Replacement windshield questions

[Scribe42]

My windshield just got its second stone chip in three months (2012 P+, 15 months old). First one was "fixed" by the injection method, but the crack still showed. Now there's a second one on the opposite side of the windshield, so I'm getting a new windshield installed. Both chips/cracks are about 1 1/4-inch long. Both were caused by a pebble or other small object being thrown up by a vehicle in an adjacent lane.

Anyone who has had this job done -- any damage to the rear edge of the hood, to the inside trim, etc? I'm taking "before" photos, just in case.

I realize that the shop will need to know about the service position of the wipers. But do they also have to remove the wiper arms for access when removing/installing the glass?

My car has the rainsense module in the mirror mount. Any complications when this option is present?

Because I haven't had any stone chips to any of my other cars in the past 12 or 13 years, it makes me curious. Does anyone know if the current B8 A4s have a different kind of glass that's more susceptible to damage? Or am I just unlucky?

Any comments would be welcome.

[strife1013]

I would have an Audi dealership or Audi Cert. repair shop replace the windshield. Is your insurance paying for it, don't go cheap.

I lost my window to a hail storm last year and got it replace at a cert. Audi repair shop, had hail damage to get fixed too.

I made sure it was made by Audi, they have the 4 rings on the glass as I didn't want third party glass. They also had to replace the gel packet for the rain sensor as well. I think they also replace the black molding around the windshield.

If you don't already have it I would look into full glass coverage through your insurance. These windshields cost like $400-500 to replace. The gel pack was like $75 I believe. Well worth the little bit extra you pay for insurance. Pays for itself big time!

[name.goes.here]

I would have an Audi dealership or Audi Cert. repair shop replace the windshield. Insurance paying for it? I lost my window to a hail storm last year and got it replaced, I made sure it was made by Audi, they have the 4 rings on the glass as I didn't want third party glass. They also had to replace the gel packet for the rain sensor as well. I think they also replace the black molding around the windshield.

Agreed; I would ask the dealer for recommendations.

[Comp4k]

Yea, I would go OEM, don't want to mess up your eyes with cheap windshields that have a weird fishbowl effect.

[gunsmoker]

I just got my windshield replaced a second time. Went both times to the shop my Audi dealer recommended. They do Ferrari's, Bentley's, Aston Martin's, etc. The cost was $370 the first time and $360 the second time. The insurance covered it. The stock and the first replacement windshield were Pilkington. The new one is Securit. I had never had to change a windshield on a car before. The Pilkingtons pop like eggshells. Will see how the Securit goes.
The first time they ruffled the headliner a bit on one of the A-pillars. The second time there was no noticeable trace inside, however, I can tell by the gap on top that the glass sits a bit lower (1-2mm) than before. Not an issue.
Before the second replacement I decided to give a chip-repair a shot. That was at a different shop. It looked like a decent job when I left the shop, but the glass cracked within the hour and I ended up with a 2+" "mercedes star" where a 4mm spec had been. There is no guarantee for this type of repair. The agreement said that if that happened, they would deduct the $75 for the repair from the following windshield replacement. I didn't bother to go to that shop.

[TheHeiko]

I haven't had to replace the windshield on my Audi but had several on BMWs. I don't know how the Audi rain sensor works but on my BMWs, the new glass had a preparation for it. They have to replace the top rubber piece because it gets ruined to take out the old glass. I too would avoid no-name brand/cheap Chinese glass. There are way too many stories of serious imperfections in visual clarity, which would concern me about the safety of them too. As far as getting glass that has the Audi logo, it doesn't really matter if you are getting an OEM brand like Sekurit or Pilkinton. If the glass has the manufacturer's logo on it, you are fine, unless you want to pay more for the Audi logo.

A note about Sekurit versus Pilkington: I have had both and in my experience and in the opinion of my glass installer (does all repairs for the BMW and Mercedes dealer in my area, amongst others) Pilkinton is "softer" glass and chips much easier.

With any windshield change, I try to let my vehicle sit for as long as possible and ideally 24 hours before I drive it so the adhesive can cure and thus minimize wind or water leaks. Maybe I'm paranoid and the two strips of blue painter's tape that installers put on do the trick but I don't want any wind leaks.

[AudiNW]

Replaced mine last year, also went with OEM and an Audi certified shop that works on only European cars. The cost of the OEM windshield, seals, etc. was a bit more, total cost of replacement was around $600.

Just an FYI, my insurance went up a little bit from the comp claim through Travelers ($100 deductible). Luckily my employer covers all these costs.

[ekyp]

I replaced mine couple months ago when my car was only 3 months old. I actually brought it to the Audi Dealership for the windshield replacement. My thoughts... I would bring it to other experienced windshield replacement shop instead. Dealership basically just contracts the job to a part-timer technician and the job isn't always the greatest. One thing you do get with the dealership is guaranteed original part.

