New windshield chipped again!!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
2004 E320
New windshield chipped again!!!
Here to vent out my frustration on how easily it is to crack/chip MB’s windshields. Back in August, my windshield was chipped by some debris on my way to Vegas, so I had the windshield replaced for $600 at the dealer in November. Was driving up to Vegas this past weekend and got my windshield chipped AGAIN!!! 
Not only was my windshield chipped, but my hood got a small chip as well!! I’ll be going on my 2nd replacement.
Just out of curiosity, how many people have had their windshield damaged on their W211? Next time I'm taking a rental car or flying. BTW, my original and the replacement windshield were both PPG.
p.s.
Stood next to Paris Hilton for a couple seconds at The Palms. Can't believe how skinny she is in person.
Also saw Chris Moneymaker & Palmela Anderson at The Palms. Fun weekend albeit the damages!! 
Not only was my windshield chipped, but my hood got a small chip as well!! I’ll be going on my 2nd replacement. Just out of curiosity, how many people have had their windshield damaged on their W211? Next time I'm taking a rental car or flying. BTW, my original and the replacement windshield were both PPG.
p.s.
Stood next to Paris Hilton for a couple seconds at The Palms. Can't believe how skinny she is in person.
Also saw Chris Moneymaker & Palmela Anderson at The Palms. Fun weekend albeit the damages!!
Last edited by W211 Ryda; Dec 20, 2005 at 03:49 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 377
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From: Orange County, CA
'05 E320, '07 MDX
My windshield chipped in the first year of ownership. A small crack less than 1 inch on the passenger side bordering the window pillar turned into a 18 inch crack within one week.
The windshield was replaced at Caliber Motors with OEM glass. Within 1 month of driving with the new windshield, small chips and imperfections are already visible. I don't drive the car that much; I only have about 7K miles on it. All miles accumulated have been city/hwy driving in OC/LA county. In conclusion I don't think the windshield glass used on these cars is very durable.
The windshield was replaced at Caliber Motors with OEM glass. Within 1 month of driving with the new windshield, small chips and imperfections are already visible. I don't drive the car that much; I only have about 7K miles on it. All miles accumulated have been city/hwy driving in OC/LA county. In conclusion I don't think the windshield glass used on these cars is very durable.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: 604 Vancouver
Toyota Camry SE
I dont own an E, but an S- I've also noticed the windshield is somewhat softer than other windshields....
I have many small nicks in the windsheild; they aren't very noticeable from far...
I have many small nicks in the windsheild; they aren't very noticeable from far...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,465
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From: Palm Beach, FL
'03 Yukon XL Denali, '06 Eclipse GS
Replacement again?! Cali roads are ridiculous! Can't imagine the hassle you must go through each time. Of my 2 years of ownership of my W211 I haven't had anything come close to touching my glass.
Well, as always, good luck.
Well, as always, good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 274
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From: Georgia, USA
Honda Accord
Anyone have any experience with these products?
www.edgeguardusa.com
www.ultrabond.com
I live in Florida, but I take long road trips to New Mexico and I am lucky I haven't had my winshield crack. I think we must have fewer rocks in Florida. So far no cracks, but my windshield is somewhat pitted.
www.edgeguardusa.com
www.ultrabond.com
I live in Florida, but I take long road trips to New Mexico and I am lucky I haven't had my winshield crack. I think we must have fewer rocks in Florida. So far no cracks, but my windshield is somewhat pitted.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
The thing that most people making comments are leaving out is the driving conditions they are putting thier cars through. What do you think is going to happen when you are driving 70 or 80 miles an hour and stones are flying up and hitting your windshield?
Driving on the 15 there are gravel trains all over the place all the time just spewing stones out the top - no matter what the law is. The morons who run quarries and constructions are the ones who are causing the problem, not MB.
Driving on the 15 there are gravel trains all over the place all the time just spewing stones out the top - no matter what the law is. The morons who run quarries and constructions are the ones who are causing the problem, not MB.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
2004 E320
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
The thing that most people making comments are leaving out is the driving conditions they are putting thier cars through. What do you think is going to happen when you are driving 70 or 80 miles an hour and stones are flying up and hitting your windshield?
Driving on the 15 there are gravel trains all over the place all the time just spewing stones out the top - no matter what the law is. The morons who run quarries and constructions are the ones who are causing the problem, not MB.
