Best windshield replacement options, without getting blurry Chinese glass?

[TWiST]

So my window got a pretty nasty crack in it that has been spreading and I am looking to get it replaced. Audi quoted me like 750$ for parts and labor and was wondering if anybody else has had to go thru this and how they resolved it? I would rather not spend that much, but I do not want to get some blurry piece of Chinese glass, or go to some shady shop that's not going to warranty the work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone!

[mec]

Chinese glass is designed blurry for a reason. Chinese people have squinty eyes, so they can see better through the blurr...True story, the last guy who installed my windshield told me that, think it was saferite autograss who fixed it.

[Sanjman]

blurry chinese rarely happens these days. You can go anywhere and get OEM like glass. Typically they are made by the same company as OEM except it doesn't have the 4 rings.

I usually go to SafeLite but I'm starting to realize they are overpriced. Try a reputable local auto glass shop. I use Yelp to find one with good reviews. With SafeLite I spent approximately 450 bucks. The glass is pre-cut directly from their vendor, so they just pick it up and install.

[fly300kts]

OEM

Phil

[MacFady]

I was quoted $380 installed with taxes for Pilkington, I read in some other threads that was an OEM manufacturer. That's CAN $ too.

[wildcat333]

I bought my car with Pilkington. 3+ years of driving myself with it and no issues at all.

[TWiST]

I just got off the phone with Safelite thanks to everyone's suggestions. They quoted me 326 and that included a cash discount because I have progressive, even though I am NOT filing a claim for this, pretty cool deal thus far! They also mentioned they have a full lifetime warranty if it leaks or cracks or anything!

So total with tax and "service fee" is 355$, if I take it to them, its an extra 24.99 if they come to my house to do it.

[AKO]

I just got off the phone with Safelite thanks to everyone's suggestions. They quoted me 326 and that included a cash discount because I have progressive, even though I am NOT filing a claim for this, pretty cool deal thus far! They also mentioned they have a full lifetime warranty if it leaks or cracks or anything!

So total with tax and "service fee" is 355$, if I take it to them, its an extra 24.99 if they come to my house to do it.

Did you ask who the manufacturer is? I doubt thats for an OEM windshield

[PDX04a4]

Did my windshield through Safelite last fall, paid $280 total (and that was a windshield for the rain sensing wipers), I repeatedly asked if this was OEM and multiple people at the safelite shop told me it was OEM-equivalent, basically as Sanjman said above....it's a windshield made by the same company who makes the OEM glass except they don't stamp 4 rings on it. I have had absolutely no problems with my windshield, no chips, no cracks, no rattles, no leaks, nothing since I got it last November. I believe the previous owner of my car replaced the windshield (it looked brand new when I bought the car, had no chips/cracks or surface damage), I had to have it replaced because it had a horrific seal, it leaked so bad that water dripped off my rear view mirror and ruined my Symphony 2+. When the safelite tech replaced the windshield he said he didn't even have to use the machine to take the windshield off, he got inside and literally just pushed it out.

Also the cost for my windshield was reduced 15% for being a Geico customer, probably why it was cheaper than most.

[JPT]

I had a safelite aftermarket replacement. It was horrible, I turned around and went right back. They then replaced it with OEM. I have an astigmatism so any optic changes really mess with vision. I don't know it it was that specific aftermarket windshield or all, they were out of aftermarket after that, so I was given OEM and I was happy.

[vce1232000]

I was a manager long ago for Stinklite. I can tell you they use the cheapest aftermarket glass out there. Most of their stock of windshields are either XYG or SGC(Their own manufactured Brand) even worse. Do yourself a favor and get a Sekurit or a Saint Gobain brand. That would be a OE brand. Fits nice,correct mirror bracket,very rare distortion issue, and no waves in the glass. Go to www.glass.net to try to find a reputable shop. Safelite has a very bad reputation for quality work. Just check them out on www.pissedoffcustomer.com

[TWiST]

Bummer, I was all excited for my safelite and now you guys got me scared haha, but everyone has different experiences, ugh.

[wildcat333]

Safe lite is fine. They repalced my window 3x on my old car with no issues. Don't worry man

[cyclonebax]

Just got mine replaced yesterday with a Pilkington and has rain sensing wipers. Now I will be looking for waves and blurred vision. Oh well, I'll probably just think I need another trip to the eye doctor.

Paid $375 + tax($397.50). Was told it was $550 for the 4 ring windshield but the Audi part number said it didn't have the rain sensing according to my indy installer. I gave up on the Audi and went the cheaper route because of the confusion.

