Windshield Target
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
no I can't, that's just what the glass repair folks have told me. I've driven over 1.5 million miles in the last 20 years and only have had glass break on cars within the last 5 years (multiple times) and the 4 or 5 windshield repair/replacement folks I've spoken to have all said that the newer cars have thinner glass in order to make it lighter weight, and as a result is not as chip/crack resistant as older cars. they've shown me the glass they had on the truck and compared newer car glass to older and the older does look significantly thicker, almost 2x the thickness.
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 125
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From: Sugar Land, TX
2011 E550
That would make sense. I started driving in 1982 and before that didn't ever remember my parents breaking a windshield. Now between our two cars my wife and I break on every other year and get chips on a regular basis.
Or it could be a lot of junk on the roads in Houston.
Or it could be a lot of junk on the roads in Houston.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
My 2014 windshield cracked on 5th day of ownership .... Don't even know what hit it. (I wasn't following a truck)
I was cruising along 101 on my way to Santa Barbara.
I was cruising along 101 on my way to Santa Barbara.
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S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
My E55 would get a ding almost annually, this in a mild climate in a car driven less than 6K/year. The windshield was later claimed by an errant road divider puck. The Bluetec has been lucky, but had several tiny chips before 10K. Something changed, as the W126 had an original windshield at almost 200K, and I suspect the one on the fintail is original too.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Cracking is ok ... as long as nothing is coming through it then we have a bigger problem.
However a windshield is $1500-$2000 ... (heated, rain sensor, LDW camera) on the face-lifts.
However a windshield is $1500-$2000 ... (heated, rain sensor, LDW camera) on the face-lifts.
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From: in these United States
'10 W212 4matic P2-Distronic / '14 Cayenne / '04 X5 3.0 / '13 Altima
Out Of Control!!
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Parts on these cars seem outrageous in terms of pricing ... If you bought every part individually for a w212 it seems like the car would cost $200k
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
If you replace the windshield, you also have to replace the electronics? Wow, what a waste, it should just be able to be glued onto the new windshield.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I don't think the camera and rain sensor need to be replaced with the new windshield. They would be re-used.
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I have a very small rock chip in my windshield that is right in my line of site, but I will wait to replace it. I just know that as soon as I replace it I will get another one.....
I agree that these new windshields must be made of paper thin glass with no resistance to the smallest pebble.
I agree that these new windshields must be made of paper thin glass with no resistance to the smallest pebble.
Last edited by RA72825; Jun 23, 2014 at 04:14 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Some cars have heated windshield though it is not included in our model. The heater is actually inside the glass between two layers and it is made with such thin wire it is very difficult to see it.
I don't think the camera and rain sensor need to be replaced with the new windshield. They would be re-used.
I don't think the camera and rain sensor need to be replaced with the new windshield. They would be re-used.
The sensors are reused but the mounting frame is bonded on the replacement windshield.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
no I can't, that's just what the glass repair folks have told me. I've driven over 1.5 million miles in the last 20 years and only have had glass break on cars within the last 5 years (multiple times) and the 4 or 5 windshield repair/replacement folks I've spoken to have all said that the newer cars have thinner glass in order to make it lighter weight, and as a result is not as chip/crack resistant as older cars. they've shown me the glass they had on the truck and compared newer car glass to older and the older does look significantly thicker, almost 2x the thickness.
Glass has gotten a bit "softer" over the years with the advent of the European pedestrian safety laws but the main cause of breakage is still the debris.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Nashville
2017 S550 Iridium / Black Nappa, 2015 GL 550 Paladium Silver
Struggling with windshield myself. I've had two replaced in 30,000 miles and currently running with two significant chips (not in line of sight) and considerable pitting. I tend to agree that something has changed. I am noticing the same pitting issues on my wife's 13 ML.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Struggling with windshield myself. I've had two replaced in 30,000 miles and currently running with two significant chips (not in line of sight) and considerable pitting. I tend to agree that something has changed. I am noticing the same pitting issues on my wife's 13 ML.
If you have a "spider" on your glass have it repaired by a glass repair guys. It only cost $30 or so to do pr is free for you if you use insurance. It will prevent the glass from running a crack all the way across.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
When I saw the subject line I thought the OP would be talking about precision bird bombings. I got nailed twice last week on the Sunshine Skyway, 3 days apart. Happened on the approaches on both sides.
I know Rolls & Land Rover have heated windscreens. Not sure which other cars have shipped with them. I didn't see one on the E-classes I've test driven.
I know Rolls & Land Rover have heated windscreens. Not sure which other cars have shipped with them. I didn't see one on the E-classes I've test driven.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I had the windshield on my S replaced today because of air bubbles in the glass....it was deemed a defect as was covered under warranty, and yes; there is a heated windshield option, on the 2015 S class anyway
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Correction: the heating element is for for wipers area. No frozen wipers for your E-class
Camera mounts for the eyes and sensors for your car. LDW cars will have two extra ports
Bye bye 5 day old cracked windshield.
Last edited by instantfob; Jun 24, 2014 at 12:25 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 620
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From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
Thanks for posting those pics! I had no idea that part of the windscreen was heated. Funny, if this were any other car you'd see their marketing department tripping over themselves to promote it. Instead on the 'Benz you only hear about it in the forums. I don't think the manual even mentions it.
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
You should consider the Clearplex film for the windshield which is essentially a clear bra on the windshield. It'll help prevent pitting and chips and that's what I plan on getting installed when I get the car.