Driving on the 15 there are gravel trains all over the place all the time just spewing stones out the top - no matter what the law is. The morons who run quarries and constructions are the ones who are causing the problem, not MB.
) driving cars like a Durango, Expedition, Camry, my Toyota truck, Seville, and an Accord and none of those vehicles experienced a crack or chipped windshield during the drive on the 15. Even when there was construction near the Barstow area...I never had a windshield damaged until I drove the Benz. Yes, road conditions do play a factor here, but I still think the quality of the glass MB is using bears more weight.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: San Diego
2004 E320
Originally Posted by MBE55AMG
Replacement again?! Cali roads are ridiculous! Can't imagine the hassle you must go through each time. Of my 2 years of ownership of my W211 I haven't had anything come close to touching my glass.
Well, as always, good luck.
Well, as always, good luck.
Yeah, I was bummed out when I saw the damage on the new windshield, but there's no point sulking any further.....so I just made the best out of my trip and went all out at the baccarat and roulette tables.
When are you getting the Si? I was thinking of getting one as my daily driver. They look fun to drive!
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
My 1991 300E had its original windshield for the 10 years and the 95,000 miles it spent in Florida. Within 3 years of being in Colorado it got so pitted that it was hard to see out of when the evening sun was hitting it. I made an appointment to have it changed in a week and the next day a rock made an indentation through the two panes of glass! I got the windshield changed 5 days later and a Jeep Grand Cherokee cracked it when it made an illegal left in front of me!
Well, I changed 8 windshields on my 1986 Audi in its 284,000 miles. In the last 6 months I have changed the windshield on my S6 (this is its 4th in the past 82,000 miles and 10 years) and I had the first one replaced on my W211 in March (it had about 8,000 miles I think). I have also changed 2 windshields on my Porsche 996 when I had it for 5 years.
Colorado puts gravel on roads as much as possible so as to avoid chemicals. This means that if the person in the lane in front of you drives out of the lane markings they drive on leftover gravel and spray you with tons of *****! I get so angry at them that I usually pass them and return the favor! I have chipped and cracked so many windshields on so many different cars that I can honestly tell you that they are all the same. It is all about statistical probability, not the rigidity or design of the car.
I have State Farm insurance and I have a $0.00 deductible on anything on the car that is glass. This costs me about $50.00 per year extra and it has paid for itself many times over! I strongly recommend this coverage if it is offered and available in your state.
Steve
btw, my windshield on my Audi is a PPG and the one on my Benz is a OEM Sekurit. They are chip and crack the same.
Well, I changed 8 windshields on my 1986 Audi in its 284,000 miles. In the last 6 months I have changed the windshield on my S6 (this is its 4th in the past 82,000 miles and 10 years) and I had the first one replaced on my W211 in March (it had about 8,000 miles I think). I have also changed 2 windshields on my Porsche 996 when I had it for 5 years.
Colorado puts gravel on roads as much as possible so as to avoid chemicals. This means that if the person in the lane in front of you drives out of the lane markings they drive on leftover gravel and spray you with tons of *****! I get so angry at them that I usually pass them and return the favor! I have chipped and cracked so many windshields on so many different cars that I can honestly tell you that they are all the same. It is all about statistical probability, not the rigidity or design of the car.
I have State Farm insurance and I have a $0.00 deductible on anything on the car that is glass. This costs me about $50.00 per year extra and it has paid for itself many times over! I strongly recommend this coverage if it is offered and available in your state.
Steve
btw, my windshield on my Audi is a PPG and the one on my Benz is a OEM Sekurit. They are chip and crack the same.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
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From: Texas
05 E320 CDI
I managed to acquire a winshield chip on my MB after owning it slightly over 24 hours. This after I went 13 years and 180000 miles in my previous car (a Honda Accord) before it received similar damage. Not a good omen. My MB's chip is almost dead center in the windshield, and has not spread in the intervening 1.75 years since it happened. Since then, I've gotten some pitting on the windshield, but no other cracks. One of these days I plan to have it fixed, but I guess it's not that important to me as I haven't yet. I also have a small collection of paint gouges on the hood and fenders due to flying debris.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 46
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From: Manchester, UK
W210 E300DT Saloon
Here in the UK, a windscreen replacement costs £50 on your insurance, and it doesn't affect your no-claims bonus 
Most people over here, when they want a new windscreen, just chuck a rock at the screen and claim.
