AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

Driving home earlier and had a big stone or something hit the windscreen on the centre of the passenger side in the black bit of the screen near the wiper blade. Now got nice load of cracks going in various directions with a star in the centre. My insurance says use either Autoglass or Auto Windscreens. Anyone got any idea which one is the better company and will they fit a genuine Subaru windscreen?

Will fitting a replacement cause problems fitting the rubber bits and pieces back around the wiper fittings etc. Got to pay £60 excess, could have been worse. Sure it would have caused lots more damage if it had hit the bosywork instead. It was some enormous bang inside the car.

Thanks,

Andy.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I need mine replacing too

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

Autoglass site says they use OEM glass, RAC make it themselves. Plus Autoglass only a minute or two from work.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

thats good to know, do you know how much it would cost without going through insurance

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

Going through the insurance won't count as a claim (or shouldn't do) if you are fully comp.

Check the rubber sealant is evenly distributed when they fit it though, I had one replaced on an old car of mine and the windscreen creaked in the sunlight and/or when going over 60. On inspection I noticed they had obviously skimped on sealant on one area and it wasn't sticking as it should.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

MaDaSS

Make sure the screen does NOT cover the visible VIN number!
I had a replacement screen on my 03 WRX, not even thinking anything could go wrong, and my visible VIN is now covered by the black of the screen.
If i had known this, there is no way i would have had this screen fitted.
Ask em to make sure you know what you are getting.

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info, off to Autoglass tomorrow lunchtime to see what they say.

donnas roo

Had mine done two months ago, cost me £60 for a top tinted screen, through the insurance. Not affected my no -claims, they did a blinding job, i was well pleased. Took them 2 hours + 1hr for the seals to dry.

mgcvk

Its only a car for goodness sake and they do actually make proper replacement windscreens for ever so rare things like Subaru Imprezas! I've had a couple of replacement screens done on the insurance. It does not affect no claims and you just need to pay the £50-£60 excess. Even the tint will match, can you believe it! The proper screen from Autoglass etc will have the gap to show the vin no through. Not going through insurance would cost £££££'s.

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

All booked in for Wednesday morning, surrounds kept in stock so they say.

MaDaSS

Not for me they didnt. Mine had no visible VIN slot. Still needs clarifying before they do the job.

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

Just sent Autoglass an email confirming VIN window slot etc so I get a reply in writing just in case I need it.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

That's fair enough, however there's nothing wrong with someone asking a simple question. Especially when modern windscreens are a vital part of the cars structural integrity..!

He's also now aware to look out for the VIN number, something I think 'Madass' would have liked to have been aware of before he had his fitted..!

silent running

Is the windscreen a structural part of the car? I know on some cars if you remove the original windscreen and replace it, it's never quite as strong as it used to be.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Ill let you know when I roll mine

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

As far as I'm aware 'most' modern cars this is the case, hence the justified concern about getting it done correctly..

funkyspider

Mine needs replacing too. 2 stone chips following a quarry type wagon who showered me with chippings. I'm bothered that they will fix it rather than replace. They are noticable - right in driving line, not big enough for MOT failure but bloody annoying. Who makes the decision to repair or replace ?

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

your hammer does

mgcvk

Yes well fair enough. I mean to say that not everything impreza has to be sprinkled with fairy dust and sourced from a specialist for megabucks. Autoglass also provide windscreens for proper cars like Aston Martins and BMW's and Mercs and Porsches as well as the tin cans we drive.
First time I had a new screen I wasn't aware of the vin gap but they made sure it was correct. Madass must have been unlucky there.

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

They won't repair mine !! The cracks are getting longer. Now almost to the very top and another starting to spread across the bottom of the screen. I can remember my old neighbour who had a company car saying he wanted a new screen rather than a repair putting a block of wood on the screen and gave it a couple of whacks with a hammer. New screen later that day in his Escort.

funkyspider

In that case it may be "stop... it's hammer time"

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

post 19

mgcvk

Loads of cracks they will definitely replace it, mine started as a small crack at the bottom and soon turned into a huge fissure top to bottom. On a slightly different note, in the supermarket carparks near me there are stands saying "free windscreen repairs here". Not had a proper look, anyone know what these are?

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

All they are doing in the carparks are chip repairs. A workmate stopped for his to be done and they wanted all his insurance details. Yes, its free to you cos they bill the insurance company if you are fully comp.

Just a lot of the average Joe Public don't know it can be done.

Andy.

funkyspider

Yes, insurance companies don't charge you for a repair, but will charge you 50quid or so excess for a replacement. My MOT place said the repairs they have seen to date have been crap - still noticable, and they told be to try get it replaced instead. This may not be the case for all repairs, just their experience.

mgcvk

That explains the "free" part!

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

I got to Autoglass for 8am today as requested. I asked if they could check the new screen has the VIN slot before they fit it. On inspection it didn't, then the fitters said what year is your car? 2003. Oh, well this ain't a screen for one of those! They have a screen for a classic shape supplied which doesn't have a VIN slot window? Because my car has a private plate I was asked to confirm model year when I booked the new fitting on Monday and asked about the surrounds. Reception lady reckons they've gone from my reg number which puts it as a 1999 V plate car ? Although it was made very clear it is 2003. She couldn't enter the correct part number on the computer system so rang the supplier who doesn't have stock. So now I'm waiting for a call when and if they can supply, fit the correct screen.

I was asked today if my car had a green top tint? It doesn't, is the STI screen different to WRX?

Andy.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

There you go..!

Just as well you checked on here first, as in all honesty, would you have thought about VIN slot..? (I know I probably wouldn't and I'm quite fussy..!).

You could have ended up with a classic screen in your newage. Suppose it would have been a bit lighter..lol..!

Glad you were aware, even if it means a return trip..!

BTW what would have happend if they'd trashed your screen getting it out then found out there replacement was the wrong one..?!!

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

I might not of known about the VIN slot tbh. But I want any repair done properly and not to stand out like a sore thumb. Still not heard anything from them.