Grrrr! Cracked Windscreen on my S3

[Silky-S3]

Nightmare, following a lorry today and it flicked up a stone which hit the base of the windscreen and sent a huge crack in many directions through the windscreen! Not happy.

Never had this happen before? Do you think I could take it back to the dealer and get them to sort it under warranty? Or is it an Autoglass job?

How much is a new windscreen? I take it Autoglass etc don't fit Audi screens, but other OEM makes? Don't like the sound of that, can I get them to fit a genuine Audi screen?

Any advice welcome

 

[Sandra]

Dont you have windscreen cover on your insurance?

 

[Grant]

You can't claim a cracked windscreen under warranty!

Claim off your insurance which will be about £70.

 

[hades-]

they will fit oem glass
just make sure you tell them that's what you want.

on my A4 its got the stame on there from autoglass but im told most is the same glass without the stamp.

it should be £50 ish excess from insurance.

 

[Silky-S3]

Dont you have windscreen cover on your insurance?

Good question, not sure. Im fully comp with Admiral. Wont claiming destroy my no claims bonus?

 

[Grant]

It won't be OEM. Your original windscreen will have an Audi logo on it.

A replacement screen won't have this. It will have the windscreen manufacturers name such as Pilkington etc, or unbranded.

 

[Grant]

Making a windscreen claim doesn't affect your NCB

 

[hades-]

it goes on your claim record
but you wont pay extra from it.
and you don't have to declare it.

 

[Sandra]

Good question, not sure. Im fully comp with Admiral. Wont claiming destroy my no claims bonus?

It shouldnt affect your no claims bonus that i am aware of.

 

[hades-]

just call auto windscreens and they will ask for police number do there checks and sort you a screen out.
as above tell them you want oem they sorted mine took 3 days tho.

 

[Silky-S3]

OK cheers guys. Will give my insurance a call first to see what they have to say.

 

[cemerson]

it goes on your claim record
but you wont pay extra from it.
and you don't have to declare it.

It'll appear on your claim record as you say. When I moved insurance company, I had a glass claim on there and it was questioned by my new company because I didn't declare it. They were fine with it when I told them it was for glass, but it's not true to say you don't have to declare it.

 

[hades-]

all depends how your insurance company word the claim
mine had always stated what the claim was so I have never declared them and told every time when I take my insurance that they dont need info on it as its all there for them to see.

 

[mjcourtney]

Also make sure you tell the glass company what options are fitted to the glass (eg: acoustic, light / rain sensors).

And it used to be the case that you'd need new sensors too, not sure if that's still true with the 8V but might be worth asking your dealer.

 

[Vertigo1]

When I the screen replaced on one of my 8Ps, the new screen came with the sensor bit behind the rear view mirror already bonded to it - they just connect up the wires etc after fitting.

The screen you get will be exactly the same as it'll come from one of the suppliers Audi use themselves, the only difference will be no Audi logo on it.

 

[cemerson]

Some have the lane assist camera too, pretty sure that's glued to the windsceen...

 

[NickyF]

If you have the green strip at the top of your windscreen (it's not standard), make sure you tell them when you're arranging the new screen. I de-featured one of my old cars by not doing this....

 

[TTLAW]

I had a screen fitted recently by Autoglass. It is of shocking quality and I will be taking it back. The glass distorts what you see at certain angles. Will be insisting on oem!

 

[veeeight]

^ Same.

My S3 8P had fitted from the factory an OE (Original Equipment) screen made by Guardian.

Autoglass fitted a replacement OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) windscreen made by Pilkington. It had distortions in the corners.

The report:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis/213042-warped-windscreen.html#post2119052



Re the light & rain sensor - the most important thing is that they re-fit the gel pad - otherwise it won't work correctly:
Windscreen Rain (and Light) Sensors: Audi | Glasstec Paul

 

[veeeight]

An explaination of OE Glass and "Copy" Glass:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...dscreen-national-windscreens.html#post1708779


And here:
Windscreen Manufacturers – What do they Really Mean? | Glasstec Paul

 

[Glassman]

The screen you get will be exactly the same as it'll come from one of the suppliers Audi use themselves, the only difference will be no Audi logo on it.

Can you elaborate on this, please? Not sure what you mean.

Audi will only source/supply Audi branded glass.

If you mean, for example, a Guardian OEM Audi branded screen is the same as a Guardian aftermarket non-branded screen, no - not always. In fact, it's quite rare now. Don't believe the tosh that the average Joe Fitter spouts; he either doesn't know himself, or has been misled by someone too...

Windscreen Manufacturers – What do they Really Mean? | Glasstec Paul

Also, you should consider how it's fitted and who's doing the fitting. There are a number of factors to consider here - I spent an hour I didn't have (extra) on an S3 just yesterday tidying up and treating scratches made to the paintwork by 'A' previous installer. There's also the issue of glass being contaminated during the manufacturing process; these contaminants must be removed before the glass is prepared for installation. Most fitters CBA to do this.

 

[veeeight]

^ Didn't take you long to arrive on the scene


This is the OE Glass as fitted by the factory to my 8V

AGC = Asahi Glass Company (Japan)
AGC Automotive - Acoustic Glass

 

[Tris16v]

I had a screen fitted recently by Autoglass. It is of shocking quality and I will be taking it back. The glass distorts what you see at certain angles. Will be insisting on oem!

This was why I avoided the likes of Autoglass, National/Auto Windscreens etc and their (often) poor quality aftermarket windscreens when I had my screen replaced on my S3. I went for a genuine Audi supplied screen (Guardian with the four rings on it, with the correct gel pad for the rain & light sensor).

