C5X7 crack of increasing length in windscreen..

[aerodynamica]

Hi all, I have had a windscreen crack that appeared suddenly returning to the car when parked in the sun earlier this year, June I think.

The crack is on the passeneger side and is slowly lengthening and I fer the worst.

This is a 2008 car and is quite old and I wonder what will happen if I were to try and use windscreen cover to replace the glass.

Has anyone done this and what are the pitfalls?

It is an old C5 but other than this is is all working well and still looks ok after all the years and I'm keen to keep it as long as possible.

[Huskyxantia]

Think you just pay the excess , then up goes the price next yr when you renew. I knew a woman had window done all she paid was 80£

[aerodynamica]

Thanks, I was also wondering if there were known problems or delays in getting a replacement. I am sure someone on here said something about the rain sensor not being properly 'done'.

[myglaren]

I had my C5 (2002) windscreen replaced through the insurance, £75 and no increase in the policy renewal.
The bloke was very good, worked carefully and cleanly. The rain and light sensor replace properly and worked perfectly after the replacement.
He did say best not to drive the car until the next day just to be sure that the bonding was fully cured.
I think it was Autoglass but wouldn't swear to it.

Daughter had an independent operator replace the screen on her R-reg SAAB cabriolet. £150 but gave her a receipt for £350 to give to her ex-boyfriend who broke it (long story)
SAAB dealer wanted £1,000

[RichardW]

The hurdle for MOT failure is quite high these days, so you can probably just ignore it. David had trouble with his C6 as they were unable to source a replacement screen, and it ended up being written off. I'd have thought a C5 wouldn't be an issue, and the sensor is not complicated on these so shouldn't be an issue there either.

[aerodynamica]

Well thanks all, reassuring!

[aerodynamica]

The hurdle for MOT failure is quite high these days, so you can probably just ignore it. David had trouble with his C6 as they were unable to source a replacement screen, and it ended up being written off. I'd have thought a C5 wouldn't be an issue, and the sensor is not complicated on these so shouldn't be an issue there either.

You know Richard, I've been ignoring it for ages now and my other concern was that it might do the sudden 'safety glass' surprise pattern on the M way of a morning.. Not sure if that actually happens or a myth.

[myglaren]

Current weather may well confirm that.

[Paul-R]

You know Richard, I've been ignoring it for ages now and my other concern was that it might do the sudden 'safety glass' surprise pattern on the M way of a morning.. Not sure if that actually happens or a myth.

It used to when toughened windscreens were the norm but not since laminated screens became standard fitting, probably 70s/80s on.

[PaulC5]

Insurance windscreen excess seems to be about £115 these days provided you use your insurer's recommended repairer. Use somebody else and they limit how much they will pay out, possibly around £175 or the car's value if less. Have a look at your insurance policy and probably best to ask your insurer before going to autoglass or whoever your insurer recommends. I would be tempted to not mention it initially broke 6 months ago since if done then it might have been less of a repair/cost. Having a new screen lets you realise how scratched the old one has been. It will not affect your no claims discount.

[Jay-Bruce]

Rain/Light sensors are bread and butter to windscreen guys these days, the sensor that can cause issues if not done correctly is the lane departure warning system as it needs recalibrated after reinstallation...

[Oldpug]

It’s simple. Just contact your insurance and they will tell you what to do.
It will be one of the nation wide chain's, it will be fitted and you pay the screen excess, not the policy accident excess. It will not affect the no claims or the renewal premium.If you want someone else to do the job you will probably have to pay an extra excess sum.

I claimed on the classic car policy for my Mercedes SL320. I asked for a genuine Mercedes screen to be fitted by a Mercedes specialist. They agreed but I had to pay an extra excess £150 instead of £75..
I was more than happy, genuine £900 screen fitted by experts for £150, keeping my classic original.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi all, I have had a windscreen crack that appeared suddenly returning to the car when parked in the sun earlier this year, June I think.

The crack is on the passeneger side and is slowly lengthening and I fer the worst.

This is a 2008 car and is quite old and I wonder what will happen if I were to try and use windscreen cover to replace the glass.

Has anyone done this and what are the pitfalls?

It is an old C5 but other than this is is all working well and still looks ok after all the years and I'm keen to keep it as long as possible.

That was probably me!

I didn't have a crack on my X7, but I had a very fine pitting all over the glass, which is quite soft - so after years it became very difficult to see clearly in the bright sun. So I decided to have a replacement done on the car insurance. I knew there was going to be an issue before they even started with the rain and light sensor, as once these are removed, they NEVER go back properly and the adhesive becomes cloudy, which then affects the performance.

I took the steps of mentioning this before hand to the company and said that if I'm not happy I will be expecting a replacement sensor.

Sure enough, job done and sure enough problems ensued. They came back and did a test (pouring water over the sensor), but I watched and was not happy with the testing methodology! I told the company that the sensor has 19 wiping speed levels and that chucking a load of water over is not a real test, and if using a fine spray it does not activate.

I won my case and provided the official part number for the sensor (over £200) and they ordered it, came back and refitted the new sensor - job done.

[aerodynamica]

Ah but so much hassle Marc, but if that's what had to be done..

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, Graeme, unfortunately my OCD wouldn't allow that one to get past me! Knowing that it's faulty, looked horribly milky and didn't perform as intended was stress enough - especially as I keep my cars in pristine condition.

It's just about standing your ground. I knew this would be an issue before hand so was prepared. And at the end of the day the windscreen company's own insurance covered the cost, so no loss to me or them.