Replacement Windscreens - Who's Best to do it?

[bahamars]

Anybody had issues with replacing the front widscreen of their E class (W211). Insurance will cost me £75, MB £600 - but can autoglass or whoever do as good a job as a MB service department [in the car park v service bay] will it ever be the same again. My previous replacement on another make by a replacement windscreen company was a disaster - the screen creeked from then on!

 

[Roger Jones]

If your insurers will allow it, ask a good independent bodyshop who they use for glasswork (often/usually subcontracted) and get that person to install an MB OEM screen.

 

[KLP 92]

Its hard to say really, all depends on the fitter. I had my W202 screen changed by an unknown windscreen company at roadside and they did a perfect job.

My SEC windcreen was replaced at RAC at their dedicated service centre and i was really unhappy with their work. They had left excess sealant at the sides of the screen, looked like someone tried to do it themselves. As far as customer service goes its shocking! I waited 2 months for a windscreen and then when it arrived it wasn't original. 2 weeks later they finally got it right but then didn't fit it properly!

 

[grober]

Unfortunately you may find that your local MB dealer may "subcontract " the job anyway. So it depends how fastidious their choice is. Certainly a good idea to use MB parts. You may find "mobilolife" conditions may require its done thro MB anyway to preserve the warranty.

 

[C43AMG]

If you live in the Surrey area The Old School Wind Screen Co Chertsey

01932 873506. They have fitted a front and rear screen to my 560 SEC and are brilliant.

 

[Brian WH]

I have used Autoglass on several occasions over the years and ALWAYS been happy with the result.

As has been said however, there is always a rogue fitter in most companies

 

[Pietre]

Had mine done by Autoglass last month. They now ask for your chassis number and only use genuine MB glass. It is usually ordered from your local dealer.

 

[bahamars]

Update

I had the windscreen replaced today, under insurance, it cost me £60 by RAC Windscreens.

Not impressed at all. The inside has small glass fragments everywhere, apparently they cut a hole in the glass using a grinder.

Worse, is the fact that the rubber seals on the sides don't fit, one side just touches the glass and the other side is at its worst point 5mm away from the glass. If you look underneath it you can see the A pillar. The wind deflector trim on that side is mishapen and where before you could not see it from inside, now you can see it bulging away from the glass - a disaster.

Just typical of what I was expecting - I knew I should have gone to MB

I'm going back tomorrow to RAC Windscreens get their view of their workmanship. I'll Keep you posted.

 

[KLP 92]

Good luck, cos you'll need it!

I worte them an official letter of complaint, sent it registered delivery and 3 months later no reply! Their staff were rude, arrogant and not in the slightest bit bothered about rectifying their mistakes. I ended up taking the car elsewhere to get it 100%.

 

[pammy]

Hope you get it sorted chuck. Sounds a right lemon of a job!

I've used Autoglass and MB and both did brilliant jobs - although tbh MB did sub-contract it out - but I don't know who to.

Had a front screen put in the Voyager by Autoglass and their attention to detail and care was first class, and the rear sceen in Edna via MB. Can't find fault with either job

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

If they refuse to do anything and you paid by c/card you may be able to claim the money back through your card issuer.

Hope you get it sorted!

 

[DieselE]

I had the windscreen on my W211 replaced by Autoglass and, like others above, have nothing but praise for the result.

Really sorry to hear that RAC Windscreens have messed you about, hope you get it sorted.

 

[bahamars]

Update

I took the car back to Rac Auto Windscreens and told them there was a problem with the fitting of the screen. I showed the manager that the rubber seals weren't even touching the glass.

His first instinct was to give the trim severeal hard thumps with his fist [talk about neandathal - I'm still staggered at what goes through these peoples heads] then he tried bending it over with his thumb!

I then pointed out the gap between the rubber and the glass on the other side top corner. He then admitted that the screen was incoorecctly fitted and that it had been pushed to far onto the frame and that it would need replacing. To which I replied that they had ballsed it up once and they would not get another chance to balls it up again. They insist that they should replace it.

