worst quality windshield?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, WA
2015 C63S
worst quality windshield?
I'm not one for hyperbole, but my US 2015 W205 windshield has got to be the worst quality one I've seen so far: hundreds of small punctual scratches (around 1/10th of a mm) that gleam under direct sunlight, and about 10 more serious rock chips (around 1/2 mm each), after only 1 year / 7000 miles. None of my previous cars had such a sensitive windshield, my wife's Mini looks pristine, and she has the same commute I have.
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 31
AMG C63S
I don't think the quality of the glass is so poor or any lower than the rest of the line. I think the angle of the glass is the problem so that when small rocks kick up and hit it, they tend to cause damage.
I have a couple but, nothing too bad. Yet..
I have a couple but, nothing too bad. Yet..
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Aston Martin, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover & Mercedes
Yes I agree. Mine has 3 really bad chip and two more that have cracked. Definitely needs replaced but I'm trying to hold off as long as I can.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 239
Likes: 25
From: Austin, TX
2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography; 2019 AMG E63S; 2021 Range Rover HSE Westminister
My BMW 335 had similar issue. Its almost like soft glass or something. After a few years it looks really bad but depends on where you drive a lot. Lots of dirt or loose surface roads, or too much highway driving will leave its marks. Much more than any previous cars I ever had. So Merc not only one with this issue. I suspect they went to cheaper glass than before because their older cars had even more racked windshields than today's cars. 
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
2015 M3 2016 X5M 2008 C63 (sold)
to be fair my '15 m3 windshield is thin as well and i have chips all over it.
i think this is the direction all manufacturer's are going, windshields are getting thinner.
my old w204 c63 windshield was fine.
i think this is the direction all manufacturer's are going, windshields are getting thinner.
my old w204 c63 windshield was fine.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Mine also 1 year in, spent half a day last weekend using glass polish (Car Pro Ceriglass) with the rotary on 3" rayon pads....
It's removes the super fine dusting and the light scratches... The chips are unaffected... But that's OK...
It'll get a new screen in insurance if it cracks at all...
It's removes the super fine dusting and the light scratches... The chips are unaffected... But that's OK...
It'll get a new screen in insurance if it cracks at all...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 52
C63s
I'm not one for hyperbole, but my US 2015 W205 windshield has got to be the worst quality one I've seen so far: hundreds of small punctual scratches (around 1/10th of a mm) that gleam under direct sunlight, and about 10 more serious rock chips (around 1/2 mm each), after only 1 year / 7000 miles. None of my previous cars had such a sensitive windshield, my wife's Mini looks pristine, and she has the same commute I have.
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 83
Likes: 9
W205 C250 2016
For sure something is wrong with the w205 OEM windshield.
8 month ownership and I had my windshield replaced 3 times because rock chips.
The last time I replaced a windshield of a non-MB, was like 10 years ago.
8 month ownership and I had my windshield replaced 3 times because rock chips.
The last time I replaced a windshield of a non-MB, was like 10 years ago.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 98
From: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
C63S 2016
I'm not one for hyperbole, but my US 2015 W205 windshield has got to be the worst quality one I've seen so far: hundreds of small punctual scratches (around 1/10th of a mm) that gleam under direct sunlight, and about 10 more serious rock chips (around 1/2 mm each), after only 1 year / 7000 miles. None of my previous cars had such a sensitive windshield, my wife's Mini looks pristine, and she has the same commute I have.
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Has anybody else noticed this problem?
After the first couple of scratches I thought I got unlucky and I'll just replace the windshield after a couple of years when I get a couple more rock chips, but now less than a year later I've already hit that threshold. I'd just replace it if I knew I'd get a good quality one and not land in the same place next year, or if there were a decent aftermarket solution to protect it (like there is for paint: I have my car fully wrapped in Xpel Stealth just so I wouldn't worry... and absolutely no rock chips so far)...
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 3
From: Italy
E 250cdi 4matic '13
I see that MB didn't learn the lesson...I had to replace the windshield 3 times in 3 years,now I'm driving with an enormous "line" (30 cm long!) coming from the right wiper basement right to the center; I'm pretty sick and tired even though the costs are covered by insurance.
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
Last edited by Phoeny; Oct 3, 2016 at 05:50 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 98
From: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
C63S 2016
I see that MB didn't learn the lesson...I had to replace the windshield 3 times in 3 years,now I'm driving with an enormous "line" (30 cm long!) coming from the right wiper basement right to the center; I'm pretty sick and tired even though the costs are covered by insurance.
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 3
From: Italy
E 250cdi 4matic '13
Indeed it is...I'm thinking about keeping the car or moving on but it seems like many other benz models are facing the same issue!
The E class is a perfect match but even a short highway trip has become a true nightmare
Later I'll post a pic just to let you know what I'm talking about.
The E class is a perfect match but even a short highway trip has become a true nightmare
Later I'll post a pic just to let you know what I'm talking about.
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 83
Likes: 9
W205 C250 2016
Don't feel bad.
I had 2 windshield replacement in less than a month, and my fist rock chip happened after 1,200 miles and I had this car for 8 months. Actually my last windshield lasted 15 days, and booom! another rock chip.
I had 2 windshield replacement in less than a month, and my fist rock chip happened after 1,200 miles and I had this car for 8 months. Actually my last windshield lasted 15 days, and booom! another rock chip.
I see that MB didn't learn the lesson...I had to replace the windshield 3 times in 3 years,now I'm driving with an enormous "line" (30 cm long!) coming from the right wiper basement right to the center; I'm pretty sick and tired even though the costs are covered by insurance.
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
It only takes a small rock to crack the shield in few seconds,never experienced something like that before in any other car we had; I think it's a combined issue: thinner glass and a weird angle of the windshield.
I mentioned the problem to my MB dealer,they looked at me like I was joking ("3 shields in 3 years?? Impossible!" ) but I think it's a lucrative business for both the companies..Benz which sell OEM shields and "Carglass" centers that repair the cars
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, WA
2015 C63S
$8000 in the Bellevue / Seattle WA area. I've read of smaller prices in other states, the cheapest I was quoted in my area was $7000 (labor is pretty expensive here). The quality of the install was really good and they gave me a courtesy vehicle for the duration (about 7 business days).
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 239
Likes: 25
From: Austin, TX
2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography; 2019 AMG E63S; 2021 Range Rover HSE Westminister
I had a BMW 335. Same problem and no HUD. And yes as time goes its like freckles on the windshiled. Even after a was it still looks like crap. It really is the worst part of the car besides the equally crappy wiper blades.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 98
From: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
C63S 2016
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 9
From: South Florida
2017 c63s coupe
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 98
From: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
C63S 2016
