Replacement Windshields: Options and Experiences?

[noid]

Just got my (original 😩) windshield replaced yesterday at Low Price Auto Glass here in Austin, TX. They had it in stock and it is a Fuyao manufacturer - all for $323 out the door. Has the blue tint strip at the top. BMW said there were 3 original left in the country so would have to be shipped to ATX and it would be $900…

Do you have a picture of the windshield?

Interested to see how blue the strip is.

[nadodude111]

Just got my (original 😩) windshield replaced yesterday at Low Price Auto Glass here in Austin, TX. They had it in stock and it is a Fuyao manufacturer - all for $323 out the door. Has the blue tint strip at the top. BMW said there were 3 original left in the country so would have to be shipped to ATX and it would be $900…

[TobyB]

Where can you source aftermarket glass these days?

I haven't needed any in years- and now I need several,
(one for the E36, too)
and all the places I used to get it are gone.

t

[noid]

We have done a decent amount of the Fuyao windshields here at BimmerHeads. We purchased the tools to do them ourselves since glass people don't seem to understand the lock strip system and insist on urethane everywhere.

Some customers request OEM glass which you can order from your local BMW dealer. Current retail price on a new OEM glass (non-vert and non-M) is $703. Part number 51311884397.

Also

51311884393 - green without green shade band

51311876150 - Completely clear (no color)

[e30austin]

We have done a decent amount of the Fuyao windshields here at BimmerHeads. We purchased the tools to do them ourselves since glass people don't seem to understand the lock strip system and insist on urethane everywhere.

Some customers request OEM glass which you can order from your local BMW dealer. Current retail price on a new OEM glass (non-vert and non-M) is $703. Part number 51311884397.

$700 for a goddamn windshield. what a world we live in today...... even at 20% off list (shop price), that's still $560 for a genuine - i'll take my chances with a Pilkington for my red car.

[MR 325]

We have done a decent amount of the Fuyao windshields here at BimmerHeads. We purchased the tools to do them ourselves since glass people don't seem to understand the lock strip system and insist on urethane everywhere.

Some customers request OEM glass which you can order from your local BMW dealer. Current retail price on a new OEM glass (non-vert and non-M) is $703. Part number 51311884397.

[Digitalwave]

Do they pass one of the "cheap glass" tests? One being whether a set of transition lenses will work in the car. In my E34 they don't (no tint up front), in the recent rental I had they did. Cheap glass.

I'm not familiar, and don't have any transition lenses.

[e30austin]

Pilkington makes decent glass for these old cars. i would try to find one. $700 for an OE windshield is stupid, especially when it's probably a Fuyao or Pilkington unit.

i used to save the used ones from donor cars, but those are really difficult to find, these days.

[varg]

I had two installed about 3 months ago, they were each $220 installed w/ the glass. I have no idea the brand but they fit and look fine.

Do they pass one of the "cheap glass" tests? One being whether a set of transition lenses will work in the car. In my E34 they don't (no tint up front), in the recent rental I had they did. Cheap glass.

[projectJTv4]

I had my front and rear installed for $430 in January of this year. Reused all items.

Old front had a chip / crack at the front where it meets the seal, was letting water in and down the glove box area. During replacement I realize I did not have the lock strip "cup" that goes in the center. I bought one and then realize the gasket had shrunk and gap is too big.

Old rear defroster was not working at all. So I replaced that one also. The new one seemed to work, and then all of a sudden some of the lines would not defrost...

Edit: 4/3/24, rear defroster works slowly and not evenly... also developed 2 leaks from the rear. I taped it off after a big storm and no leak. Removed the tape and it rained and found water in the trunk. I will likely need to pull the rear windshield and either order new gasket / sealing parts (if still available) or add some sort of sealant to it.

[Digitalwave]

I had two installed about 3 months ago, they were each $220 installed w/ the glass. I have no idea the brand but they fit and look fine.

[Dj Buttchug]

interesting getting fuyao, there an OEM for F30 glass nowadays. I wonder how it compares to E30 OE glass.

Bought one of these for $200 bucks a while back and installed in my car myself. Not difficult at all. Quality of the glass is decent. Not a bad purchase for the price.

[88Sedan]

OP, down in moss landing right next to the pick n pull there is a glass shop. He pulls select glass before cars get junked. I broke my buddy's wimdshield with a wrench (doh!), and he got a very good replacement there for like $70 or $80. This was like 7 yrs ago, but still. Prob not oem in my case, but an excellent price nonetheless. No install just the glass.

[ZeKahr]

Replaced my windshield earlier this year. Called a few local shops and none could source a replacement.

Took it to the dealer, they had a $400 aftermarket option and $600 for BMW OEM. Went with OEM glass, was able to reuse the seals and lock strip, all in was about $900 installed.

From my experience, local shops, unless they specialize in E30s, are useless for sourcing parts for these cars. You either have to know a good parts guy or go to the dealer

[uturn]

Replaced my windshield earlier this year. Called a few local shops and none could source a replacement.

Took it to the dealer, they had a $400 aftermarket option and $600 for BMW OEM. Went with OEM glass, was able to reuse the seals and lock strip, all in was about $900 installed.