O.E.M. vs Factory Windshield...

[Mitch Leland]

Reference: 84 Coupe

I'm considering replacing my headliner which brings up all sorts of "while you're there" projects, one of those being to replace a badly chipped windshield.

I have a new factory seal which is a better fit than the after market seal I have used previously. If you buy a Factory tinted W/S the cost is over $700, is there any advantages to the factory W/S?

Thanks,

[Quicksilver]

After I had the heavily pitted windshield replaced on my 87 I had more then one knowledgeable person tell me that the cheaper aftermarket windshields are actually more durable. The explanation I got was that the factory windshields are harder and the softer aftermarket glass resists pitting better.

I do believe that the new factory windshield is getting pitted faster then my other vehicles but the Porsche has a more vertical windshield so no guarantees...

[deshetlr]

Hum, I thought the price differiential was the built in antenna vs no antenna.

[speeder]

Auto glass is one of the few things that American companies do better than European ones. Factory German glass is beautiful when new but does not last worth a damn. I had a Euro OEM w/s put on my 996 and in less than 2 years of city driving it was pretty worn-looking.

[Talewinds]

How much is the aftermarket windshield? And does it not come with the antenna built in?
I'm in the same boat. My factory windshield is heavily pitted, the seals both front and back are poor looking (the front leaks pretty bad), and the headliner could stand to be replaced.

[Mitch Leland]

Does the after market glass fit as well as the factory glass. Can anyone recommend one manufacture or brand over another?

[theiceman]

150.00 for an sc from windshieldstogo.com plus your seal , you could do it every couple of years at that price

[kepperly]

I just checked on a price for my 87 cabriolet and its $400.00 plus freight no deal there.
Keith Epperly
87 slantnose turbo look carrera cabriolet

[Mitch Leland]

Originally Posted by kepperly

I just checked on a price for my 87 cabriolet and its $400.00 plus freight no deal there.
Keith Epperly
87 slantnose turbo look carrera cabriolet

Keith:

That still beats the heck out of the Factory price of well over $700.

Thanks,

[Zef]

I bought an aftermarket one two years ago...225 $ installed...no way I would pay 750 $ for that.
Happened today...I'm not happy

[Mitch Leland]

Zef, My original post was to find out whether the after market W/S was the same fit as the factory W/S... Several members have said that the after market W/S actually holds up better to rock chips and pitting than the factory W/S. So if that all is true, I agree, I don't need to spend $700 plus.

It would be nice to know if there are more than one manufactures of after market W/S for our cars, which one is the best?

[docrodg]

You can get an antenna for it. I have a Blaupunkt stereo in my DD that uses two antennas, one is an add-on windshield antenna that came with it.

[GH85Carrera]

I had to replace my windshield a few years ago. I used a national firm, Diamond Triumph Glass. They installed a Sigla tinted windshield with antenna for less than $500.00. Sigla is the OEM windshield. They have nation wide locations.

[signature65]

Call up TRE and get their opinion. I just put a windshield in my 73 and it did not fit right. I got it in there ok but there was a big gap at the bottom. Took a ton of coaxing to get it in there correctly. I think there is Chinese made glass out there that doesnt fit right.

[Dueller]

Not to hijack (and I probably could find out by searching) but I had to replace my 87 with what was immediatelty available: after market with no internal antenna. Windshield fit and has held up fine. I think it was about $250 installed out of pocket with no insurance coverage discount.

BUT...no antenna for aftermarket stereo other than cable from dash unit. No biggie as I get FM reception minimally and I usually have it off or listen to CD's. Is there a small antenna that I can attach to head unit that can be hidden under dash?

[Mitch Leland]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I had to replace my windshield a few years ago. I used a national firm, Diamond Triumph Glass. They installed a Sigla tinted windshield with antenna for less than $500.00. Sigla is the OEM windshield. They have nation wide locations.

I've had another very knowledgeable person tell me that the Sigla windshield was a good one. Thanks for your input and information...

[m110]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

I've had another very knowledgeable person tell me that the Sigla windshield was a good one. Thanks for your input and information...

I think Sigla is an OEM supplier as well as a factory windshield supplier. I am fanatical about glass and change windshields on every car I've owned. I've had people tell me the factory glass is softer and more prone to chipping...I've really tried to see that but never have. The difference I have seen is that OEM windshields tend to fit a little better than aftermarket OE. I've never had a problem with Sigla or Sekurit but a few Carlite and Pilkingtons have been a bit off.

As far as aftermarket OEM vs factory vs aftermarket OE goes, I think it's ok to go OEM aftermarket unless it is a concours type car. Sometimes the factory glass is the cheapest (my M6 windshield recently) so price it through a local glass guy from the dealer. Some aftermarket OE suppliers have funky tint that might suprise you.

[Mitch Leland]

M110...

Great post, really informative... Thanks.

[deputydog95]

Old thread but doing some searching as I need new glass. Went on windshields to go just for a gander. Wow this is expensive...

Auto Glass by Windshields To Go USA

[Cairo94507]

Given the amount of construction in the SF Bay Area (CA) it seems like every 2 years I am replacing windshields in our cars. I had one replaced in my DD and one week later a rock cracked the new window. I install whatever the insurance company will pay for. I usually request OEM and if available they install it.