Windshield replacement advice (Safelit)
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Windshield replacement advice (Safelit)
Hello,
As you all know, W222 has one of the worst front windshields ever made. I got a crack on my screen as I was driving on the highway and now I need to replace it. I looked at two options:
As you all know, W222 has one of the worst front windshields ever made. I got a crack on my screen as I was driving on the highway and now I need to replace it. I looked at two options:
- Safelite MB OEM glass: Around $2,700
- Safelite aftermarket glass: around $500-$800
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Some people have good results with Safelite, but I have had nothing but issues. Most recently they replaced the dual-pane acoustic glass in our Kia Optima Hybrid. The first glass they replaced was distorted. I made them come back out with new glass. Before they even put it in, I checked and it was also distorted. My insurance company had to finally agree to use OE glass. I would use OE glass if at all possible.
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
Safelite is usually trash. I would avoid them on a car like this. Your insurance company should cover OEM because they know some afermarket will not work right will all the cameras and sensors in the car.
Mine did anyway, it was quite a fight, but I know the process for next time. Mine is a heated windshield, so I used that to my advantage when speaking to my insurance. I knew safelite, would not have their glass with the heated element..I was able to get OEM even though my policy if for "aftermarket" parts first.
Mine did anyway, it was quite a fight, but I know the process for next time. Mine is a heated windshield, so I used that to my advantage when speaking to my insurance. I knew safelite, would not have their glass with the heated element..I was able to get OEM even though my policy if for "aftermarket" parts first.
Last edited by OnlyGerman; May 4, 2020 at 04:07 PM.
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Safelite is usually trash. I would avoid them on a car like this. Your insurance company should cover OEM because they know some afermarket will not work right will all the cameras and sensors in the car.
Mine did anyway, it was quite a fight, but I know the process for next time. Mine is a heated windshield, so I used that to my advantage when speaking to my insurance. I knew safelite, would not have their glass with the heated element..
Mine did anyway, it was quite a fight, but I know the process for next time. Mine is a heated windshield, so I used that to my advantage when speaking to my insurance. I knew safelite, would not have their glass with the heated element..
https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.c...ld-replacement
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
So now am confused, my insurance, GEICO, recommends Safelite who will use OEM windshield. However, my MB deadlership said they use a local shop ( https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.c...ld-replacement ) for the installation. What should I do now??
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
So now am confused, my insurance, GEICO, recommends Safelite who will use OEM windshield. However, my MB deadlership said they use a local shop ( https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.c...ld-replacement ) for the installation. What should I do now??
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
So now am confused, my insurance, GEICO, recommends Safelite who will use OEM windshield. However, my MB deadlership said they use a local shop ( https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.c...ld-replacement ) for the installation. What should I do now??
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
With windshields, go with OEM. no matter what. If you have full coverage on your insurance, you should be good. Your insurance will have its separate windshield replacement deductible; once you cover that, they should take care of the rest
Ive had safelite replace my C32's OEM windshield years ago; and have had zero issues / problems (thank god)
Ive had safelite replace my C32's OEM windshield years ago; and have had zero issues / problems (thank god)
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
I was not sure if I should use safelite or not. In fact, Geico has approved OEM part installation regardless of the shop. It's just me that needs to decide where to do it now. The problem is that MB dealership said that they use a third party shop to do the installation which I did't like as it doesn't seem to be reputable (have no evidence but just looking at their website I've never heard of them) and I thought at least safelite are more famous so I wanted to check with you. MB dealer recommended this shop > https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.com/ and said that they use them to do the installation and I can go directly there or they can ask them to come in to their site.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
I was not sure if I should use safelite or not. In fact, Geico has approved OEM part installation regardless of the shop. It's just me that needs to decide where to do it now. The problem is that MB dealership said that they use a third party shop to do the installation which I did't like as it doesn't seem to be reputable (have no evidence but just looking at their website I've never heard of them) and I thought at least safelite are more famous so I wanted to check with you. MB dealer recommended this shop > https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.com/ and said that they use them to do the installation and I can go directly there or they can ask them to come in to their site.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,111
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
I was not sure if I should use safelite or not. In fact, Geico has approved OEM part installation regardless of the shop. It's just me that needs to decide where to do it now. The problem is that MB dealership said that they use a third party shop to do the installation which I did't like as it doesn't seem to be reputable (have no evidence but just looking at their website I've never heard of them) and I thought at least safelite are more famous so I wanted to check with you. MB dealer recommended this shop > https://www.piedmonttriadautoglass.com/ and said that they use them to do the installation and I can go directly there or they can ask them to come in to their site.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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2009 C350, 2015 S550
Just recently had my windshield replaced by Safelite. So far havent had any issues.
