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I have a 2010 W221 in North America and just found out from two different dealers that the factory windshield is not in stock either here in the US or in Germany. Both told me I would have to place the order and then within 48 hours I would know of what date it would be available. Upon asking for more information from the second dealer they explained to me that in the past and in similar situations, not with windshields but with other parts, they have found out that after placing the order that the part is no longer available and is obsolete.
Has anybody run into this recently? I'm concerned that the original MB windshield may no longer be available because of the age of the vehicle. And if that is truly the case I have read horror stories with performance issues on aftermarket windshields so I don't want to go that route.
I also have a W221 (2006) which needed a rear windshield, and it took over 7 months to get it. I refused to accept a non-genuine part and therefore the car was stored during this period until they found it. All of this, via the Mercedes dealer, who tried his best, but the parts are not existing. (Europe)
Aftermarket windshields are fine if you're selling the car, if you're keeping it, it's not fine.
Mercedes corporate seems to have *zero* interest in maintaining parts availability for 2000-2014 cars, it's almost as though they are classified as vintage by them. Many parts are extremely hard to find in Europe, which to me is quite frankly pathetic.
I'm convinced they're trying to force this electric EQS garbage on us.
Good luck finding the windshield, sorry to hear about this.
Thank you 735 for the quick reply. That's exactly my fear on this that MB will basically say it's no longer available due to the age of the vehicle and their lack of interest in producing it.
I'm definitely keeping this vehicle as it's been the best car I've ever owned and super practical for having my two kids in their car seats so going the aftermarket route is least desired due to the fitment issues and long term longevity.
My vehicle has over 130k miles and the windshield is the original and it looks aged with pits and one bad star chip but from personal experience and from reading another experience installing an aftermarket glass will quickly appear the same in less than 2 years with only 10k miles on it. I've experienced this on my older commuter car when I installed an aftermarket windshield.
I read on another forum at w222 of somebody experiencing the same back order issue on their 2016? but at least they gave them a 2 week turnaround time so that seems promising. Not sure what route they will take.
I'm hoping they can still produce this windshield for our model but truly don't know.
Does anyone have any positive experience with an aftermarket windshield that they recently installed and if so can you please share the name of the company?
Thank you.
Last edited by DrNickRiviera; Jul 9, 2025 at 04:18 AM.
check below Top half is a Pilkington pink tinted IR aftermarket screen vs the Bottom half of the photo that shows an OEM top spec screen with the SunGate mirror tint and the pink IR coating
Merc don't even admit they used these screens and they have never been available - a guy runs indy garage with an S600 has been fighting Merc for 7 years to get one <4 years out of manufacture of the cars
this situation is only ever going to get worse car's are now treated like the Japanese do with electronics - at three years you throw it away regardless of its condition and get a new one...
I have a 2010 W221 in North America and just found out from two different dealers that the factory windshield is not in stock either here in the US or in Germany. Both told me I would have to place the order and then within 48 hours I would know of what date it would be available. Upon asking for more information from the second dealer they explained to me that in the past and in similar situations, not with windshields but with other parts, they have found out that after placing the order that the part is no longer available and is obsolete.
Has anybody run into this recently? I'm concerned that the original MB windshield may no longer be available because of the age of the vehicle. And if that is truly the case I have read horror stories with performance issues on aftermarket windshields so I don't want to go that route.
Any advice or feedback is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Are you sure? Maybe a different dealer? I say this because I have a CL, for which far fewer were made, and everything is either single digit low stock or NLA. I have purchased numerous 'last' items, most recently a center support bearing which was weird and unique to the 07 and 08 CL. I had a windshield replacement a few month back, and it was no problem. There were like 10 available in the US. As far the aftermarket...they tried that first, and don't go that route. The row of metal clips is not present on the aftermarket, making nothing for the water baffle to clip into and thereby inviting water ingress into the cabin.
Thank you for the replies. My original screen is Sungate EA and since it's the facelift model it has the large rectangular IR passthrough in the center lower half and next to the driver's (lhd) sun visor and next to the rear view mirror. It has the blueish purple tint that matches the side windows and rear screen. I'm certain the information I'm getting is reliable as I called both local dealers that I've been purchasing parts from for years and asked the same question point blank.
Maybe I'm being paranoid with the hearing of the word backorder I just know from past experience whenever I hear that phrase from a dealer it's synonymous with "good luck waiting for nothing..."
I totally agree with steering away from aftermarket only reason I'm remotely considering it is because my wife has a same model spec w221 (2010) and about 4 months ago I replaced her windscreen and it was no problem. Calling both dealers they told me they had one in stock at their wearhouse. Interestingly her windscreen that was on her car that we replaced was identical to mine but it did not have the MB star logo so I think it was aftermarket and replaced at some point by the previous owner. It even had the same name of the manufacturer as mine does (Sungate EA) but no Star on top of it.
