New windscreen for S211 - MB or OEM?

[Londonscottish]

I need a new windscreen for my S211. It's got rain and light sensors.

Other posts seem to suggest that OEM fitters don't always get the sensors sorted correctly.

So should I just book the car in at the local MB service department?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[davidjpowell]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/88688-windscreens.html

A non scientific poll for you.

 

[Londonscottish]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/88688-windscreens.html

A non scientific poll for you.

Thanks - looks like I need to start with a call to the insurance company tomorrow and take it from there.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

1. No need to contact your insurer if you use their recommended windscreen replacement outlet. In my case this was National Windscreens and they did absolutely everything for me.

2. You can insist that you have only genuine (badged) MB parts and this also relates to your windscreen.

I went directly to National Windscreens and after following the advice of my local MB dealership, I insisted that I would only allow genuine MB parts to be used. That is our right to choose or to refuse anything other than genuine MB parts.

After asking a few questions of my insurer (NIG), the really helpful chap at National Windscreens called me back to say that this would be okay by my insurer.

The difference between a Pilkington windscreen and a genuine MB windscreen is a very small MB star symbol, printed onto the very bottom of the windscreen. Well that and the price difference. Either windscreen would have cost me £90 excess, as per my policy but if I had to buy one myself, I would have paid over £600 for one with an MB badge and under £400 for one without. Either way, both cost my insurer MORE than my premium and both are identical apart from the MB star.

Now I have a nice, shiny and new windscreen and the satisfaction of knowing that after almost 25 years of claim free and incident free motoring, that an insurer has had to pay out more than my premium.

 

[davidjpowell]

1. No need to contact your insurer if you use their recommended windscreen replacement outlet. In my case this was National Windscreens and they did absolutely everything for me.

2. You can insist that you have only genuine (badged) MB parts and this also relates to your windscreen.

I went directly to National Windscreens and after following the advice of my local MB dealership, I insisted that I would only allow genuine MB parts to be used. That is our right to choose or to refuse anything other than genuine MB parts.

After asking a few questions of my insurer (NIG), the really helpful chap at National Windscreens called me back to say that this would be okay by my insurer.

The difference between a Pilkington windscreen and a genuine MB windscreen is a very small MB star symbol, printed onto the very bottom of the windscreen. Well that and the price difference. Either windscreen would have cost me £90 excess, as per my policy but if I had to buy one myself, I would have paid over £600 for one with an MB badge and under £400 for one without. Either way, both cost my insurer MORE than my premium and both are identical apart from the MB star.

Now I have a nice, shiny and new windscreen and the satisfaction of knowing that after almost 25 years of claim free and incident free motoring, that an insurer has had to pay out more than my premium.

Need to be careful. I think that I saw in my insurance policy that if I insist on manufacturers parts windscreen rather than OEM there is a maximum amount that they will contribute. Direct Line.

*On checking this is only if I do not use their own recommended repairer. It's silent on whether they will pay their installer to fit MB glass.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

Correct. There is a 'maximum amount' they will extend to but that to me, is a totally arbitrary figure. National told me my insurer's contribution would be somewhere around £400 and it eventually cost over £600! All it has cost me is my agreed £90 excess and I believe that this is because I stuck to my guns. Had my insurer requested a further contribution from me, I would have rejected their offer on the grounds that it would be a clear breach of the contract as stated in my policy T&C's.

You have the right to choose which parts are used on YOUR car. An insurance company IS NOT your friend and they won't be hurt if you cause them to stick to the terms of their agreed policy.

You have agreed to pay a 'Windscreen excess' which will not affect your policy or future policies in any way. If you encounter any grief or argument from Direct Line, immediately request a written statement of where in YOUR agreed insurance policy is stated that you must accept non-OEM parts with particular respect to a replacement windscreen. If it isn't written in black and white on the policy you signed that you can't have a genuine MB windscreen, after paying the excess on your policy, it doesn't exist.

