windshield crack!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 14
From: VA
14 ML350 4MATIC
windshield crack!!!
After my dealer wash my car I got about 5~6 inch long crack in my passenger side upper corner. I complained to the service manager and we(he found it, and I can see there is a ding) found ding right on the crack, so he said he cannot be responsible for this. And he offer me he will pay the labor since I am a customer to that dealer, but I need to buy the parts. He said it will be $475 + tax installed.
Is it fare? Let me know please.
Is it fare? Let me know please.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 182
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From: San Diego, CA
W203
fault?
So was the ding your fault? What actually happened there? Of course, if you could tell that it was dealer's fault, then sh*t....write MB a letter or something but it it was originally your fault, then the $475 w/o labor is just!
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 166
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From: Massachusetts
2007 BMW 328xi sedan
If the crack occurred while the car was in his possession (and not before), then the dealer is responsible. Did the crack exist before you gave him the car? Most dealers will check the car for body and glass damage before they take the car in and they make a note of it. If you complain that there is a damage on the car that they caused, they can point to the records they made before they took the car in to absolve them of any responsiblity. It is very possible that cold water from the car wash caused the crack. Ding or not, there are no circumstances where I would stand for them charging me for any damage that was not there prior to the service visit.
I would put up quite a fight on this one.
I would put up quite a fight on this one.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 14
From: VA
14 ML350 4MATIC
First of all, nobody sure about there was a crack or not. I think there was a ding and the car wash just cracked it.
I tried fight, but he said as long as there is ding right on the crack, it is my fault. And that was a just car wash, nobody checking car officially either.
I tried fight, but he said as long as there is ding right on the crack, it is my fault. And that was a just car wash, nobody checking car officially either.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
If there's a ding, and you don't have pics of the windshield before you took it to them, then you can fight it all you want, but you'll be p*ssing in the wind.
$475 is a very good price, especially with the sensor. Mine ran closer to $1k for the part only. I'd take him up on his offer, but take pics of the windshield frame area before, and inspect carefully after the install.
$475 is a very good price, especially with the sensor. Mine ran closer to $1k for the part only. I'd take him up on his offer, but take pics of the windshield frame area before, and inspect carefully after the install.
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MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
did you just took it in for a car wash or was that after the service that you had done? In either case the service consultant should have pre-checked that car and have you signed a paper saying that you are aware of what condition your car is in before they took it into their lot/service area. If the service consultant did not do such thing or he did, but didn't note the ding on the window frame, there is a great chance that you can have the dealership to pay for the damage of the window frame and the replacement of the glass.
Now you have to ask yourself, if that ding was there when you took the car in.
Now you have to ask yourself, if that ding was there when you took the car in.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
If it was a car wash with power sprayers or the towels or anything but a normal pressure hose then the dealer is most likely at fault. The pressure from the water could easily cause the crack or extend the crack. A tech putting his hand on a weakened winddshield coudl also crack it. My point is that if the crack was noticed before by anyone and it was noticed after ward then the dealership would be responsible. My family owned a dealership for 70+ years and the customer is always right when it comes to damage on there car, even if it is not the dealerships fault, because it was missed on check in and the customer noticed it on pickup. There are many things in a garage that can damage a vehicke accidentally no matter how careful the tech or dealership is.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 144
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From: Dallas
C230 K
uhhh. sounds fishy.
if the cost of the windshield is close to $1K, then why are they going to let you have it for $475 if they are not at fault?? guilty conscience? i'd keep pressing them.
if they didn't note it when it came in, they need to take responsibility for it.
i had a torn seam on a seat a while back when i got my car back. now, it was a few inches long, but it wasn't OBVIOUS due to the stiching. could it have been there when i took it in? sure, although i didn't notice it till i got my car back. but it's just as likely that a careless tech had his damn knees on the seat and wiggled around to much. the dealer paid to have it fixed, no arguments, just an apollogy.
if they didn't note it when it came in, they need to take responsibility for it.
i had a torn seam on a seat a while back when i got my car back. now, it was a few inches long, but it wasn't OBVIOUS due to the stiching. could it have been there when i took it in? sure, although i didn't notice it till i got my car back. but it's just as likely that a careless tech had his damn knees on the seat and wiggled around to much. the dealer paid to have it fixed, no arguments, just an apollogy.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
yodlebenz, that should have been covered under warranty anyway. So they did not pay for it or need to. The beauty of a 4/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Everything but Brakes, Clutch, light bulbs and a few other wear and tear external items are covered. Nothing really wear and tear inside the car.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I would talk to my insurance agent.
Tell them what happened, and sic 'em on the dealer.
