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MG MGF Technical - Cracked windscreen

I have an 8 inch crack at the level of the driver's side wipers which is not leaking. Does anyone know whether the windscreen is structural on the F or can this wait until MOT time to be changed? Also, has anyone had Autoglass or similar change the glass or is this a main dealer job?

thanks

Chaz
C Golvala

Structural - check
MOT failure - check
Autoglass* - check
do you take cash or - check
which shirt, tartan or - check

Will
*Autoglass can do the job in 2 hours, MGR take much more because (according to autoglass) "they use crap glue"
Will Munns

I believe the screen surround (which contains the roll bar) is rated at 3 times the car's weight - but only with the glass in place and undamaged. I'd get it changed, you're probably covered by your insurance. I just had mine changed and only had to pay the £50 excess. HOWEVER:

1 - Insist on a genuine MG screen. My insurer's didn't kick up a fuss, and when it came to be installed the guy basically said their own brand screens were rubbish.
2 - Check your car over for any damage BEFORE the screen is changed. Get a damage report sheet from the installer signed.
3 - Check for damage after the screen is changed, inside and out!
4 - In daylight, have a good look at the job...

RAC Autowindscreens changed mine in mid-December and did an absolutely pants job. Broken air intake panel, missing and damaged screw caps, rattly trim, uneven seal and a wobbly interior mirror. I rang them to complain, and in all fairness they came out to inspect the car (after not turning up to their first appointment), admitted the job was terrible and arranged to remove and reinstall the screen properly with a new air intake panel. They insisted on working on the car at their depot instead of on-site the second time which meant one of their drivers (embarressingly, the same guy who messed it up in the first place...) picking my car up, taking it to their depot and returning it afterwards. I wasn't particularly happy letting someone I don't know take my car away but didn't really have much choice.

So...a month after the first attempt, and after re-arranging the installation 3 times they finally did good. Screen now properly installed, mirror doesn't wobble any more than it ever used to and a new air intake panel is in place. On the other hand, they've put a small scratch in the brand new screen (sigh) and yesterday I had to extract a piece of plastic they'd dropped into the air intake which had got jammed in the heater blower. Am I pleased? Well at least it passed the MOT...

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Chaz, I have had no problems at all with RAC/autoglass BUT as you're both in london - don't go where Tim did!
Will Munns

Tim. Will, gents. Thanks very much. I've just got off the phone from my local MGR dealer who tell me that the glass is not structural (the frame obviously is). However, Tim's post sounds more like he knows what he's talking about than the dealer did. Any more views?

Thanks for the heads up on the replacement issue.

Chaz
C Golvala

I won't jump up and say that all of their work is poor - I know of someone who was very impressed with them when having the rear screen of a Freelander changed. However, he did go to the branch (Kingston) rather than try to get it done on-site. I guess it's all luck on who you get, and obviously at the depot they have lots of light, people to help etc. Apparently at one point they had 3 guys handling the screen to get it in place properly!

At the end of the day, you have to get it done eventually. If you wait until the last minute like me (just before the MOT) then you have less time to get any problems resolved. All you can do really is hope they do it right - if you can, take it to a branch.

HTH,
Tim.
Tim Jenner

...now where did I put that Yellow Pages. Guess what I'm going this weekend!

Tim, do you know how much it cost for the MGR windscreen or did the insurer pay directly? I assume that RAC were happy to fit that one - I'll have to check with the local bunch.

Thanks folks

Chaz
C Golvala

The insurer paid directly - basically, I asked RAC Autoglass for a genuine screen and they contacted my insurers to check the additional cost over their own brand was OK. I then had to wait a couple of days whilst the MGR dealer ordered the screen in.

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Thanks Tim. I've just had two dealers say that there is no difference between an MGR windscreen and one supplied and fitted by an independent company - in fact both would have to get a glass fitter to come and do the job!

Chaz
C Golvala

Chaz,

Not surprised that a dealer would outsource screen fitting - it's a pretty specialised job. As for the quality of the glass, I can't really comment since I've only had MGR screens. My actual motivation was having an MG logo instead of an RAC logo in the corner!

Tim.
Tim Jenner

I hate RAC Autowindscreens.

The wife's 3 series got broken into a few months back and needed a replacement front drivers window and also a drivers rear 3/4 light glass.

Anyway paid the £50 excess to the insurance and out RAC came to fix it.

Firstly they broke a retaining clip and had to order one in, this took over 3 weeks. Then when they came to fit it there was some other problem and they insisted it needed to go to their depot as they had to do some drilling!!!!

Anyway, enough was enough and off it went to our very friendly and very good BMW dealer (BMW Heathrow).

To cut a long story short, they had caused loads of damage when fitting including removing and not replacing all the insulation material and stuff that seals everything from water ingress, broken the electric window regulator, fitted inferior glass (wrong tint, thinner and not perfect size), not removed broken and loose glass from door panel, bent metal trim fittings etc, etc, etc.

The bill from BMW to fix all this and sort it out was just under £800.

Needless to say a swift row ensued with my insurance company and theri services were dispensed with last 2 weeks ago at renewal time. I'm pleased to say that I got a cheque from them this weekend for the full amount I had to pay to BMW.

I WILL NEVER use RAC Autowindscreens again.

PS If you still needa good reputable company and are nearby, I can highly recommend A40 Windscreens on the Perivale Industrial Estate, just off the A40 at Perivale West London.
Billy Bob

Oh yea, forgot about all the shards of glass left on the seats, carpet and under the bonnet!!

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Booked via insurer with a Nationwide Autoglazing franchisee. The guy I spoke to does the repairs for local MGR dealers and sounds as if he know what he is up to...we'll see. The insurer was rash enough to promise that the job would be done perfectly "even if it takes 10 attempts". Silly boy!

I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

Chaz
C Golvala

Keep us informed, Chaz - let's hope it doesn't take 10 attempts!!
Tim Jenner

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2004 and 20/01/2004

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