Cracked windshield...
Cracked windshield...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
'05 C230
W203 windshields have sensors so better go for OEM. Check your insurance if you have a 0 ded glass coverage.
I replaced mine 2 yrs ago and if I remember correctly, OEMs go for 200 bucks.
I replaced mine 2 yrs ago and if I remember correctly, OEMs go for 200 bucks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Yes, OEM windshield is your best best. I have replaced 2 on mine and ready for the third. The difference in price between OEM and quality aftermarket is not much different.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
WTF how do you guys crack the oem windshields? I have had huge rocks hit mine and all the dam rocks do is chip it. It is to the point where I probably can get it replaced by insurance because it is so pitted it is dangerous. Can you guys give me any pointers? lol I wonder if the 01 had a better quality glass or something i notice that you guys have newer cars then me.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Cali
2006 C230 Sedan
Yup. Darn Rocks.
I am wondering, does anyone one of you while driving down the freeway and next thing you hear is a *crack*, do you cringe or is it just me.
I have a pitted windshield in the center, although it was there when I bought the car, but I still hate it.
I am wondering, does anyone one of you while driving down the freeway and next thing you hear is a *crack*, do you cringe or is it just me.
I have a pitted windshield in the center, although it was there when I bought the car, but I still hate it.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 22
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh!
2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather
I say go with OEM windshied. Not only the minimal difference in price,.... but windshields are part of the structure of the car these days! So going with a non OEM windshield just to save a few bucks and likely end up with a poorer quality glass that's not as strong (thinner),... really isn't worth it. What happens if you get into an accident or roll-over.
But since you already have a crack windshield,... take a picture and document it,... take a photo every week or month,.... it could be fun to watch that crack spread. Oh well,... maybe that's just me.
But since you already have a crack windshield,... take a picture and document it,... take a photo every week or month,.... it could be fun to watch that crack spread. Oh well,... maybe that's just me.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
'05 C230
I hate it when a truck swerves in front of me and kicks up these big rocks with their monster thread tires.
First time I had my windshield replaced was when a rock chipped my glass. Its the size of a pea at first then it cracked to 7 inches under the hot sun in just a few hours.
Glass companies will not repair your windshield if the crack is bigger than a dollar bill or if the crack is on the edge.
First time I had my windshield replaced was when a rock chipped my glass. Its the size of a pea at first then it cracked to 7 inches under the hot sun in just a few hours.
Glass companies will not repair your windshield if the crack is bigger than a dollar bill or if the crack is on the edge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, Alberta
2007 ML500
OEM glass is generally thicker than aftermarket so in the long run it might be the better investment. It is also important to have a reputable glass shop perform the replacement because the windshield is a major safety concern in the event of a car accident. Many modern vehicles have the passenger airbag either facing directly at the occupant or up in the air. When the airbag is facing up in the air, the deployment is designed to hit the windshield and then deflect towards the occupant. This is exactly the case on the 203s. Whenever you replace a windshield, the OEM seal will be broken and it will never be the same again or as strong as the original seal. It is important to have a reputable shop with qualified techs perform the replacement in order to achieve as strong of a seal to the original as possible. If a windshield has a poor or weak seal, then in the case of an accident the airbag may actually pop the windshield out and the airbag will not be able to perform its intended purpose. I'm not saying all replacement windshields will pop out but it has happened before due to a poor seal.
Cracks can usually be repaired but it depends on age. Fresh cracks will always repair much better than an older crack that has been exposed to moisture and dirt. Cracks that have reached the edge can also be repaired. These are generally easier to repair because one end has already reached the edge of the glass so it will no longer spread. In this case, a crack stop can be performed only on the other end to prevent the crack from spreading any further.
Cracks can usually be repaired but it depends on age. Fresh cracks will always repair much better than an older crack that has been exposed to moisture and dirt. Cracks that have reached the edge can also be repaired. These are generally easier to repair because one end has already reached the edge of the glass so it will no longer spread. In this case, a crack stop can be performed only on the other end to prevent the crack from spreading any further.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
For me, it is largely because when we get a few days of snow here, they use gravel on the roads instead of salt 
Most of the time they recover it for re-use, other times they leave it on the road. You think the windshield is bad? Check out my thread for a pic of what the paint looks like on my car 
Most of the time they recover it for re-use, other times they leave it on the road. You think the windshield is bad? Check out my thread for a pic of what the paint looks like on my car WTF how do you guys crack the oem windshields? I have had huge rocks hit mine and all the dam rocks do is chip it. It is to the point where I probably can get it replaced by insurance because it is so pitted it is dangerous. Can you guys give me any pointers? lol I wonder if the 01 had a better quality glass or something i notice that you guys have newer cars then me.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
WTF how do you guys crack the oem windshields? I have had huge rocks hit mine and all the dam rocks do is chip it. It is to the point where I probably can get it replaced by insurance because it is so pitted it is dangerous. Can you guys give me any pointers? lol I wonder if the 01 had a better quality glass or something i notice that you guys have newer cars then me.
My original screen is still almost perfect. Cape Town's roads are kept clean with those big sweepers & we have a mild climate. When I lived in Dallas my screens always got wrecked by gravel laying in winter. When I lived in Johannesburg I averaged a screen a year - coal trucks & the likes including hail.
San Francisco & Sydney, Aus were much like Cape Town unless you got plain unlucky. Places like Rio - no problem - Sao Paulo, Campinas - sugar area & Belo Horizonte - mining area - big trouble. German Autobahn - no trouble. Italian Autostrada - trouble - & so it goes.
In China - big cities are fine (you even get fined for a dirty car in Shanghai) - the long open road - trouble. Same goes for places like Thailand.
It all depends on the road conditions & traffic. I don't think that premium glass varies that much. Many Mercs have Pilkingtons screens & they are pretty good IMHO.
