Cracked Windshield - Replacement Advice? Shop Suggestions - Southwest CT 06811

[amusante]

Hey Guys,

So driving along 684, got a nice rock chip that has now started slowing working it's way all the way up my windshield. Luckily, I have full glass coverage, but I vaguely remember a prior thread where someone wanted it replaced with specific glass. Can you guys provide any insight into replacement options?

I don't want to just take this to a Safelite if there is a specific glass we need and a specific process to follow, so I'm also looking for some suggestions on shops that are capable of working through this. I'm in the Danbury, CT area.

Pic for clicks


Thank you!

[Tony@EPL]

Hey Guys,

So driving along 684, got a nice rock chip that has now started slowing working it's way all the way up my windshield. Luckily, I have full glass coverage, but I vaguely remember a prior thread where someone wanted it replaced with specific glass. Can you guys provide any insight into replacement options?

I don't want to just take this to a Safelite if there is a specific glass we need and a specific process to follow, so I'm also looking for some suggestions on shops that are capable of working through this. I'm in the Danbury, CT area.

Pic for clicks


Thank you!

I had Danbury Porsche do the windshield in on of my cars.... obviously they brought someone in from the outside, but it was the only way I could insure I had OEM glass put in.

Call Danbury Audi and see if they use the same glass company as the Porsche dealer. Whoever it was did a great job.

[Antekaudi]

I did 3 of my windshield at safelite in Waterbury, CT.

It seems like they had proper tools to do the job and not damage the liner around the glass.

I always tip the guy doing the job 20$ upfront and was never dissapointed.

[doug97gxe]

I did 3 of my windshield at safelite in Waterbury, CT.

It seems like they had proper tools to do the job and not damage the liner around the glass.

I always tip the guy doing the job 20$ upfront and was never dissapointed.

3? good lord .. and use Greenwich/Stamford folks take offense to the title.. lol .. you're more like mid westish

[amusante]

3? good lord .. and use Greenwich/Stamford folks take offense to the title.. lol .. you're more like mid westish

lol still Fairfield County suckerrrs

[MacFady]

Do you have rain sensing windshield? I've had the glass replaced a few times on my B6, I always just pay out of pocket because it's less than my $500 deductible.

[amusante]

Do you have rain sensing windshield? I've had the glass replaced a few times on my B6, I always just pay out of pocket because it's less than my $500 deductible.

I do, and I have full glass no deductible

Edit: I don't think I have a deductible for glass. It says "$500 Deductible with Full Glass" - so I'm assuming the deductible doesn't apply to glass

[sacandagaD]

I do, and I have full glass no deductible

Edit: I don't think I have a deductible for glass. It says "$500 Deductible with Full Glass" - so I'm assuming the deductible doesn't apply to glass

Correct, no deductible for glass. I've had 5 windshields put in my Element in 12 years thanks to CT roads, mostly Route 8.

[blackjak]

I just had American Glass replace mine and I have GEICO insurance with a 200 comp. deductible. GEICO didn't want to cover OEM audi glass but I swindled the sweet GEICO rep over the phone to bypass it for me and they covered it. Just make sure you get Audi OEM.

[jygesq]

call you local Audi dealer, let them get installer , they will provide Audi glass. You might also need the special acoustic glass. If you have full coverage get the AUDI glass.

[amusante]

call you local Audi dealer, let them get installer , they will provide Audi glass. You might also need the special acoustic glass. If you have full coverage get the AUDI glass.

Going through insurance won't impact this route?

[sacandagaD]

Going through insurance won't impact this route?

Most, if not all, insurance companies are subscribers to the NAGS pricing database (National Auto Glass Supplier), but some give you a hard time when the windshield you want deviates from a standard replacement. That is why some companies only pay to "X" amount for glass and installation, and if you want manufacturer branded glass, you might have to kick in. YMMV depending on your insurance company.

[Race Shooter]

When I had a windshield done, Progressive would only pay for Audi glass if the car was less than six months old. Mine was, but when I tried to have the Audi dealer do the work, they denied that saying that the labor rate was out of line with normal glass shops and I'd have to pay the difference if I wanted Audi to do it.

