cambridge1807

So my mom was driving her 06 E350 on the freeway and all of a sudden, a rock flies at the windshield and makes a crack. I assume that it was a pretty big rock because the crack was pretty good. So today, my dad calls the MB dealer to see how much a replacement windshield would cost, and they quoted 800. So I am just wondering if this is the ideal price for a new windshield, or if anyone knows a better place to get it from.

I do have pics of the crack, but they aren't that great of pics. I'll post them next.

cambridge1807

Sorry for the bad quality, but this was taken outta my 2mp cameraphone.


I measured the lenght of the crack in each direction

I thought I had more, but they didn't turn out as well. I might just take more tomorrow morning with better lighting.

dacbiet

I think $800 is a lot for dealership windshield replacement. Mine was replaced at Caliber Motors in Anaheim Hills for about half that amount.

W211 Ryda

Got mine replaced for $600 at MB of Escondido, but a month and 100 miles later, I got another chip on my windshield.

cyclerider

This type of damage is covered under the comprehensive portion of your parents' auto insurance. A comprehensive claim does not count against your driving record and will not raise your insurance rates. Most people have a very low deductible for comprehensive coverage, usually $100 or less. Have them call the insurance agent before they spend their own money.

schoonie3

My wife got 2 seperate chips in her c-class windshield. We had them both repaired at rack chip / crack fix palce for $40 for the first and $50 for the 2nd.

About a two months later a dumptruck pulls over in my lane and lets go off a HUGE rock and makes about a 1" x 1" chip in the winshield....I mean it "powdered" the outside layer of the winshied. I went back to the same place and they quoted my 360 for a PPG windshiled and 460 for a Diamler. We paid the exta 100 for the MB and when they delivered it it was made by PPG. So anyway, you should be able to get one for 300 -500 in my opinion.

DWP

dacbiet or schoonie3 - have you noticed any increase in wind noise at freeway speeds since the windshield swap-out? Any competent glass installer can avoid water leaks, but I've heard that even subtle changes in airflow can increase wind noise a lot.

mmgrad

got my windshield replaced at SAFELITE autoglass for about $180 for my CLK when it cracked, and it was made by the same company who made my original one... they warranty all their work for the life of the car/windshield... so, if you are worried about the rain sensor or anything... don't worry about it cause it is covered...

cambridge1807

dacbiet-Who was it that you spoke to that got you that price? I'll have my dad try to talk to that person, because we also go to the dealer in Anaheim Hills.

mmgrad-does your CLK have the rain sensors on the windshield?

cambridge1807

Does it make a difference where I get the windshield at if the car is on a lease, or is it a MUST to buy it from a dealer because of the sticker at the bottom of the window?

schoonie3

I had no problems with increased wind noise. The MB and PPG aftermarket windshile were made by the exact same people. My windsheild has the rain sensor, which likely contributed to the cost difference between my price and some of the others reported here.

schoonie3

Oh, and by the way, the folks that replaced my windshild were able to remove the MB sticker form the lower passenger side and stick it back in the new one.

KosherBenz

you can get a new sticker at the dealer. They are only a couple bucks.

vettdvr

Just FYI I live in Louisiana with the worlds greatest roads and trash control . I also have 4 vehicles. Given this and 25,000 miles each year driven I have had as many as 2 repairs of chips in 1 year. After 4 chip repairs I received a "You are a high risk driver" and put on notice for possible insurance cancellation . So I would never assume the ins. co is not looking . They count every chip repair the same as a windshield replacement. Granted 1 repair/replace is not usually counted against you, but watch out if you get more than one. My reco is given major damage file the claim and get a new windshield. But a chip repair and pay out of pocket. Usually about $20.00.
Each chip repair counts against your incident rate. The other area they look at is severity rate. Given a high incident rate with low severity they will consider you a high risk for major loss. So use caution when filing for "no cost" chip on glass repairs. Just my $.02 worth Jim

mmgrad

yes, my windshield had the rain sensor on there... and the SAFELITE replacement glass had it too...

if i recall, my OEM glass was a pilkington and SAFELITE replaced it with a pilkington windshield, looked the same, just without the MB Star on the bottom driver side corner... why pay more for the same thing... its just a piece of glass

if the rain sensor is what you are concerned about, like i said, don't worry, cause all those electronics are covered under warranty for the life of the windshield

dacbiet

I don't remember the name of the service advisor at the time, but I do remember there was some warranty work performed at the same time as the windshield replacement. The cost of the new windshield from Caliber was lower than the other online mobile windshield repair places I checked. The initial price quotation from some of the mobile repair places was cheap, then I'd get a phone call an hour later telling me they have to order the windshield and it would be at a much higher price...

I don't notice any difference between the factory and replacement windshield. The replacement windshield manufacturer name is the same as what's on the rest of the car, and there is no detectable difference in wind noise.