Windshield: OE, OEM, or aftermarket
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
Windshield: OE, OEM, or aftermarket
I’ve searched and found some info on this, but nothing current.
I need a new windshield for my car before I can get it inspected. I normally use Pilkington, but my normal windshield guy says he can’t get that brand for my car, ‘04 S211 non-pano. I’m thinking about buying one and having him install it as he’s done a great job on my other cars, and all he says he can get is cheap Chinese glass. I’m not sure insurance would pay for it as the crack was there before I bought the car.
I’ve seen cheap windshields and the wavy glass gets to me. There was another post here a few years back that listed two different windshields, one with an IR reflective layer? Anyone know of this? It’s supposed to be for Pano cars, but I would think it would work for non-pano cars, yes?
What are people’s currents experiences with windshields in these cars nowadays? What do you use? I’m not going through Safelite, that’s for certain!
I need a new windshield for my car before I can get it inspected. I normally use Pilkington, but my normal windshield guy says he can’t get that brand for my car, ‘04 S211 non-pano. I’m thinking about buying one and having him install it as he’s done a great job on my other cars, and all he says he can get is cheap Chinese glass. I’m not sure insurance would pay for it as the crack was there before I bought the car.
I’ve seen cheap windshields and the wavy glass gets to me. There was another post here a few years back that listed two different windshields, one with an IR reflective layer? Anyone know of this? It’s supposed to be for Pano cars, but I would think it would work for non-pano cars, yes?
What are people’s currents experiences with windshields in these cars nowadays? What do you use? I’m not going through Safelite, that’s for certain!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 693
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Mercedes OE windshields are made by Sekurit, Saint Gobain, and Pilkington.
Everything I see says OE windshields are available. 211-670-00-00 is blue and 211-670-91-00 is green. The heat reflecting windshield will fit physically, but I don’t know if the edge masking is different.
Try ordering at mbparts.mbusa.com. Shipping to the local dealer is free. Shipping to your glass shop wil have an extra charge.
Safelite can order Mercedes OE windshields. But my local dealer was less expensive because Safelite marked up the cost of the glass. And Safelite doesn’t detail your car after service, either. 😉 We only use them for chip repair.
Everything I see says OE windshields are available. 211-670-00-00 is blue and 211-670-91-00 is green. The heat reflecting windshield will fit physically, but I don’t know if the edge masking is different.
Try ordering at mbparts.mbusa.com. Shipping to the local dealer is free. Shipping to your glass shop wil have an extra charge.
Safelite can order Mercedes OE windshields. But my local dealer was less expensive because Safelite marked up the cost of the glass. And Safelite doesn’t detail your car after service, either. 😉 We only use them for chip repair.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
Other than tint color, is there any advantage to the blue or green? It does show the IR reflective without panoramic sunroof as an option. That being said, the site says none of the windshields are available for purchase. I guess I’ll contact my MB dealer and see.
Last edited by Zaffer; Aug 2, 2024 at 07:51 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 933
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Insurance will cover it... how would they know when crack happened?
MB glass is $,$$$.$$ - and I cannot see why since buy the same windshield from the same manufacturer and it is 30-50% the price.
call Safelite to get their quote.
I will say in my life of windshields I have never had one that is wavy, blurry or whatever.
I know every one's experience is different.
Good Luck
MB glass is $,$$$.$$ - and I cannot see why since buy the same windshield from the same manufacturer and it is 30-50% the price.
call Safelite to get their quote.
I will say in my life of windshields I have never had one that is wavy, blurry or whatever.
I know every one's experience is different.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
I’m a euro mechanic so I get to drive lots of different cars and I’ve seen some with waves in the windshield before. I’ve also seen some with debris in the glass from when it was manufactured. All were non-OE/OEM manufacturers.
As to your first statement, we’ll see….
As to your first statement, we’ll see….
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 693
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
I guess I didn’t go deep enough last night because it looked like most of the windshields were available. So you know, my dealer replaced the windshield on the GLB recently for $711 total. That glass is about $80 less expensive than the E class, so your cost might be higher.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 693
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
I have personally never had a wavy/imperfect windshield either, but I have always gone with an OEM windshield, mainly because I have seen what can happen with cheaper windshields.
Thanks for the advice and I’ll most likely go with OE or OEM in the green tint as that’s what my car has.
Thanks for the advice and I’ll most likely go with OE or OEM in the green tint as that’s what my car has.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 693
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Quick details on my wavy windshield.
We retired the W211 in 2016, so the experience is not new. A local glass shop (not Safelite) replaced our broken Sekurit glass with one labeled Benson. Benson is made by Dongguan (sp?) in China. The distortion on the left and right ¼s of the windshield was distracting while driving. Our insurance had a repair satisfaction guarantee, so we went back to them with the complaint. Insurance sent us back to the glass shop who replaced it with one that had no English writing on it except a DOT number and an MB star. That one was fine.
We retired the W211 in 2016, so the experience is not new. A local glass shop (not Safelite) replaced our broken Sekurit glass with one labeled Benson. Benson is made by Dongguan (sp?) in China. The distortion on the left and right ¼s of the windshield was distracting while driving. Our insurance had a repair satisfaction guarantee, so we went back to them with the complaint. Insurance sent us back to the glass shop who replaced it with one that had no English writing on it except a DOT number and an MB star. That one was fine.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
Yeah, the wavy glass isn’t necessarily in your face (though I have seen that, too), but subtle and irritating. I’m trying to avoid that.
I’ll see what my insurance company says about it this week as I have a no-deductible windshield on my policy. I’d rather go through my normal guy, but if he can’t get one, I’ll contact MB and see if they do it in-house or sub it out. When I worked for BMW, we did windshields in-house, and if I still did them on the regular, I’d just do it myself…..Now that I think about it 🤔
I’ll see what my insurance company says about it this week as I have a no-deductible windshield on my policy. I’d rather go through my normal guy, but if he can’t get one, I’ll contact MB and see if they do it in-house or sub it out. When I worked for BMW, we did windshields in-house, and if I still did them on the regular, I’d just do it myself…..Now that I think about it 🤔
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Definitely OEM. Years ago the windshield cracked so I needed a replacement. Local windshield shop first got a chinese replacement but it didn't play nice with the rain sensor. Was able to get an oem replacement instead. Absolutely no problems at all 10+ years later.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
I’m getting a Pilkington windshield through my normal guy. Thinking about getting the other items through Mercedes rather than have him provide them with aftermarket stuff. We’ll see…..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 1,357
From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
I have seen VERY wavy glass in my car (non-OE, during KungFlu months). Soon as the OE glass was available the non OE glass got a crack and was replaced fully (somewhat neat law in Florida).
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
2006 E350 4MATIC Wagon
I believe Pilkington is an OE manufacturer for Mercedes, but either way, I’ve never had an issue with the brand. I know it’s an OE manufacturer for BMW.
As for insurance, I asked if they would cover a factory piece at the dealer and they said they would have to call and see since they have a certain pricing that the dealer may not honor. I considered going that route and possibly paying the difference, but the next appointment was August 25th and I’m not waiting that long.
As for insurance, I asked if they would cover a factory piece at the dealer and they said they would have to call and see since they have a certain pricing that the dealer may not honor. I considered going that route and possibly paying the difference, but the next appointment was August 25th and I’m not waiting that long.
