Technical Glass Roof Repair?

[Percymama]

Hey Guys

Does anyone here know a rough cost for replacing a smashed rear glass panel on a 500?

It was vandalised and needs sorting, and I'm assuming the glass itself can just be replaced, without the need for a entire new roof!

Thanks

 

[jrkitching]

What rotten luck!

Can you clarify which panel needs replacing - are we talking about the glass panel in the convertible, the fixed panoramic panel on a hardtop, or the rear side window?

First step is to read the small print of your insurance policy; you may be able to get it replaced on insurance for just the glass excess, without losing any no claims bonus. Most folks think of this as windscreen cover, but quite often it applies to all the glass on the car. Sometimes there are exceptions; the fixed glass panoramic roof on the Lounge models being a good example of a glass panel that is covered by some insurers, not covered by others.

You can also claim under the accident part of the policy, but in that case, you'd lose no claims bonus.

If you can't get it fixed under insurance for just the glass excess payment, the best plan is probably to look on ebay for whatever glass you need from a breaker, and find a windscreen installer to fit it for you.

IIRC typecastboy has done something similar at least once.

 

[typecastboy]

I have indeed replaced the entire glass roof. Ironically it was one of the very few cars I actually looked at before buying (2 out of 62 currently) and it was really really dirty and didn't notice that it had a whacking great crack from one corner several inches towards the middle of the roof.

I bought a glass roof plasma cut out of the roof of the donor car from RLR Autos in Essex so it was still bonded into the metal of the car. I think I paid about £150 for it from memory and my windscreen fitter did it for £80. It took quite a while though as he had to remove it from the metal it was in and then remove the broken one.

They are bonded in exactly like the windscreen. It therefore cost me around £230 in total. I often see the glass panels advertised on eBay but are usually around the £200 mark.

I had a smashed sunroof (stone on the M25) in my Mondeo years ago which was covered under the windscreen cover but they did umm and arrh about it for a while before they decided it was covered.

 

[jrkitching]

I think I paid about £150 for it from memory

You did well. Some breakers really do take the p**s when it comes to pricing these; there can't be that much demand vs supply.

But not as much as Fiat themselves. AIUI brand new ones are dealer only and well north of £1000 (+fitting), hence the reluctance of some insurers to replace them under the glass section of the policy.

When you start pricing up new OEM parts for a repair, it's hardly surprising a lot of cars get written off.

It was vandalised

Some insurers now cover damage due to vandalism without it affecting your no claims bonus. I'll bet they still load the next few years premiums for the claim, though.

 

[Percymama]

I'm actually talking about the small glass section in the rear of the roof, not the glass roof as such ��

 

[chris3234]

I'm actually talking about the small glass section in the rear of the roof, not the glass roof as such ��

Glass section in the rear of the roof?
The rear window?

 

[jrkitching]

I'm actually talking about the small glass section in the rear of the roof

Glass section in the rear of the roof?

I'm still confused, too.

So your car is a convertible, yes?

A quick initial search using my usual links isn't looking good; Fiat don't appear to sell the glass separately and the price of a new OEM fabric panel (which presumably includes the glass section) is absolutely eyewatering (almost €6000).

I thought this was expensive, but compared to an OEM roof, it's cheap as chips.

Searching for used parts on ebay hasn't turned up anything, either.

Might be worth contacting one of the specialist convertible roof restoration companies to see what they suggest.

In your position, I'd be reading the small print of my insurance policy.

 

[Percymama]

Yes I'm starting think its going to need a specialist repair, if I can even find the damn glass, the insurance company have already written the car off as a Car N due to the glass panel being smashed in!

I'm just hoping to buy it back and repair it myself ��

 

[jrkitching]

the insurance company have already written the car off as a Car N due to the glass panel being smashed in!

Having seen the parts prices, I can understand why.

Does it have to be glass? You could likely improvise something with an acrylic panel, at least for the short term, and keep a look out for something better.

I'd keep a watchful eye on breakers websites. @typecastboy is always buying stuff; I'm sure he'll add a post if he comes across anything that might be suitable.

Now that I've done this bit of research, I'd also advise anyone reading this to think carefully and do your homework before buying a 500C with any kind of roof damage.

 

[John202020]

Does it have to be glass? You could likely improvise something with an acrylic panel, at least for the short term, and keep a look out for something better.

Just what I thought too?

 

[Ralf S.]

Get a "customised" glass window made...?

https://www.autoglaze.co.uk/specialist-vehicle-glazing/custom-classic-car-glass/



Ralf S.