actual piece of legislation or statute I can quote? Hopefully there is a lawyer out here on this forum who can advise me?

 

[Alfie]

I have had this beautiful car for only 6 weeks bought from MB (Drayton group) of Shrewsbury and the windscreen was hit by a stone causing a chip and crack.

I want OEM replacement windscreen but the insurance company want a cheaper aftermarket windscreen they are stating that as the car is nearly 4 years old they have the option to dictate what they want!
I am extremely worried as the MB garage say it will invalidate MB used car guarantee if none MB parts used.
MB state that the safety integrity of the structure may be compromised, special tools are required, thickness of glass, construction of glass, opaqueness of glass are different. Fitting is highly specialised to be carried out by MB trained personnel. Also adhesive must be left for x hours to set. Windows must be left open so no slamming of doors which will increase pressure and alter sealant fixing. Air bags if an accident may blow out windscreen if incorrectly fitted and so the list goes on. If MB fit at least I have a warranty if National Windscreen fits all I have is their warranty! Can I insist that the insurance company carries out my reasonable request. I have an automatic windscreen agreement attached to my fully comp policy
Can I insist that ins co uses MB official parts? They tell me on their T&C it says they can choose at their discretion but its in the very small print and its only on their website (not everyone has internet) also its not in their booklet" Important notes re your Insurance"
Is this an unfair unenforceable clause? Is there an actual piece of legislation or statute I can quote? Hopefully there is a lawyer out here on this forum who can advise me?

MB windscreens are good value for money.

I recently had to replace the screen on my B class. Autoglass are a complete ripoff. They wanted £660. Old School Windscreens (Old School Windscreens) did it for £298 fitted inc VAT. This was for Mercedes branded parts aswell!

Is it any wonder insurance premuims are so high when the companies are being ripped off by these national glass companies.

 

[jaymanek]

Just use a different company... Most use an OEM glass such as Pilkington so its exactly the same as original anyway.

There is no argument to make them use an MB screen, just should be OEM.

 

[sinewave]

Is it any wonder insurance premuims are so high when the companies are being ripped off by these national glass companies.

I think you'll find Alfie that what Joe Public pay for a private 'Non-insured' price is no where near what the National Insurers will pay.

They have dedicated departments for obtaining the best prices for set repairs which will be locked for up to a year.

 

[brucemillar]

My insurer (Royal Sun Alliance) were not happy to have an OEM windscreen fitted. Like you I spoke to Mercs and the windscreen company both of whom said that on my car OEM was best due it being heat reflective glass and the wiper sensors etc.

So OEM it was. I did have to wait a few days on Mercedes to get the screen in. This was on my C55. On my C240 they would not budge as Mercs were not as vocal about the sensors (still heat reflective). I have no idea if one is better or not. However I do know that My C240 glass now has another bullet hole (only 5 months old screen) from a rock thrown up by a lorry that I was overtaking.

 

[C43AMG]

Old School are the best. They replaced both front and rear on the 560 SEC i had, i was lucky then as the insurance company had them on there books.

They are the only company i really would trust to put a screen in the CL. You hear of such horror stories.

I have a chip in my CL's front screen, so i rang my insurance company up and asked them who they dealt with, they said a company I'd never heard, it wasn't even Autoglass !!! When i enquired about using a company of my choice, they refused and said i would have to pick up the bill.

When my CL's insurance had to be renewed i rang Old School to find out which insurance Co's they where associated with, not the usual ones so that was the end of that great thought.

Looks like i will have to put up with the chip, for a while.

