Windshield replacement waiting period?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Windshield replacement waiting period?
Yes, it happened to me a few days ago. The windshield go hit by a flying rock and the windshield needs to be replaced on my 2019 S450. At first, it appeared that there was no damage that I could see. About 2 hours later after we got finished eating at a restaurant, I couldn't believe my eyes. The initial impact was just barely above the passenger side wiper blade. A crack advanced from there vertically about 3-4 inches and then a right turn horizontally about 7 inches. It has since extended to about 2 feet horizontally.
My dealer told me yesterday that it could take a month or more for a new windshield to arrive from Germany (or if I'm lucky they could have one in a week or so) since they don't have any in the warehouse. How can Mercedes in Germany be so dumb about situations like this? The good news I am told by the dealer is that I can still drive the car with no problems. I had the windshield cracked on my previous 2014 S550 about 5 weeks after I owned it. However, it was replaced in less than a week. I remember reading a couple posts on a thread about this sort of thing but I cannot find the thread. Sorry to start a new thread.
My dealer told me yesterday that it could take a month or more for a new windshield to arrive from Germany (or if I'm lucky they could have one in a week or so) since they don't have any in the warehouse. How can Mercedes in Germany be so dumb about situations like this? The good news I am told by the dealer is that I can still drive the car with no problems. I had the windshield cracked on my previous 2014 S550 about 5 weeks after I owned it. However, it was replaced in less than a week. I remember reading a couple posts on a thread about this sort of thing but I cannot find the thread. Sorry to start a new thread.
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Joined: Feb 2019
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W222 Sclass
Mercedes windscreens seem to very fragile, the least impact and it seems to chip. I know of 3 people sclass, eclass and glc all which had windscreens replaced within the first year of ownership.
Last edited by sclass350d; Jun 4, 2019 at 04:42 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
Yes, it happened to me a few days ago. The windshield go hit by a flying rock and the windshield needs to be replaced on my 2019 S450. At first, it appeared that there was no damage that I could see. About 2 hours later after we got finished eating at a restaurant, I couldn't believe my eyes. The initial impact was just barely above the passenger side wiper blade. A crack advanced from there vertically about 3-4 inches and then a right turn horizontally about 7 inches. It has since extended to about 2 feet horizontally.
My dealer told me yesterday that it could take a month or more for a new windshield to arrive from Germany (or if I'm lucky they could have one in a week or so) since they don't have any in the warehouse. How can Mercedes in Germany be so dumb about situations like this? The good news I am told by the dealer is that I can still drive the car with no problems. I had the windshield cracked on my previous 2014 S550 about 5 weeks after I owned it. However, it was replaced in less than a week. I remember reading a couple posts on a thread about this sort of thing but I cannot find the thread. Sorry to start a new thread.
My dealer told me yesterday that it could take a month or more for a new windshield to arrive from Germany (or if I'm lucky they could have one in a week or so) since they don't have any in the warehouse. How can Mercedes in Germany be so dumb about situations like this? The good news I am told by the dealer is that I can still drive the car with no problems. I had the windshield cracked on my previous 2014 S550 about 5 weeks after I owned it. However, it was replaced in less than a week. I remember reading a couple posts on a thread about this sort of thing but I cannot find the thread. Sorry to start a new thread.
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I also think (but do not know for sure) that the heated windshields are stronger and are replaced less frequently. On my ‘14 S550 4matic I was replacing the windshield on average about three times per year without the heated windshield. On my ‘16 S550 4matic with the heated windshield, I never replaced it in just over three years with rocks hitting it constantly. On the ‘19 S63 with the heated windshield, in the 6 months I have owned it, I have had a ton of rocks hit the windshield without any breaks until one just hit the edge. I think the heated windshield is almost “bullet proof”.
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
I just had my ‘19 S63 AMG heated windshield replaced just over a month ago. It took about 3 days from when the installer ordered the glass to come into the MB dealer. So I had my windshield installed in a week. So it would appear that the heated windshields are more plentiful.
I also think (but do not know for sure) that the heated windshields are stronger and are replaced less frequently. On my ‘14 S550 4matic I was replacing the windshield on average about three times per year without the heated windshield. On my ‘16 S550 4matic with the heated windshield, I never replaced it in just over three years with rocks hitting it constantly. On the ‘19 S63 with the heated windshield, in the 6 months I have owned it, I have had a ton of rocks hit the windshield without any breaks until one just hit the edge. I think the heated windshield is almost “bullet proof”.
