Many small rock chips on my windshield, poor quality?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Many small rock chips on my windshield, poor quality?
Hi,
I have had my car for 2 months now and my windshield is full of miniature windshield chips from dust and small rocks. I have tracked the car once reaching 190KM/h (about 120mph) at peak speed but that's not crazy fast for a car that can cruise at 250km/h without a problem. I have never had it that bad with my honda reaching similar speeds on other tracks.
I am the only one with this issue? I'm quite disappointed with the windshield quality for a Mercedes.
The windshiedl is not actually cracked but if you guys know of a windshield repair kit to repair these small (dust like) dents I would appreciate it.
thanks
I have had my car for 2 months now and my windshield is full of miniature windshield chips from dust and small rocks. I have tracked the car once reaching 190KM/h (about 120mph) at peak speed but that's not crazy fast for a car that can cruise at 250km/h without a problem. I have never had it that bad with my honda reaching similar speeds on other tracks.
I am the only one with this issue? I'm quite disappointed with the windshield quality for a Mercedes.
The windshiedl is not actually cracked but if you guys know of a windshield repair kit to repair these small (dust like) dents I would appreciate it.
thanks
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
I'm sure your F430 doesn't have that issue.
Do you think I have a case with the dealer? Is it forbidden to go fast with the car under warranty? So far everything points to yes ;-)
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Westchester, NY. Sarasota, FL
2012 C63BS 2009 Ferrari 16M 2016 Cayenne turbo S 2019 G63
That's what doesn't make any sense! I've been to Germany and 190km/h is a normal cruising speed, not a fast one. I can understand that a rock can do some damage but dust like chips show poor quality.
I'm sure your F430 doesn't have that issue.
Do you think I have a case with the dealer? Is it forbidden to go fast with the car under warranty? So far everything points to yes ;-)
I'm sure your F430 doesn't have that issue.
Do you think I have a case with the dealer? Is it forbidden to go fast with the car under warranty? So far everything points to yes ;-)
Kinda doubt Dealer will ok without MB approval, though worth a try.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Calgary, Canada
'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
It is a german thing. Pilkington is soft IMO.
The 3 last BMWs I have had have the same issue.
My Honda Accord and Ford Ranger had much stronger and less pitted windshields... haha
The 3 last BMWs I have had have the same issue.
My Honda Accord and Ford Ranger had much stronger and less pitted windshields... haha
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From: Massachusetts
'14 911S (garage queen) '13 X3 (family hauler)
Yes BMW uses the Pilkington glass and it is soft.
My wife's new 3 series wagon I bought her had multiple "chips" the first week.
And I've owned a couple BMWs over the years and they're the same "soft" glass.
My CLK hasn't been as bad, but I don't drive it much and I never tailgate on the highway.
When I had a windshield replaced on one of my bimmers I mentioned it to the glass guy and he said that the german manufacturers use the soft glas because it's less likely to crack when impacted (autobahn sppeds), I guess the softer glass is less fragile? Downside is it shows every little blemish. Kinda makes sense.
You could always try polishing and clay barring the glass, it may reduce some of the lighter stuff.
My wife's new 3 series wagon I bought her had multiple "chips" the first week.
And I've owned a couple BMWs over the years and they're the same "soft" glass.
My CLK hasn't been as bad, but I don't drive it much and I never tailgate on the highway.
When I had a windshield replaced on one of my bimmers I mentioned it to the glass guy and he said that the german manufacturers use the soft glas because it's less likely to crack when impacted (autobahn sppeds), I guess the softer glass is less fragile? Downside is it shows every little blemish. Kinda makes sense.
You could always try polishing and clay barring the glass, it may reduce some of the lighter stuff.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Hong Kong/Charlotte
2010 C63
I have had several M-Bs, some with PPG glass and some with Pilkington. The Pilkington is far, far, far better - but still shows a lot of chips, IMO. I have never heard that it is "softer", but if it is, it would seem that would lead to LESS chipping, not more - and that has been my experience vs. the PPG glass (which was terrible).
This is not just a German problem. Hondas and especially Toyotas are (or were) known to have terrible glass. I believe that Toyota (many years ago) recalled some cars for windshield glass that become a hazard at night due to tiny chips etc. after just a year or two.
Try the dealer. If they won't help, talk to your insurance company. If it is really hazardous (like at night), many insurance companies will replace the glass without charging a deductible.
This is not just a German problem. Hondas and especially Toyotas are (or were) known to have terrible glass. I believe that Toyota (many years ago) recalled some cars for windshield glass that become a hazard at night due to tiny chips etc. after just a year or two.
Try the dealer. If they won't help, talk to your insurance company. If it is really hazardous (like at night), many insurance companies will replace the glass without charging a deductible.
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From: PNW
'15 VW GTI
I've had the same issue, and I tried this: http://www.autogeek.net/lc-pro-glass-kit.html
It worked fairly well with my porter cable, but you'll probably have to do it a few times a year.
It worked fairly well with my porter cable, but you'll probably have to do it a few times a year.
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From: Central Florida
2013 Chevy 427 Torch Red
Early morning and late afternoon my windshield gets a prism effect from what appears to be hundreds of tiny imperfections. Outside of these lighting conditions they are invisible.
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From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
I'm happy to see that this is not just my driving but very common. I'm just surprised I'm seing so much small dents so soon. Don't have as much problems with the Audi or Honda, but then again the Honda windshield is not stock so it could be harder than stock.
When replacing the windshield for a C63, do they offer different levels of hardness for our cars or do they have to go with the exact same one (manufacturer's specs).
thanks!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
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From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
I've had the same issue, and I tried this: http://www.autogeek.net/lc-pro-glass-kit.html
It worked fairly well with my porter cable, but you'll probably have to do it a few times a year.
It worked fairly well with my porter cable, but you'll probably have to do it a few times a year.
Senior Member
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c63 amg
did you drive your car this winter???
winters will do a great job of messing up your windshield in montreal.
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From: Relocated
2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
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C63, C280, 2500HD, IS300
And last month hit a rock
Guess what? no crack, just the film got scratched
Beside changing windshield is NEVER going be the same as original
Only downside with clear bra the windshield is you can see it
You can't cover all the way to the trim, unless you take off the molding
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C63 AMG
Agreed, the number of small chips that have accumulated from just normal driving is very disconcerting...it's at a level of what I would expect from a car with two or three times the mileage than what I have.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
The clear bra really helps especially against fine scratches and fine cracks. There is also a diamond-like coating procedure that may help you out, but that one would have to be applied once a year I believe.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: South Africa
2008 C63 AMG
New one is about 2 months old and already looks like i is 5 years old.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
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From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Canada
2021 Taycan Turbo, 2018 Radical SR3, 2021 Lincoln Aviator
For the coating, do you have an idea of the product or name of the process so I can look it up here? thanks
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2012 C63 BS 2012 SLK 350 2014 CLA 45
All MB's windshields are thinner than before in order to cut weight, that also applied to most makes now-a-day. My E, ML and Mini are all have their 2nd and 3rd windshields replaced or repaired, replace is expensive and no more $25 insurance deductable ($500-$1000) in Canada, in most case you need to pay from your own pocket. The insurance company will conside you have a claim against you policy if you report for such a claim.
