OEM Windshields Now Available Through BMW

[HayekFan]

Good to hear it's just a regular order now. That should make it possible to just cold call a dealer and place an order with no snags.

I've updated the OP with the new ordering info.

RE the numbers in the warehouse, it does seem doubtful they'd do another production run of these ancient windshields. At the current burn rate of about 10/month, the current forty pieces will be gone by June 2020 or so, and that will be that.

The only thing that makes me think maybe they could be replenished is the fact that there were only 50 showing in the warehouse this past summer (2019). I happen to know because I was planning a purchase back then and was checking availability. Assuming that number was correct, the inventory must've gotten plussed up somewhere between summer and December (at which point there were 70 something). And if this is the case, then it seems possible it could happen again. OTOH that bump was probably just them consolidating inventory, or discovering some in dusty corners, or who knows what. It will be an interesting number to keep an eye on.

[HayekFan]

Gary (the parts guys I was dealing with) tried placing a mock order last Thursday and no flags or alarms went off in his system. When I actually placed the order yesterday everything seemed normal and went through.

My dealer tried the same thing yesterday as a test and got the same result -- the order went right through just like a normal part.

[davidc13]

I ordered a windshield back in early January from a local dealership and at that time BMW-Germany was requesting a copy of the registration and a photo ID for approval. It took nearly two weeks to get the green light from BMW. Once obtained, it arrived three weeks later. I paid 214 plus tax. The dealership was willing to match an online price from Score BMW.

https://www.scorebmwparts.com/oem-parts ... c3VsdHM%3D

Now to find someone who is willing to install it.

[hunneman]

Some good news for those in need of an OEM windshield. Apparently BMW has changed their policy and will now allow US dealers to order Euro windshields for customers with US cars.

The previous situation was that you'd go to your dealer and your VIN would pull up the US part number which is NLA. They would do a little digging and find the number had been superseded by the number for the Euro spec windshield which is a direct replacement. The problem is they would be blocked from ordering the Euro windshield due to a technicality related to DOT markings and import regs. At that point you would be forced to find some other source which has been problematic.

After running into this roadblock again recently, my dealer opened a case with BMW asking if there was some way to order the Euro windshield. To my surprise, the response came back YES.

Procedure for ordering a Euro windshield for a US car. The dealer should use a non-US BMW parts ordering form. On the form the dealer should state that the US part number has been superseded by the Euro part number and should include both numbers. BMW is aware of the underlying availability problem and will approve the order.

Part numbers (for green with green shade band):

US: 51-31-1-466-362

Euro: 51-31-1-848-431

I should add that I have not tried placing an order under this apparent new policy, but the response from BMW seems authoritative so presumably it will work.

List price of the Euro windshield as of January 2020 is $302.93.

I opened a help case with BMW This part is open for normal ordering at any BMW dealer 51 31 1 848 431

on Feb 14th I placed an order with BMW herb cambers in Boston, got a reply for John Egan

From: John Egan <JEgan@herbchambers.com>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 10:35 AM
To: FANUELE@COMCAST.NET
Subject: FW: Sent from Snipping Tool

I cannot get part ending in 431 that was not for the US market and the 362 we can no longer get

I have asked BMW if they have another part that we could use it will take few days to get answer because the help case is getting sent over to Germany

Thanks

John

I then placed an order thru Blunttec..it took 3 week to get confirmation..the disappointing part is I would have to pay for additional shipping from Minnesota to Boston..this has been a PIA...

[Kapt]

I installed the new windshield recently and it fits very well. Other e28 windshields I’ve installed previously, especially after market ones don’t fit well in the top corners of the A-pillar. The glass doesn’t push the gasket high enough in that area and sometimes you can see the curvature of the body towards the pinchweld. This new glass has no such problem and appears to be a very tight fit. I’m not a pro, and I didn’t glue it in since I like the flexibility of being able to remove it. I ordered another one for my other e28 as a spare.

I waited to order the spare because I was concerned about the fit after I ordered a new OEM metal lower lock strip and the curvature was wrong. Same goes for the rear lower lock strip. This was a few years ago so Ii don’t know if they remedied this problem.

[HayekFan]

..this has been a PIA...

See chuuey's posts. Herb Chambers BMW should be able to handle your order now.

[HayekFan]

I waited to order the spare because I was concerned about the fit after I ordered a new OEM metal lower lock strip and the curvature was wrong. Same goes for the rear lower lock strip. This was a few years ago so I don’t know if they remedied this problem.

This is a big problem. For my recent install I ordered a new rear metal trim strip and couldn't make it work. Not only is the curvature wrong but it's slightly too wide which makes the upper lip of the gasket want to bulge rather than lie flush. I ended up reusing the original. My dealer opened a case with BMW about it but I don't see much coming of it.

Besides the curvature and width issues, the new metal trim has the aesthetic problem of weak contouring. Like the profile folds aren't as sharp. It clearly was made on different tooling from the original and doesn't look as good IMO. I didn't even bother to try my newish front strip (ordered three years ago) because I thought the original looked better.

