Looking at a new windshield, school me on the differences between PNs

[glucklich21]

My 1991 MT2 318i has its factory windshield, down to the remnants of its break in procedure sticker. To its credit there isn't a single crack to be found, a few chips, but no cracks. However after traveling 400 something thousand miles I can't see shit when I'm driving into the sun it's so pitted. As a result, I've been looking into a replacement.

I've looked at the euro part listing and I've looked at the US part listing. I'm seeing a few differences. Mainly a few more choices. My windshield now has a slight tint to it and a blueish/greenish "band" at the top. I would like the same as a replacement, but I'm not entirely sure which one it is.

Here's the various EU spec options:

FRONT WINDSHIELD CLEAR 51311876150 $392.67
Green windshield 51311884393 $392.67
GOLD BRONZE 51311884395 $392.67
Green, green shade band 51311884397 $432.31

The 2 US options:

GREEN 51311466363 $193.75
Green windshield 51311884393 $392.67


Now I know I do not have the "bronze" windshield. That looks like this:



I do know that my side windows and my old rear window were a blueish/green. My E30 is the only one I've ever seen with it. The few I've been around are all clear, with no visible hue at all.

My car was imported in to the US in January of 93. It's a US spec, but I have a few options to be in compliance with EU laws such as the warning triangle, first aid kit, etc. You can see this on my build sheet when you run the vin.

So what I'm guessing is that my glass is also "in compliance" since I've never seen it on another US E30.

TL;DR which PN is my glass?

[McGyver]

they are all the same except for the M3. and its super easy to put it in yourself. i think i paid 90 for an aftermarket one, but could have paid 75 if i had cash.

[vlad]

get aftermarket windshield for around $140

[TurboJake]

I'd just run a regular old aftermarket clear one if it were me. Having the front be clear and the rest a different color of tint is a huge bonus, as I'm nearly blind in my right eye.
The more detail I can see in front of me, the better.

[nrubenstein]

I think that a lot of US glass has simply been bleached clear.

[deansbimmer]

I friggen WANT that bronz windshield...

[glucklich21]

But I don't want an aftermarket one. I want the same that's in my car, ie color and quality. I don't mind paying for it and I can install it myself. I've already done the rear due to an old bad tint job.

All of my glass has the roundel and "Soliver" brand on it.

If I recall right, the aftermarket ones are Pinkerton. If I've learned anything from my E90's windshield that is Pinkerton, they're crap. ;)

[JasonC]

There is nothing wrong with a PPG windshield. Same quality and looks as an OEM one...

[glucklich21]

But does the PPG have the tint and the color band on it?

[TwoJ's]

Doubt it. There is a user on here called van westersomething. Search around for his posts about glass. I know he bought a full bronze glass set, so he might be able to point you in the right direction.

[5Toes]

I dont get how bronze glass looks different..

[glucklich21]

It's brown, not clear. I have no other way of making it more simple. ;)


Okay, so doing some looking on a few euro E30 forums, the "green windshield" is the blueish looking one and I want the same color band at the top, so PN 51311884397 it is.

Retail is $240, so that's not bad at all.

[JasonC]

But does the PPG have the tint and the color band on it?

Yes it does.

[BlackSpeed66]

The PPG windshield does have the tint band at the top. I had one put in my car earlier this spring. It looks and fits great. PPG is also known as PGW now (Pittsburgh Glass Works). I supplied the OE moulding. Installed it was about $180. Pilkington makes decent quality aftermarket windshields I believe

I would avoid XYG brand windshields as they are poor quality. They may be one of the brands that Safelite uses but it depends on your location.