How is your dealer reasoning he's not responsible?
Tell you agent, your car was vandalized while in the possession of the dealer, and let the fun begin!!!
I had my windsheild smashed by some F'ing punks just a few months after buying the car,
and all I know is my portion was $120.
I went with a low deductible, due to prior experience with
dumbasses keying my other cars when new and what not because they are jealous, and it paid off.
It was 200 for install, and parts, which were around 450.
No, let your insurance company wrestle with these turds.
Don't let yourself get sucked in, or just hit 'em with a court date for small claims court.
Don't give them the work, but be sure to go with someone good,
who does MBZ, and use MBZ glass.
Insist on that with your insurance.
OR like someone said, if the dealer is saying, "gee, we dunno HOW that happened, it just APPEARED!" then tell 'em, that the crack must have appeared due to a factory defect, and you want it fixed under warranty.
Of course they'll fight that too, since they know it's bull****.
Tell them what happened, and sic 'em on the dealer.
How is your dealer reasoning he's not responsible?
Tell you agent, your car was vandalized while in the possession of the dealer, and let the fun begin!!!
I had my windsheild smashed by some F'ing punks just a few months after buying the car,
and all I know is my portion was $120.
I went with a low deductible, due to prior experience with
dumbasses keying my other cars when new and what not because they are jealous, and it paid off.
It was 200 for install, and parts, which were around 450.
No, let your insurance company wrestle with these turds.
Don't let yourself get sucked in, or just hit 'em with a court date for small claims court.
Don't give them the work, but be sure to go with someone good,
who does MBZ, and use MBZ glass.
Insist on that with your insurance.
OR like someone said, if the dealer is saying, "gee, we dunno HOW that happened, it just APPEARED!" then tell 'em, that the crack must have appeared due to a factory defect, and you want it fixed under warranty.
Of course they'll fight that too, since they know it's bull****.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Feb 20, 2003 at 03:21 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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Originally posted by nov0798
It wont cost you over 1k to get it replaced. I just had mine replaced and here is the invoice. I paid my 250 deductible and walked away.
It wont cost you over 1k to get it replaced. I just had mine replaced and here is the invoice. I paid my 250 deductible and walked away.
Is that the one with the wiper sensor or without???
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
or...
...just move to South Carolina. Windshields are covered by your own insurance company. No cost, no deductible. I broke 3 in one year in my Grand Cherokee, and no, it doesn't affect your rates. My insurance company better hope I don't break 3 in my Coupe in one year!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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Re: or...
Originally posted by KOMPRESSORnSC
...just move to South Carolina. Windshields are covered by your own insurance company. No cost, no deductible. I broke 3 in one year in my Grand Cherokee, and no, it doesn't affect your rates. My insurance company better hope I don't break 3 in my Coupe in one year!
...just move to South Carolina. Windshields are covered by your own insurance company. No cost, no deductible. I broke 3 in one year in my Grand Cherokee, and no, it doesn't affect your rates. My insurance company better hope I don't break 3 in my Coupe in one year!
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It has the place for the rain sensor, but since i dont have it it doesnt make a difference. the only difference between a rain sensor windshield and one without id a small piece of windshield that has not tinting or anything else on it. that is all. as for the wipers, i beleive that these are pieces that go around the window somewhere, they are not actually windshield wipers.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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Originally posted by nov0798
It has the place for the rain sensor, but since i dont have it it doesnt make a difference. the only difference between a rain sensor windshield and one without id a small piece of windshield that has not tinting or anything else on it. that is all. as for the wipers, i beleive that these are pieces that go around the window somewhere, they are not actually windshield wipers.
It has the place for the rain sensor, but since i dont have it it doesnt make a difference. the only difference between a rain sensor windshield and one without id a small piece of windshield that has not tinting or anything else on it. that is all. as for the wipers, i beleive that these are pieces that go around the window somewhere, they are not actually windshield wipers.
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From: Germany
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 297
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From: NH-NJ
You should contact your insurance company. Every company has their own policies. When I had a crack in my non MB car I only paid $50 and they replaced it. Also I know Mass insurance companies replace the winshields for free if there are any cracks or chips within view of the driver.
BTW - Since I am also in Jersey what dealer was this? I'll keep this in mind if I ever need to go to them
BTW - Since I am also in Jersey what dealer was this? I'll keep this in mind if I ever need to go to them
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by nov0798
It wont cost you over 1k to get it replaced. I just had mine replaced and here is the invoice. I paid my 250 deductible and walked away.
It wont cost you over 1k to get it replaced. I just had mine replaced and here is the invoice. I paid my 250 deductible and walked away.