I also think (but do not know for sure) that the heated windshields are stronger and are replaced less frequently. On my ‘14 S550 4matic I was replacing the windshield on average about three times per year without the heated windshield. On my ‘16 S550 4matic with the heated windshield, I never replaced it in just over three years with rocks hitting it constantly. On the ‘19 S63 with the heated windshield, in the 6 months I have owned it, I have had a ton of rocks hit the windshield without any breaks until one just hit the edge. I think the heated windshield is almost “bullet proof”.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
Just tiny shallow surface dings on my heated windshield, now almost four years old. Five weeks is an awfully long wait. Mercedes should just standardize the windshields and make them one type without options. 
It is amazing how many technological features are built into that front windshield.
It is amazing how many technological features are built into that front windshield.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 88
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2015 S550
My '15 S550 had a crack from a rock last November. Took nearly 6 months to get the glass. Mercedes was on "national backorder" for it. This was confirmed by both Safelite and my dealer. I had to escalate to MBUSA twice to get glass. Several other customers were waiting on this glass as well for this reason. Note this was just the windshield for a car with Distronic. No heated glass or anything else. It was OEM glass of course, not aftermarket. No one could ever explain how MB could get into this situation in the first place but apparently not the first time either.
Be happy your replacement is measured in weeks not months. ;-)
Be happy your replacement is measured in weeks not months. ;-)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
My '15 S550 had a crack from a rock last November. Took nearly 6 months to get the glass. Mercedes was on "national backorder" for it. This was confirmed by both Safelite and my dealer. I had to escalate to MBUSA twice to get glass. Several other customers were waiting on this glass as well for this reason. Note this was just the windshield for a car with Distronic. No heated glass or anything else. It was OEM glass of course, not aftermarket. No one could ever explain how MB could get into this situation in the first place but apparently not the first time either.
Be happy your replacement is measured in weeks not months. ;-)
Be happy your replacement is measured in weeks not months. ;-)
Last edited by OnlyGerman; Jun 7, 2019 at 09:10 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 265
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
04 Lexus LS430
What about getting the new windshield installed with a clear film to protect it against these types of hazards? If I lived in an area with lots of bad weather and rocks I would def invest. Just avoiding the hassle of a 6 month wait for windshield replacement is worth it. There are several manufacturers. Here is one i found on a quick search:
https://madico.com/dealers/automotiv...tion/clearplex
https://madico.com/dealers/automotiv...tion/clearplex
Last edited by aypues; Jun 6, 2019 at 04:20 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 18
2015 S550
Mercedes has been making cars over 100 years. I can't imagine they don't know how to maintain inventory of a part that is likely to need replacement on their flagship vehicle for a 6 month period. I think they were too embarrassed to tell me what had happened (despite me asking several times). But the part number changed when the windshield finally did show up making me think they either changed the design or switched suppliers (or both) and someone dropped the ball in making sure they had enough inventory. Still inexcusable IMHO.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
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Mercedes S550
Don't forget Heads Up Display. I recently replaced my windshield and had to get it replaced again because they put in a windshield that didn't have a special film for the HUD. I noticed immediately as the text was double vision.
It took over a month to resolve and trying to find the right one in stock.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Good news! The new windshield arrived yesterday and my service advisor assumed me that it is compatible with HUD, etc. It will be installed this Thursday. So, it took a little less than 3 weeks for the new windshield to get here from Germany.
Thread Starter
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Mine is not heated but I don't really care about this option. I live in the Midwest, but if the weather is so bad with heavy snow or freezing rain, I just don't drive. That's one of the benefits of being retired.
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
Since it's through the dealer, I wouldn't worry about compatibility issues. The dealer ordered and installed mine in house..They did a great job, could not tell any work was even done...Clean and professional.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
I can tell you that my windshield got hit very hard with a rock as it made a big noise. At first I had no idea where it made impact since I couldn't see any discernible damage. About an hour later it was very evident that it was just above the passenger's side wiper blade and it was a moving cracked line. By now, that line extends 3/4 of the way across the lower part of the windshield.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
My windshield was replaced last Thursday and all the tech features work perfectly. However, I'm not so sure that the radio is up to par. A few days ago I was listening to a local FM stationed I heard some scratchy sounds coming from the speakers. Most of the time, however, it works just fine. Could this be an antenna issue on the new windshield?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
My windshield was replaced last Thursday and all the tech features work perfectly. However, I'm not so sure that the radio is up to par. A few days ago I was listening to a local FM stationed I heard some scratchy sounds coming from the speakers. Most of the time, however, it works just fine. Could this be an antenna issue on the new windshield?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,938
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
As the old saying says, "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all". Yes, another rock flew into my replaced windshield and cracked it. It is even worse than the first one that happened about mid May. That's another $500 for the deductible. I am so ticked off! I will no longer get on that stretch of the Interstate where there's lots of construction on the sides. I will be taking the back roads when I need to travel in that part of town.
