Hey-

So...I just thought I would share this and see if the body shop is blowing smoke up my a$$.

I have had a rash of bad luck with the S since I bought it over a month ago. First, the parking brake was sticking engaged. I was told to engage it at around 40 mph to get the rust off. Then my clutch went south (less than 1000 miles after I bought it). After that I noticed a bubble at the top of the windshield (in the black area). The dealer actually agreed to fix ALL of the above for FREE (oh, they also threw in a new top).

My luck finally ran out last week. I took the car in to get the bubble taken out of the windshield surround, and they directed me to a local body shop that is pretty reputible. They told me that there was no way that they could replace the black area (apparently its a decal that wraps under the windshield) without removing the windshield (they apparently out-source this work to local glass companies). They told me that since our windshields are set in epoxy, there was almost a 100% chance that it would break in the removal process. They were not willing to cover this type of a loss (apparently it is a $500 windshield). My dealer also will not cover this. I contacted my insurance, and they will cover it, but it will require my deductible (which is $500 anyways). The dealer has already ordered the part, and paid for all the labor for the install, but will not cover a broken windshield. ARGHHH!!! So close, yet so far.

Is it possible to remove the windshield safely without the risk of cracking? Is the body shop / glass people just covering their own a-holes?

Oh well....I got them to take the entire black area off, and under it is painted the same color as the car (silverstone). I think it looks OK like this for now. When my financial aid kicks over in the fall, I might have it done then. I guess I should be counting my blessings (seeing as the dealer did not tell me to stick it) and e happy with what I got....but at the same time I think the dealer should be responsible for the repairs, because they sold me a car with defects.

Sorry for the ranting...just venting my frustrations. Other than the above mentioned problems, the car as been a DREAM to drive.

Next up.....AUDIO!!!

John

 

Seems to me your dealer is great. Most dealers you read about do not like help at all. i would be thankful to have a good dealer. and my opinion is to leave the tape off now that it is gone. less headaches.

 

I watched as a shop removed my windshield (whole) and replace it with a new one.
it is just a bunch of BS I think.

 

oops double post

 

I had the rubber seal at the top (right above the rear view mirror) on the outside keep coming out of the track and sticking up. The service manager tried to trim it with an Xacto knife and he pooched it. He said he'd replace the entire rubber seal. They brought it OUT to another place that does windscreens and they cracked it trying to take it out. It's apparently a but fidgity.... The glas place guy said it's some of the most brittle/oddest handling glass he's ever seen.

 

i removed my windshield tape for cosmetic reasons...i like it the top down look better with the painted surround. i know of many others in mid-atlantic that have done this and been happy...

 

I went through the trouble of removing the black tape windshield surround ON PURPOSE , as have many others.. it's a personal pref, but I prefer the look of the color matched windshield frame. I'm pretty sure that the US market is the only market currently getting taped windshield frames. And ALL the Berlina Black cars come without tape as far as I know.
Leave it and be glad your dealer has been as helpful as they have.

 

THat body shop apparently never worked on a S before, the windshield tape comes right off. The windshiled doesnt need to be removed. Putting it back on might be tough, just leave it off, its painted underniedth.