Moral of the story is it's probably a good idea to save the original trim strips if at all possible.

[Kapt]

I waited to order the spare because I was concerned about the fit after I ordered a new OEM metal lower lock strip and the curvature was wrong. Same goes for the rear lower lock strip. This was a few years ago so I don’t know if they remedied this problem.

This is a big problem. For my recent install I ordered a new rear metal trim strip and couldn't make it work. Not only is the curvature wrong but it's slightly too wide which makes the upper lip of the gasket want to bulge rather than lie flush. I ended up reusing the original. My dealer opened a case with BMW about it but I don't see much coming of it.

Besides the curvature and width issues, the new metal trim has the aesthetic problem of weak contouring. Like the profile folds aren't as sharp. It clearly was made on different tooling from the original and doesn't look as good IMO. I didn't even bother to try my newish front strip (ordered three years ago) because I thought the original looked better.

Moral of the story is it's probably a good idea to save the original trim strips if at all possible.

A few years ago I went to the BMW museum in Munich and saw an e28 M5 in their “M” section and took notice of the ill fitting front lock strip. It looked like it was about to pop out at the corners. I don’t recall paying attention to the rear one though. Yeah, it’s best to reuse/refinish the original.

[vinceg101]

on Feb 14th I placed an order with BMW herb cambers in Boston, got a reply for John Egan

From: John Egan <JEgan@herbchambers.com>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 10:35 AM
To: FANUELE@COMCAST.NET
Subject: FW: Sent from Snipping Tool

I cannot get part ending in 431 that was not for the US market and the 362 we can no longer get

I have asked BMW if they have another part that we could use it will take few days to get answer because the help case is getting sent over to Germany

Thanks

John

I then placed an order thru Blunttec..it took 3 week to get confirmation..the disappointing part is I would have to pay for additional shipping from Minnesota to Boston..this has been a PIA...

My only suggestion is to try again either with the same dealer or try another dealer. You tried this almost a month ago and since then it looks like the order blocking has been lifted; just call or go in and inquire about the 431 part, it should go through without issue now.

[athayer187]

I ordered 51-31-1-848-431 from BMW of North Haven CT on Friday (online nonetheless, just to see what would happen) for $272.64. Got a confirmation today that it was shipping from Germany and would be there for pickup in 7-10 business days.

[vinceg101]

I got a voicemail first thing this morning letting me know my windshields where ready to be picked up.
Order placed: Saturday 2/29
Delivery to dealer: Wednesday 3/11
9 business days. Not bad.

Here they are chillin' on the futon in The Hangar waiting for storing:


Of note for those waiting for theirs, they arrive at the dealer in a very large box; one barely fit into the CR-V (Actually it didn't since it would have had to sit over the driver's headrest to allow the rear door to close). But they are packed with large foam corers and lots of cardboard, you can transport these out of the box as long as you provide a nice soft, contoured bed (pillows and packing blankets) for it/them to rest on. Protect the edges and corners, loosely place something to hold them in place but not too much to prohibit them from vibrating and having room to move a bit, and it will be fine. Also don't drive Mario Andretti on race day and stay off unimproved roads.


You could in theory transport these vertically also if you have the ability. Use the foam corners and strap it in somehow and that can work (it's how Glaziers transport glass).

[travisj]

Glad that all worked out for you Vince!

Anyone have insight on availability of bronze glass?
I would love to have a spare for my M535i

[stuartinmn]

Of note for those waiting for theirs, they arrive at the dealer in a very large box; one barely fit into the CR-V (Actually it didn't since it would have had to sit over the driver's headrest to allow the rear door to close). But they are packed with large foam corers and lots of cardboard, you can transport these out of the box as long as you provide a nice soft, contoured bed (pillows and packing blankets) for it/them to rest on.

The last time I bought an e28 windshield I brought it home in my 325iX I had to fold the front passenger seat down, but it fit inside the vehicle.

[vinceg101]

Glad that all worked out for you Vince!

Anyone have insight on availability of bronze glass?
I would love to have a spare for my M535i

The North American dealers can't even look up the part number for the bronze glass so they have no idea if it's available or not.
Check with Schmiedmann but you're going to be out of luck since I think if the part is not NLA, you're not going to be able to have it shipped here. Schmeidmann stopped shipping windshields, in fact almost everyone has due to the fragility of them.

[Blue Shadow]

Ordered, details when I know more.

[Blue Shadow]

23 Remaining per my contact at BMW dealer. Just looked it up. Now or never I think.

[three5ives]

Ordered yesterday - no issues.

[athayer187]

I ordered 51-31-1-848-431 from BMW of North Haven CT on Friday (online nonetheless, just to see what would happen) for $272.64. Got a confirmation today that it was shipping from Germany and would be there for pickup in 7-10 business days.

Ordered 3/6, picked up today (3/24). Not bad at all. Parts guy said someone else had one on order with no ETA due to logistics issues in recent weeks.