Things to look out for:

- Take pictures of the outside where the top of the windshield meets the roof. Mine came with a lot of scratches afterwards
- Take pictures of both A-pillars. Lots of swirls on mine.
- Take pictures of the hood (area close to the windshield), prone to damages
- Check the side fender after repair. Mine has some minor scratches right below the S-Line badge. Think it's caused by someone leaning on the side while replacing windshield.
- Check the gap between windshield and the roof. When I first got the car back, I noticed a good 5mm gap between the glass and the roof. They did replace the windshield again. I later found out they were using a Q5 glass on my A4 for their first attempt. Thus, the improper fitment.
- As for the interior, the cover covering the wires to the rain sensor can get quite loose after the repair. make sure it sits tight against the windshield.
- Also, make sure to tell them not to touch your interior. They tried to clean the interior after the repair and applied some heavy greasy protectant inside. It was disgusting!

Hope this helps =)

[Scribe42]

Thanks to all for your comments. Interesting that various glass brands are more susceptible to breakage than others.

Update -- My insurance has a $100 deductible for windshield replacement, so I will have to pay that much. The local recommended glass repair place had an opening for Wednesday morning. When I made the appointment, I was interrogated by two people regarding whether my car had rainsense, etc. When I dropped the car off today, I had a conversation with them about the service position for the wipers. Gave them a (homemade) written instruction sheet with photos!! Also shot photos of all around the window, both inside and out.

When I got home from dropping the car off, there was a message on my machine. They ordered the wrong glass from their warehouse (no rainsense!!) and asked for an additional four hours to obtain the correct one and get it installed.

Not off to a really good start. Will post followup when I get the car back.

[Scribe42]

All's well that ends well. The new windshield is in and the installation looks fine. No visible damage to the paint, upholstery, etc.

The glass is labeled Guardian, not Pilkinton or Sekurit. Time will tell whether it's any more chip-resistant than the original.

The invoice lists "gel sensor tack" for $30 and "fast cure adhesive" for another $40.

[doowopaudi]

All's well that ends well. The new windshield is in and the installation looks fine. No visible damage to the paint, upholstery, etc.

The glass is labeled Guardian, not Pilkinton or Sekurit. Time will tell whether it's any more chip-resistant than the original.

The invoice lists "gel sensor tack" for $30 and "fast cure adhesive" for another $40.

Looks like I'm gonna be contacting my insurance company for this. Was the winshield replacement coverage and extra feauture on your insurance plan or is it included as part of the overall coverage? I have Mercury insurance and am wondering whether they cover the windshield.

Another question, did they replace the windshield that same day or did it take more than that?

[Scribe42]

My standard insurance covers windshield damage. Chips are fixed with no cost to me. Windshield replacement is covered, but I had to pay $100 deductible. The rest was covered by insurance. This kind of glass coverage is standard with my insurance. I didn't have to specify any special coverage (rider) when I insured the car. You would need to ask your own agent for specifics.

I made an appointment several days in advance to be sure the shop would have the proper glass on hand when I took the car in for replacement. They messed up and got the wrong glass -- took about six additional hours to get the right glass and complete the repair. The repair itself took several hours from starting to remove the old glass until the car was released for driving. The adhesive was listed a quick-curing, but there was a precaution not to slam the doors (evidently could cause pressure which may pop out the new glass before the adhesive completely cured). And there were several strips of tape at the top of the glass, which had to be left in place ovenight. If the correct glass had been on hand from the start, the whole thing would have taken no more than two hours.

[gunsmoker]

Glad it worked out fine for you. My shop does it in an hour or less with no strips and door-slamming precautions. They only said to not wash the car in the first two hours.

[bobamoo]

A rock hit my windshield this morning, good size crack. Damn, I've only had this car a week! I stopped my Audi dealer to ask who does their glass work. Turns out it's the glass division of the place who installed the hardwire kit for my radar detector. They do a lot of high end stuff, so I feel better about replacing. The crack was borderline, they felt that drilling to repair would crack it further and the two pits would always be visible. They order the glass from Audi, said it will be Sekurit and all new seals and gel pack for the rain sensor. Keeping fingers crossed this goes well!

[A4 Centaur]

I replaced my windshield less than 6 days after purchase in 2012. Got a few dings going skiing over the last few years, though the car sat for a year while I was out of town in A-Stan.

Just did mine again last week and it was around $400. About the same quality as OEM but different. OEM glass is around $600 in the Denver area from Safelite. I don't think OEM is worth the cost in this state.

Someone discovered there is a "sound symbol" on one version which is made by the OEM supplier. I haven't seen that symbol on my original windshield nor the replacement version. Good luck!

