Windshield chips
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 109
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Windshield chips
I have about 13.5K miles-- almost all highway-- on my Coupe. Today we had the first sunny day in a long while her in the northeast. I had little sparkles all over the shield. When I went out to see if they were just dead bugs, I found that they were chips-- lots of 'em. Is that normal? Is there something wrong with my shield or should I expect this from heavy highway driving. I never experienced this before-- but then I never drove on the highway with the same frequency (job change=long commute). Am I going to have to replace the shield in a year or two?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 784
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From: Brisbane/Sydney, Australia
I would say it is normal...I have heaps of little pits in the windshield as well as the chrome strip at the top of the grille. In the MB its hard to hear the debris hitting the windshield but if you stuck your head out the sunroof while going over 80 Miles an hour you will realise how much crap hits the windshield (not that I've tried it!! 
). The chips in the windshield can be polished out but I haven't tried it yet. Just try not to follow too close behind any cars and stay away from the semis.
). The chips in the windshield can be polished out but I haven't tried it yet. Just try not to follow too close behind any cars and stay away from the semis.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
'02 C240
hi all, this is probably my first post here. Great site BTW!
anyhow, I came today searching the forum for stone chips in windshield, as I am now seeing a few tiny little ones all over my windshield (2002 C240, 12k miles).
I had a 2000 Toyota Solara before this, driving through the same highways and the same environment, and had only a few chips after about 45k miles. I must say, as much as I love my new MB, I am somewhat disappointed in this.
just thought I would share, that's all.
cheers,
-faz
anyhow, I came today searching the forum for stone chips in windshield, as I am now seeing a few tiny little ones all over my windshield (2002 C240, 12k miles).
I had a 2000 Toyota Solara before this, driving through the same highways and the same environment, and had only a few chips after about 45k miles. I must say, as much as I love my new MB, I am somewhat disappointed in this.
just thought I would share, that's all.
cheers,
-faz
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 297
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From: NH-NJ
Its got to be somethign with the glass material used, perhaps its too soft. My fathers 5 series also has many pits in it as well.
On the topic of buffing... DON'T DO IT!
It will get rid of the smaller marks but if you are driving into the sunlight you will get a haze across your windshield.
On the topic of buffing... DON'T DO IT!
It will get rid of the smaller marks but if you are driving into the sunlight you will get a haze across your windshield.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 83
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From: Los Angeles area
2001 C240
This issue has been addressed many times on different forums. The general synopsis is that German windshield glass pits/chips a lot more than American, and there are several leading, and many obscure, reasons. Regardless, I was just at my dealership today for other reasons and inquired about replacing my windshield (41,000 miles of highway driving = lots of fine rock chips). The price has come way down (about $630 installed for genuine MB glass with rain sensor and gaskets). He says this is because MB is reacting to 'replica' glass pricing and a lot of customer complaints about the chips and high replacement cost.