I found the place that did the work for Audi and went direct and insurance paid no questions asked. They did say if I was beyond the six month limit, I'd of had to pay the extra for Audi glass if that is what I wanted.

[amusante]

When I had a windshield done, Progressive would only pay for Audi glass if the car was less than six months old. Mine was, but when I tried to have the Audi dealer do the work, they denied that saying that the labor rate was out of line with normal glass shops and I'd have to pay the difference if I wanted Audi to do it.

I found the place that did the work for Audi and went direct and insurance paid no questions asked. They did say if I was beyond the six month limit, I'd of had to pay the extra for Audi glass if that is what I wanted.

Well I'm screwed there since my car is 7 years old and my policy is through progressive. Depending on the difference, I do want the Audi glass. Do you start the discussion with the insurance company or Audi first?

[DannyDeez]

Call the dealership and ask who they use to replace a windshield and get a price quote.

Then call your insurance company and tell them you need your windshield replaced and see what their policy is on how much they cover.

I'm pretty sure you have acoustic glass(I'd check mine but I'm too lazy to run down to the garage right now). So make sure you get the same type of windshield as a replacement.

[amusante]

Call the dealership and ask who they use to replace a windshield and get a price quote.

Then call your insurance company and tell them you need your windshield replaced and see what their policy is on how much they cover.

I'm pretty sure you have acoustic glass(I'd check mine but I'm too lazy to run down to the garage right now). So make sure you get the same type of windshield as a replacement.

Great, thanks for the info. How do you know if you have the acoustic glass?

[DannyDeez]

Great, thanks for the info. How do you know if you have the acoustic glass?

Welcome. It should be stamped on the bottom left of your windshield.

Edit: Just ran down and took a pic of mine.

[amusante]

Welcome. It should be stamped on the bottom left of your windshield.

Edit: Just ran down and took a pic of mine.

Awesome, thank you, again!

[DannyDeez]

Awesome, thank you, again!

Welcome! Is that also your imola B5 hiding in the garage?

[amusante]

Welcome! Is that also your imola B5 hiding in the garage?

It was! Unfortunately, I sold it once I got the B8. I would've loved to hold onto it, but I just couldn't afford keeping it running right. Owned it for 5 years and loved it though. Wish I could've found an imola B8, but they seem to be in short supply.

[DannyDeez]

It was! Unfortunately, I sold it once I got the B8. I would've loved to hold onto it, but I just couldn't afford keeping it running right. Owned it for 5 years and loved it though. Wish I could've found an imola B8, but they seem to be in short supply.

Nice! I'm like you, but with Nogaro. I want a Nogaro B8 so bad. I had two Noggy B5's (well, the same one twice). Loved that car so much, but what a maintenance nightmare it was.

Imola B8 is nice too. I'm up in CT as well, and I actually saw one on 684 a couple days ago. Looked great. Very rare tho.

[amusante]

Nice! I'm like you, but with Nogaro. I want a Nogaro B8 so bad. I had two Noggy B5's (well, the same one twice). Loved that car so much, but what a maintenance nightmare it was.

Imola B8 is nice too. I'm up in CT as well, and I actually saw one on 684 a couple days ago. Looked great. Very rare tho.

Ha, they're addicting and I just checked my glass, doesn't look like it's acoustic. I'm assuming I can just request it? What's the benefit of it?

[DannyDeez]

Ha, they're addicting and I just checked my glass, doesn't look like it's acoustic. I'm assuming I can just request it? What's the benefit of it?

Hmm that's weird. I thought all S4's or even newer Audis had acoustic glass. I think it just helps with noise reduction but I'm not certain.

[rnkjr]

My windshield has been replaced twice. First time the dealer brought in Safelite to do it with OEM glass. Second time they sent me straight to Safelite. The glass is still from Saint Gobain-Securit, an OEM manufacturer, but no Audi rings on it. It is acoustic (ear shaped logo on glass) and has a rain sensor.

[SR7D1]

OK, I am now in the same boat. Cracked windshield.