Took the car to MB after the visit to RAC Auto Windscreens. They told me that you should not fit windscreens to cars of this nature other than in the dealership. The process is slow, takes skill and requires the genuine part. They said that just closing the door after fitting is sufficient to damage the new seal due to the increase in pressure inside as ar result of closing the door!

Conclusion
I'm going to tell RAC Auto Windows that they will not be refitting a new screen. I will instruct MB to fit a new screen to replace the incorrectly fitted one. I have already warned my insurance broker and will try to recover as much of the replacement cost as possible - I wont be holding my breath.

Thought
Why do I pay windscreen insurance on my policy in the knowledge that any replacement could be inferior to the original. You would not expect that for a front wing or grille. I am coming rapidly to the conclusion that this whole winscreen business is a bit of a dodgy business. Probably better to put a £100 in an account every year to build up a replacement cost for a genuine part.

Has anybody told their insurance broker that they do not want windscreen insurance in their premium and how much credit did you receive?

 

[BTB 500]

Autoglass give a life of the vehicle warranty on fitting. Having had a water leak on my VW which took over a year to identify as a poorly fitted replacement windscreen (VW warranty repair), IMO this is pretty worthwhile.

 

[grober]

Incest?

Its all part of the incestuous relationship insurance companies have with the glass replacement companies. The glass firms are desperate for the business( their bread and butter) and the insurance companies want to minimise their costs and negotiate rock bottom rates for the job. Hence the "you wont lose your NCB for windscreen glass replacement" clause IF you use an "approved" =CHEAP repairer. Oh AND you will have to pay an excess of £50-£100 pounds which probably covers the cost anyway.
Its probably time that windscreen repair was reassessed by the industry since its moved on from the plain flat glass panel held in by a rubber seal to a laminated element glued into the body shell and designed as an integrated load bearing structure in itself and contributing much to the rigidity and stability of the car body. As such its vital its replacement is performed to a high standard. Unfortunately like many aspects of car repair today this probably means the motorist paying more to get the job done correctly.

 

[bahamars]

Grober [Graeme]

Your opinions are shared by this member. Thanks for your reply.

 

[saorbust]

In defence of RAC Windscreens, I use the one down the road from here. I've had two repairs and three replacements over the past 6 years. With the replacements - I've always insisted on MB OEM Glass, and provided my chassis number so they can order it via the local dealer.

They've always been superb, and I always go to the workshop and wait three hours to have it fitted. This allows me to check it right away, there and then.

I've no complaints - in fact they've been excellent on every occasion. For reference its the RAC Windscreen dealer on the A12, just opposite Romford MB (who I have a different opinion on).

 

[SL300-24]

Lasy year I had the windscreen replaced in my W124 cabrio by RAC windscreens. Firstly they sent a fitter to my house with a pattern windscreen which I refused.
They then ordered a windscreen from MB and I took the car to thier depot for fixing. They would not let me wait and Iwas told to call back in a couple of hours.
When I went back it was 'done'. I had a quick look and signed the form thrust at me and paid the £60 insurance excess.
The following day I turned on the heater fan and it made one hell of a noise.
I took it to my local indie, and was told 99% sure that they had dropped windscreen sealant into the heater fan.
RAC agreed to the indie stripping out the fan, and they would pay if it was thier fault. Sure enough about 4 strips of sealent were found in the fan. Also the rubbers at the bottom of the screen were fitted wrongly. It was eventually all put right by the MB Specialist and paid for by RAC windscreens

I would in future insist on the main dealer fitting my screen.

 

[BTB 500]

I would in future insist on the main dealer fitting my screen.

Most main dealers won't touch windscreens now, particularly bonded ones.

 

[KLP 92]

I'll have another bash at RAC. Just found out why my alarm internal sensor no longer works! They cut the wire while removing the old screen

Just shoddy workmanship, unnacceptable for a company of their stature.