Stone chips grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[RoyM]

Just suffered a stone chip on the windscreen...only a small chip but in my line of sight. I rang my insurance company who redirected me to Autoglass. Anyone had any experience of this company...good and bad...if they need to fit a new screen will it be original MB or some other unnamed screen.?

 

[Mark A]

If it's just a stone chip they should be able to repair it. Used them a few years ago and no complaints.

 

[Srdl]

Repair depends on the size of the chip and where it is - have a look at their video
https://www.autoglass.co.uk/glass-repair-and-replacement/windscreen-repair/

I have had a couple of chips repaired by them over the years and no complaints about service or final result. You can sometimes still see where the chip is but it stops it becoming a full blown crack. I would much rather use them as one of the market leaders than one of those operations that pops up in supermarket car parks.

 

[daibevan]

If it's just a stone chip they should be able to repair it. Used them a few years ago and no complaints.

+1 Came to the house, really thorough technician, good job,
Check screen carefully first, I had two smaller chips as well & he repaired all 3. Cost me £10 through the insurance.

 

[Submariner1]

Had them fix two little chips once. Did a really good job one was totally invisible, the other well if you were manic and knew where it was, and had a magnifying glass you could just about see a shadow in some lights. But didnt affect driving in any way ... so totally acceptable by my standards.

As for replacing the whole window, with one of their budget windows NEVER.
I would get That done at a main dealer. And happy to pay my Glass policy excess of £75!
I want it fitted perfectly and bonded properly and left level till it cures, and the rain sensor working properly, and the sunroof closer etc. And I wouldnt want any damage to the trim.

 

[A.J.]

Just suffered a stone chip on the windscreen...only a small chip but in my line of sight. I rang my insurance company who redirected me to Autoglass. Anyone had any experience of this company...good and bad...if they need to fit a new screen will it be original MB or some other unnamed screen.?

No problem with Autoglass at all, market leader !!

 

[RoyM]

Had them fix two little chips once. Did a really good job one was totally invisible, the other well if you were manic and knew where it was, and had a magnifying glass you could just about see a shadow in some lights. But didnt affect driving in any way ... so totally acceptable by my standards.

As for replacing the whole window, with one of their budget windows NEVER.
I would get That done at a main dealer. And happy to pay my Glass policy excess of £75!
I want it fitted perfectly and bonded properly and left level till it cures, and the rain sensor working properly, and the sunroof closer etc. And I wouldnt want any damage to the trim.

I certainly agree with you on the fitting of a screen. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Submariner1]

I certainly agree with you on the fitting of a screen. Thanks for the responses.

Being blunt ...
ive heard of there windsceeens not having the right seals, or fitting properly , damaging the sensor stuff near the mirrors etc.
I was also told the bonding process was vital on SLs as it makes up part of your emergency roll cage.

Seen them come out to do a colleagues BMW in the rain!
Up the kerb on one wheel, and the car creaked afterwards ... she had a hell of a battle, but persevered as the creak was picked up by the car phone mike!
because of course it had a perfect looking screen in they refused to accept it was wrong.
In the end she took it to BMW screen out , genuine screen in ....
And surprise surprise Perfect!
They also told her some seal was put in wrong.
I just cant be bothered with that kind of hassle.

Conversely I have met many who are happy! But then ignorance can be blissfull LOL

 

[00slk]

I've had a few screens replaced with Autoglass and not had any problems, true the windscreens don't seem to be of the same quality that the manufacturers use but they still seem to 'cut the mustard' as has been said in the past

 

[Srdl]

I'm not sure whether I would go to Autoglass or Mercedes dealer for a replacement. How good is the average Mercedes technician at replacing screens which they can't do that often whereas the Autoglass guys do them all day long. I would certainly insist on a genuine Mercedes screen and ask for an experienced technician given the electronics that are affected.

The other benefit of having it done at home by Autoglass is that the car can then be left for as long as you want for the seals to cure whereas you are going to have to drive it home from the dealer at some stage and they are certainly going to move it immediately they have finished the work. And yes, it needs to be done on a dry day or under cover. I'm lucky that I have a double garage.

 

[RoyM]

Thank you all....all great sensible advice. Autoglass arrive at my home tomorrow and I would be happy for them to repair the chips...but if it comes to fitting a new screen then I am not very sure at all. In that instant I would contact my insurance company and at least insist on genuine MB screen good point made Srdl about insisting on an experienced technician carrying out the work. Fingers crossed I'll get away with the chops being repairable.

 

[RoyM]

Chops lol of course I mean chips lol

 

[mancman]

Had mine replaced by autoglass last year, they wanted to replace it in the rain and I refused so rebooked it and no problem, the guy did a really good job, then I took it local Mercedes dealer to have it re- calibrated, £140 which I claimed back off my insurance company.

 

[craigdm]

Had mine done by Autoglass last month. They came to my house but had the wrong screen as my car had the ILS. Had to re-book and take it into one of their workshops. Bit more hassle, but 3 hours later they had replaced the screen with a proper MB one (Signature in the corner) and re-calibrated the ILS.

£75 through my insurance as opposed to £700 at the Main Dealer (who wouldn't have done the work themselves anyway!)

 

[Craiglxviii]

Just so you all know, the screens fitted by Autoglass and every other non-dealer windscreen fitters are all OEM, even if they're not OEM marked. The IP for the glass is owned by the OEM, the supply chain is controlled by them and the car would be immediately dehomologated eg illegal to drive as a standard vehicle if the glass was not as released for design by the OEM.

So the only difference is down to how well the screen gets fitted.

 

[Srdl]

The Autoglass website says:
"At Autoglass®, we only use glass manufactured to OEM standards, whether sourced from original equipment manufacturers or other suppliers to ensure that the glass we fit is as good as the original windscreen."

 

[RoyM]

Thanks everyone for great advice