New Windscreen

[karbonkid]

I thought I'd share my experience from start to finish of a much needed replacement windscreen on my CSL as I struggled to find all the relevant info & answers which I had prior to/ during the replacement.

Firstly, the windscreen was the Original factory screen and I've not had a windscreen replaced on the CSL in the near 5 years of ownership despite the number of miles done, most of which have been on track up ones ass Having actually only had the 1 windscreen replaced on another vehicle in my 8 years of holding a drivers license, I don't remember it being as stressful.

I was graciously given the stone which initially started my crack during the Munich Trip back in May whilst tailing one of you fine fellows either somewhere on the Autobahn or during the spirited driving back from the Eagles Nest, cant exactly remember where or which one of you fookers did it but it was well worth taking a stone from one of you Ironically I was only thinking on the way out there I cant believe I still possess the original screen and how nice to still own all the factory stickers on the inside.

Anyway, after getting back from Munich I called the insurance Co. and arranged for a replacement to be processed with a small excess fee of £70 and after speaking with the windscreen supplier (Auto Windscreens) I was told ONLY a non-Genuine BMW windscreen was to be fitted. I thought I should be entitled to a 'Like for Like' Genuine BMW part which didn't bother me too much but thought it was worth questioning, so made the call to Autowindscreen HQ and they called the Insurance Co. on my behalf to see if they could approve of my request and to my disbelief they came back saying a Genuine BMW part would be used in replacement.

So lesson number 1: it don't hurt asking!
Lesson number 2: don't order a Genuine BMW part if you are wanting one on the hurry up LOL. Mine has taken a tad under 3 months to get to me but it may have been a one off as I know BMW AG (aka Germany) have been rearranging their systems of late so may have played a big part in the delay and couldn't give me an ETA or even its current status.

Note: Its believed that the non-Genuine part is the exact same screen apart from it is missing the small BMW print found at the bottom above the word Pilkington which I have been told is either printed after or even erased after. Both Genuine & non-Genuine screens that were offered are both manufactured by Pilkington and both standard M3s and CSLs share the same Windscreen so they are not CSL specific.

Finally, it arrived yesterday at my place with a fitter by its side ready to install it as I requested a mobile service so I could watch over their shoulder, shouting at them as they get closer to the carbon roof with their wire cheese cutter . I made it clear to be careful as that roof has been discontinued so I would take his life if he got near it. For the precaution he covered it and taped along the edge as well as lining the cabin.

He checked my Original windscreen on the car and immediately said it's the wrong one which didn't go down too well after waiting 11 weeks for the damn thing to turn up from Germany.

My Original windscreen had - Rain Sensor, Climate Comfort (Purple tint to glass) and the Green Shade Band on upper (sunstrip). However after calling BMW whilst he waited, BMW confirmed that windscreen PN- 51317059703 (RRP £396.69) was the screen showing under my Chassis # and the green band is not available on screens fitted with both Rain sensors & Climate Comfort. In fact BMW said it cant be the Original as it comes with all 3 options which I stressed to them it was! having all the factory stickers still proudly stuck to the inside of the screen was enough evidence for me and no history of a replacement being fitted in the past.

Has anyone else got all 3? (Rain Sensor, Climate Comfort & Green band)?

So, in the end I just got them to fit it as I didn't have the patients to go through the whole waiting game again. During install the fitter clarified it was Original just by looking at the state of the glue being factory.

I also ordered new cowling that sits at the bottom of the windscreen as this had discoloured some and began to perish around the edges, plus didn't think it was priced too bad for such a large part. PN: 51718232894 (RRP £44.87).

screen took around 45mins to do from start to finish and could not be moved for 1 hour and not washed for 24 hours to allow the new resin to fully dry.

Only one issue that I came up against was when removing the masking tape that was left on the windscreen to prevent the glass from sliding down during its 1 hour drying process (seen in last pic), it looks like it has taken the coating off the trim when I removed it. The new trim I am told is a non-Genuine BMW part that is fitted and has a matt finish to it. When the masking tape was removed the trim had gone shiny which initially I thought there was adhesive left behind but I am 99% sure it has taken the coating off the trim which stands out like a sough thumb! I have my suspicion its to do with the non-Genuine BMW trim used as well. Waiting for them to come back to me. Lesson number 3 coming soon...

In keeping up with Matt I have attached a few pix of the screen before, during & after install.

[Steve B]

I was going to get a new screen for mine as it looks a bit tired, I'm having 2nd thoughts now..!!!


Steve

[Mark CSL]

I had a new one fitted a few years back at BMW its a green top tint with rain sensor think it was around £540 then i had to send the invoice to the insurance who paid me

[mattCSLnut]

Good write up & pix matey

I bet you were itching to give this a clean before the new screen went in LOL!

[NZ_M3]

Great photos of the process Alex!! Bet the guy was shaking in his boots cutting through that silicon - life and death act it was

Love all the protective coverings he draped over that car to protect the surfaces - awesome to have trades that take pride in their work like that and care for customer's cars like it's their own!

[Mike R]

I was always under the impression that the glass was thinner on the CSLs - or is this just the rear screen?

[azrael]

Originally Posted by Mike R

I was always under the impression that the glass was thinner on the CSLs - or is this just the rear screen?

just the rear i believe

[karbonkid]

Originally Posted by mattCSLnut

Good write up & pix matey

I bet you were itching to give this a clean before the new screen went in LOL!

Bloody right, it almost killed me! I turned my head to the side as he put down new sealant over the top of that vintage dirt! He did give it a good brush out before hand though but I felt it would have looked a bit too much if I asked if I could have some T-cutting time to myself.

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Great photos of the process Alex!! Bet the guy was shaking in his boots cutting through that silicon - life and death act it was

Love all the protective coverings he draped over that car to protect the surfaces - awesome to have trades that take pride in their work like that and care for customer's cars like it's their own!

Tbh he was as cool as a cucumber, which showed he's been doing it for quite some time which filled me with confidence.
Not sure if the protective sheet is only used on request but I asked if I could use a duvet but he saved me the embarrassment.

Originally Posted by Mike R

I was always under the impression that the glass was thinner on the CSLs - or is this just the rear screen?

Rear is CSL specific and thiner but front Windscreens cannot be lightened as the glass has be to a certain thickness and standard for safety reasons. around 2.5mm each sheet + plastic interlayer so +/-5mm thick in total.

[HFLagos]

This is one job I was dreading on my CSL. Thanks for the write-up.

[streightsix]

Alex, both Jons (replaced already) and my current windscreen were/are tinted AND green band AND rain sensor from new!

Nice write up, don't worry mate, if you want paranoid tart wait until mines done