[Preacher's 5]

Thanks guys for the information. I checked around, and there are a few dealerships that have access to the windshields. But they will only do local pickups. Hear in Atlanta area we can get them through atlantabmwparts.com (Global Imports), for $250. That is a great price. Takes about 10 days to come in. Looking forward to getting mine replaced. Tired of the big crack in the middle of mine.

[TCBimmer]

Today I ordered a replacement windshield through my local dealership. There weren't any issues with ordering and was billed $302.59 with a 2 week ETA.

Just an FYI for anyone on the fence... as of 3/26 there were only 18 (now 17) windshields still available.

[mescko]

I haven't been here for awhile, and I'm finding this thread rather confusing. Ivo had been ordering batches from Saint-Gobain and bringing in windshields for a few years now. What am I missing? I got mine when Seattime ordered a batch. Is there something special about 'Euro' Windshields? Why doesn't BMW AG just tell Saint-Gobain to start supplying them directly? Seems to me that would solve the whole thing. Or is this too logical?

[Blue Shadow]

I haven't been here for awhile, and I'm finding this thread rather confusing. Ivo had been ordering batches from Saint-Gobain and bringing in windshields for a few years now. What am I missing?

BMW did not allow that windshield into the US but found out that it is ok to sell here so they opened it up to sales here through two steps, one special order with special permission and then just adding it to the catalog, just as the thread reads but that is 4 pages of rambling. I doubt BMW will be placing an order for any more of these once they are gone and the isn't too far away. I don't know if there will be a source from Saint-Gobain when they are gone from BMW.

[mescko]

That is the source of my confusion. If Ivo can get windshields from Saint-Gobain, why can't BMW? The numbers of remaining stock that have been quoted aren't going to last long if this thread is any evidence, to which you have alluded.

[vinceg101]

That is the source of my confusion. If Ivo can get windshields from Saint-Gobain, why can't BMW? The numbers of remaining stock that have been quoted aren't going to last long if this thread is any evidence, to which you have alluded.

Scott: I would let Ivo speak to this directly but he hasn't tried bringing in windshields for a few years now (I think his last attempt was in 2017 or 2018 and that had mixed results since so many were lost in transit). I'm not sure the St.Gobain source is still viable (but again contact Ivo directly). Even if they were I'm not sure this is something Ivo has any interest in doing anymore due to the problems encountered last time and with distribution.

The beauty of US BMW dealers having these is nationwide availability and protection from damage & replacement (dealers assume responsibility for it if it comes to them damaged even if you paid for it already). The other upside is the relatively quick order fulfillment. But as noted it is a dwindling supply back in Germany and likely will not be replenished any time soon (or ever).

[mescko]

Hi Vince. I wasn't aware that Ivo hadn't done that recently or he had such problems last time. Not having properly-fitting windshields available is enough to give me pause about long-term ownership. I've got one to install, but only one.

[vinceg101]

Hi Vince. I wasn't aware that Ivo hadn't done that recently or he had such problems last time. Not having properly-fitting windshields available is enough to give me pause about long-term ownership. I've got one to install, but only one.

The first year he did it was pretty successful since he was shipping whole containers over. The second year was the issue since he tried shipping individual crates to different locales along his cross-country route. It was a cost issue as this was much cheaper than containers (he also didn't have a car to ship over I think); unfortunately those crates suffered a lot of damage in transit and he lost a lot of windshields. Again, I don't want to speak for Ivo so you can always reach out to him via email and ask the questions.

This is a common experience as Schmeidmann experienced the same thing when they tried shipping windshields to the US. After a bunch of failed attempts they stopped shipping them and subsequently tried to establish a distribution network here in the States (which may actually still be viable, but we all sort of dropped the idea once BMW opened the gates and starting filling the orders).

If I were you, I would go ahead a purchase one or two if you can; depending on how long you keep your E28 you will likely need another one if something happens and they will be a commodity so you can sell them down the line also.

[topher800]

About to pick mine up. Said it came from a warehouse stateside. Wondering whether BMW sent a bunch over or not? How do I tell it is legit?

[travisj]

About to pick mine up. Said it came from a warehouse stateside. Wondering whether BMW sent a bunch over or not? How do I tell it is legit?

From where did you order it? I would like to get a bronze if available, but just a green band if not.

[topher800]

Gephardt BMW

[vinceg101]

About to pick mine up. Said it came from a warehouse stateside. Wondering whether BMW sent a bunch over or not? How do I tell it is legit?

From where did you order it? I would like to get a bronze if available, but just a green band if not.

I am pretty certain the bronze ones are NLA, but you will never be able to check with the US dealers since they don't have access to the EU database. To see if they are try checking with Schmeidmann (even though they can't/won't ship them anymore); you might get lucky with a very helpful parts person to see if they could contact BMW NA and Germany to see if they could sell you one. However, you would definitely have to have a EU VIN to pull that off, especially since the Green Banded one is now universal for US cars.