solsavr

I am in need of a new windshield on my 03 C4S. SHould this be done by the Dealer, or can any windshied shop do it?

Isn't the antenna in the front window? Will this require one directly from Porsche, and if so...How much will it cost?

I don't have windshied insurance other than my comp deductable, so I think I will just pay outright, unless it is more than $500

Thanks

okbarnett

better get porsche part. others will have slight variations. and when you sell, it will be a factory windshield, not aftermarket. no one will know its been replaced.

Moogle

i suggest getting a factory part, installed by a porschedealer that hopefully does it themselves (unfrotuantely thats nearly impossible to find these days, given the rampant outsourcing. however, in california, it should be easier).

go OEM. even though it may cost a bit more, its worth it for many reasons.

laurence '97 C4S

If the 996 is anything like the 993 setup (the top of the dash has to be removed to replace the windscreen), I would highly recommend that you only use someone with Porsche replacement experience.

ebaker

I think the glass alone retails for $500. Sometimes dealers sub out windshield installation to a glass specialist.

TT Gasman

I just had mine replaced, I went to the dealer for an OEM part. The cost was around $550 plus labor, I believe they had a glass guy come to the shop and install the glass. Well worth it IMO.

teflon_jones

You can get it done by a glass shop instead of the dealer and save a couple hundred $$$, but just make sure they use the official porsche replacement glass!!!! I had my back windsheld replaced (don't ask why!) by a non-porsche shop, and it came out great. They used an OEM parts though!!!!

carbon_00

Just had mine done at the dealer, definately go to dealer, spend the money. If there is a problem with leaks, shifting or whistling your covered..

Cheers

SPR

make sure and replace the rope seal while you're at it to make sure you either get rid of squeeks and or prevent them

Eric - Plug Guy

Why not go without it for a while? Saves a ton of weight! Well, you'll have to clean your teeth more often to get the bugs out, but what the heck.

bet

I went through this a few months ago. The local glass speacialist could not find an aftermarket windshield manufacturer. All the aftermarket companies buy the windshield from the same manufacturer as Porsche and just ech out the little triangle in bottom left corner under the name. However, they sell the glass for significantly less than the delearship. It is the exact same glass as Porsche sells with the same manufacturer name and numbers on it, with the little triangle smugged out.

996 does not require the dash to be taken out like in the 993.

solsavr

Thanks everyone...I think I will stick with the Dealer for the warranty issues.

BTW...What about the antenna, is it in the windshield?

Speed

I had to have the windshield replaced on my '02 cab but it was covered by insurance (Geico). Geico has an arrangement with Safelite and their local dealer got an OEM windshield from my local Porsche dealer and installed it. No problems with leaks or the radio (antenna is in the windshield); although I was told not to go through any car washes for 24 hrs.

rdstemler

I don't know if P-cars are as critical as BMWs, but the BMW is exceptionaly critical in some aspects of window installation. One mm can make the difference between whistling and a quiet install. They have a special template they use, just for the E39 model.

If the hood alignment is as critical as it is in a P-car, I'd be surprised if the windshield install weren't also!

bavarian

I had mine replaced two months ago ('04 C4S cab). My local high end body shop ordered an OEM replacement (with the correct antenna and tint) and had a glass specialist install it at their shop. It took only a few hours, and looks absolutely flawless. The bad news is that it cost $960.00.