Windshield Manufacturer & Compatibility Questions

[bimmerfan08]

Hi, everyone. My M3's windshield needs replacing. I don't recall if it's original glass (not near the car at present), but I haven't replaced the windshield in my 13.5 years of ownership. I have an upcoming appointment with insurance handling it. Their default installer is Safelite.

The part number for the glass is FW02456GGY on the work order. I called Safelite and asked for the manufacturer of the glass to which they responded Pilkington. My M3 is equipped with a rain sensor which has been noted on the work order. A separate line item for a new rain sensor with part number GGG2163 is listed.

1. Pilkington is one of the original suppliers of glass for our cars, correct?
2. What else do I need to be aware of with a windshield replacement on our cars? Any concerns/issues that are common? Especially those that have had Safelite replace windshields on these cars.
3. Are there any other parts that should be replaced during the process? Seals, etc.? I replaced the windshield cowl a few years back, so it's in excellent condition.

Thanks

[bagger]

I've never had my windshield replaced, but I learned more than I ever wanted to know about rain sensors when trying to fix mine. You might have to reinitialize it after install. Probably want to test it all out real quick while the installer is there as well. My windshield says Pilkington on it with the BMW logo.

[Norocehcap]

Safelite did the windshield on my 330Ci, I removed the wiper arms, cowl, rear view mirror plastic piece that covers the wiring and rain sensor, and A pillars so they didn't break anything, I can't remember if the A pillars needed to be removed or not. They reinstalled my rain sensor and I was sure it would not work although I was pleasantly surprised it works fine, maybe I just got lucky.

[Will]

Pilkington is the OEM. My glass has the BMW roundel, "Pilkington," and "43 R-001047" along with some other emblems and numbers.

I saw in previous threads there's a gasket that needs to be replaced too. Gasket: 51-31-8-208-468: https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=51318208468.

Apparently there's a Comfort Glass that's available, which will block out the IR heat, not sure if insurance will cover it, but seems nice to have.

RealOEM has multiple options: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_3682

(I can't seem to get links to work).

[Tbonem3]

Pilkington or Sekurit. Nothing else imo.

[cobra]

I had my windshield replaced using a Pilkington (non BMW branded) windshield from a local installer and the rain sensor did not work despite looking the same. It was also not able to be initialized using INPA, and the dealership could not initialize it even when swapping around parts. The dealership ended up replacing it with a BMW branded windshield through insurance and now it works normally.

I don't know if I had a faulty unit or what, but my recommendation is to stick with the factory glass to avoid a headache.

My insurance company basically let me take it anywhere I wanted so if you at all have that option, choose the dealer.

[heinzboehmer]

I can't remember if the A pillars needed to be removed or not.

I don't think so, but I personally would. There's a decent chance that the glue used by the installer will get onto the pillar covers and make them extremely hard to remove in the future.

[Slideways]

I had my windshield replaced using a Pilkington (non BMW branded) windshield from a local installer and the rain sensor did not work despite looking the same. It was also not able to be initialized using INPA, and the dealership could not initialize it even when swapping around parts. The dealership ended up replacing it with a BMW branded windshield through insurance and now it works normally.

I don't know if I had a faulty unit or what, but my recommendation is to stick with the factory glass to avoid a headache.

My insurance company basically let me take it anywhere I wanted so if you at all have that option, choose the dealer.

^ This.

They should really test the rain sensor before installing the glass and verify that the prism (not sure if that is the right term) on the glass is not defective. On a defective prism, INPA will show all readings off the charts for the rain/light sensor. Auto lights and rain sensor won't work. This was also on an OEM Pilkington (non-BMW logo) windscreen. The genuine BMW branded Pilkington glass fixed the problem as it had a good prism.

Another thing to look out for is optical defects, such as waves, ripple, etc., in the glass especially on the driver's side. You might want a BMW certified collision center to replace the glass if that is an option.

[Estoril]

Bring your own OE seal.

[LSB4Me]

Pilkington or Sekurit. Nothing else imo.

This is the answer. Both P and S make the higher (highest) quality glass. Been through the windshield game extensively on my 71 911 and the answer is the same.

As an FYI, Safelite uses Fuyao. Much lower quality. Not the same. Watch “American Factory” if you want more intel on Fuyao vs. P, S and Saint-Gobain.

[bagger]

They should really test the rain sensor before installing the glass and verify that the prism (not sure if that is the right term) on the glass is not defective. On a defective prism, INPA will show all readings off the charts for the rain/light sensor. Auto lights and rain sensor won't work. This was also on an OEM Pilkington (non-BMW logo) windscreen. The genuine BMW branded Pilkington glass fixed the problem as it had a good prism.

Yeah the prism, or the purple goo looking stuff, is the issue why my RLS is messed up. The light sensor part works fine, rain sensor part doesn't. My car isn't a daily, so it doesn't see rain, but it still bothers me knowing it doesn't work as it should. So that prism or purple goo stuff is pretty important if you care about RLS.

[T.J.]

Safelite installed a pilkington for me and the optics were messed up. When they went to replace it with another they noticed similar defects on all the pilkintons. They ultimately sourced a PGW that is good. Also have a Fuyao on a different car with no complaints.

[bimmerfan08]

Seems like it's a bag of mixed reviews which is what I gathered when reading about windshield manufacturers on other forums.Thanks for the replies everyone - things to think about and scrutinize.

[bimmerfan08]

Bring your own OE seal.

Given this response, I assume a new windshield seal isn't supplied and installed during the repair, correct?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-windshield-seal-upper-51318208468

[Norocehcap]

Safelite installed a new seal, not OE, a shittier aftermarket seal, I didn't care on my 330 but would use an OE seal on my M3.