jff550

I have a 2013 Mercedes S550 and have a concern about a windshield replacement job I just had done. I now notice a wind like noise coming from the windshield when I go over 30 mph that was not present before I had the job done. It affects my ability to hear conversations when talking on the car phone.

A second concern I had was with the windshield that was used. The glass repair company told me that the aftermarket glass would cost $911 while the OEM Mercedes windshield would be about $1450. I told them that I had an infrared coating on my windshield I was willing to pay the $539 difference to maintain the same quality windshield.The company called back and left a message that the insurance would not pay for the installation if I went with the OEM glass and my out of pocket cost would be $1083 plus my $100 deductible. I was told that they would use Pilkington aftermarket glass which was the same as the OEM windshield except it would not say Mercedes.I was told the Pilkington made high quality glass and I could research it on the internet.After doing some research I agreed to go along with the aftermarket windshield. The first indication that something was wrong was when I looked for the grids that would tell where to mount my EZ pass toll transponder and there were none.When I called the glass company I was told the areas would be the same.When I looked at my receipt I saw that the actual cost of the windshield was $546, not $911 as shown on the attached receipt.It also said solar glass.Would this be the same?I just looked at the windshield and the writing states Solar Green DOT 904 PGW ASI M413 which I think means that it is Pittsburg Glass works and not Pilkington.

A third concern I had is that I noticed on both sides of the car a silver strip in front of the windshield which looks like the metal frame of my car. I do not recall seeing this before and wanted to check if this is normal.

Any suggestions on how I should proceed? Should I contact my auto insurance, the auto glass company that installed it?

steveb9771

Pilkington is the OEM glass manufacturer for out vehicles. I would demand that your windshield be replaced with you being only responsible for original quoted cost for Pilkington minus the money you have already paid. Tell your insurance company that you did NOT receive the Pilkington windshield which you had requested. Did you have a written quote from the glass company stating Pilkington? Pilkington glass has a special UV protectiin which blocks the signals for your EZ pass which is why there is a special marked are to mount it. If you look closely aat the marked area on an OEM or Pilkinton windshield, you will see that the glass is a slight different color. The UV protection is for your eyes and is a provided on most other vehicles.

jff550

Thank you for your help. I will contact my insurance and try to get this straightened out.

jff550

Unfortunately my problem is still not completely resolved. During the weekend I noticed my rain sensor did not always work well.There were times where rain collected on my windshield where it did not respond.I called my auto insurance who sent me to the auto glass company who wanted me to take my car to their shop for evaluation.When I told them I was not able to get off work to do this I arranged to have it taken to the Mercedes Dealer.The auto glass co. called back a bit later and told me they should not have asked me to do this, they wanted to make this right, and would come to where I work to put an OEM windshield in.I thought my problem was solved after all this trouble.A few hours later they called and said the insurance would not pay for the OEM windshield and I would have to pay $1110 if I wanted this.I asked if the insurance would pay if it was shown the rain sensor was not properly working with the windshield installed.I called the insurance company about this.I was willing to pay the difference if the insurance company would not.The glass company said they would send someone to look at the car where I worked. I expected him to just check the car.

When I went outside after a while I saw the technician was put black caulking around the window.He said he did some work with the molding and still heard noise when testing the car.I was concerned since I expected him to just test the car.He later came back and said this improved the situation and his test showed the rain sensor worked.He said that he was told there was some infrared in the solar coating of the windshield.When I asked where I should put my EZ pass transponder he responded anywhere. He then told me if I wanted the OEM windshield I would have to pay the full windshield and installation price of $1850.There still is some noise but it is improved.It looks like I may be out $2000 with the sensor calibration to go with the OEM.

I called the insurance and talked to a resolution specialist who had me on hold for 30 minutes while he was checking on what could be done. He finally said he would call me back.He called back later and said the people he was on hold for had now gone home and would call me back tomorrow.

steveb9771

The OEM and most likely a Pilkington windshield will have special clear windows for your EZ pass as will as for the rain sensor. These windshields provide UV eye protection which is unique to high end vehicles. From what you have reported, the company that replaced your windshield is unqualified to work on your vehicle. The installer appears to not know how to properly install the windshield as well as being unfamiliar with your type of windshield. The fact that the installer said you could place the EZ pass transponder anywhere is all telling. Did you or your insurance company select the installer? Worst case your insurance company should allow you to pay the difference in cost between an aftermarket and OEM windshield. You need to have your windshield replaced by a company that is familiar with working on high end vehicles. Is your insurance company one of the major companies? Based on your experience, if they do not make things right, I would definitely take my future insurance business some place else.

FYI-- It is likely the windshield they installed on your car is the correct windshield for low end versions of our vehicles that were sold in Europe for use as taxi cabs. These vehicles have a low end radio, no rain sensors, no UV windshield glass, cloth upholstery, cheaper seats, etc and are not available in the North America.

jff550

Thank you for your help. The installer and insurance refused to replace the windshield.I called my Mercedes dealer who asked me to bring the car in and when inspecting things they noticed air bubbles where the rain sensor is which affected how well it worked.When I informed the insurance of this they said it was a warranty issue and the windshield needed replaced.They would not pay for an OEM windshield since they car was more than two years old so I paid the difference for an OEM windshield.I had to use the original installer.

Could you help with two questions?When I had the car delivered back to me the windshield was dirty on both the outside and inside.Some of it appeared to be from insects and pollen from outside and the road but that did not explain the inside.The inside is dirty as shown on the attached picture.Since the installer and dealer is over one hour away and based on my past experience, I would like to try to take care of this myself.What is the safest and most effective way to clean the inside since there is a UV coating on my S550 windshield?


My second question is what level of distortion in the windshield is acceptable? I understand there is no perfect windshield.I do not notice anything when looking straight ahead but when looking right notice two or more lines of distortion when looking right to left.It is more the area below the rear view mirror when looking to the right.It is not severe but noticeable to both my wife and I when sitting in the driver seat when looking for it.I notice it episodically when driving.I notice the same area of distortion around the middle of the windshield when sitting in the passenger seat.There is no distortion looking up and down.My wife does feel we should just be done with it, and I do not want to cause problems, but am disappointed and want to check if this can be normal and acceptable.

steveb9771

As a result of the poor response from your insurance company, I recommend you shop around for another company when you near renewal time. As other potential companies what their policy is for replacement windshields. I would seriously consider switching if you get a price quote close to or less than your existing insurance company. Most insurance companies will only pay for aftermarket parts with the expectation that they are truly equivalent to OEM parts.