LWSG550

Absolutely. When I get some additional time to throw at this, I will post a new thread with a poll in it. Owners of the 2019s can respond with "no issues with windshield," "issue(s) caused by known debris strike to windshield," or "issue(s) with unknown cause." Unfortunately, this is not particularly scientific as it will not control for mileage, delivery date, etc., but it should help us collate the data for an initial push with MB corporate. Armed with that data, I am going to attempt to deal with my dealership first (which, incidentally, is a corporate-owned store), then corporate US, then corporate Germany, and then DOT (in that order). I would love to get a refund for everyone who has come out of pocket to date on this. I am going to drive mine broken until I have conviction on a long-term fix that does not involve (i) spending any of my money or my insurance carrier's money; or (ii) planning to be back in the shop in another few months for another windshield replacement. Exoshield, Clearplex, etc. are just expensive and inconvenient band-aids (hazing from wipers, needing to replace wiper blades more frequently, needing to replace the film at least annually to maintain full visibility, and so forth), and if my experience is any indication, will not address the inherent underlying weakness in the glass itself. If these products give you peace of mind, then definitely use them to save money and heartache, but please do not lose sight (no pun intended) of the fact that MB is selling us eggshells for $140K a pop. Totally anecdotal, but I put 200K highway (!) miles on a Porsche 964 with an almost vertical windshield and replaced a grand total of one windshield in twenty one years after an encounter with a rock almost the size of a human fist. Sure, the glass was quite pitted, but that windshield took rock hits and other road debris like a champ without cracking. Maybe apples and oranges, but I expect real-life durability out of my equipment, and I do not have the patience for this sort of fragility in 2019, which is all the more galling given how this vehicle is marketed and trades on its mountain-climbing pedigree.

Sweuk

As I´ve mentioned before here my two cracked windshields was due to small rock chips that then turned to cracks. First one got three chips that all turned to cracks and the second one got just one chip that turned to a crack spanning the entire length of the window.
As comparison we have had a 2016 G350 since new in the family that has been driven about 75k miles and still has the original windshield, albeit with more than a few chips in it. No cracks though. And the 2019 windshield is supposed to have a 1 degree more tilt than previous gen...
As we also have discussed here before I believe the cause to be a combination of the fact that the new heated windshield has a solid film in between two layers of glass (as opposed to the previous gen that had the heating strips molded into them) which gives a thinner outer glass and the fact that they are glued rigidly in place with no room to move when the car twists ever so slightly. As opposed to be mounted in a rubber seal. This tension can easily crack the windshield.

I think it is great that you are going all in on this LWSG550!

ThreeGs

Hey guys .... I’d be very surprised if I’m the first one, but I’m on my third windshield crack and MBUSA is covering the parts (labor is mine). Prior two went through insurance who told me after a third in 8 months, I’d almost certainly be dropped. MBUSA didn’t admit anything, but they’re paying and it’s on order.

For reference, I have a 19 G63 E1 delivered in Feb 19. I have a 16 G63 and a 17 4x4 and can confirm they have never once had a windshield crack driving on the same roads (I “daily” drive all three).

Wassaby

Will be amazing to see all three in one pic if is possible. Thanks

ThreeGs

The 16 is in the shop being repainted for rust ... super annoying. Color is Solarbeam. The 4x4 is Electric Beam. When the 16 is back I’ll take the pic.

johnnyderm

If you have a new G wagon please complete this POLL:

https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-w...on-2019-a.html

LWSG550

Thanks, johnnyderm, for setting-up the poll!

Thino

I was about to order a g63, but given all this backlash, I will wait until I know There is a structural fix for this. Maybe 2020 model already has an improvement....

kim0217

Place an order now, u will have the 2021 model ( hopefully it will be fixed by then)

Jiggs1000

It is frustrating. But at the end of the day not a real issue.If I’m honest, There is not a vehicle out there that I would trade my G63 for. The thing is such a freaking joy in every way. If you can afford to spend $175,000(or more)on a vehicle, a $3500 piece of glass shouldn’t get in your way.

Surge

You’re looking at 12-24 months until delivery, so I wouldn’t hold off placing an order!

Surge

At USD100,000 in Canada, the G550 is a no-brainer. It’s leagues ahead of anything else on the road at anywhere near the price point. I put EXOSHIELD on mine and so far so good.

Jiggs1000

Agreed. How has the exoshield done so far? Getting it installed on my new windshield. They said they need to hold the my G for three days for application and curing.

Surge

So far so good, but it's too soon to tell. EXOSHIELD has issues though - it's not very durable. I've been told it only lasts about 12 months. They are working on improving it, but many detailers won't install it right now. I still went ahead, as spending $100-$200 every year is not that big of deal if it keeps the windshield intact.

Festertester

My ppf guy says the same thing

Jiggs1000

That’s great. I agree with you. I’ve heard of the same issues with the film. A bit of an inconvenience to have to do it every year or two.
$200 is a great deal to have your windshield done. The nearest EXO dealer here has quoted me $600. Maybe getting gouged a bit because of the make and model of the vehicle.

Wassaby

You guys make sure the EXOSHILED doesn't interfere with all the cameras and radars that G class has inside the big box support for the rear-view mirror.

Surge

It doesn’t. There’s just a camera behind the windshield, nothin else

jpknupp

Add me to the list. 2 cracks. Originated from same spot. Heard it’s a 2 1/2 month wait for a new windshield.

Surge

What happened? Was the windshield hit?

LWSG550

Please respond to our poll (see separate thread) on cracked windshields so that we can aggregate your data with others' responses and provide the info to MB.

LWSG550

All, by way of update from my previous posts, I now am reasonably certain that my dealer will be addressing my front windshield crack through a goodwill program, which is great news. I am very glad that they are standing behind the product, and I hope to provide a full report to the community once everything is buttoned-up the way that it ought to be. It is worth noting that my discussions with my dealer and MB USA's Customer Assistance Center suggest that the weak windshields are a known issue that is gathering steam now that the trucks have been on the road for about a year. To that end, please be sure to contact the MB USA Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) so that you can voice your concerns even if you have already had your glass fixed through your insurance companies or by coming out of pocket for the repairs. No recall has been confirmed, but I was encouraged to log my concerns through these official channels as MB continues to gather data on the matter. As a group, we are going to be best served by continuing to speak up.

benzman333

Great news!!!
It's been too many cases to be coincidental

mkirby

Has anyone tried having a windshield chip repaired?? I noticed a small chip today. My G has the heated windshield and I’ve read conflicting opinions on repairing windshield chips on heated windshields. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Jiggs1000

I have repaired a chip on my. 2019 G63. The chip was below the clear glass cut off just beneath the driver side windshield wiper at rest. I haven’t noticed any issues with the heated windshield but also I’m not sure if the heating element expands beyond the transparent glass to the black glass frame around the edge. You can see the before and after on the picture I’ll attach. The actual repair worked like a dream. Sealed and almost completely filled the defect.