TomF

My windshield just got nailed by a piece of concrete. Fortunately, the paint and body was not harmed. What is a good price for the replacement of a 993 windshield? I was quoted $4000 retail by my local Safelite auto glass guy and I told him where to go... (sounds like and insurance ripoff to me!)

I checked with my local Porsche dealer in Bellevue, WA, and they can get a factory windshield for between $720-780 plus installation. Is this reasonable for a windshield, and what would be an appropriate price for installation? Any thoughts would be really helpful.

Cheers! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
-Tom

Greg Fishman

I would never ever use Safelite. They did some work on my parent's MB and really did a lousy job. Might have been the particular shop though.
Use the dealer or find out who they recommend. Shop that did mine a few years ago was very competent and the charge was close to $1200. In my state auto glass is covered with no deductible.

$800 sounds like a good deal. I think the $4000 quote was the up charge for driving a nice car.
Greg

TomF

Thanks for the advice Greg. I will probably go with the dealer option. Incidentally, when I mentioned to them the "update" for the creaky windshield, the service "scheduler" had never heard of it. As I recall, this was a service bulletin or something. I would assume, (one should probably never assume anything with car dealers) that they would do this update, and install the nylon cord fix at the time of a new install.

Does anyone remember the name of this update or service bulletin?...that way I can make sure that they include it in the service order.

Thanks!

Ray Calvo

Safelite did mine; approx. $1000 as I remember - factory OE windshield. Excellent job - no squeaks, leaks, or damage to trim. I DID take the upper dash cover off before I brought the car in. naturally, they were delighted to see it off (they knew beforehand it had to come off; tech apparently had done Porsches before).

Chris C.

Hi Tom:

Run a quick search of the archives on "window squeek" or "foam cord" and you will find the details, including the TSB and the part number. Most dealers haven't heard of this...maybe because the part has a 996XXX part number.

Also, there was a replacement OEM windshield on Ebay a few days ago starting at $100. (shipping would be interesting). You might also contact Phil at Suncoast Porsche (Rennlist Sponsor!)to see if his discount would cover the ship cost.

Regards,

Terry Adams

I paid $1100 including the creak fix. Independent glass shop. Perfect work.

Kevin Reilly

[quote]Originally posted by TomF:
<strong>
Does anyone remember the name of this update or service bulletin?...that way I can make sure that they include it in the service order.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Tom, do a search in the archives for "Schatz" and "windshield"....that will lead you to the correct 996 TSB.

C4S

I am fairly sure that the cord part # is:
996 541 903 00
"Yes, it's a 996 part number. This rope was developed for 996's."

Hope this helps.

bloke

TomF,

So glad you gave them the finger! I got my 30k recently and shopped around. I got 500-1200 depending but when with a local dealer at 700.

The highest quote was from an independent who had his advertizing at a local PCA monthly. So, I think going with the dealer sometimes is better but I am sure not always.

TomF

Thanks so much all! I just discovered the Tech Bulletin number, which is "Technical Information Group 6, 4/99" This should help the dealer sort out the actual cost to me.

Chris C.- Thanks for the eBay tip. I contacted the seller, and we may be able to work out a deal on shipping.

I was just examining my windshield, and have discovered that it was installed totally incorrectly, with a lot of sealant goo sticking out everywhere. The VIN # opening doesn't really line up properly, either. It is amazing that it doesn't rattle and squeak! I suppose that it is just as well that I replace it, not to mention the terrible pitting that has occured over 70K miles.

As always, fellow Rennlisters are a great source of information!

I will let you all know how this turns out.

Thanks again,
Tom <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

laurence '97 C4S

Tom-
Sounds like you are going with the dealer option. I would concur (in fact about 6 months ago my dealer replaced my windscreen at a cost of approx. $900). You want to use the dealer as the replacement of the screen involves removing the top part of the dash (so you want someone who has done it before).

E. J. - 993 Alumni

Tom, here are some threads you DEFINATELY want to read. I replaced mine with the Safelite company and it was okay, just took 2 tries to get it right. careful of the antennae lead (Ray and I will always disagree on the easiest way to access it.)

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000111" target="_blank">Link 1</a>

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000163" target="_blank">Thread 2</a>

That should help. I am surprised your insurance company wont help out. I only paid $200 out of pocket.

E. J.

TomF

An update- the dealer has offered to replace the windshield for (with my PCA discount) about $675 plus ~$50 for the gasket and $135 for installation. FYI, Porsche has come out with a new gasket that has a felt component blended into it that supercedes the "rope" service fix. Whether or not this works, remains to be seen.

I think that I will go with this option since I trust them, unless I can grab the eBay one for a decent price!

EJ- thanks for the links. I will keep all those issues in mind. I did all the glass myself when I had my 87 930S painted...the defroster in the back and the antenna in the front were a PITA!

I will keep you all posted about how the new Porsche gasket works out. Does anyone have any experience with this?

As to the insurance option, I have a $1000 deductible to keep costs down, and the jury is still out as to whether the windshield is deductible exempt as in many states.

Thanks again to all!
Best regards,
Tom

KOAN

I recently had my 993 windshield replaced, and can shed some light on the wide price range. I insisted on getting mine fixed at the dealership, after a bad experience with Safelite with a previous ('87) windshield. I looked over the shoulder of the dealer as he was writing up the estimate. There were 2 prices listed in his book, $650 and $2400 (approx). I asked him what was up. He told me that the Porsche price was the cheaper, but that it would take 1-2 weeks to get it. The other was for an windshield warehouse that had one of equal quality, but who could get it to us in 1-2 days. He said that he had used both in the past, and it just depended how the insurance co. would deal with it. I have $250 deductable, so I didn't care. Nationwide got me the car back in 3 days. The windshield is made by Sigla, and fits very well.
Quite a mark up. I guess I'm in the wrong business.