Hello again… driving this evening I had the pleasure of having a stone hit the windscreen causing a crack some 250mm long from the top of the passenger side screen. Joy.

I’m insured through Aviva and it’ll be just over £100 for a replacement, which is fine. I wondered what people’s experiences have been through National Windscreens who appear to be the company Aviva use? It’ll also be my first windscreen replacement in a vehicle so any quality check tips, general and specific to the L322 would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Ryan 2009 facelift L322 3.6 TDV8 - Buckingham Blue

I cannot quite remember who did mine when I had it replaced but the experience was not pain free.

Firstly they broken virtually every clip on the plastic side trims that run top to bottom both sides of the screen, so much so that 2 days after it was replaced one flew off on a dual carriageway and was lost forever. When I complained the local office who did the repair tried to brush it off so I ended up e-mailing the CEO (or whoever) and I have to say they responded quite well after that. They replaced with a new part which even then wasn't correctly fitted but I gave up at that point and did it myself.

I would check the heated screen works OK after the change as the ribbon cables for it are down in the left hand side (NS) of the screen and depending on the quality of the ham fisted operative it might be an issue if not removed carefully.

The screen was non original but to be fair its been fine and you wouldn't really notice any difference.

Not sure if they do them without the auto wiper section etc on the screens but also seem to recall they ordered the wrong screen first time around, can't remember why it was wrong though

J

You might want to read this topic for a recent Aviva/National Windscreens perspective......

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic71112.html 2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2021-2024) - Santorini Black
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster (2016-2021) - Santorini Black

I knew I'd read something recently but it certainly makes for interesting reading... I've given NWs the benefit of the doubt and I'm booked in next week. I'll be home when it's done to make sure I'm happy and will offer a tactical tea mid-way through for a sitrep.

Fingers crossed! 2009 facelift L322 3.6 TDV8 - Buckingham Blue

I'd be willing to get a few clips in stock so they have the right ones just in case, the A pillar trims are very prone to breaking the clips (from what I've seen so far) and won't do any harm. You would expect them to have this sort of thing but I wouldn't guarantee it.

These are the type needed;

https://vehicleclips.co.uk/collections/lan...asteners-1

And the ones in the inner edge of the trim (the bit you can't see with the door closed uses something like these;

https://vehicleclips.co.uk/products/8mm-pl...eq=uniform

And this is the captive rubber bit that they tend not to replace;

https://vehicleclips.co.uk/collections/lan...s-lr002229

Doesn't do any harm to have a few around, always come in handy.

I had mine done a few months ago. Unfortunately there was a creaking/slight rattle afterwards which they tried to fix with a new bit of trim. After I went back again they agreed to replace the screen which was very fair.
That was National Windsceens Canterbury.
Check rain and light sensor and for creaks!

Make sure to check with them when they arrive that they have the correct screen as it's a bit late once the old one is out

Ask to see it and check the markings yourself as they may just assume whoever loaded the van actually put the correct screen in there.

Midway beverage always a good idea too  2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2021-2024) - Santorini Black
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster (2016-2021) - Santorini Black

I've never had a good experience with any of the "nationals".

Thesedays whenever I do need a new screen I go to a local independent & paid for the whole job myself.

Mixed reviews from mine just done with National Windscreens.

First appt I booked was for mobile but as rain was forecast and they couldn’t get the wiper arm angle piece from the spline, adjourned. I found and thread on here recommending a small ball joint separator and they came off in minutes.

Then had it booked in yesterday, in branch, and to be fair to them it was an excellent job. They replaced all clips with new ones along with the top trim piece and I can’t fault it. However… the infamous rain sensor issue reared its head. I noticed an air bubble so took it back in and they, without a quibble, replaced it for a brand new sensor - Bentley part, mind. Seemed fine in the shop when sprayed with water but en route home it reverted back to manual/intermittent mode. Where, effectively, the sensitivity control on the stalk adjusts the intensity of the intermittent wipe. Odd how it worked in store, with me watching, though.

I said I’d give it a few days to see if the sensor adjusts itself or if, worst case like the tech feared, it might be glass thickness related. We shall see. 2009 facelift L322 3.6 TDV8 - Buckingham Blue

I had a windscreen replaced by Autoglass a couple of years ago, couldn’t fault them. They even replaced the plastic side trims with new.

Did you happen to have any trouble with the rain sensor after? If so, could I ask how it was rectified and if you didn't, do you mind me asking what make/brand screen you had fitted?

Cheers! 2009 facelift L322 3.6 TDV8 - Buckingham Blue

No issues with rain sensor. Screen was Pilkington.

Currently having issues with National windscreens, they fitted a new screen and the auto lights and wipers stopped working, they came back and changed a silcone pad that the sensor sits on but no change, tech said the sensor is fine so must be the 'shatterproof' screen, called my insurer tesco who said theres no limit on claims so request a genuine screen, NW came back with another shatterproof screen... not impressed, its now sat with the customer relations teams who despite many requests haven't called me back 1972 Series 3 full of character
1985 90 pick up went anywhere
1992 90 Exported
2007 L322 that was an experience
2010 D4 more versatile than a Swiss army knife, now gone
2011 L322 4.4 VSE

If you complain to the insurance ombudsman they usually come down on your side that the Ins company should fit a genuine part and not a pattern part, if you crashed the car, and needed a new wheel for example, would they put a pattern part on...!! Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Hmm sounds all too typical then for my issue too. I’ll give it the weekend to see if there are any changes but I’ll likely be raising it again for a genuine part. Mine, also, is a Shatterprufe screen which has all the right markings but is likely to be the incorrect thickness…

Always good fun these vehicles. 2009 facelift L322 3.6 TDV8 - Buckingham Blue