[TWiST]

I think I have the rain sensor, but my wipers never come on automatically or anything, so I have no idea for sure. But honestly features like that are unnecessary for me anyways.

[cyclonebax]

I think I have the rain sensor, but my wipers never come on automatically or anything, so I have no idea for sure. But honestly features like that are unnecessary for me anyways.

If you move the wiper switch into the 1st position up(intermittent) and have it set on the longest delay, it should wipe once and then not come on again unless it is raining. If it comes on a 2nd time after a few seconds and it is not raining, you don't have them.

Can also look at the area of the rear view mirror on the outside of the windshield. You should be able to see the sensor if you have it.

[wildcat333]

My Pilkington has rain sensor

[jjj751]

I went to safelite and they replaced mine with Saint Gobain. No issues at all.

[cyclonebax]

My Pilkington has rain sensor

Have you had any issues with your Pilkington? Have you had to mess with the settings on the rain sensor or does it work just like it did with the original windshield? Just curious as it hasn't rained since mine was installed.

[vce1232000]

Where ever you go. Make sure they use High Modules urethane. It flex's less then conventional urethane. Its the same stuff they use at the factory when assembled. Alot of hack shops don't.

[4rings5stars]

All you guys who've been paying, but have insurance, why no claim? It's usually no deductible and no increase

[vce1232000]

All you guys who've been paying, but have insurance, why no claim? It's usually no deductible and no increase

Insurance pays here only under your comprehensive and collision coverage . Most time the deductible is more then the glass replacement.

[4rings5stars]

Odd. Didn't realize that it varies by state

[PDX04a4]

All you guys who've been paying, but have insurance, why no claim? It's usually no deductible and no increase

Here in Oregon you have to pay your deductible for glass replacement, in the end buying a Symphony 2+ off ebay and paying for the windshield both out of pocket was cheaper for me than filing a claim and paying my deductible.

[JPT]

I may have added to a s-storm. I have NO problem with safelite. My issue was with the glass. When I turned around and when right back in, they manager looked at it, immediately said "Yup, you are right. We will order you an OEM glass and have it for you asap". That is exactly what happened, I now have audi rings on it.

I bought a used pickup about 2 months ago, the back windscreen was busted when I got it. Safelite had everything ready for me to swap within 3 days. Aftermarket, and went without the rear slider for less chance of break-ins.

And yes, glass coverage insurance is different per state. NY can have 0 deductible for glass (separate deductible from comprehensive). When I lived in NJ there was no option for 0 deductible (it was part of the comprehensive deductible).

[swaggerwagon]

Mine is Safelite, don't remember the manufacturer but the installer said that I had a good one because of the wrapping it came in and also showed me where my glass was made in Germany and that it was basically the Audi glass without Audi on it.

[BenMTL]

Yah, surprised nobody has mentioned this but Saint Gobain is the OEM glass provider for our cars....NOT any other brand. They are top of the line however and very expensive, even as a Saint Gobain product, and not Audi specific.

All windows on my B7 were Saint Gobain and I made sure to check that when I bought the thing. Usually if it is accident car, windows will break easily and previous owner will replace with cheaper non-OEM glass. If you replace with anything other than OEM glass, it will be noticeable to a knowledgeable buyer like me (all glass panels are stamped with Saint Gobain, even the ones for Audi) and they will most likely think it was an accident and you are saying something else like "it was leaking" to cover up.

Cool story but even my 1986 Audi 80 has Saint Gobain glass all around :) They have been the Audi OEM supplier for glass for a very long time now....

[Obsidian]

Here in Oregon you have to pay your deductible for glass replacement

+1 Usually get my glass replaced once a year here with all the damn rocks... sometimes twice free of charge. No deductible, no increase.

Saint Gobain is the OEM glass provider for you cars....NOT any other brand.

True story. Saint Gobain is superior, however Pilkington and PPG/PGW (I can't remember which one it is now named) Are both of great quality from what I have seen with others cars and personally used.


I started a thread about this about a year back and a few members who actually work in the glass industry and work for one of the brands I named gave some great insight to the quality of the brands, if you wanted to search around for that. Point being though every company has issues, some more than others its just a fact. You will be fine with any of the three I listed, but even with the best glass company there is still a chance of getting a lemon.

[drewgold]

I have to agree with those saying to stick to OEM. The previous owner of my car had the windshield replaced before I bought it and it's cheap glass. There's no issues with optics but I find it very soft. And little pebble with make a mark in the surface of the glass (not an actual chip through the glass but a little pit.) I have never had that problem with OEM glass.

[vce1232000]

Saint Gobain= Sekurit= Sigla= Splintex all oe for Audi.

