Windscreen Replacement

[Arran]

I'm seeking advice and members experiences of having their windscreens replaced. Is it best to use an OPC or would a standard windscreen repair shop be capable of doing such a job?

Regards,

Nigel

 

[Tool Pants]

I like my windshields so much that I have had 3 of them over the years.

You can read about them here, but I don't think the pictures will show up if you are not registered.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10360

In the US I think most of this type of work is subcontracted.

 

[Black80XSA]

ORIGINAL: Arran

I'm seeking advice and members experiences of having their windscreens replaced. Is it best to use an OPC or would a standard windscreen repair shop be capable of doing such a job?

Regards,

Nigel

I know several OPCs that just farm it out to the local national windscreens or equivalent, or they bring them onto the OPC site. Others might do it themselves. either way take lots of pictures inside and out of the surrounding areas of the screen, so you can heck the replacement for trim fittings, marks and damage.

 

[Brian Halling]

I had the windscreen on my previous Boxster replaced by my OPC because:
- It was still under warranty, and I did not want any possibility that Porsche might blame the installer for other subsequent faults.
- If they damaged the bodywork they had a body shop to fix it without further hassle.
- I wanted a new Porsche screen, not a substitute.
- They were no more expensive than my insurer's (NU) recommended repairer, so no claims issues.

In the event the OPC called in a windscreen company who did an excellent job, including replacing the mirror mount, licence holder and Register sticker.

I would choose an OPC every time.

 

[Arran]

Brian - very good advice!

Thanks Nigel

 

[Guest]

Had new windscreen fitted at OPC and they farmed it out. Awful job with under bonnet trim fixings missing, washer hoses disconnected, glass in car and air ducts and rain sensor knackered. OPC put everything right after complaint.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: boxster27

(Fitter would be AutoGlass under the insurance scheme.) I'd intend to ask for an OEM screen.

Thanks.

What would be wrong with a non OEM screen?

We have used AutoGlass for ever and have never had a single issue with any windscreen replacement done to date including big awkward buggers like the Renault Espace.

They personally have done me 2 MINI screens and they looked, performed etc exactly as the originals. Surely glass is glass be it OEM or an alternative equivalent to all the right kite marks and specs [&o]

 

[Tool Pants]

I have had 3 windshields in my 1997. It is a standard glued-in windshield just like any other car. For the 3rd I even helped - I stayed out of their way.

If you look at the corner of your glass it is made by Saint-Gobain Sekurit and has the Porsche logo on it. The P inside a triangle. The glass installers call this logo a "bug." You pay more for that bug because the installer has to buy it from a Porsche dealership. Sekruit cannot sell the glass to independent shops with the bug on it.

I told my installer I wanted Sekruit glass, but not from the dealership. Dealership wanted $460 with the bug, and Sekurit was $325. Sekruit was put in. It is identical to the 2 other windshields I had except it does not have the bug.

Where I live there are 2 aftermarket companies that also have glass. Pilkington and PPG, which cost less then Sekruit. When I am ready for #4 I will go with their glass. Or if I'm lucky someone will come out with a lexan windshield....

 

[Black80XSA]

As per any national company you are at the mercy of their franchised fitters - some OPCs just sub contract anyway so you are no better off going to an OPC, other than you can be more certain of an original screen.

The only thing i would say is..

1. photograph all the exterior and interior surrounds of the car before they start so you have evidence if they damage any trim parts
2. make sure the radio works before you drive away with the new screen - you'd be surprised how often they forget to connect the aeriel !

 

[channella]

In a previous role I had regular contact with Solutia who manufacture PVB, Polyvinyl Butryal, which is the layer of polymer sandwiched between the glass sheets to make a laminated windscreen. I got the impresssion from them that windscreens could be made from "green" glass, which as I understood it was essentially virgin glass. "Green glass" has or had, different and preferential properties to the glass used in after market windscreens. In combination with the PVB layer, these properties included better UV blocking, improved optical quality and a slight tint to the windscreen too (reduced IR transmission?). I believed therefore that OEM screens are better quality than aftermarket screens.

I'm quite happy to be wrong, since it may save some hassle, but I can't find anything on the internet to indicate I am, or present information supporting my understanding or an alternative view denying it.

 

[mascanes]

I recently had my screen replaced by Auto Glass in Dunstable. First of all they ordered up the incorrect screen, one with out the rain sensor and sat-nav antenna etc. Then after my marathon european trip a rattle developed in the left hand side of the screen. I traced it down to one of the screws in the left hand sunvisor. They had crossed threaded the sunvisor hinge point screws on all four screws, and infact they had broked the internal nut on the right had side visor screw had tried to stick it in place with some of the screen sealant!!! THe left had nut was rattling in the screen surround body.

As one of the other threads suggested photograph everything and give it a good checking over.[]

Cheers Mike