Two thoughts for the OP on the cracked windshield topic. First, it appears that there are only two windshield options for the 5 series and they are both a little over $1000. The second is how likely is a cracked windshield in the first place. I've had one cracked windshield on a car, and that was the one I noted earlier. Every SUV or Pickup I've owned has had a cracked windshield at some point. Unscientific for certain, but I have to wonder if the angel of the windshield has something to do with that.
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You know something, I’m starting to wonder about USAA, I’ve had them for my car insurance for over 40 years but lately….
(1) your experience
(2) when an igidit hit me while running a red light, then claimed I was the one who ran the red. USAA was quick to state “Well , Mr —-, we have to accept liability since it was your fault” … thanks for believing the igidit over me without even talking to me, and who is this “we” crap as you increase costs somewhere on my side? Cops were no help, their main interest was in being done with it … reminded of that scene in the Big Lebowski movie when he is recovering his stolen junker at the impound lot and asks if they have any clues in the investigation (ROFL).
(3) they have outsourced their glass coverage to Safelight. Like totally, when I called with a windshield issue the call was routed to Safelight by the robot (god I hate talking to a computer) before I talked to a human. I guess Safelight did an acceptable job on my beater Corolla (and don’t really care), but I would not want to deal with them for my bimmer.
(4) I used to have USAA mutual funds but they sold that whole LOB to Schwab. Schwab is ok, and I’m average happy with them … anyone can go there anytime.
(5) so many dang USAA commercials on TV now … and they seem to be saying to join you only need to be the second niece of someone who thought about serving.
I used to feel good that I was undoubtedly getting a special deal as part of low overhead / profit outfit of morally / fiscally above average members but lately I’ve been singing “I’ve lost that loving feeling” and might have to shop my business. Got to say, however, that all the people I talk to there (after getting through the dang computer) are still super nice and professional, so not their fault.
UPDATE: sorry for the long post of questionable relevance. Thanks for letting me vent … I feel better already.
Two things I'd leave to dedicated shops vs the dealer - wheel alignment and glass. Safelite are plenty good, in my experience. They know what they are doing, and have all the needed equipment. I don't think a BMW (or any other brand) dealer is better at replacing a windshield than Safelite or any decent body shop is. Many dealers actually outsorce this.
The problem is not Safelite, but the windshield that the insurance company makes them work with.
Insurers will always proceed with and push for 3rd party glass (which could be good or not so good), and will only go to name brand (BMW original in this case) if you agree to pay extra, OR if the 3rd party does not cary that specific model windshield.
The good part is that most exotic windshields will not be carried by the 3rd party and the insurer will be forced to go for original. And if it's at least half-good - they'll treat it as their own 3rd party. This happened to me with my econosuv - turned out that my windshield was exotic enough. They covered it in full.
Initially, when they thought that they had a 3rd party for my car, they were quoting me $250 (or was it $300) extra if I wanted to go with an original from the dealer (which is still less than the actual difference in price I think, looked like a flat fee).
The problem is not Safelite, but the windshield that the insurance company makes them work with.
Insurers will always proceed with and push for 3rd party glass (which could be good or not so good), and will only go to name brand (BMW original in this case) if you agree to pay extra, OR if the 3rd party does not cary that specific model windshield.
The good part is that most exotic windshields will not be carried by the 3rd party and the insurer will be forced to go for original. And if it's at least half-good - they'll treat it as their own 3rd party. This happened to me with my econosuv - turned out that my windshield was exotic enough. They covered it in full.
Initially, when they thought that they had a 3rd party for my car, they were quoting me $250 (or was it $300) extra if I wanted to go with an original from the dealer (which is still less than the actual difference in price I think, looked like a flat fee).
I haven’t had to make a windshield claim, but it is why I have Liberty Mutual.
BMW dealership and OEM parts are part of the coverage.
www.bmwusa.com
I did use it for hail damage. Dropped it off at the BMW CCC and let them deal with it.
BMW dealership and OEM parts are part of the coverage.
BMW Financial Services – BMW North America
Clear, simple pricing. Tailored lease and financing options. Personal service. That's BMW Financial Services. Discover products and offers from the ones who know BMW best.
I did use it for hail damage. Dropped it off at the BMW CCC and let them deal with it.
We have HUD on our 2020 X3 M40i. I thought it was a “nice” add on until driving back home from a long trip. We were going through some mountains and valleys with intermittent heavy fog. Needless to say my eyes were glued to the road when we hit the fog aress, and the HUD kept me from having to look elsewhere for info.
Thanks for all of the replies!
We've decided that HUD would be a preferred feature, so we are looking for something with that as well as our other desired features. My wife's favorite color scheme is Bluestone with the black SynsaTek interior. She does not like the black Dakota leather with the silver contrast stitching. So, that really limits what is available to us. She does like the blue stitching though as with m-sport packages. Anyhow, I have only located one vehicle that met our criteria, with one exception, out of the hundreds that I have viewed over the last weeks. It was a 2018 540xi m-sport with low mileage that was within our price range. That car was perfect with the exception it was a 2018 and I desire a 2019 with some remaining warranty. That car unfortunately sold today as I was awaiting them to send additional pics and a video. So, the quest continues.
God Bless,
Ralph
We've decided that HUD would be a preferred feature, so we are looking for something with that as well as our other desired features. My wife's favorite color scheme is Bluestone with the black SynsaTek interior. She does not like the black Dakota leather with the silver contrast stitching. So, that really limits what is available to us. She does like the blue stitching though as with m-sport packages. Anyhow, I have only located one vehicle that met our criteria, with one exception, out of the hundreds that I have viewed over the last weeks. It was a 2018 540xi m-sport with low mileage that was within our price range. That car was perfect with the exception it was a 2018 and I desire a 2019 with some remaining warranty. That car unfortunately sold today as I was awaiting them to send additional pics and a video. So, the quest continues.
God Bless,
Ralph
Since HUD is optional and so are the “better seats”. Why didn’t you skip the HUD and opt for the seats instead?
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