6.0-928S

Anyone have any experience with Safevue windshields? Opinions? I've never heard of them before.
Hammer

Bill Ball

Hammer:

Every time I get a new windshield it has been a different manufacturer. PGI and Pilkington the last two times. Both are huge international glass companies based out of South Africa and Australia and I have no complaints about the windshields. I find PG mentioning Safevue in one of their descriptions of their Shatterprufe brand. Safevue appears to be the lamination technique, like Sekurit - not a brand, but a process. Otherwise there is no mention of Safevue glass via Google. PG website is down at the moment. My PG glass was branded PGI. Occasionally you see someone here reporting they got Sigla glass cheap somehow, although most aftermarket glass providers cannot get it or it is $1000 from Porsche. Options? Keep calling different glass installers and you will get all kinds of options and a fair amount of misinformation about things like Sigla availability. I finally found one place that even had my windshield in-stock and had it installed an hour later. I just got another rock hit and crack - one of the hazzards of 80 miles a day commuting - and need to call them again to see if they have another windshield in stock.

I just ran my car through Safelite's online quote and got $348 installed Monday at 1PM. They are one of the largest national glass installer chains. That's not a bad quote but about $80 more than the last time at another shop called All American Glass. You might look at Safelite and see what glass they use. I'm going to call them too.

Another online installer, http://www.89glass.com/ claims to use recognized name brands (PPG, LOF, Pilkington) and they quote $302 installed at my home.

6.0-928S

Hi Bill,
I ask because there's a company on e-bay offering a windshield for $395.00. (with antenna which is what I need) I e-mailed him & asked who the manufacturer was & he responded 'Safevue'. I had never heard of them. I replied back & asked him country of origin. I'm waiting for his response. What do you think of the South African glass?
Hammer

BrianG

Yes... let us know... I still need a source for a with-antenna windshield.

rmr25

I tried Safelite here in Silver Spring MD and they quoted $1295 plus possible parts. Banner Glass here quoted $1228. The story is the glass has to be imported from Germany. Can anybody explain this?
Bob

Bill Ball

Bob:

That looks like a quote for original type Sigla glass. From Porsche, which was for a while, at least, the only way to get Sigla, the glass was $1000 last time I checked. Part prices have risen, so this sounds about right. I see no need for the Sigla glass unless you are trying for 100 point concours rating. Aftermarket windshields range from about $250 to $450 installed, although that was a few years ago. My first cost me $395, my second $280.

I ran my 89 through Safelite's online quote and came up with $348. Are they saying they cannot get aftermarket (non-Sigla) glass for your car?

Also, the installation adhesive systems in the WSM are obsolete. The dispatcher for my first installer ordered the Porsche installation kit. It took 3 weeks to get it. When it came in the installer looked at it and said this system hasn't been used in 10 years and proceded to use urethane adhesive despensed from a gun. Worked perfectly. The key to a good install is the channel prep. The installer was very carefully to completely clean the channel and then put on a primer to seal it against possible rust/corrosion. Be careful that they retrieve and reinstall to 2 rubber spacers under the glass.

Bill Ball

Hammer:

Availability of antenna in glass is uncertain. Some have said to have gotten it from installers. Others report no way any more. You found one on eBay, but the price is on the high end. You could call the national chain installers and see what they say. Only caveat is that the dispatchers are reading from a book. Most of their information is outdated at best. So, they may tell you no problem getting antenna in glass and then a week later say they are unable to get it after all. A bird in the hand?

Anyway, I have no problem with the South African glass.

If Safevue is a brand, it's strange not to find anything about it via Google. However, when I got my PGI windshield, it took me hours of poking around before I found the company on the Web.

Bill Ball

I see some references to Safeview glass company. Looks like Pilkington bought them. So, the eBay glass may be NOS.

Bill Ball

Here is another online source. http://www.autoglassnational.com/quote.php

Quoted $356 installed for my 89.

Just offering these up as leads. Caveat - no mention of color band (Safelite asked). Of course, who knows about antenna in glass.

6.0-928S

Thanks for your perspective, Bill. Some food for thought.
Hammer

JP Rodkey

I'm about to take the plunge on another car, but interested in finding a source for integrated antennas. IMO, replacement glass is far more dependent on the particular person who actually does the de/install. I've experienced okay work, and very good work - and not concerned about glass manufacturer at all. Like many things, a poor install tech can make a very expensive glass a miserable experience.

Bill Ball

Agree about the installer. If they overlook the rubber spacers, the new windshield won't last long. Careful channel prep is important. Some don't know how to remove the window trim without damaging it. It is better to have them come to your house to install the windshield. That way you can watch them.