 

[BOF]

MB want £600+ . Bell insurance AKA Admiral Insurance AKA Diamond insurance AKA Elephant AKA Confused.com (yes thats right an insurance comparison site owned by an insurance company) are all the same one company just different trading names operating under the umbrella of EUI LTD They pay National Windscreens (NW) £151.00 +VAT
They are insisting that they will not pay out for a full MB windscreen nor will they pay out for MB to fit it. I am really concerned regarding no accountability nor traceability of documentation of product . Has the NW product gone through the rigourous batch testing that MB insist on? Is it of the same construction, is the bonding polymer which holds the screen in place of the same standard? As I have stated above there are many questions regarding the safety aspect. Bell insurance AKA Admiral Insurance AKA Diamond insurance AKA Elephant AKA Confused.com, EUI LTD insist they will not pay out for MB replacement and fitting even though I have questioned the legality of their wording and the fact that the only place I could find it was on their website and not in the booklet they sent me. This subject seems to be a perrenial one as issues on this have been going on for years. the moral of the story is dont use an insurance company that advertises so much on the TV under various aliases. Also check the small print that you have to proactively ask for. Has anyone else had problems with this "Del Boy" company before who trade under so many different names ? I am building up a complaint to send to the FSA against them now

 

[hotrodder]

BOF, MB don't make glass and i'd be VERY suprised if they even fit it- far more likely that they'd call in a glass company and add a (probably huge chunk) markup. Just the same as getting a glass only price from them or a national windscreen specialist that deals primarily with insurance replacement

The insurance company thing... while it may not be common knowledge it's far from a secret that the vast majority of comparison sites are owned by an insurer and that many of the 'different' companies are just different brand names and/or brokers rather than a 'direct' cutting out the middle man insurer. It's not just the Admiral group that play that game, it's just a method they all use to target different groups/balance their 'risk book'

I've been with Admiral for the last few years on my daily driver. Having read all the small print i know that the cover (comprehensive part) isn't the best but then why would it be... when something is cheaper there's usually a reason! I'm perfectly happy with them given that daily driver is worth very little, in fact the only reason it's a full comp policy is because 3rd party only typically costs more. On something that's worth more/is new i'd probably want better cover which typically costs more...

If the policy/glass cover was priced based on a screen costing them ~ £150 then perhaps you can get a contribution i.e. They pay out what they 'agreed to' in the small print and you make up the balance. From a decent glass company it'll be far cheaper than the quote you've had from MB and you won't be spun the BS that MB did (the fitting stuff about glue setting etc isn't some secret that only applies to MB, it's standard for bonded glass and has been for eons)

 

[BOF]

Hotrodder, I've gone down the avenue with them re costings I forgot to say that I am paying the Excess of £75.00 so NW are getting £225. The trouble is it's not BS that MB are saying. I was in the oem manafacturing industry on automotive aero aviation and Rail for over 30 years and there is a marked difference. The new polymers that are being invented nowadays means what was acceptable only 5 years ago will have had its formula changed. So we need to use the actual formulation that was made when the build occured as different bondings will now apply. As the bonding occurs on the paint surface this also will no doubt be a different formula to the one of 4 years ago when the car was built. I can assure you that 1,000's of man hours go into the minutest of parts and the troubles that occur are a real minefield.I remember back in the 70's the days of every retro fitting of the window clips that went into the mk2 cortinas something so small can have disastrous effects on vehicles built to modern demanding tolerances.

 

[jaymanek]

You seem to know what you are talking about but the end result is you will get nowhere.
No offence but you seem to be taking quite a simple windscreen replacement and turning it into a major issue which it really isnt.

You can reasonably ask for an OEM brand windscreen but in my opinion, its not reasonable to insist on a screen with the MB logo.. Like has been said they are made by Pilkington et al not by MB and the items these companies sell to the after market business are identical. MB dealers dont even fit screens, they will get matey boy from the unit around the corner to come and fit it.

As long as its OEM, kitemarked/EU approved etc I think thats as much as you can ask for.

Remember these companies are changing thousands of screens daily and I have never ever heard of a crash/death/injury caused by glass made with polymers dated before September 2007.

 

[ringway]

I can't post a link at the moment but search the forum for my "Autoglass Despair Autoglass Disgrace" thread from earlier this year.