[bobamoo]

The glass place said Audi and most makers use an acoustic glass for sound reduction. I took a look at my windshield, it is Sekurit, so this replacement will be the same as what came on the car.

[UmIsThisThingOn]

Sekurit has been in the glass business forever and are one of the OEM glass providers for my 1954 VW Beetle. That's how bad ass they are.

[A4 Centaur]

Yea, good call:

http://glassmagazine.com/article/aut...iet-revolution

http://carlite.com/product/acoustic-glass/

http://www.saflex.com/en/AutoAcousticWindshields.aspx

Maybe ill save up next time but Colorado kills glass! Not cheap either. Good luck!

[SDF1]

Do some research, make sure you get a REAL Audi Windshield also the higher end models like S4 have the ACC (or something like that) that makes the cabin quieter. Check if you can get that replacement.

[TimNGobbles]

Found this guide on how to replace the front windshield and also the front windows. Hope it helps someone.

http://glassmagazine.com/article/aut...audi-a4-117785

[bobamoo]

Windshield replaced today. Audi glass, has the rings. Only drove it home and put in garage, they said let it cure until tomorrow morning before driving again, but looks like a good job. Until I went out to the garage after dinner and turned on the overhead lights. Adhesive on the hood. Damn! Already contacted my detailer, he said it will come off...whew! But what a hassle!

[treginginco]

Sekurit is an OEM manufacturer for Audi. I just had the windshield on my '13 allroad replaced for the second time. The first one was an OEM/Audi logo'd window made by Sekurit. The new on has the same markings without the four rings of fury on it.

Colorado is ROUGH on windshields.

[bobamoo]

Update: Took the car back to glass shop (deDona Glass in greensboro). Owner out of town. Employee refuses to admit they could have drizzled adhesive on my hood. Tries rubbing it anyway with a cloth, on a dirty hood! I made him stop and took it to my detailer. He got it off enough, it will be buffed in 2 weeks for the G Techniq, so he said don't worry. After leaving, I stopped by a friends house, who noticed a big gap all along the base of the windshield. Went back again, employee comes out. Oh sorry, we didn't push the trim piece back in, snapped it back in. I didn't bother showing him where they ripped the fabric on the driver's A-pillar, right up against the glass. I will save that for the owner. Fuming mad at this point.

[treginginco]

Sorry to hear about this. Safelite has always done my windshield replacements ------- they've always done great work.

[adamazing]

Just adding to this thread - the OEM glass on my 13' is Pilkington.

I just happened to notice it while on my lunch break today and thought of this thread.

[treginginco]

Pilkington is also a supplier for Audi/VW.

Just adding to this thread - the OEM glass on my 13' is Pilkington.

I just happened to notice it while on my lunch break today and thought of this thread.

[adamazing]

Pilkington is also a supplier for Audi/VW.

I know, they're a supplier for many OEM's. Just adding $0.02 for future reference since it seems some others have Sekurit instead.

[A4 Centaur]

Spoke with the guys at Prestige about OEM glass. Since they don't handle glass everyday they wondered aloud about the sound proofing version. Said they would look for ETKA differences.

[gunsmoker]

I'm on my second Sekurit after 2 Pilkingtons. Never had to change a windshield before. These crack like egg shells. Sekurit is much better. My first Sekurit only cracked because it got hit too close to the edge above the rearview mirror. The crack grew to over a foot long.

[belzebutt]

I replaced mine couple months ago when my car was only 3 months old. I actually brought it to the Audi Dealership for the windshield replacement. My thoughts... I would bring it to other experienced windshield replacement shop instead. Dealership basically just contracts the job to a part-timer technician and the job isn't always the greatest. One thing you do get with the dealership is guaranteed original part.

Things to look out for:

- Take pictures of the outside where the top of the windshield meets the roof. Mine came with a lot of scratches afterwards
- Take pictures of both A-pillars. Lots of swirls on mine.
- Take pictures of the hood (area close to the windshield), prone to damages
- Check the side fender after repair. Mine has some minor scratches right below the S-Line badge. Think it's caused by someone leaning on the side while replacing windshield.
- Check the gap between windshield and the roof. When I first got the car back, I noticed a good 5mm gap between the glass and the roof. They did replace the windshield again. I later found out they were using a Q5 glass on my A4 for their first attempt. Thus, the improper fitment.
- As for the interior, the cover covering the wires to the rain sensor can get quite loose after the repair. make sure it sits tight against the windshield.
- Also, make sure to tell them not to touch your interior. They tried to clean the interior after the repair and applied some heavy greasy protectant inside. It was disgusting!

Hope this helps =)

Holy crap. I'll think twice before getting mine changed...