Rock chipped my wife's 2015 E400 windshield & made a foot long crack right at the driver's level.
Need total replacement.
We have a $1000 insurance deductible.
Insurance company uses Safelight auto glass, & they quoted $625 for replacement & $1025 for Mercedes windshield, labor included. But we still have to bring back to Mercedes dealer to re-calibrate side & front warning sensors after install.
Got quotes from 3 local Mercedes dealers, all around $1300.

So what's your recommendations?
Pay cash, or even worth it to go thru insurance company & still pay $1000 deductible?
Thanks,

 

Cash at the dealer. $1300 is not a bad deal. A Honda Accord windshield is $400 and a Lamborghini Gallardo windshield is $6,000. Lol. Seriously, that is not a bad price as long as they are supplying OEM. They sub the work to a glass shop, but should be providing OEM glass.

 

Holy cow that's expensive. Here is Massachusetts we have zero deductible on auto glass. About the only good thing about this state.

 

Windshield replacement is like medical billing.
Just becouse somebody ask $1300, doesn't mean you can't find a place that will do it for 1/2 that price.
W212 is relatively new, so aftermarket did not catch yet.
I had windshield on W210, with rain sensor replaced on my driveway for $199.
Call around, lot of glass shops will pay your deducible.

 

Most of the time the dealer will outsource to places like safelite anyway. Im in process of having mine replaced by safelite. I was originally supposed to have it done last week. They called me and said that my insurance company requested oem glass and they had to order it and it doesn't change my $100 glass deductible. I have USAA for insurance if that matters any.

 

Cash, at dealer, but, I heard, Lamborghini owners bargain for their general services, about 40%.
How about negotiating with MB dealer, about the total price, may be, bring it down less than 900$.
It doesn't hurt to ask, I guess.
I negotiated my MB ELW from 3700$ to 2475$, just FYI. And service packages to 999 or something(which I haven't purchased though).

 

Just called around, & local Mercedes indy shop recommend a specialty auto glass shop who they & even Merc dealers farm out to, will install a non Mercedes brand windshield for under $300. Lifetime warranty, since that's all they do.
Hmmmm....

 

Why buy insurance if you don't plan to use it. Its not an accident, there should be no surcharge in your future rate. I would ask your insurance company about possible increase in rate if you make a glass claim.

 

so, 300$ + cost of calibrating the sensors from MB?
If it is getting close to 900$, I would suggest the 1000$ deductible and start a claim or just negotiate with the MB itself, to bring everything down less than $1000. Just my Opinion.

 

What non-MB?
For my W210 I've got US made glass by Perkins (?), what I check as UK-based company with excelent reputation.
Beware that some cheap glass can have flaws. 1 of my MB had glass replaced by PO and even you could not see imperfection directly, the eyes were getting tired faster with it.
Look at the glass at different angles and light before you accept it.
Than the installer of my glass did know how to deal with rain sensor on W210 and he fully tested it before taking $199 payment.

 

Most Mercedes' windshield are made by Saint Gobain glass, that's the only OEM brand I would accept beside the original factory part, especially on a new Mercedes.

 

^^ agree, that is the main point for me too.

 

Personally, I would go the insurance route. Why pay $1300 at dealership when your insurance company is making money off you, for situations just like this. My parents and I have have gotten numerous Mercedes windshields replaced, all through insurance via Safelite. In our experience, either there is no "aftermarket" glass available, or the insurance company will need to get OEM glass anyway, so it'll more than likely work out in your favor.

Silly question, but are you sure your glass deductible is $1000? Most collision/comprehensive deductibles differ from glass deductibles---I would check that.

Here's an idea, since your Mercedes dealership is willing to do the work, file the claim with your insurance company and take the car to MB to have the install and calibrations. That way, you have two companies liable if something fails or is done incorrectly (MB has 2 yr part/labor warranty; and insurance company will back you if MB gives you trouble). I definitely would not go the aftermarket route: seals, gaps, and sensors may not line up and fit correctly---which leads to more grief. You are driving a Mercedes, your car deserves "The Best or Nothing".

 

What sensors are you referring to that needs calibration?

 

The cameras.

 

from OP's thread:
I assume center mirror mounted cameras?

 

I assume you mean the lane keep assist cameras? I have those on my car but when I questioned my dealer about it, they said no calibration necessary when replacing windshield.

I've been thinking about getting my windshield replaced due to a large # of small holes/pits in them from rocks.

My insurance will cover it with a $75 deductible that the insurance agent waives with a coupon code. I have OEM parts coverage so doesn't matter where I get it replaced they will use original glass. I gave two dealers my VIN and both said no calibration necessary, they said the module snaps back into place with clips that comes pre-mounted on the new windshield and if its OEM glass, it's in the right place. They can't guarantee non-OEM glass will have the clips in the right place.

Now you have me wondering.

 

If you think insurance is making money off you - start making claims and then you will see what making money off you means.
Especially when they cancel the policy on you and you have to go to hard-money insurance.

 

so you think the insurance companies aren't multi-billion dollar industries? you think they are in business to be in the red?
I need some of that weed you are smoking.

 

you completely missed the point.
Carry on.

 

My understanding is that not every lane assist system needs recalibration after windshield replacement.

 

Just replaced windshield on wagon. $100 deductible through my insurance. $1620 installed at MB dealer with oem glass.

 

Good to hear

 

awesome