Help for windshield replacement

I have a 2006 X3 which was a used car when i bought it. Last weekend I went to Seattle and a small stone hit my windshield accidently. It came into a big crack and I have to replace it asap. I called several shops in Portland, OR and for aftermarket glass the price is around 400 and for OEM one is 800 large. The insurince does not cover it. So I have to pay myself. I was thinking if you guys know whether I should get a aftermarket one to use or get the OEM one. Because one shop told me that the the rain sensor in aftermarket windshield won't work.
thanks

That's correct; the rain sensor will not function properly if the OEM windscreen is not used.

only half true, there are good threads about DIY rainsensor fixes
My rain sensor works fine on my non-OEM windshield

Originally Posted by realmax

I have a 2006 X3 which was a used car when i bought it. Last weekend I went to Seattle and a small stone hit my windshield accidently. It came into a big crack and I have to replace it asap. I called several shops in Portland, OR and for aftermarket glass the price is around 400 and for OEM one is 800 large. The insurince does not cover it. So I have to pay myself. I was thinking if you guys know whether I should get a aftermarket one to use or get the OEM one. Because one shop told me that the the rain sensor in aftermarket windshield won't work.
thanks

You sure the insurance doesn't cover it? I thought that was a standard part of insurance. Did you opt out of something?

Who knows maybe we can help you find a better provider for next time?

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

That's correct; the rain sensor will not function properly if the OEM windscreen is not used.

Thanks for reply, but one shop in Portland said they can offer an OEM windshield just 340dollars, I just don't know, it is too cheap to be true.....

Originally Posted by Evlengr

You sure the insurance doesn't cover it? I thought that was a standard part of insurance. Did you opt out of something?

Who knows maybe we can help you find a better provider for next time?

Yes...For my insurance, it's a long story. Because it's not a fully covered insurance, I called my agent, she just suggested me to replace it and, not helpful.
Thanks for reply.
I just don't know if a shop announced that they can offer me a 50% cheaper OEM windshield than anyother shops, should I believe it?

Originally Posted by Hatzenbach

only half true, there are good threads about DIY rainsensor fixes
My rain sensor works fine on my non-OEM windshield

En...It seems that I should give a try on non-OEM windshield.

Originally Posted by realmax

.... one shop in Portland said they can offer an OEM windshield just 340dollars, I just don't know, it is too cheap to be true.....

The terms OE and OEM can be open to interpretation.

I suspect that one is from a glass maker that did not have a contract for supplying X3 windshields (OE) at the assembly plant.

However, they may have supplied windshields for other BMW models.

At the very least, they supply original windshields for makes other than BMW.

Even so, it could be made inexpensively offshore to their specs.

If it looks just like the original, but with different markings on it, it could be essentially the same as the ones a dealer would supply (but without a BMW logo).

How you feel about the quality of the shop is also important.
If you are confident they will do a careful install, and stand behind both their work and the product, maybe it is a good bet.

Cheap glass may be O.K., but you don't want a cheap install too.

Originally Posted by Supercourse

Cheap glass may be O.K., but you don't want a cheap install too.

+1 here. This is especially true re: the rubber trim around the glass. Make sure this gets replaced with OEM or equivalent product. My son just got his E46 glass replaced and I don't think they bothered to replace the trim at all. Now he has wind noise at highway speeds that was not there before.

Rain sensor on my non-OEM replacement works fine too. However, the side reveal moldings came loose and nearly off going down the highway. The clips that hold them on will break when moldings are removed. New clips must be used. Folks who did mine (before I owned it) glued the clips back together with silicone - wrong! It's interesting how they made the rain sensor work but failed with the clips.

There are some funny patterns in the replacement glass that one sees when it's wet (PPG is mfg logo on it, that's Pittsburg Plate Glass). Recommend OEM.