Hi All - My 2023 EQE SUV windshield needs to be replaced - it has a crack a rock chip that was in the corner and not visible to me expanded in the heat. Any idea how much Mercedes charges for a windshield replacement? Safelite doesn’t seem to recognize my VIN and doesn’t even list the EQE SUV (only lists the sedan). Not looking forward to this expense.
Thanks for any info/suggestions.

 

Had it done twice on my sedan. The state of Kentucky gets you one free windshield replacement for significant damage, including ADAS recal, every two years, so insurance has to cover it with zero deductible. After my first replacement, I noticed a fair bit of warping right in my sightline, even though it was OE glass. After dealing with insurance for a month, and a glass shop that refused to recognize the issue, I had it replaced as a warranty replacement under insurance again. This time, it looks way better. I did manage to see a quote, and it was about $1950 including recalibration.

 

Thanks for information. Very helpful.

 

My 2024 Jaaag SVR wasn't in Safelite's system either but if you're using OEM-branded glass they source from a local dealer so doesn't really matter. They just won't be able to do the camera calibration stuff. Haven't had any issues with mine anyways and they did the whole thing in my driveway while I attended to other matters. Total time spent at dealer was under two hours.

 

Had my EQE SUV windshield replaced by Safelite in FL (under insurance comprehensive with $0 deductible). It wasn't on their site, but I requested OEM glass and they got it in about a week. Surprisingly, they were also able to have someone from another company remote in and calibrate it, so I didn't have any additional dealer charges. Good luck!

 

For starters file a claim with the insurance. Windshield replacement falls under comprehensive and as said above, depending on your state you may not even have to pay a deductible. I only have a $100 deductible on my comprehensive. I've replaced many windshields over the years. It's the reason why I lowered my deductible. Doesn't change the premium much as comprehensive claims are no fault claims. They are "acts of god" essentially, or things you don't have control over such as vandalism, theft etc.

I just had my windshield replaced on my '19 C63S Coupe a couple of weeks ago. Second one on this car. Prices have gone up quite a bit. I got both done at the dealership. They have their own factory trained glass technicians. First replacement with factory glass was about $1300 and fully covered by my insurance minus the $100 deductible. This time around it was almost $1700. Insurance didn't up their coverage, though. Geico in my case only covers $40/hour for labor, so dealership labor rates are not fully covered. Ended up paying about $500 out of pocket including the $100 deductible, so about $400 on top of my deductible. Could have taken it to a glass shop. The factory glass and parts was just shy of $1000 and the rest was for labor and calibration. So I could have saved there by going to Safelite for example. They do calibration themselves, but I wanted it done right the first time, so I was willing to pay a little bit more.

As for factory glass vs aftermarket glass, generally I haven't had an issue with factory glass. With the cameras and/or HUD, insurance companies pretty much cover factory glass, because MB etc. are not guaranteeing that ADAS and/or HUD works properly with aftermarket glass, so to avoid for the insurance to potentially having to pay twice, they don't object to factory glass.

In my case both times the windshield wasn't actually cracked, instead it had a rock chip in my line of sight. Both times got it repaired first (fully covered by the insurance), but the repair caused optical distortions and the internal cracks reflected the sun directly into my eyes if it was at just the right angle. So insurance paid for the repair first and then agreed to replace the windshield. This is how I get at least some of my money back that I pay them year after year in premiums .

 

Pilkington probably makes both the OEM and Safelite branded glass but someone on one of the other board had a dealer refuse to do the calibration because the windshield was missing the proper logo. Ridiculous if you ask me but they had to have it changed TWICE.

People really should have the right to repair their own cars.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to respond and for the advice. I need to take my car in for service soon so will likely get it done then and use my insurance. Appreciate the insight.

 

Just wanted to follow up on this thread. I finally got my windshield replaced. I went thought insurance (GEICO), and got some data points that might help someone in the future hence the post. Im based in California so YMMV.

I got a quote from my dealer for the windshield replacement +calibration for $3,170 inc taxes. The service advisor said that they would work with GEICO (though he said they are a pain). After a few days of followup it went no where. The advisor was unable to get the right person at GEICO or just got nowhere with them. GEICO told me that I could choose any shop but if I went with Safelite they would handle the billing and I'd just have to pay the deductible. If I went with someone else (like the dealer) Id have pay out of pocket and submit a claim. And they also told me that they only will reimburse nonOEM glass and $40/hr for labor. They did some math and told they would cover $1,034 (of which id have to pay $500 deductible). This was all BS in my opinion and just way to push me to Safelite. So I decided to check out Safelite.

Now the Safelite story - My VIN did not receive any results in the Safelite system and the EQE SUV isn't even listed as an option. just the sedan. I called the parts dept and they said they would order the right part. In the work order I could see that they ordered the OEM glass and the total cost incl labor was $1,687. They also told me they EQEs are very difficult to calibrate and id have to go the dealer if they are unable to.

I decided to go with Safelite since it was the Mercedes OEM glass. It took a month for it to arrive (even though the local dealer had it in stock). I got lucky - the guy doing my car told me that he might be able to calibrate it but would take more than the 3hrs the front desk told me. I told him to take his time. Got the car back successfully calibrated and with OEM glass.

Bottom line - Safelite came through. Geico is full of crap and just lowballed the non Safelite reimbursement and said wouldnt cover OEM glass just to push me to Safelite.

 

The person at GEICO you talked to doesn't seem to know what they are doing. As soon as you tell them that you have cameras, it's by default OEM glass, because MB doesn't guarantee the ADAS systems will work correctly with non-OEM glasses. In fact whoever does the replacement and possibly GEICO would be on the hook if something were to happen due to a malfunction. What GEICO doesn't do is reimburse dealer labor rates, so that part is correct. They only reimburse $40/hour as they told you, but they cover the OEM glass fully. Next time push the rep. If they put the VIN into their system it will actually tell them. I've had this happen in the past. The rep told me they'll only cover aftermarket glass. Then I told them that there is no aftermarket glass available for my car, so they put me on hold to check and came back with the answer I already knew and fully covered the dealer glass.

 

thanks. yea I thought so too but after talking to like 5 reps I was so fed up that I just gave up. Hopefully there is no next time