Having said that, after my recent experience, I actually wouldn't bother contacting an insurer, because they will probably want to charge you a 'handling fee' or some such crap for something which the windscreen outlet will do in five minutes for free. The guy at National Windscreens (Richard), who absolutely went out of his way to help me get what I wanted, assured me that the advice given to me by MB was 100% correct. He also assured me that both windscreens were exactly the same and are both made by Pilkington Glass. All I had to do was present my Insurance certificate and he did the rest.

One other point. You are the owner of a Mercedes Benz! Not some scrappy little run-around. I tend to treat Insurers with the contempt they deserve and I would approach this situation with a very firm and positive attitude. I also treat my car very well. Don't be pushed about by an Insurer because you have paid them and they have agreed a contract with you. Anything less than what is written into your policy is a breach of it, by my reckoning.

It goes both ways and I don't know anyone who enjoys dealing with an insurer. Pay your excess and get what you want. Practically everything on my car has an MB star symbol on it somewhere and that means all the windows too.

 

[ringway]

I wanted an MB screen for my S210 a few months back and my insurer did evrything they could (including an increased excess payment) to deter me from having OEM.

I went with the Autoglass screen and it was faulty. A bit like a goldfish bowl at the edges of the screen.

Because I had the faulty Autoglass screen, Autoglass installed a new MB one without any charge. I'm not sure who picked up the extra charge for the MB screen though. Autoglass or my insurer?

 

[CMR]

I went to so much trouble insisting I get an OEM windscreen when mine cracked, I was quite relived when it all done. One week later a lorry overtook and it was it literally slow motion, I saw this stone come off the road and - smack! another crack on the new screen!

 

[Londonscottish]

I wanted an MB screen for my S210 a few months back and my insurer did evrything they could (including an increased excess payment) to deter me from having OEM.

I went with the Autoglass screen and it was faulty. A bit like a goldfish bowl at the edges of the screen.

Because I had the faulty Autoglass screen, Autoglass installed a new MB one without any charge. I'm not sure who picked up the extra charge for the MB screen though. Autoglass or my insurer?

Interesting......

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

Deal directly with the windscreen company and they will do the rest for you.

Insurers always do everything they can to deter people with whom they have agreed contracts from using their contract, in their favour. They are NOT our friends so treat them firmly and without becoming emotionally involved. If the answer to anything you legitimately claim is 'no', request written confirmation of their decision and request precise details of where in your Insurance Policy/ Contract is stated exactly what they have said.

 

[Londonscottish]

.....so I have been told by my insurers (ABC) and Autoglass the following;

- I have to go through Autoglass to make the claim
- Autoglass supply Pilkington glass windscreens
- any problems with raid and headlight sensors will be covered by Autoglass warranty.

I've so far stuck to my guns stating that I want a Mercedes branded windscreen.

The Autoglass branch are going to call me later to (a) confirm that they fit Pilkington by default (b) give me a price for that and (c) give me the price for a windscreen sourced from MB.

I can then go back to ABC and argue the toss as to why I should get an MB windscreen.

I'll also follow the advice of the posters (thanks!) who suggest I ask for written proof that I cannot have an MB screen.

 

[h17n dj]

i had to have a new windscreen at the beggining of the year. I went through insurance (Aviva) and requested, well demanded, that it be an original MB windscreen. I had to wait 4-6 weeks for it but sure as hell did i get it ..... It was Auto windscreens that carried out the work. luckily for me i have no light or rain sensors so it was a straight forward job

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

1a. Size matters.
1b. Are you going to be asked for a contribution to cover the genuine MB screen.
1c. There is no '1c'.
2. Would it pass an MoT?
3. You have a Windscreen excess on your policy, so use it!
4. This is precisely the reason for why such splendid forums exist.

Please bear in mind that you are arguing the toss over a little, black Mercedes-Benz star, which is about 5mm across (if that) and which nobody is ever going to know about, apart from you and your insurer!

