STLPCA

As you may remember from my post a few weeks ago, I needed to replace my already pitted windshield after catching a rock. Dealer replacement quotes were about $1000. On the strength of several Rennlisters' posts over the past few years I called Safelite (a nat'l operation). Their quote was just short of $400 installed. Had it not been for the positive posts here, I'd have moved on thinking, "that's too cheap to be good."

Last weekend I had my windshield replaced by Safelite. Result: an excellent install by a friendly, knowledgeable, "car nut" tech who took about an hour & had no trouble w/the antenna connection. The glass is a perfect match for my oem down to the black patch above the mirror. I can't believe the vision difference w/new glass.

I figure Rennlist saved me about $600 - enough to cover membership from the nursing home.

Mark in Baltimore

Dan - thanks for the post and the info on Safelite. My windshield took a rock on the way back from Mid-Ohio which created a small crack. Somehow, I missed the previous thread on your windshield.

Rennlist rocks.

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mark in Baltimore:
<strong>Rennlist rocks.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> (pun intended?)

BTW - Happy Birthday! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Mark in Baltimore

Dan - actually, no, I'm not that clever. Just distracted and doing two other things.

User 4621

Hi Dan,

Did they glue it in or did they install it per the OEM method? Reason I ask is I just replaced my windshield as well, and the existing one was glued in by a third party installer (not sure who). The seals were a different type than OEM, and it was a real issue to get the old glass out and the glue cleaned off the body.

Also, Safelite quoted me $918. Gotta love the Bay area. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

TIA,

96P993

I wonder how many calls Safelight is going to get in coming weeks..Im interested to see if any of them wont match the price you recieved..Well done

Mark in Baltimore

Dan - thanks for the birthday regards. I guess the real reason my pun lacked conscious cleverness is due to my advanced age.

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 96P993:
<strong>I wonder how many calls Safelight is going to get in coming weeks..Im interested to see if any of them wont match the price you recieved..Well done</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Chris/Pete
I had/have no affiliation w/Safelite. I cold called their national <a href="http://www.safelite.com/" target="_blank">1-800 number on their website.</a> I was asked location & car description & quoted an installed price of $425ish. I had already gotten quotes from my P dealer so responded with, "Wow." The woman apparently misunderstood my comment & asked if I'd gotten a lower quote. I told her I would check the competition & get back to her. After putting me on hold to check my local installer, she said the "best we can do is $394." I made an appointment.

Pete - at least you've got great SF weather
I believe they use a urethane adhesive which the tech described as the same stuff currently used by BMW, but I really don't know.

96P993

I certainly didnt think you had any affiliation with them..I will call on Wednesday and see what they quote me..Thanks for the info

Martin S.

I had the Porsche factory glass installed, close to $1,000, and me with $1,000 deductible. However, once the new windshield was installed, the notorious window creak went away. Perhaps the glue or seals had dried out on the original windshield. It had been in the car since Fall, 1996.

Withing a week, a rock hit the windshield and I have a small pit <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> ...I think I will lower my insurance deductible.

96P993

I wonder if it is possible to apply a protective film to the windshield...I know the headlight film is 40-60 mil I just wonder if this would work.

bet

It would seem that a film on the windshield would be problematic with the use of the wiper blades. It would seem they would probably scratch the film causing more visibility problems than it safed. However, I could be completely wrong as I have no experience with the films. I just say this after I read about the swirl marking people experience with putting on the films on the bumpers. Of course they were able to remedy the problem but I would hate to have to do that after every time you used the wipers or even just cleaning the car.

96P993

It would be interesting to look into...but yes I agree the wipers would be a concern..

Greg Fishman

<a href="http://platz.com/philslatexpaint.html" target="_blank">http://platz.com/philslatexpaint.html</a>

These tear off might help with pitting but not sure they would help against a decent sized pebble. Might be worth trying...

A.J. - 95 993

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 96P993:
<strong>I wonder if it is possible to apply a protective film to the windshield...I know the headlight film is 40-60 mil I just wonder if this would work.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">It wouldn't - it's clear-coated, and very soft. Scratches would turn it opaque, let alone the aging of the material. It's not optically clear, either. There is orange peel on the surface. Also, there would probably be more friction with the blades running over the surface, which could burn up the wiper motor. I went over my fender guards with a buffer yesterday, and it really cleaned them up well. Before that, it was actually difficult to rub my hand across them without my hand sticking and skipping. Last but not least, it would cost a fortune to make that piece. Probably would be over $300.

This is definitely not intended to be a flame. It's a good idea - but not feasible.