Hi all,

I know windshields are typically not a big deal — but our SLs are expensive and delicate cars. They have radio antennae in the windshield, and some with Driver Assist Package (such as mine) have a complex camera module at the rearview mirror.

I’ve owned over 40 cars of all kinds and every luxury brand and honestly I have never needed to replace a windshield. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a nice rock today on the highway and boom — slight puncture and spider crack. I have no experience with the pitfalls of windshield replacement.

Looking for advice. Do I just get this done at the Mercedes dealer? Any special instructions or items of note for this procedure?

Yes I have glass coverage, and I am not going to be told by the insurance company to go with an aftermarket windshield. Unless convinced otherwise my feeling is it’s OEM or nothing; and while I do not intend to pay anything out of pocket — if it’s the difference between the right job and the wrong job I’ll pay what I need to pay above reimbursement.

Car is a 2017 Mercedes AMG SL63.

Thanks in advance.

Best,
David

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Edit:

If you had your SL’s glass replaced, please state whether you had/have the Driver Assist Package which would necessitate alignment of the sensors.

 

David - I have the exact same model. While I do have the original glass, my other vehicle, MY18GLS450 "caught" a rock and cracked the glass recently. DEFINITELY suggest you use your MB Dealer to ensure an OEM replacement, proper fit AND sensors alignment check. I had < $50.00 out of pocket for something misc that now I don't even remember. Good luck, Steve

 

I just replaced the window in my 2020 SL550 a couple weeks ago. Same thing, rock and I have never had to replace a window before either. I went with Mercedes OEM and dealer install. No issue with the windshield itself, but I did have a buzzing coming from the right side A pillar after the install. Took it back and they got it fixed. This seems to be a somewhat common problem and has something to do with the trim piece. There was a longer thread on this issue a few days ago.

 

I recently had my windshield replaced. My insurance company made me use Safelite. There is no aftermarket glass for this car. Safelite ordered the glass through Mercedes and installed it.

 

Thanks everyone so far.

You know what I’ve noticed that these glass web sites do not have the SL in their drop-down menu of models so I was imagining there is no aftermarket glass for this car. Thank you Spinalator for confirming.

 

Use your MB dealer if possible. They replaced my 2017 SL windshield 1 year ago while I waited. Even moved my hardwired dashcam. Totally satisfied.

 

Thanks. I am not having luck finding that thread. Can you provide link?

 

Here’s the link.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...er-speeds.html

 

This has to have been resolved long ago, but I just thought I would add, for those who may be contemplating having their windshields replaced...yes, the only source for this windshield is M-B. I had my dealer do it. They insisted on keeping the car over night so the windshield would take the best set possible before I drove the car. Install went without a hitch, other than finding a small, dark scuff on the vertical leather surface on the lower side of my Porcelain driver side seat's bottom cushion, right next to the sill plate. Someone's shoe, I imagine. Anyway, the out-of-pocket on this repair was $2406, including all sensor recalibration, etc. I found out that I didn't have glass coverage, so ouch! At least they gave me a loner for the night...

 

Glad you had yours done to your satisfaction, and thanks for posting.

Yes, this was resolved a long time ago and I’ve become a pseudo-expert on windshield replacement/protection since. About 3 months after the SL incident, a rock hit one of my Porsche windshields, requiring replacement!

I learned the following:
(1) Driver assist recalibration is NOT necessary if car was operating fine before — the windshield from Mercedes is plug and play. Don’t intend to be a contrarian here — just sharing my experience. (This is the same concept as the concept of recalibration of driver assist after 4-wheel alignment. Some dealers do it as a mandatory operation, other dealers avoid it if nothing is wrong. In my opinion, it’s a money grab. Some really smart shop foremen and service managers have explained to me that calibration is not disturbed, and not required, unless there was a physical change in the car’s sensors: rear end collision, damage to rearview mirror assembly, damage to front bumper where radar sensor sits, etc. It makes sense to me. Alas, after windshield replacement and 4-wheel alignment on various cars having driver assist, I can confirm re-calibration is not necessary. Naturally if warning lights illuminate after an operation, then recalibration can be performed. But to charge additional labor for it is fixing something that isn’t broken. Frankly, I don’t want anyone recalibrating something that was calibrated perfectly by the factory.)

(2) I don’t want much to do with windshield replacements. Pain in the neck process. Requires a very, very precise operation and a highly skilled and patient lead technician. I’m a perfectionist, unfortunately, and there were some subsequent visits back to the shop to fine-tune some things. The result of the best installation is almost like factory but not quite. (For example, the sealant is applied by hand in a measured way, and human error is a factor here. Same applies to the position of the windshield as placed by human hands. It’s a human estimate.)