In my book, that is all the more reason to cause an insurer to have to pay out for genuine parts, because if you ever find yourself with enough time and motivation to read and decipher the small print of your policy, that's precisely the sort of miniscule detail which they will use against you/ your car, should you ever have to make a claim. If you are told that you will have to pay more for a genuine MB screen, ask for that in writing and for exactly where in your policy this is stated, in writing! (it may be stated but request it anyway)

This time, you win!

As for having to wait, if your windscreen is damaged in such a way which renders your car unroadworthy and your insurer or Windscreen supplier causes you to wait, I'd be demanding a substitute vehicle on the basis that they would knowingly be causing you to keep an unroadworthy vehicle which, if involved in an incident, would probably be deemed to have been unroadworthy. You could also argue that it would fail an MoT.

Most people want to help eachother. Most people want to be happy. Insurers are cyborg lizard Vulcan-geeks who lack empathy. Their minion slave workers are all drugged upto the eyeballs and their capacity to use their discretion in our favour is limited by them receiving a massive electrical shock every time they are genuinely good. I think.

 

[Londonscottish]

In the end I had a Pilkington screen fitted by Autoglass this morning. It seems fine so far (the rain sensor is fine, need to wait for evening to make sure the light sensor is OK).

I just didn't fancy the agro of arguing for an MB logo'd one when a decent Pilkington one is arguably just as good.

Thanks, all, for all your advice and guidance.

 

[saorbust]

all valid points, but I've always insisted on OEM Glass.

Reason ? Warranty for my car specifically states only manufacturer approved parts, which means only those with a star on them.

My insurance company (who I no longer use) told me I had to have pilkington. I then responded by saying 'provided you agree to underwrite the warranty of the car since it's a non standard non-OEM part for a vehicle which mandates the use of OEM parts to ensure it's continued validity' then I accept.

Sure enough they backed down.

Oh and most of the glass companies are brilliant - they hear this all the time and good ones will even take your chassis no. to ensure they get the correct glass. Don't be fobbed off.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

I have to say, LondonScottish, that I am surprised that you didn't insist on OEM. I say this because you're paying for it via your excess anyway AND because you are perfectly entitled to have a little black star on your windscreen if you so wish.

Causing your insurance company to do a little work isn't really rocking the boat at all, it's just requesting what you're due.

Hope all your sensors worked okay and if anything thanks for starting this thread. I hope others will learn from it.

All the best,

Hi-Ho.

 

[prprandall51]

Your insurance company will record the cost of the claim (which is what it is - even if it is only a glass replacement) and use this to calculate your next year's premium. I personally don't think it is worth upping your annual premium for the sake of a little star in the corner.

Privilege record glass claims as part of your allownance for no-claims protection.

From another angle: the advice I was given by a windscreen fitter was to always opt to have it done on your driveway so that the car can sit undisturbed for 24 hours whilst the glue cures fully. If you have a screen replaced at their fitting centre and then drive away shortly thereafter, the body flex can disturb the seal.

 

[Hi-Ho Silver]

This is not what I was told by my insurer, by a MB main dealership or by National Windscreens. Perhaps this varies from insurer to insurer?

 

[Londonscottish]

I have to say, LondonScottish, that I am surprised that you didn't insist on OEM. I say this because you're paying for it via your excess anyway AND because you are perfectly entitled to have a little black star on your windscreen if you so wish.

Causing your insurance company to do a little work isn't really rocking the boat at all, it's just requesting what you're due.

Hope all your sensors worked okay and if anything thanks for starting this thread. I hope others will learn from it.

All the best,

Hi-Ho.

I see where you are coming from but in my case I (a) had a long chat with the workshop supervisor at Autoglass who assured who was happy to help either way but stressed that there really was no material difference from a Plilkington screen supplied by Autoglass and another good brand supplied via MB (albeit with the addition of a small MB badge) (b) I had a veto if I didn't like the brand that was being proposed (c) life's too short - I've got a full time job, two young kids, two holidays about to happen, a car service and DVD insyallation to sort out and a full on house redevelopment underway.......

You have to pick your battles......