cracked windshield repalcement help!!!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 3
From: PA
2012 c, 2014 c, 2013 E, 2014 ML BT, 2016 E, 2016 GLE, 2017 S550(current), 2020 GLE450(current)
cracked windshield repalcement help!!!!
Hi all.
I have 2012 E350 4matic and the Front Windshield has 2 big cracks.
I found out that it needs a new one.
I have $250 deductible
Where do I go to get it replaced? MB dealer? or Safelite?
Safelite gives different choices of the windshield, I'm not sure which one I need....
I have 2012 E350 4matic and the Front Windshield has 2 big cracks.
I found out that it needs a new one.
I have $250 deductible
Where do I go to get it replaced? MB dealer? or Safelite?
Safelite gives different choices of the windshield, I'm not sure which one I need....
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
You are going to pay the deductible either way. INSIST on a factory windshield.
I got a rock hit a couple months ago. Had the dealer install it. The total bill to State Farm was $1,200+ and I paid $250.
I got a rock hit a couple months ago. Had the dealer install it. The total bill to State Farm was $1,200+ and I paid $250.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 3
2014 W212 E350 4M
Agree with all of the posters insist on a factory windshield. If you trade or sell the factory windshield could make a difference in value. I have State Farm with 0 deductible on Comprehensive. I contacted them and tried to get it done through the dealer. They would not pay the dealer price who would have used a glass company but sourced the material themselves. I spoke to three or four glass companies suggested by State Farm and one of them agreed to a factory windshield installed for the State Farm price.
Make certain the installer removes the Mercedes Benz sticker in the lower passenger side of your existing glass and reinstalls it in the new windshield. It is an extra cost item that insurance would not pay for.
Make certain the installer removes the Mercedes Benz sticker in the lower passenger side of your existing glass and reinstalls it in the new windshield. It is an extra cost item that insurance would not pay for.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
It's gotta be a $1.00 item anyway.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
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2014 W212 E350 4M
Believe it or not the glass company said $25.00. It is a Mercedes Benz. Another reason I pointed it out was the installer might overlook it. Usually they will move every sticker you have on the windshield without being asked. State Farm specifically said they would not pay for any manufacturer stickers. They did not specify our cars just manufacturer applied stickers.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I had to replace a windshield and there were no aftermarket options. It was all done with MB OEM glass through Safelite. I am not sure if the aftermarket is now making glass. What is with all of these high comprehensive deductibles? Mine is $50 for comprehensive. To take mine up to $250 would only save me $30/year. To go to $500, it would save me $48/year. For me, in my area, windshields have a limited life span. A low comprehensive deductible takes all of the worry out of these normal inconveniences.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
I had to replace a windshield and there were no aftermarket options. It was all done with MB OEM glass through Safelite. I am not sure if the aftermarket is now making glass. What is with all of these high comprehensive deductibles? Mine is $50 for comprehensive. To take mine up to $250 would only save me $30/year. To go to $500, it would save me $48/year. For me, in my area, windshields have a limited life span. A low comprehensive deductible takes all of the worry out of these normal inconveniences.
However we do have what my insurance agent calls "Glass Buyback" where the glass deductible is only $100 regardless of what your comprehensive deductible is. and this coverage is about $5 a year. I've used it a few times to replace windshields. They have a $25 coupon that reduces the deductible to $75.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
thenew3: That is a great option. When my windshield was cracked, the replacement was around $1000. Cracked windshields are a common occurrence in my neck of the woods due to the salt and gravel laid down during the winter months. Even $150/year is cheap insurance against the cost of the repair.
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
thenew3: That is a great option. When my windshield was cracked, the replacement was around $1000. Cracked windshields are a common occurrence in my neck of the woods due to the salt and gravel laid down during the winter months. Even $150/year is cheap insurance against the cost of the repair.
It only added about $5 to my yearly premium and allowed me to keep my comprehensive deductible at $500. Even with 2 replacements/deductibles a year, that's still $150, less than what it would cost to lower my comprehensive to a $0 deductible coverage.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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2014 W212 E350 4M
I had to replace a windshield and there were no aftermarket options. It was all done with MB OEM glass through Safelite. I am not sure if the aftermarket is now making glass. What is with all of these high comprehensive deductibles? Mine is $50 for comprehensive. To take mine up to $250 would only save me $30/year. To go to $500, it would save me $48/year. For me, in my area, windshields have a limited life span. A low comprehensive deductible takes all of the worry out of these normal inconveniences.
I agree with you about the likelihood of glass damage. I have $0 on comp and I have gone 3 or 4 years with no damage and then have gotten 3 in a year or two. Whatever it costs me more in the premium is worth it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: PA
2012 c, 2014 c, 2013 E, 2014 ML BT, 2016 E, 2016 GLE, 2017 S550(current), 2020 GLE450(current)
I called dealer and they said 'safelite' will do all the repair so I thought it must be aftermarket.
Whats difference going to safelite directly vs dealer?
Whats difference going to safelite directly vs dealer?
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 216
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
I had an older E with a cracked windshield. I spoke to a local automotive glass company and he said that he in fact used to be subcontracted by the dealership IIRC. He said that the customers he has had rarely insisted on an OEM windshield. I had my replaced with a PPG windshield and never had any issues with it.
As for the sticker, the parts guy at the dealership gave it to me for free. All I did was ask.
Good luck.
As for the sticker, the parts guy at the dealership gave it to me for free. All I did was ask.
Good luck.
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
If your insurance is paying for it, request whoever you choose to do the work to get an OEM windshield. Safelite can order an OEM windshield just like your dealer. Most dealers don't do windows, they contract to a 3rd party like safelite or acme.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
They also make it ultra thin to lighten weight thus saving fuel. But because of this, it's more likely to chip or crack.
I've cracked quite a few over the last few years. Especially bad in the winter time when there is ice and sand/rocks on the road. On highways without a divider, when a 18 wheeler comes at you at 70mph and you're going 70mph and a piece of ice or a small rock gets kicked up will guarantee a chip or crack (if not immediately, within a few hundred miles the crack will develop).
My current 2013 E350 with 2k miles on it already has 2 chips on the windshield.
There are a handful of glass companies in the world that makes glass for our vehicles (probably just 2 or 3) so there is a good chance that even the aftermarket glass you buy will likely be made by the same mfg on the same production line, only the label will be different.
I believe Mercedes OEM glass is made either by PPG or Pilkington. Those are probably the two biggest auto glass manufacturers in the world.
On my BMW that needed a new windshield, I had ordered BMW OEM glass from a BMW dealer, it arrived in a large box with Pilkington label on the box, but BMW label on the glass itself. (there was also a BMW part # on the box as well).
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
In some states, S.C. for example, if you have comprehensive, insurance pays 100% of cost of new windshield.
BTW, as with most parts, windshields come from a contractor somewhere.
Years ago I purchased an unasembled lawn mower and there were stickers inside for three different companies. The stickers were for three different "brands" of lawn mowers.
BTW, as with most parts, windshields come from a contractor somewhere.
Years ago I purchased an unasembled lawn mower and there were stickers inside for three different companies. The stickers were for three different "brands" of lawn mowers.
Last edited by El Cid; Sep 1, 2013 at 03:53 PM.