Thank you.
Last edited by DrNickRiviera; Jul 9, 2025 at 08:53 AM.
Thank you for the replies. My original screen is Sungate EA and since it's the facelift model it has the large rectangular IR passthrough in the center lower half and next to the driver's (lhd) sun visor and next to the rear view mirror. It has the blueish purple tint that matches the side windows and rear screen. I'm certain the information I'm getting is reliable as I called both local dealers that I've been purchasing parts from for years and asked the same question point blank.
I think it was aftermarket and replaced at some point by the previous owner. It even had the same name of the manufacturer as mine does (Sungate EA) but no Star on top of it.
Thank you.
everything you say about the screen you have matches my OEM 2006 screen and is what the indy with S600 has been trying to buy from Merc for 7 years - they deny it was ever on his car
he made a point of telling me my screen as fitted now isn't original then explained his story - the actual picture I gave shows how the crappy Pilkington screen isn't cut correctly on the lower corners - meaning the trim doesn't fit
yours, mine and the indy garage owner all need
Sungate EA
With the large rectangular IR passthrough in the center lower hal
A small cut out next to the driver's (lhd) sun visor and next to the rear view mirror.
It has the blueish purple tint that matches the side windows and rear screen.
And as mirror effect if you look at it from outside vs ones without this Sungate feature
everything you say about the screen you have matches my OEM 2006 screen and is what the indy with S600 has been trying to buy from Merc for 7 years - they deny it was ever on his car
he made a point of telling me my screen as fitted now isn't original then explained his story - the actual picture I gave shows how the crappy Pilkington screen isn't cut correctly on the lower corners - meaning the trim doesn't fit
yours, mine and the indy garage owner all need
Sungate EA
With the large rectangular IR passthrough in the center lower hal
A small cut out next to the driver's (lhd) sun visor and next to the rear view mirror.
It has the blueish purple tint that matches the side windows and rear screen.
And as mirror effect if you look at it from outside vs ones without this Sungate feature
Wow that's insane the dealer is denying it. And you're right every sunglass on the car notes Sungate EA. I just checked my wife's car today and her replacement windshield which is exact match to mine and has the MB star says VITRO at the very bottom. I think that's the one that you're indy and we need. Unfortunately that's also the one that is on back order.
no the guys is a big Merc specialist - been around since forever he's been arguing with Merc Germany for 7 years - not some local monkey dealership - buys in the region of US$ 500k Merc spares every month for last 20 years
Unfortunately, OEM windshields for older W221s are getting scarce. Dealers often don’t know availability until they place the order and yes, sometimes it turns out NLA (no longer available). If MB can’t supply it, your best bet is a Pilkington or Sekurit aftermarket windshield they’re the OEM suppliers for Mercedes and often identical to the original. Avoid cheap no-name glass.
Call a few Mercedes specialty shops they may have leads on leftover stock or reliable aftermarket options. If you’re keeping the car long-term, securing an OEM one now (if possible) is ideal. Otherwise, a high-quality aftermarket won’t ruin the car just ensure proper installation to avoid leaks/sensor issues.
Thank you guys for the replies here, I appreciate it.
I did a search of the name Sungate EA and I could not find any results of that company online which leads me to believe that at some point maybe they went out of business entirely, which is probably why the other shop is getting the runaround. But still it baffles me that Mercedes corporate is denying that that glass ever existed for his vehicle...
Good point about both Pilkington or Sekurit. I have seen them as OEM on both BMW and Land Rover. My only concern is reading about the issues with the fitment from Pilkington as well as the color not matching causes concerns to me but if it's truly NLA the only alternative is to install a good used glass or new old stock if it can be found.
I'm currently waiting for hopefully the insurance to approve and after they do so to see what the back order ETA is like, if one is given. I'll report back as soon as I find out. Thank you all for the quick support!
Last edited by DrNickRiviera; Jul 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM.
Thank you guys for the replies here, I appreciate it.
I did a search of the name Sungate EA and I could not find any results of that company online which leads me to believe that at some point maybe they went out of business entirely, which is probably why the other shop is getting the runaround. But still it baffles me that Mercedes corporate is denying that that glass ever existed for his vehicle...
Good point about both Pilkington or Sekurit. I have seen them as OEM on both BMW and Land Rover. My only concern is reading about the issues with the fitment from Pilkington as well as the color not matching causes concerns to me but if it's truly NLA the only alternative is to install a good used glass or new old stock if it can be found.
I'm currently waiting for hopefully the insurance to approve and after they do so to see what the back order ETA is like, if one is given. I'll report back as soon as I find out. Thank you all for the quick support!
Sungate® Enhanced Performance Infrared Reflective Glass it combines thermal comfort with excellent aesthetics. This glass provides passengers with a quieter interior environment, improves privacy, and protects them from UV radiation.
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