Windshield
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
For me - I was able to get OE glass for both of my cars as I needed it. My glass company submitted it to insuracnce the the coatings and sensors do not work with non-OE glass. Had no issues getting OE on my W212 two or so years ago and on our GLS about a year ago. MB brand glass hands down is better (Geico and the GLS is a business policy). Granted, Florida has special rules for windsheild replacements.
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For me - I was able to get OE glass for both of my cars as I needed it. My glass company submitted it to insuracnce the the coatings and sensors do not work with non-OE glass. Had no issues getting OE on my W212 two or so years ago and on our GLS about a year ago. MB brand glass hands down is better (Geico and the GLS is a business policy). Granted, Florida has special rules for windsheild replacements.
Last edited by ua549; Mar 20, 2026 at 10:54 AM.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
I am in Florida. Your glass installer can (and should) demand to use only OE glass. Also, you do NOT have to go the shop your insurance suggests. You have the right to use any glass shop you wish.
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By definition OE glass is not made by the original manufacturer. Glass made by the original manufacturer is OEM glass. The installed Chinese glass is OE glass; the windshield markings are correct.
I used the installer of my choice and work was performed at my convenience at my home. That included recalibration of all the sensors by a specialist.
Virtually every auto policy provides for "equivalent OE parts" replacement, not OEM parts replacement.
I used the installer of my choice and work was performed at my convenience at my home. That included recalibration of all the sensors by a specialist.
Virtually every auto policy provides for "equivalent OE parts" replacement, not OEM parts replacement.
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I've not encountered any cracking. It's been hard objects hitting the windshield with enough force to physically break the glass on the inside. One was a cinder block dropped off a bridge that went clear through and landed on the dash.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
Yep, 100% environmental and if the glass gods are or are not mad at you.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
For me - I was able to get OE glass for both of my cars as I needed it. My glass company submitted it to insuracnce the the coatings and sensors do not work with non-OE glass. Had no issues getting OE on my W212 two or so years ago and on our GLS about a year ago. MB brand glass hands down is better (Geico and the GLS is a business policy). Granted, Florida has special rules for windsheild replacements.
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
The glass in these cars seem extremely soft. I have several divots in my glass from rocks hitting it at highway speed. Not bolders or cinder blocks, but small pebbles that at speed can cause damage. Last year I was driving north on 19 in Clearwater FL and I heard a loud pop that sounded like I was hit with a bullet from a gun. It startled everyone in the car. Then I noticed a divot in the windshield just to the right of the rearview mirror. I thought for sure it would start cracking, but never did. I have about 4 of these in the glass now. Looks almost like a bug but it obviously doesn't wash off and you can feel it with a finger nail. I think the soft glass helps it from not cracking in these cases, but clearly it can and will crack if hit hard enough or with the right density object. My 2012 was the same way but that one did develop a large crack requiring me to replace the glass with OE glass. It had slightly different markings but had a Mercedes sticker in the lower corner. It was just as soft it seemed as the original. I drove for a few months with the cracked glass thinking every time that I heard a rock hit, I saved my eventual new glass from taking a hit. 😏
Last edited by L1Wolf; Mar 21, 2026 at 03:48 PM.
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I live on the Countryside CC golf course near US 19 N. IMO gravel trucks must use the road quite a bit because there is always lots of debris along the road edges. I avoid the road as much as possible. Belcher Rd and McMullen-Booth Rd are good alternatives if you are travelling north or south.
Last edited by ua549; Mar 21, 2026 at 04:53 PM.
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From: NY
Mazda CX-5
The glass in these cars seem extremely soft. I have several divots in my glass from rocks hitting it at highway speed. Not bolders or cinder blocks, but small pebbles that at speed can cause damage. Last year I was driving north on 19 in Clearwater FL and I heard a loud pop that sounded like I was hit with a bullet from a gun. It startled everyone in the car. Then I noticed a divot in the windshield just to the right of the rearview mirror. I thought for sure it would start cracking, but never did. I have about 4 of these in the glass now. Looks almost like a bug but it obviously doesn't wash off and you can feel it with a finger nail. I think the soft glass helps it from not cracking in these cases, but clearly it can and will crack if hit hard enough or with the right density object. My 2012 was the same way but that one did develop a large crack requiring me to replace the glass with OE glass. It had slightly different markings but had a Mercedes sticker in the lower corner. It was just as soft it seemed as the original. I drove for a few months with the cracked glass thinking every time that I heard a rock hit, I saved my eventual new glass from taking a hit. 😏
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Atlanta
06 E55 Black
