Hello chaps,

I picked up a serious crack to the windscreen on my Rangie a few days ago and it will need a new screen fitting.

Has anyone any experience of this? The reason I ask is that on my last car (BMW 5 Series) I had a new screen and it was never quite the same. I can't quite put a finger on it but it always felt like it had been a shoddy job.

Obviously my RR has the heated front screen and it is one big piece of glass. I'm wondering whether it is reasonable to request that the work is done at an official LR dealer (my local one is Ribblesdale LR in Settle, North Yorks) so if it is a crappy job I can go right back.

If it makes any difference the car is insured with Admiral, fully comp, £70 excess for a windscreen claim.

So, are there any specific differences to fitting a FFRR screen or am I just being a worrisome little girl!?

I think you are worrying a bit - but no matter. The insurers probably use Autoglass or someone like that - they can be a bit shoddy at times. I've had experience of good and bad with them. Just a matter of watching when they do it - make the nice man a cuppa and if it's not right, hassle the insurance co about it.

Thanks, probably me worrying but there seems to be a number of ways that they can f*** the installation up what with heated element, rain sensor etc.

When Autoglass did my M5 I had to put the wipers back on myself as they'd just left them.

TBH, replacing a windshield is not something a dealer does every day (most dealers anyway). And, in my experience, the auto glass shops will do a better job on the glass itself. Make sure they replace the trim (a-pillar covers and upper trim strip get replaced) - and replace it properly, tho. Inspect /take pics of everything ahead of time so that there will be no discussions on dirt or flocking missing on the pillar covers (inside) or anything else. 
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)

Thanks Steve, reassuring.

Do they really replace the A pillar trim and the black trim across the top? Bloody hell, that will add to the price (to them) in a massive way I'd have thought. Again I assume they use OEM parts for this.

One other question: is it a reasonable request that I ask for all genuine LR parts for the replacement (inc trim of course)!?

The trim is only available OEM AFAIK. 
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)

Great, that is good to know, thanks.

My local dealer subs glass fitment out to Autoglass, as "they are a lot better at it"!

Funny that, my dad said the same thing about his Volvo - he swore that the Autoglass screen was not of the same quality (because he picked up a chip a few days after it was fit).

He then insisted the car went to Volvo for a genuine screen. The fitting was subbed out but as it happened via the Volvo dealership, it had all the comebacks an owner would like. Also, all the parts are on hand if something goes wrong, or they need to unexpectedly replace something.

That screen is still on the car now(along with the new trim they needed to fit) almost ten years later. Researching my first Range Rover purchase

Autoglass fitted a new screen on my '04 last year due to failing MOT on a small crack. An excellent job with no problems since.

I would recommend getting them to use OEM glass rather than their own Autoglass branded stuff. On my BMW convertible I had them replace the glass 4 times due to the non oem ones having major distortion on the lower 6 inches of the screen. They eventually did what I had asked all along and sourced a BMW screen which was much better.

Must have cost them a fortune replacing all the new screens. From talking with the fitters, the L322 windscreens cost in excess of £600 each, so they need to get it right first time. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Last edited by Flashman on 12th Apr 2012 11:40pm. Edited 1 time in total

I just had the front glass replaced last week.
Over here, "Safelite Auto Glass" is the go-to company.
They do warranty work for lots of dealers.
Not just Pilkington glass, but Land Rover branded as well; they got it at the dealer.
They also got the 1-time-use plastic clips for the A-pillars.

Guy was friendly, took a bit over an hour.

Insurance paid for it in full, $1298.
It was just a stone chip, but when i talked to insurance company, they advised full replacement rather than attempting repair, because of the heater elements. Jim
2000 NAS HSE
2005 NAS HSE

glad the install went ok jim...  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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