A rock chipped my windshield last week and with the cold, the chip has now become an enormous crack.
I am insured with Progessive. I called Progressive to get the wheels turning on getting the windshield replaced and the Progressive agent told me that they only replace with OEM glass if the car has less than 12,000 miles on it (mine has much more).
Therefore my 2 options were..
1. Have Safelite install an aftermarket glass, which is supposed to be just as good as OEM and it contains all the antennas, etc. just like OEM, it just doesn't have the OEM sticker on it (according to the insurance agent). The replacement cost is a little over 900.00, and i won't have to come up with a single penny for the glass or install (not even a deductable).

OR

2. Have mercedes install the OEM glass at the cost of a little over 1350.00 Plus tax, of which the insurance will pay 900.00 and i have to come up with the rest (500.00).

So again, is OEM glass worth the 500.00 difference???
Thanks
Nick

 

Apparently replacing the glass in the SL is not simple if it is done right. I would ask the aftermarket installer how many he has done and then have the dealer inspect it when he is done. I don't see paying 500 for a sticker if it is done correctly.

 

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for....

At few years back, I had same issue with my 1997 SL320. Insurance would only pay for a "non-dealer" install. I had a specialised glass firm install (done well), but the cheaper glass rain sensor for wipers never worked again.

I also checked later with Mercedes-Benz and seemingly it is a known issue with cheaper aftermarket glass replacements. If I had wanted my rain sensor to work again, I would have needed to replace the windscreen again, and the insurance were unhelpful.

 

Guess it depends on insurance companies. I just had mine replaced with OEM without a problem. In Florida the insurance company cannot charge the deductible, either.

 

On the recommendation of my insurance company, I had Safelite replace the windshield on my 2006 SL500 two years ago. The windshield worked correctly with the rain sensor, etc, but the windshield came with the windshield manufacturer's name/logo imprint in that bottom corner location where the OEM sticker is on the OEM windshield. I would have preferred to keep my SL looking original with that original OEM sticker, especially since the car was relatively new.

You could ask Safelite (or another installation company) if they can provide a windshield without the manufacturer's imprint on the glass, then purchase the OEM replacement sticker at the MB parts dept (they carry them in stock for a few dollars) and install the sticker yourself.

One other note, the windshield replacement for my SL500 was only supposed to take 45 minutes, but it took almost two hours. The installer was tentative during the install, either because he didn't know what he was doing, or he was trying to be careful, or both. He did end up nicking the leather trim around the headliner. It was one of those live-and-learn experiences and I wouldn't do it again. My dealership has regular staff/contractors who are used to working on Mercedes. I can't say the same about the Safelite installer.

So, your decision depends on how annoyed you will be by having the windshield manufacturer's imprint on the windshield, getting an inexperienced Mercedes installer, and any damages that goes with that. If the windshield doesn't work, or they damage your car, your dealership has the resources and the knowledge to fix it. I agree with Geo3, you get what you pay for. I will happily pay the dealership to do it next time.

 

I dont think youll ever tell any difference. they all have to be to safety specs. But the aftermarket glass is likely made by a euro mfg anyway. Maybe same as factory part is.
Mainly because its a specialized piece for a euro car and thats where they would mainly be mfg. Not likely that mercedes would allow competition to copy right their parts. Just like fenders or hood, youre not going to find other mfgs making them.

 

I just had my windshield replaced last week with the OEM. USAA is my carrier and they paid for everything. I was asking the guy how much the OEM cost and he told me that it was around $1400. It took about a week for the Mercedes dealer to get the windshield in, but it was worth it in my opinion, besides if you can afford to drive an AMG, you should go all out with parts. One last note, the installer also told me that he thinks that I made the correct decision by going with the OEM because he believes that the aftermarket would complicate things for him with my particular car. I watched the entire process and it kicked his A$$ the entire time LOL, but the end result was pleasing. I just had to go buy a Mercedes sticker along with those pesky Blue FT. Lee Army decals and have him put it on for me.

 

I just thought i would post a follow up....

I decided to go ahead and keep the appointment that Progressive made with Safelite. Therefore, yesterday the tech came out and installed my glass.
He was VERY well trained and told me a bit about his company, the glass they use, and about himself.

Apparently, He works in the NC, SC, and GA areas. And he and only 3 other guys are sent to work on the Mercedes that need their windshields replaced. He informed me that it is not because the other techs in the area are not capable, but because they prefer not to, since Mercedes take much longer (due to all the trim pieces that need to be removed for a correct install).
He was very well trained, and knew exactly what to do.

I asked him about my decision to go with Safelite glass vs. OEM glass, and he told me that i made the right decision to save the money. He explained that windshields must meet certain federal regulation, much like an airbag, and that the glass he was putting in was exactly the same as what dealer glass would be, but at a cheaper price and lacking the Mercedes star. He also told me that with Mercedes, most of the time dealer glass and the glass they provide comes from the same manufacturer (which makes since when the progressive agent looked up the glass and told me there was only 1 available).

The glass already had the rain sensor built into it, as well as the antennas and wiper defrosters, etc...

I also asked him a bit about the company, and he informed that Safelite is the largest Glass installion company in the US and that they are in every state. He also told me that they were recently bought out by a European company, which is even larger, but Safelite is still pretty much managed the same way, as if its own seperate entity.
The windshield install comes with a lifetime warrantee (in case of leaks or whistling) for as long as i own the vehicle.

He truly did a proffesional install, and didn't break anything (which i was worried about because i do not let just anyone touch my car).

Anyway all said and done, I am glad i kept the 500$, and went with Safelite.
I am even gonna schedule them to come and do my C230 as well (it has alot of chips from ALOT of highway miles)..

Thanks everyone for you input...
Nick

 

If there are any issues down the road with the glass, antenna, fit, etc. Mercedes will blame it on the glass and not warranty any issues. So what are you going to do... go to Safelite and complain about your radio not getting good reception. Good Luck. I have gone down this path with my Range Rover which has the built in electric defogger on the front glass. I learned the hard way and will only go with OEM.

 

I had the windshield in my '05 E500 replaced at the local MB dealer recently and they used Safelite to do it in the MB shop... The Tech who installed the glass pinched the wires for the intermittant windshield wipers and they didn't work right... I had to take it back, leave it again and have them troubleshoot it... I find it hard to believe that the extra cost for your windshield is anything more than the typical luxury car markup because you own an MB SL...