[Sylvania A4]

+1 True story. Saint Gobain is superior, however Pilkington and PPG/PGW (I can't remember which one it is now named) Are both of great quality from what I have seen with others cars and personally used.


I started a thread about this about a year back and a few members who actually work in the glass industry and work for one of the brands I named gave some great insight to the quality of the brands, if you wanted to search around for that. Point being though every company has issues, some more than others its just a fact. You will be fine with any of the three I listed, but even with the best glass company there is still a chance of getting a lemon.

Yes, you did. I work for one of those "other" brands. Ironically, I just had my windshield replaced today. I went with a Pilkington, perhaps a bit of bias on my part. I'm not going to say who I work for, but essentially the process is simple in the AGR (automotive glass replacement) world. As soon as this glass is no longer an OE product, i.e. it is not produced for direct assembly line cars, the "car kit" (all the glass components) is bid. Depending on the margins and bids, a company can have sole propriety of the car kit, which basically never happens, or the car kit is split into each individual panel. Again, not just one company earns the AGR bid, because what if that one company went under? The development time for one piece of glass is generally a minimum of 3 months. The thing to understand when purchasing AGR glass is, the spec tolerances are 1.5x that of OE glass. Sure it's sold as OE equivalent by insurance companies, but it is not held to the same standard. Often companies who have the glass during original production will maintain the tooling to bend this glass for AGR as well, and when it transitions from OE to AGR, they will also follow the spec deviation.

It's all brand loyalty at that point, but it is a fact that Pilkington makes the best glass in the world.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

theres absolutely nothing wrong with glass replacements made from China.

[Obsidian]

theres absolutely nothing wrong with glass replacements made from China.

Said no one ever....

[AudiTFSI3o3]

:D

[vce1232000]

It's all brand loyalty at that point, but it is a fact that Pilkington makes the best glass in the world.

Except when they sub some of their parts out to Dot #459 to be made. I own a AGR company and I think the worse glass thats out there is XYG.....

Insurance companies now use the term OEE. Original equipment equivalent to to customers....

[gavin_j]

I bought my B7 with Pilkington glass. Its optics are great though there are a few pits in my line of sight that are making me consider replacement. I can also testify to the (lack of) quality of Chinese glass. My last car is a good example, I cant remember the brand of glass but it was quite an annoyance moving your head and having the world in front of you wobble and wave ever-so-slightly. When compared to the Sekurit Saint Gobain on my old b3 Passat, I can't believe how well oem glass holds up.

I would definitely get another pilkington though I haven't taken the time to see if its easy to get.

[80sGuy]

I may have added to a s-storm. I have NO problem with safelite. My issue was with the glass. When I turned around and when right back in, they manager looked at it, immediately said "Yup, you are right. We will order you an OEM glass and have it for you asap". That is exactly what happened, I now have audi rings on it.

I bought a used pickup about 2 months ago, the back windscreen was busted when I got it. Safelite had everything ready for me to swap within 3 days. Aftermarket, and went without the rear slider for less chance of break-ins.

And yes, glass coverage insurance is different per state. NY can have 0 deductible for glass (separate deductible from comprehensive). When I lived in NJ there was no option for 0 deductible (it was part of the comprehensive deductible).

I started this thread sometime ago when I had my windshield replaced by All Star Glass. I used them because I've had good experience from a prior install years ago for my Porsche. The thing is this - you've got to talk to them and make sure they order factory OEM 'Audi' glass, the one with 4 rings etched on it. Shortly after I verified this with an Audi dealer nearby and they said someone from All Star Glass had placed an order for my make/model with rain sensor. All I paid was the $300 deductible and my insurance took care of the rest.
Another thing: in order to install this windshield correctly, it is very crucial that the glass needs to be aligned exactly to factory specs. Make sure you take pictures of the top windshield, rubber gasket, and in between the roof. It needs to be laid below certain measurements. The sides also needed to be even otherwise you're gonna be pulling a lot of wind noise!

Here is an archive photo before the install:




...and the newly installed factory OEM windshield:

[_muppet_]

I just talked to safelite, they quoted me $430 installed with the rain sensor for a non oem windshield, but she couldn't tell me the brand. The glass itself was 328.89, or they could get a factory windshield for 612.56 for just the glass, or roughly $710 installed. I'm going to call a couple other places.

[TWiST]

Let us all know what you find out, I was about to go over there today and get it taken care of but they are all booked up.

[80sGuy]

Keep us posted. As I was saying, make sure they install it right. Unlike BMW where they have brackets and shims when you buy the glass, Audis don't, at least not on the A4s.

Let us all know what you find out, I was about to go over there today and get it taken care of but they are all booked up.