Most people over here, when they want a new windscreen, just chuck a rock at the screen and claim.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: USA
Multiple
My insurance company (USAA) will pay to have windshield chip damage repaired free of charge to avoid having to pay for a complete windshield when the chip spreads. They send a guy to the house and the repair takes about 30 minutes. I have had chips repaired on my Mercedes and other cars at absolutely no cost, and the repairs are almost invisible. I was told that Mercedes and BMW use very "soft" glass (for safety purposes) and therefore chip more easily than other cars. You might check with your insurance company to see if they cover the costs plus the deductible.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
I replaced my chipped windshields twice in my bimmer.
do not follow or behind trucks -- the small rocks come from them often. because trucks are higher than sedans, your windshield may be chipped by these rocks.
do not follow or behind trucks -- the small rocks come from them often. because trucks are higher than sedans, your windshield may be chipped by these rocks.
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
2001 E430 Sport
From what I understand, in Arizona insurance companies are required to replace windshields at no charge. I have never paid for windshield replacement, in fact, my wifes Jag's windshield was replaced last week and they gave her 50 bucks !
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
in Arizona insurance companies are required to replace windshields at no charge.
My insurance policy has 500 deductible so I replaced my windshields without bothering insurance company (keep no claim record for lower rate.)
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
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From: NYC
2006 E350 4Matic, 1990 300SE, 1984 190E, 1994 BMW 540ia
Me too Ryda....Drove the car to Chicago a month ago got a beautiful 6 inch crack on the left side of the windshield. Car has only 8000miles on it Arrrgh! I had a feeling this is a common problem with our cars. I didn't notice how or when the damage ocurred. My 20 yr old 190E? Never replaced a windshield! My 15 yr old S-class? Never replaced a windshield! My 94 BMW? Has some chips and has been through a lot but NO cracks. What gives here?
One good thing I can say is maybe at least now I can get a windshield with a built-in tinted sunscreen. This is the 1st car I've ever owned without tinting on the top of the windshield. Am I alone or don't tell me this is optional too! I don't know if the OEM glass is available with the sunscreen, is it?
One good thing I can say is maybe at least now I can get a windshield with a built-in tinted sunscreen. This is the 1st car I've ever owned without tinting on the top of the windshield. Am I alone or don't tell me this is optional too! I don't know if the OEM glass is available with the sunscreen, is it?
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
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From: Portland, OR
I own a 2003 E320 with 27K miles on it and the windshield (PPG glass) is in great shape. I drive a mix of city roads and highways and have had a couple of encounters with gravel hitting the windshield - but luckily no cracks or chips.
I do agree with other posters that have said that where you drive makes a huge difference. I don't really think one glass manufacturer necessarily has worse glass than some other guy.
I do agree with other posters that have said that where you drive makes a huge difference. I don't really think one glass manufacturer necessarily has worse glass than some other guy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by RickyE430
From what I understand, in Arizona insurance companies are required to replace windshields at no charge. I have never paid for windshield replacement, in fact, my wifes Jag's windshield was replaced last week and they gave her 50 bucks !
I replced 3 inside 6 months on my V70... and thus far my MB (at 2000 miles) had a w/s replaced.. I also just recently got a good size chip in the middle, the next one I get, I'm going to try to get a new w/s..
You just have to be VERY careful that they get you an OEM w/s and not some cheap after market which most will try to do.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 588
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From: Gwinnett County, GA
2005 E55 AMG
Originally Posted by fubar
Now pitted *is* an issue. My CLK w/ ~50K miles really needed to have the windshield replaced due to pitting. I already see that on my 211 w/ 10 K miles.
fubar
fubar
. No criticism to the participants and no paint damage, but the windshield appears to be finely pitted.It isn't noticeable unless the sun is shining directly on the windshield. Never had the problem on any cars other than BMW & M-B. Curious if there is a some German safety requirement that makes windshields more susceptible to pitting in exchange for some other benefit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,348
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
I've noticed a big pitting problem too, and it started soon after I got the car. I will say that I have been behind far too many trucks that are spewing some type of debris, but it is worse than it was on my previous cars.
I too wonder if some reason exists for this.
I too wonder if some reason exists for this.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I don't think MB windshields are any different than other cars. My BMWs, Porsches, and MB have the same bad luck with rocks on the windshield. I need to have my E55's windshield replaced, a crack has grown a few inches. Bummer.