 

[reason42]

Today I had my screen replaced on my 61 plate C250. My car has the pano roof.

I'm insured with Admiral and they used Auto Windscreens. When I booked the replacement (cost me £70) I said that I want OE glass. They said because the car is less than 3 years old this is what they do anyway. They said cars over 3 years don't always get OE glass but allow the fitter to supply theirs if they think it would suffice.

Now I was very worried about the whole fitting and the damage it may cause (such as trim not going back right, seals, sensors not working). I was also worried about the weather - just my luck that it rained this morning.

The chap from Auto Windscreens was a really nice bloke. He was professional, careful and understood that the car is my second baby. He could see I took care of if and he was also very considered in his approach. He positioned his van and canopy perfect and he got to work when he was comfortable all was protected.

The glass is now in and and I can honestly say I can't tell if it has been replaced - other than being perfectly clear and no cracks or chips!

I'm very happy and I'll be sending a message to Auto Windscreens thanking them for the great service.

I'm also happy to be writing this message because I feared the worse - but all was ok in the end!

 

[jaymanek]

With regards to fitment it all comes down to the individual fitter and his experience.
Whenever I need a screen I use a local company and ensure I get the one guy who knows how to de trim older Mercedes.

They once sent me a young lad who started pulling and prodding at my A pillar trims... I quickly sent him on his way....

 

[BOF]

I have finally got somewhere with the insurance company. I will update you all after it's been fitted by the Mercedes Garage using genuine replacement parts where I purchased the vehicle from and I recieve payment for the screen and fitting.

 

[Dieselman]

Isn't life full of stresses and strains...

When my car needed a new screen I phoned up, booked the job, the fitter turned up, I checked he had the correct screen, asked him about ensuring he wouldn't damage the A pillar trims, made him a cup of tea and left him to it.

Perfect job.

I must go and find something more important to stress about.

 

[BOF]

Thanks Deiselman for your comment and I perfectly agree with you.It would be nice to stress about something more important . Having lived with traceabilty and proof of origin as well as seeing the results of non conformity in fitment and manufacture of parts for nigh on 30 years. Its difficult to get it out of ones head especially if its a foreign body that has come flying through a windscreen because that particular replacement windscreen did not conform to standards and testing procedures laid down after so many crash testings and simulations. Thats why I fret and worry.

 

[jaymanek]

I have finally got somewhere with the insurance company. I will update you all after it's been fitted by the Mercedes Garage using genuine replacement parts where I purchased the vehicle from and I recieve payment for the screen and fitting.

You do realise that MB dealers have very little experience fitting screens, they all get outside fitters in...

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks Deiselman for your comment and I perfectly agree with you.It would be nice to stress about something more important . Having lived with traceabilty and proof of origin as well as seeing the results of non conformity in fitment and manufacture of parts for nigh on 30 years. Its difficult to get it out of ones head especially if its a foreign body that has come flying through a windscreen because that particular replacement windscreen did not conform to standards and testing procedures laid down after so many crash testings and simulations. Thats why I fret and worry.

Why not visit a fitting company, find an already chipped or cracked screen then try to throw something through it.
Laminated screens a made to a standard and are incredibly hard to penetrate.

Or do you just want a screen with the MB logo on?

 

[BOF]

Hi deiselman slightly difficult to emulate a large stone or rock or debris at a combined speed in excess of 70MPH so it wont stack up. Youtube is a lot safer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfmPz19Z6ds
or this one called pole through windscreen Pole Through Windscreen - YouTube

with regards the MB OEM part (logo) I have taken a look at the guarantee and yes if a non MB part is fitted it invalidates the warranty I also took a a 3year service agreement and again using non MB parts also invalidates this agreement. I re-iterate it ai'nt a case of badge snobbery its a very strong case of traceability,reliability and safety issues here.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

With respect, I'm surprised that MB have been able to source a 4 year old screen, or even one made with exactly the same materials as in 2008. Surely by now they would have improved just a little, or is that a no no?