My ins company would only cover the cost of aftermarket glass. To get OEM glass it would of been an extra 1500 through Safelite plus 250 deductible and Dealer wanted 2k plus install.
I went with aftermarket and if i had problems would switch to OEM.
My ins company would only cover the cost of aftermarket glass. To get OEM glass it would of been an extra 1500 through Safelite plus 250 deductible and Dealer wanted 2k plus install.
I went with aftermarket and if i had problems would switch to OEM.
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Ya in my last 2015 S550 I went with the safelitte glass and had no issues, they even got the Distronic aligned and set up properly. Same with my old 2012 mercedes E63 omg wagon.
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Looks like its a Job that maybe be best to leave to the dealer after watching MB do the job,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8suH5pufL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8suH5pufL8
Thread Starter
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The signature is an indication that the the windshield is an OEM glass. Many buyers pay attention to these things and personally I'd never install or buy a car with aftermarket glass.The aftermarket does not contain the same technology, and to me, one of the most important techs is the 98% IR reflective solar glass coatings, which provides protection from the sun radiation and reduce heat level inside the car. I have noticed huge difference between my W222 and the other car I have with aftermarket glass when compared same day under same conditions This also makes an impact on air-conditioning performance and thus fuel economy. MB glass is so brittle and tends to crack easily, but the reason for that is a balance between polymers they use that give solar reflection characteristic, heat retention, weight and on the hand the toughness of the glass. If you want the luxury of MB S-class glass, you would need to accept that fact that you may need to replace it every 3-5 years compared to about 10 years on average for other type of glass used on the C or E class, or even other brands. I truly think that the solar reflection feature makes a big difference even while driving not only when parked under the sun. It will also protect the interior and leather from solar radiation as it allows the visible light (causes light only) only to pass but will reflect 99% of the infrared component (that causes heat).
Last edited by S_W222; May 10, 2020 at 08:05 PM.
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2014 s63 AMG.
I have a monthly pass sticker that you use for car wash, on my S63 I have to open window and hold sticker in hand, devices cannot read through glass , also your Easy Pass there is a place it must be mounted to read thru glass, from what owner at car wash says , not many cars won’t read stickers, so must be something with coating or construction of glass for it not to work, I bought my 2014 s63 1.5 years ago and it had 3 windshield s in before I bought it ,all changed by Dealer. So if your buying a S Class ,add windshield as a possible future cost, but most insurance covers it,so that’s a win.
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Same with my car. Monthly sticker would not work at car wash. Tried it multiple locations no go. So they gave me a laminated card and hold it out when I pull up to the screen. They really don’t like to do it this way as you could have other cars and be taking them through the car wash this way with the same card. But I suppose they could nab you with the camera if the car was different from the one registered to the card.
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Same with my car. Monthly sticker would not work at car wash. Tried it multiple locations no go. So they gave me a laminated card and hold it out when I pull up to the screen. They really don’t like to do it this way as you could have other cars and be taking them through the car wash this way with the same card. But I suppose they could nab you with the camera if the car was different from the one registered to the card.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
UPDATE:
I just got my car back today (service completed same day). The installation was done by a local 3rd party installer that MB dealer hired, and then MB did a calibration on the cameras and driving assist sensors. The windshield placement and panels around them that were removed all look perfect and the driving assist and camera seem to be working just fine. Very happy with the service.
Would always go for OEM windshield and MB service, I don't think I'll ever go with Safelite as my experience with MB for this job was perfect and smooth.
I just got my car back today (service completed same day). The installation was done by a local 3rd party installer that MB dealer hired, and then MB did a calibration on the cameras and driving assist sensors. The windshield placement and panels around them that were removed all look perfect and the driving assist and camera seem to be working just fine. Very happy with the service.
Would always go for OEM windshield and MB service, I don't think I'll ever go with Safelite as my experience with MB for this job was perfect and smooth.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
UPDATE:
I just got my car back today (service completed same day). The installation was done by a local 3rd party installer that MB dealer hired, and then MB did a calibration on the cameras and driving assist sensors. The windshield placement and panels around them that were removed all look perfect and the driving assist and camera seem to be working just fine. Very happy with the service.
Would always go for OEM windshield and MB service, I don't think I'll ever go with Safelite as my experience with MB for this job was perfect and smooth.
I just got my car back today (service completed same day). The installation was done by a local 3rd party installer that MB dealer hired, and then MB did a calibration on the cameras and driving assist sensors. The windshield placement and panels around them that were removed all look perfect and the driving assist and camera seem to be working just fine. Very happy with the service.
Would always go for OEM windshield and MB service, I don't think I'll ever go with Safelite as my experience with MB for this job was perfect and smooth.