Do you guys use the onsite service or do you go to Safelite's shop for the repair. I have a $500 deductible, so this one's on me to pay for.

[Dirt]

I have a local shop replace my glass and it's always on site. Zero issues or complaints.

[jnicho1]

I had a cracked windshield on my B5 S4 - go with Pilkington glass. Most European autos use them stock

[k9lovr]

Well I had an appointment with safelite today to replace my windshield and when I showed up and asked about the glass they showed it to me and it had no brand on it (they didn't know either when asked) and a big made in china stamp. I could already see distortion on it so I did not have them install it. I called GEICO and they said safelite can choose other brands so I just needed to call them and request a different one. I called them and they couldn't open my ticket for some unknown reason so I was told to call back in 20 minutes. In the mean time I called another local glass company and they were able to get me an appointment with Pilkington glass for thursday so thats where I am going.

[SDV325]

Well I had an appointment with safelite today to replace my windshield and when I showed up and asked about the glass they showed it to me and it had no brand on it (they didn't know either when asked) and a big made in china stamp. I could already see distortion on it so I did not have them install it. I called GEICO and they said safelite can choose other brands so I just needed to call them and request a different one. I called them and they couldn't open my ticket for some unknown reason so I was told to call back in 20 minutes. In the mean time I called another local glass company and they were able to get me an appointment with Pilkington glass for thursday so thats where I am going.

Need to be careful about what glass they are quoting you for sure (Acoustic and Rain sensor must be specified, but not lane departure). Basically there are 3 types;

Aftermarket - basically reversed engineering glass based off OEM standards, made by a no name company as cheap as possible (anywhere from $240 to $315)
OEM (not Audi stamped) - Made by a glass manufacturer that will supply OEM windshields to auto manufacturers ($525)
AUDI stamped - exact OEM replacement (price was $675 from a Audi dealer)

For the price it might be worth it to try the aftermarket, hell i can replace 3 of them for one Audi stamped glass.

[k9lovr]

Need to be careful about what glass they are quoting you for sure (Acoustic and Rain sensor must be specified, but not lane departure). Basically there are 3 types;

Aftermarket - basically reversed engineering glass based off OEM standards, made by a no name company as cheap as possible (anywhere from $240 to $315)
OEM (not Audi stamped) - Made by a glass manufacturer that will supply OEM windshields to auto manufacturers ($525)
AUDI stamped - exact OEM replacement (price was $675 from a Audi dealer)

For the price it might be worth it to try the aftermarket, hell i can replace 3 of them for one Audi stamped glass.

Appreciate the warning. We went over all the specifics about the rain sensing and acoustic glass and all. While safelite said they had all that covered they just didn't know the brand of glass. The same was covered with the new company but they could tell me it was Pinkerton and in both cases I just pay my $100 deductable.

[Dirt]

Aftermarket glass was a HUGE disappointment for me every time. I flat out refuse to accept it whenever it's brought up as an option.

[SDV325]

Aftermarket glass was a HUGE disappointment for me every time. I flat out refuse to accept it whenever it's brought up as an option.

I have a feeling i am going to be the same way, they can push it all they want but its still not OEM glass. Cheap windshields always seem to pit, chip and crack way easier plus often have defects already in the glass.

Has anyone tried OEM glass (non Audi Stamped) before?

[SR7D1]

I have an appointment this afternoon with Safelite. I requested OEM glass. They originally offered OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent). Acoustic was the only option listed on the website when I booked the appointment. Aren't rain sensing wipers standard? I can't remember.

[SDV325]

I have an appointment this afternoon with Safelite. I requested OEM glass. They originally offered OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent). Acoustic was the only option listed on the website when I booked the appointment. Aren't rain sensing wiper standard? I can't remember.

definitely let us know how the windshield looks. I am shopping around for a new one as well (dont have glass coverage), and was tempted to try the aftermarket glass but most likely will be paying for two in a short period of time. Gonna go with OEM glass (non audi stamped) most likely.

Edit: I found the article a windshield shop sent me explaining the differences between the 3 types, interesting read.

http://beranek.agrrmag.com/2012/06/oem-v-arg/