I'm going through windshields like crazy!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
Likes: 50
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
I'm going through windshields like crazy!
I live in Scottsdale, AZ and drive mostly on the freeways. My S class windshield breaks about every few months from rocks hitting the glass. A new windshield runs $3144.00, zero deductible. Insurance companies can't raise premiums due to windshield claims, however about a year ago they passed a law in Arizona that insurance companies can drop you with excessive windshield claims. So State Farm dropped me last year due to this. Though it was not my fault and really nothing I could do to avoid it, short of parking the car in my garage. So, I continue to drive and get hit with rocks. I'm now with State Auto. Apparently Arizona leads the nation in windshield repairs.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Modern windshields are thinner than in past times. This leads to significantly more frequent breakage. Cost and weight reduction for the manufacturer, driven by fuel economy and emissions regulations, is the driving force behind thinner glass. My GLE and my wife’s BMW both needed new windshields after one year. Poor jobs by MB and BMW.
insurance companies will do what is in their best interests and the consumer will pick up the slack, from a cost point of view.
insurance companies will do what is in their best interests and the consumer will pick up the slack, from a cost point of view.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
makes sense, I didn't think about thinner windshields
I used to go for years without a crack in the windshield, I"d hear the rock hit the glass but no crack
now every time I hear a rock I see a crack within a day or two
I used to go for years without a crack in the windshield, I"d hear the rock hit the glass but no crack
now every time I hear a rock I see a crack within a day or two
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Joined: Feb 2010
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I live in Scottsdale, AZ and drive mostly on the freeways. My S class windshield breaks about every few months from rocks hitting the glass. A new windshield runs $3144.00, zero deductible. Insurance companies can't raise premiums due to windshield claims, however about a year ago they passed a law in Arizona that insurance companies can drop you with excessive windshield claims. So State Farm dropped me last year due to this. Though it was not my fault and really nothing I could do to avoid it, short of parking the car in my garage. So, I continue to drive and get hit with rocks. I'm now with State Auto. Apparently Arizona leads the nation in windshield repairs.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 303
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From: Phoenix, AZ
15 S550 Daily 96 Dodge Viper GTS
I'm on my 8Th windshield in only two years. I live in Phoenix close to Steinhart. I was asking the tech at Schumacher Mercedes if these windshields are notorious for breaking with the smallest hit from a stone. I was told that the windshield is part of the vehicle structure and that the smallest of strikes with cause it to fracture. My wife always jokes about how long will this one will last.
The bigger problem is the roads in Arizona. Rocks everywhere!
The bigger problem is the roads in Arizona. Rocks everywhere!
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
I also notice that the windshield on my '16 S550C4 has thousands of tiny pits that show up with the right sun angle. It makes it look like I've been through a sand storm but I haven't and there is nothing like it on the painted surfaces. I had read many years ago that MBZ used a different (softer) glass than usual - don't know if that's correct or urban legend.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
I looked into windshield protective films but was told they don't hold up in our Arizona sun, they are also expensive, quoted $500
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
Likes: 50
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
yes I read reports of some that did leave marks from the blades and others that had no issues
but other issues like not holding up in hot climates and the expense turned me off to the idea
but other issues like not holding up in hot climates and the expense turned me off to the idea
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From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
I also notice that the windshield on my '16 S550C4 has thousands of tiny pits that show up with the right sun angle. It makes it look like I've been through a sand storm but I haven't and there is nothing like it on the painted surfaces. I had read many years ago that MBZ used a different (softer) glass than usual - don't know if that's correct or urban legend.
My 17 model did that.
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15' W222
Stop driving so close behind the cars in front of you! The road debri/rocks don't have time to miss you. Seriously, I'm here too, and I know exactly what you mean. It wasn't until I slowed down and/or avoided following so close behind other vehicles did it stop. I thought my car attracted rocks for some reason lol
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
More so road condition rant than MB windshield quality comment.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
More so road condition rant than MB windshield quality comment.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
+1
Picture example of what happens when the Commonwealth of PA cannot fix it’s roads with the wonderful potholes on the PA Turnpike. Oh and we in PA “get” to pay a toll to travel on the PA Turnpike. Lucky us!
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Joined: May 2008
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15' W222
More so road condition rant than MB windshield quality comment.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
Easier said, then done. I too try to avoid these situations. Every time a new development builds the roads are inundated with construction vehicles, let alone other vehicles picking up rocks in their tires - every lane. Did I mention the 101! Anyway, every lease return since 2003 required a windshield replacement. And I mentioned road debris previously. My daughter’s previous BMW, brand new - three days old she could not avoid a ladder on the 101 there went her front bumper, etc. Me I’m constantly avoiding accident debris not sufficiently cleaned let alone landscaping debris, 2018 to date wife and I replaced 2 tires each because of this. Again, unavoidable. It wasn’t like this back in 1993 when I first arrived during what can be called the height of new home developments.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 126
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2009 C350, 2015 S550
Got hit by a rock on the way into work this morning. Caused about a 10 inch multidirectional crack in passenger side windshield.
Safelite wants my $250 deductible plus another 1500 and change to replace with OEM glass.
Dealer want about 2k for glass plus install. Then id have to file my own claim with insurance and not sure how much i would be reimbursed.
Tempted to just do aftermarket glass for my deductible
Safelite wants my $250 deductible plus another 1500 and change to replace with OEM glass.
Dealer want about 2k for glass plus install. Then id have to file my own claim with insurance and not sure how much i would be reimbursed.
Tempted to just do aftermarket glass for my deductible
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 8
UNIMOG
Got hit by a rock on the way into work this morning. Caused about a 10 inch multidirectional crack in passenger side windshield.
Safelite wants my $250 deductible plus another 1500 and change to replace with OEM glass.
Dealer want about 2k for glass plus install. Then id have to file my own claim with insurance and not sure how much i would be reimbursed.
Tempted to just do aftermarket glass for my deductible
Safelite wants my $250 deductible plus another 1500 and change to replace with OEM glass.
Dealer want about 2k for glass plus install. Then id have to file my own claim with insurance and not sure how much i would be reimbursed.
Tempted to just do aftermarket glass for my deductible
If you get a chip, immediately, and I mean right away and not tomororw, go to a place to get it filled in or the whole windshield will form a huge crack.
Last edited by lsdreem; Mar 9, 2020 at 05:30 PM.
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From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