(3) I installed ExoShield windshield protection film on all my cars since my two windshield replacements. The protection and peace of mind offered by that product are soul-saving. I drive as fast as I want behind whomever I want (except trucks, naturally), and I don’t need to give a darn about the possibility of damage from rocks (my cars also have paint protection film on entire front end).

 

That is really surprising since glass coverage is usually included with the Comprehensive part of your insurance. Did you not have Comprehensive? Who is your insurance company?

 

Glass coverage is not always included with comprehensive. Some States (like FL) automatically associate the two.

In NY, my Dad (a hands-off guy with these things) had been screwed by his insurance agent who didn’t have him equipped with glass coverage despite the presence of comprehensive coverage.

Depends on State and the carrier.

 

My 2019 SL450 suffered a cracked windshield from a rock this past Monday while travelling from Nashville to Knoxville, TN to take a friend to pick up his new Corvette C8.

ERIE Insurance is covering with zero deductible, using OEM Mercedes glass. Scheduled repair with their local Safelite vendor for July 29 (July 22 was earliest appointment IF glass is available). They claim they will be able to handle the entire job at their shop including resetteng all the sensors. We'll see.

 

Erie seems a great company.

If I were you, I’d be present during the job and would have it done at your home, if possible. It’s a routine thing that the glass folks come to your home and do it on site. I had them install inside my garage under air conditioning.

The installer I used was the installer the local
Mercedes-Benz dealer uses exclusively. In my case, it wasn’t SafeLite.

 

I had a replacement done on my R230: an absolute nightmare by SafeLite. I escalated the issue to the top (CEO) and was advised to take it to my MB dealer for remediation. That included interior rearview mirror assembly replacement; both 'A' pillar trims, inside and out, replaced; dashboard repaired/replaced (I opted to repair it as it wasn't in a glaringly obvious place); and the total for the remediation work? It was over three grand – which SafeLite covered. I asked the dealership who they used for this work: yup, Safelite – but in their shop and under their supervision. SMH

The initial replacement and the attempted repair was in my driveway and they then had the gall to send the original installer to repair the mess. I told him immediately to leave. He tried telling me that because the car was aged (this was a seven year old 2007, so was some years back) I should expect the trim not to fit properly. Etc. etc.

Caveat Emptor. Take many pictures of the inside and outside prior to the work, just in case, and, IMO, take it to the dealership – especially if it's covered under your insurance policy.

Good luck.

 

A related story: I recently suffered a cracked windshield in our 2019 BMW X5. I also have Erie Insurance. They referred me to my local Safelite store. I have Comprehensive coverage. An OEM BMW windshield was installed as I have acoustic glass and HUD. My front camera was recalibrated and I picked up the vehicle after about 5 hours. They also replaced the windshield wipers at no cost. Job was performed perfectly with no issues. I was instructed not to wash the car for 48 hours and to leave the tape on the exterior for 24 hours. I paid a $150 deductible.

 

Glad you mentioned the no charge wipers. I'm supposedly getting that service as well. 4 weeks from now until my appointment.

 

Windshield wipers on an R231 SL have a list price of about $250… about $150 at Mercedes parts departments that sell for discounts on the internet. In case you have an R231 SL. But no need to replace wipers during a windshield job on said SL… unless it’s free

 

Please post a link for a source selling wiper blades for around $150. I have the Magic Vision wipers and cannot find blades for less than well over $200.

 

FCP Euro has them for $162.49 and you'll never have to pay for them again.

 

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Mercedes~Ben...MER-2318201045

 

Yep, these are the ones. Thanks.

 

How about $124 for the wiper blades.

<https://www.buymercedespartsnow.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-wiper-blade-2318201045?origin=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjw2f-VBhAsEiwAO4lNeL60zuRW-DeAnrEcKFgJfd8jK5SxFZI1ViNQW78y4DCv2RK0qZu7shoCZys QAvD_BwE>

A simple Google search for part # 2318201045 does the trick. Consider shipping charges and take your pick.
<https://www.google.com/search?q=2318201045&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS591US591&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8>

 

Update:
Windshield was replaced yesterday by SAFELITE at their facility here in Nashville. They did use OEM glass. We elected not to replace the wiper blades as they are perfectly fine.
When I got home, I noticed that the driver's side wiper "washer supply tube" was misrouted by the technician where it goes into the wiper arm at the base, which required a return to their facility. Should have looked closer before I left. It was a simple fix when it was pointed out to him, and I was there less than 5 minutes.
Everything seems OK otherwise.