Windscreen replacement

Guys who is best placed to do this the OPC or windscreen companies ?

Paul I had 2 replacement windscreens on my last car - a 1999 C4 - both of which were done by Autoglass under my insurance policy. Unusually for a 3rd party supplier, they seemed very knowledgeable - they were aware of all the options and parts required (surrounds etc.) and the options for OEM or aftermarket. They also insisted that as it was a complex replacement, it would have to be done in their workshop. On both occasions the job was completed flawlessly in around 3 hours and you would never have known a replacement had been fitted. Hope this helps Ian W

Thanks Ian, just weighing up where to have done and when

You'll probably find that the OPC's sub the work out to the glass specialists anyhow, most independents do too.

I have some experience, since windshield #3 went into my Boxster 2 weeks ago. I went to a local shop that can also come to your house or work. I have watched 996/986 windshields being replaced before and the guys at the shop did it the same way. Cut out the old windshield, clean up the frame, and glue in the new one. Takes about 1 1/2 hours if the customer is watching. My dealer use to sub out the glass work. Then they tranined a mechanic to do glass and trim work, but he has since left. So now the dealer subs the work out again. I did not use their sub, so I saved some money. Also, I do not know how it is in the UK, but in the US there are 3 companies that you can get the glass from. Mine did not come from Porsche.

In UK we are cover by our car insurance for windscreen damage (with very reasonable access of around £50), so if given a choice we would opt for the Porsche centre to replace it plus we are covered for free repairs if it can be repaired (stone chips, etc). I assume all 3 companies in the US provide the screen with the centre FM aerial strip? So is there a simple contact point on the body for the aerial and how do they glue around it?

I raised my insurance deductible to $750 last year, so I paid for #3 which cost $453 for the glass, to put it in, including tax. My insurance will pay to fix chips at no cost to me but mine was badly cracked. The 3 companies are PPG, Pilkington, and Sekurit. I only looked at Sekurit because that is what I told them to order. Porsche uses Sekurit but Porsche puts their logo on the glass. It is a triangle with a P in the middle. Since I did not get my glass from Porsche I do not have the logo. I did not want to pay a lot more money for the logo, so now I have "aftermarket" glass even though it is made by the same company. My Sekurit windshield is identical to the one sold by Porsche, except for the missing logo. There is a single wire from the glass for the antenna with a plug on the end for where it connects to the antenna booster. You can see the wire that comes from the glass in my fingers. They don't need to glue around it. Just plug it in once the glass is in place. It is covered by the plastic A pillar trim. The other companies would also have the antenna wire in the glass or the radio would not work. And, 2 days after #3 went in I got hit by another rock thrown up by a truck, but this time my windshield did not crack. Think I need a plastic windshield. If I ever get #4 I think I'm going to try PPG or Pilkington as they cost less than Sekurit.

He needs to find another day job. Or leave the workforce altogether. Porsche use Sekurit glass not pilkington.

You might find the thread below interesting - allegedly only Porsche can supply a correct pattern windscreen, so you shouldn't be at risk of getting a crappy one - and apparently Autoglass can get one Porsche marqued at the same price.....maybe. Certainly think the tip about checking with the local OPC or even an indy to establish it is an Autoglass depot who have fitted a Porsche windscreen before is a good idea. Good Luck! http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=41191

I've no information to help...but there are some good forums on pistonheads discussing windscreen claims etc, within the porsche forum there are porsche specific threads as well - might be worth a search

Autoglass=Monkey Always ask for someone other than them.

as Rodney says they use sekurit for installing glass if you are anywhere near london the glassman is the one there are lots of people who make a hash of it he does occsasionally post on here http://www.glasstecauto.co.uk/ the first time I had to have my glass replaced on my C2 it was by AG and the level of BS was astonishing not the least because "the job is so specialised it needed to be left at their premises overnight" (were it picked up a few scratches,and doubtless had an italian tune as well) I was truely astonished when the glass man rucked up on my drive and in short order the job was done indeed speechless after the carry on by AG

Thanks all. Does glassman do insurance?

yes he does talk to him he will explain very throughly how insurers work my policy allows for there preferred repairer or I pay extra and get my own what specifically happened was he did the work sent me an invoice I paid and was reimburseed by my insurer minus the excess it is worth talking to him first as most insurers want to put you through their agreed repairer but you can usually use your own he will explain how his name is Paul he used to travel for porsches he usually made that bit of extra effort but he now has premises in north london he came all the way over to reading area! if you do say hi to him he even gave me a wave on the A404 one dreary morning 18 months later to ask how things were!

Am emailing him! Thanks

i recently had my glass replaced by autoglass in camden under my insurance and was very happy with the result there were quite a few other high end cars in the depot so i guess london gets more throughput

I've had to have the screen in our 2008 MB C220 estate done twice this year, by AA Windscreens via my insurers Saga. Superb job both times, but then a lot is down to the technician, and I guess I'm lucky that the aA technician for my area really knows his stuff.

How much does it cost to replace the windscreen?

75 quid excess on my targa ! wait to see how it affects premium ! i was a bit nervous when they told me it was autoglass but i didnt have time to make other arrangements and autglass did it next day - i ahd already driven all the way across france with a huge crack across the screen - fortunately les gendarmes didnt spot me

Autoglass had five goes with five screens on my Turbo before they got it right. Having later discussed it with my OPC they said it could have been fitted by Autoglass at the OPC under their supervision. Or the OPC would have fitted one, charged me and I could have claimed back from my insurance.