RS7 windshield surface pits from roadway pebbles/sand :(

[TheGuac]

Have only driven my new RS7 for 700 miles and I just noticed tiny little surface pits in the windshield. Wouldn't be so bothered by it except it is a new, expensive car and they are on the driver's side. I did get the windshield insurance through Audi when I bought the car but can these be fixed? They are very small and barely noticeable and no cracks. I get one new windshield a year but I don't want to go about changing it for this since I feel like it'll happen again super quickly especially here in CO where they use rocks and sand to help with the snow. I got PPF on the entire front of the car plus ceramic on everything else; it's a shame we can't do anything to protect the windshield though! =(. Seems like Audi has taken a page from BMW's book and is starting to use super soft glass material in the windshield. Nothing large has hit the windshield because I would have heard it and I drive super carefully everywhere I go.

It's times like these I wish I had a beater car to take the road abuse but I spent the money so I want to drive the RS7. Just hate to see it get dinged. I set up an appointment with the dealership tomorrow but I'm just not sure anything can be done to get rid of these pits without changing out the entire windshield, which like I said, I'm not OK with yet. Only when the windshield has a ton of these things.

[RTW S4]

If the pitting isn't too bad you may be able to get it polished smooth again. AFAIK only larger chips and cracks can be filled/fixed individually.

I'm super cautious when driving at highway speeds to keep my distance from cars in front of me and/or move to another lane when traveling behind someone if possible.

My car just crossed 700 miles and due for a wash so curious to see how much pitting I have already, if any.

[FBAnder]

I just had my first windshield hit from road debris, wasn't going too fast and windshield looks to have survived unscathed. Expressways can be a beotch especially around 18 wheelers...distance as much as feasible.

As RTW S4 mentioned, polishing is an option but if you are in an area where you are going to encounter this often, might want to try and learn to not see the small pits. With new cars, the first blemish is the typically hardest to swallow. Windshields take abuse everywhere. I, personally, would not be in a hurry to do anything with it unless it was interfering with line-of-sight/driving.

[spomm]

I’m always on highways (and in Orlando they’re always under construction). I have a couple pits on the windshield, one chip happened in the black area by the hood so I got fixed.. two weeks later another chip in the middle. They’re replacing it this time. Getting insurance to pay the dealer has been a royal pain and I gave up and am going with a reputable shop that did the first patch. This windshield is the worst of any of the cars I’ve had by far. Crazy how I got two chips in less that 4000 miles. Don’t recall when the 1st one happened but the 2nd one there were no cars in front of my but a car to the lane next me couple cars lengths up but the road was turning. Prior to this car I’ve had to do like 2 chips on like 5 different cars.
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[TheGuac]

I drive to and from work on a one lane each way road and there are a lot of cars and trucks that use it. That, along with the rocks that are used during snowstorms and the dry climate, I'm sure that's the issue but that's the fastest way to get to work in the morning so I'm pretty sure I will keep getting more unfortunately. I stay far away from cars in front of me but it is the cars/trucks that are coming from the opposite direction that concern me. It is crazy that the windshield gets pitted easily though. Manufacturers are using softer and softer glass and I'm fairly sure German roads get dirty too with all the snow so sounds like it's a global issue with the pitting and chipping. I haven't even had it long enough to replace the steering wheel and center console trim; that's coming up when they come in in a few weeks!

I'm glad I got the windshield coverage on this car now. Supposedly I can take it to the Audi service department and they take care of the rest. I just don't like changing out windshields because the fit can always be an issue (even with OEM glass) and I don't want wind noise issues, etc.

My R8 from 2018 had a rock hard windshield. Not a single issue in 2000 miles. My official snow car is a 2021 GLE63S but the ceramic coating is still curing so I am not driving it as much right now. Curious to see how that will be. It's pretty high off the ground so I don't think it will be as bad but I worry about the wheels. My E63S from 2018 had no issues on the windshield despite having 7000 miles when I traded it in.

Edit: Wow, those are prominent chips. That's worrying! Wouldn't think it would chip that easily!

[DMV_Audi]

Doesn't auto insurance usually include coverage for windshields with low/no deductible? Is Audi's offering better in some aspects?

[Pittdawg]

Doesn't auto insurance usually include coverage for windshields with low/no deductible? Is Audi's offering better in some aspects?

For actual cracks, yes. For minor cosmetic pitting, I seriously doubt it.

[TheGuac]

Doesn't auto insurance usually include coverage for windshields with low/no deductible? Is Audi's offering better in some aspects?

My insurance, Geico, will charge the deductible for windshield replacement, which may not be OEM. For repairs, no deductible but they don't repair surface pits, only chips and cracks. Audi coverage will give you OEM glass and one windshield replacement a year and no limit on repairs. I got it for $1600, seemed like a no-brainer for me in this stone-filled area.

[FBAnder]

My insurance, Geico, will charge the deductible for windshield replacement, which may not be OEM. For repairs, no deductible but they don't repair surface pits, only chips and cracks. Audi coverage will give you OEM glass and one windshield replacement a year and no limit on repairs. I got it for $1600, seemed like a no-brainer for me in this stone-filled area.

I thought the Audi windshield coverage only fixed chips and cracks? You got something different that includes 1 new windshield a year?

[kart125]

I was concerned with that issue when I bought my GT4. Forums were talking about easy pitting of windshield. I guess new windshields are less resistant! I got an Exoshield windshield protection film installed and am really happy about it. Does not show at all. I got hit by a pretty good size pebble following a truck last fall and walk away ininjured! I will most certainly install one on RS6 once I get it.

[Powderhound]

Nice to hear the Exoshield film performed well. Shop near me installs a lot of the Bray windshield film, no personal experience though.

[RTW S4]

How well do wipers perform on a windshield film? Any issues once the film starts to get dinged up?

[NPuter]

How well do wipers perform on a windshield film? Any issues once the film starts to get dinged up?

Would like to hear experience on this as well

My ppf installer uses two different windshield films. He said one you have to replace fairly often based on use and the other he said is much better. The better one is apparently on backorder, so I'm holding off for that. Forgot the brands, so of course this comment isn't of much help

[TheGuac]

I thought the Audi windshield coverage only fixed chips and cracks? You got something different that includes 1 new windshield a year?

Mine allows one windshield a year so might be something different than what you got quoted, possibly just for this area since we have a lot of windshield issues due to the rocks.

How does the film affect the head up display?

[kart125]

How well do wipers perform on a windshield film? Any issues once the film starts to get dinged up?

It was one of my concerns as well. At first it squeaked a little but the film and wiper "mated/bedded" to each other and I cant say I notice the film anymore. They recommand replacing film every 2 years but I only drive in the summer so might be able to stretch it to 4-5. It's less expensive than windshield replacement and I never was satisfied after OEM windshield replacement (trim broken, not replaced properly, water infiltration and rust on A pillar on my current DD...). I prefer to protect OEM with shield!

[RTW S4]

Good to know!

[kart125]

How does the film affect the head up display?

Cant say specifically as I dont have HUD on my car, but I would not see why it would interfere as it is on outside of windshield and completely transparent (altough if you look at it a certain angle with polarized sunglasses from the outside you can see a bit a a rainbow effect but not from inside the car)

[RS7C8-UA]

Asked my detailing shop to put a protection film on the wind screen. It is good for a year - but definitely worth it