I didn't go through insurance because it still counts as a claim, and therefore still has the potential to make your premium increase. Don't forget, insurance companies will use any excuse to extract more money from you.

The way I look at it is, if you've got a new 8V S3, would you take it to Kwik Fit to have pattern parts fitted to it? Because by using companies like National Windscreens and Autoglass etc and their aftermarket Chinese glass you're basically doing the same thing. These fitters are trying to knock out as many windscreens as they can per day. Do you really want them butchering your car?

I chose my windscreen fitter very carefully, the same way you would probably choose a bodyshop very carefully. I wanted somebody who was prepared to take their time and do a good job of it, and I'm glad I did because the job was faultless.

This is who I used: Vehicle Glazing London, Windscreen Specialists London, Glass Installation London, Vehicle Glazing North London, Vehicle Glazing Middlesex, Vehicle Glazing Hertfordshire, Vehicle Glazing Essex, GlassTec

I hope I don't need any more glass any time soon, but if I do I'll be using Glasstec again.

 

[Dan Halen]

In the US, I can go to the dealership parts counter and order a windshield and receive the exact same thing that was put into my car at the factory, logos and all. I've done it twice now, for two different cars. Surely you can do that there as well?

 

[Silky-S3]

Hmmmm, do you think I can demand my insurance fit a Audi screen? How much are they from Audi?

 

[SilureMark]

Nightmare, following a lorry today and it flicked up a stone which hit the base of the windscreen and sent a huge crack in many directions through the windscreen! Not happy.

Never had this happen before? Do you think I could take it back to the dealer and get them to sort it under warranty? Or is it an Autoglass job?

How much is a new windscreen? I take it Autoglass etc don't fit Audi screens, but other OEM makes? Don't like the sound of that, can I get them to fit a genuine Audi screen?

Any advice welcome

Ironically, when I took delivery of the last S3 I owned, I had that happen the day after driving it off the forecourt. Audi won't do anything for you, it's the same as getting a puncture. Wear and tear, your problem sadly. Your insurance will cover it and typically there's a £50 excess to pay. Just call Autoglass and then wait three days for someone to turn up, then wait another two days for them to bring the right windscreen... if/when it happens to me again, I will try to find someone else to use. They were ****** hopeless! Ditto comments above, make it clear that you have a tinted screen, sensors, etc so that you get a like for like replacement. Hope you have got it all sorted now, I know how annoying that is...

 

[barwon]

I have just had a new windscreen fitted in my near new S3. Copped a rock on a typically bad Aussie country road. I have windscreen cover with my insurance (one replacement a year, no excess, no effect on NCB), but the insurance insisted I use one of the national fitters and a generic screen. I got Audi to quote for a genuine screen and was surprised it was only $5 more than generic, so insurance agreed to have original fitted. The Audi screen was only $660 - Suprisingly cheap I thought. I also checked it was an original screen at the fitter before work commenced, and told them I would be checking every detail to make sure that it fitted perfectly, the auto lights/wipers were working, and that there was no damage from their work. All OK, and replacement has Audi, AGC Markings identical to photo in previous post.
Suggest you get Audi quote.

 

[Scott]

Hmmmm, do you think I can demand my insurance fit a Audi screen? How much are they from Audi?

I have asked for a genuine Audi screen in the past (on my 8P) and the insurance company agreed to it.

 

[JohnM100]

Silky - sorry to hear.

Admiral use Auto Windscreens not AutoGlass.

As your car is still regarded as new they should agree to fit OEM branded windscreen.

I am with Admiral and that's the info I got when some kids threw stones off a bridge onto mine as I was driving.

Do take photos of the screen markings & rubber fits at the sides by the A-pillar to know how they fitted it properly from the factory. If you have acoustic glass (looks like you do) then tell them that too. Twice.

Other info & advice as per other posters so won't repeat that.

John.

 

[Glassman]

Silky - sorry to hear.

Admiral use Auto Windscreens not AutoGlass.

As your car is still regarded as new they should agree to fit OEM branded windscreen.

I am with Admiral and that's the info I got when some kids threw stones off a bridge onto mine as I was driving.

Do take photos of the screen markings & rubber fits at the sides by the A-pillar to know how they fitted it properly from the factory. If you have acoustic glass (looks like you do) then tell them that too. Twice.

Other info & advice as per other posters so won't repeat that.

John.

Admiral were strictly National Windscreens until the end of 2013. They were on an absurdly low average invoice price and sitting smug with this exclusive deal until Autoglass came along and undercut them. I think NW were going to lose that contract sooner or later as there were a lot of cockups on the work they were churning out.

AFAIK, Autoglass and Auto Windscreens have a 75/25 split on the Admiral deal.

The policy will state what the OEM glass rule is; it used to be if the car is up to three years old (and you can also nominate your own installer too).

 

[ukm_1]

Just done mine today, had the S3 exactly a month to the hour in with auto glass tomorrow going to ask to see the screen before it's fitted to make sure it's not a cheapo piece of crap

 

[Silky-S3]

My insurance has said they will fit Audi glass. So fingers crossed!

 

[Silky-S3]

Just done mine today, had the S3 exactly a month to the hour in with auto glass tomorrow going to ask to see the screen before it's fitted to make sure it's not a cheapo piece of crap

How you get on mate?

 

[ukm_1]

Was done within 2 hours and a very good job. Part number exactly as the photo earlier in this post but minus the 4 rings. Light and rain sensors working as they should

 

[Silky-S3]

Woo, just had new one fitted. Audi part with Audi logo on, same part number as before etc. Fitter did a good job, and fitted a new gel pad for RLS.

Happy days.