It looks like the Ceramiclear is actually working really well. After a couple months of ownership and getting sandblasted on high way way too many times. There's still not a single a chip on the front end.

However, the windshield is a whole different story. After getting my car back from the car wash place today (which they did a very good job on), I noticed that there are several stone chips on the windshield already!! I think this totally unacceptable but I'm not surprised because my old W203 also suffered from the same problem plus a whole lot more stone chips during my ownership of two years.

Mercedes Glass =

It's really soft, but the visibility is awesome though.

 

Nonewith 7,000 miles on the car.

 

2 years of ownership and 28K on the odometer, I only had 1 tiny, visible one but you had to be really looking for it. Otherwise it was nonexistent to others.

I guess it all depends on location and where you travel.

 

In 3 years of ownership of W211s (2 vehicles) I have had 4 windshields.

I think they have changed since the W210. I have a 10 year old W210 which has the original windshield. May be something about weight savings?

 

Hey Vet, what's a W211 shield cost? I am due in Spring and was thinking I would pay out of pocket and go around insurance.

 

It also helps to not tailgate.

My friend tailgates and he has numerous chips on his front and windshield.
I dont tailgate and I have no chips/cracks whatsoever, just my windshield is dirty from not washing recently.

But the glass is gorgeous when clean though. Especially with the blue tint MB puts in it and how from the outside it looks blueish in the sun and inside its clear. Just gorgeous what they do (and what we pay for).

 

Actually, the last thing I would do is tailgate on highways. I drive mostly in the city and only go on the Interstate once a week to get to a suburban clinical site. My car still has less than 1000 miles after owning it for almost three months. I really have no recollection of my windshield being hit with something, yet I see two distinct stone chips on my windshield. I only remember that my car has been hit by the sand that they put on highways during snow.

 

Me too. I am not the one to tailgate or anything but everytime I wash my car at home, I will wipe down my windshield and it looks like it's still dirty. So many little rock chips. Very annoying!~! Does anyone know of a way to get rid of them besides gettin a new windshield?

 

No chips, but very fine pitting - invisible unless the sun strikes it at a certain angle. I don't know if the problem is more common on German cars, but my wife's last BMW had the same exact problem, whereas it's never been as noticeable on our cars from other countries. As Kev says, you wonder if they're using a softer safety glass than others.

 

Well most the Farmers Ins policies include GLASS BUYBACK.. where we'll repair the windshield for FREE, or replace it for $100... not bad... I don't write a policy without it... it's SO CHEAP to add... my windshield is fine on MB but Prelude is due...

 

Man my windshield is nicked ALLLLLL over. Damn Mississippi roads, just can't avoid it really here.

 

10k and i got pitts and nicks all over!!! lost count... roads of dirty jerzey are wonderful!

 

Man, I have been waiting for a post on this. The windshield on my E55 is peppered with nicks all over it. It really shows up in direct sunlight and is maddening. I am shocked at how short a time it has taken to get the amount of damage I have (5000 miles). My M3 windshield is like a kaleidoscope in the direct sun after 40k miles. I seriously question the quality of glass the Germans use. I am by no means a tailgater and take extra care to make sure I am well behind the cars in front of me. My E55 got pelted by gravel/dirt from a flatbed carrying a bucket loader that ran over an aluminum step ladder that fell from pickup truck in front of it. That left a couple of pretty bad chips in my windshield. I will be looking into replacing it soon, it's the only cosmetic flaw on the entire car There's some real geniuses here in the sunshine state running on I-4. Anyone have experience with non-OEM glass replacement, or should I go to the stealer?

 

Looks like it's a common problem for W211 in the pot hole capitals of USA......

Toruqey, chances are your stealer actually outsource the job to a third party installer. If you're in good terms with your stealer, ask them who they use and contact them directly. They will order the glass for you.

 

My experiences with Mercedes service have been horrible. I will only go to them if absolutely necessary. Thanks for the info, I will be looking into replacing my windshield real soon.

 

I can assist people here in Southern Calif... if needed... sorry bout the rest of the world... I know they are doing MAJOR construction about here, and way too much junk falling on the roads and getting kicked up...

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/117732-anyone-ever-replaced-windshield-how-much.html

 

The windshield is about $600, w/o installation.

--
Hook

 

I don't think you have to go to a dealer, but I would be sure to get OEM glass. The windows are part of the structural integrity of the car & that's too important to fool with, IMHO.

--
Hook

 

hmm i dont know...our new honda hybrid that we have had for 2 years has countless chips...it looks like i went through a war with it...maybe its just the glass now days ? just some reassuranse for you folks

 

My E55's windshield has fared much better than my SL55's w/ equal mileage. That said, it hasn't been that bad... though I have some very fine pitting which makes itself apparent under certain light conditions.

~ Ian

 

when my car was about a month old, I was going north on the 101 in Santa Barbara and some bozo (no flames, I like clowns as much as the next guy) in a PU Truck cuts across my lane, kicks up a rock and bam - hits my windshield. At first I thought I lucked out but when the sun hit it I could see the spyder web crack and had it replaced the next day by the dealer - they did a great job and I really do try to stay back from the vehicle in front of me but there are those times when folks cut you off and you are within chipping distance!!

had a vette years ago that had to have the windshield replaced and it leaked every time it rained so I made sure the MB dealer knew I was going to be really **** about their work. mp