'88 Carrera Windshield questions

[ejp]

After asking my local p-car forum about where to get windshield glass installed for an '88 3.2 Coupe, I called the recommended installer and started an insurance claim. Many of the local shops use this guy for all of their air cooled cars.

After a search on my VIN, he told me that my '88 originally came with a seal that was bonded to the windshield glass. New windshields for these cars are difficult to obtain (take possibly months to order), and cost $3500 and up (more if I want a courtesy tint). I have never heard of special windshields on 88's and early 89's.

Is this accurate information?

Will an earlier windshield (say, from an '86) fit my car with the regular OEM seal? Are there any differences that I should be aware of/wary of?

Thanks!

[chuckr]

call Safelite ! quick !!!
you being told BS! I just had (last year) new windshield and seal from Safelite put in my 88
911 for under 400.00

[mmahon04]

EJP,

That all sounds like rubbish. I just paid $600 for glass & installation of a new windshield (in-glass antennae) on my '88 3.2. I bought the seal separately from Pelican here. Prior to going this route (I used a body shop for install as I thought there might be moisture and rust intrusion), Safelite quoted me a hair over $400 for glass, seal, and install.

Thanks,
Matthew

[Cattler]

Originally Posted by chuckr

call Safelite ! quick !!!
you being told BS! I just had (last year) new windshield and seal from Safelite put in my 88
911 for under 400.00

+1 on Safelite. I think the installer is trying to get you to pay the "Porsche tax."

Just be sure to call ahead and ask them if they have anyone with experience installing a Porsche windshield. I had some problems at first with Safelite, but they had a more experienced installer at a larger location close to me.

Best,
Dave

[Dublinoh]

I did what mmahon04 did, seal from pelican and local window glass shop did install (with their glass supplier) on mechanical shop's referal. I have used Safelite for other cars with good results. If your car has a rubber seal it is not special...do not buy glass from Porsche unless you have a good reason to spend much much more. This should be a $500 give or take deal.

[JAR0023]

Post a photo of your windshield and seal. There was a transition period when the 964 was being released and the last of the Carreras were getting the 964 windshield but even that is not urethane set. Just a different size glass and gasket.

I agree with the others you are being taken for a ride. This spring I bought a St. Gobain-Sekutrit w/s for my 86, which should be same as your 88 and it was $265. The 993 glass is urethane set. I've priced out the 993 windshield locally for around $1000 for glass and mouldings.

Couple more points to ponder. You did this over the phone and by VIN. Could be the guy keyed in the wrong VIN. Second thing is you involved insurance. Speaking from experience: I work in insurance. Glass vendors will jack pricing to retail if they think they can get the insurance company to pay it. There is crazy mark up on glass and most often the street price on glass is well under 50% of MSRP.

I agree with calling Safelite. Even if you don't use them for the glass. They will give you a reasonable and customary quote. Try their website. I was able to get a quote from them online in a couple of minutes. -J

[ejp]

To be fair, this guy wasn't trying to take me for a ride. He said that he wasn't willing to work with OEM glass if it was that much (given that he's a small shop and he would have to front the cash for it) - he actually suggested that I talk to Safelite.

I will give Safelite a call tomorrow and see what they can do for me. I'll post a picture of my windshield and seal in the morning.

Some followup questions: what is the advantage of using OEM glass (Sekurit or Sigla)? Is there an aftermarket solution? Should I go for it?

Thanks!

[OK Porsche 911]

Does your car have an aluminum trim piece on the rubber seal? If it does, go back to your glass shop and have him recheck what he was looking at. OR as suggested call Safelite or some other glass shop. $400 should get it done. Your car will have the antenna in the glass so the price will be a little higher than the 83 and older 911's. I would also suggest using a new seal from Pelican too. The hardest part of this is the stinking trim pieces. (but it isn't rocket science, all you need is some nylon rope, soapy water, and patience, lots of patience)
Good luck!

[Carbster]

May I ask who quoted you this price? Call Tom Stuart at Redline Motors in Purcellville VA. If he doesnt want to take on the job & and likely won't (he only wants Pcar and Ferrari resto lately) he will send you to someone who is good and reasonable.

[ejp]

Here are pictures of the seal around my windshield:




Does this look like a plain old 911 seal?

Just to clarify, if my windshield is indeed a regular old 911 windshield, this installer is most likely just incorrect. This installer has not seen my car yet; we did this over the phone, and I texted him the VIN of my car, which he says that he ran to determine the part. He may have fat-fingered the VIN - I don't really know. I do not get the sense that he's trying to scam me or make me pay a Porsche tax given that he turned down the work unless we could find a cheaper alternative.

In any case, I'll give Safelite a call and see what they can do for me. Please do let me know if this looks any different than a regular seal.

Thanks for all the advice!

[JAR0023]

Just a good old fashioned gasket installed windshield. Same style everyone else is talking about. -J

[ejp]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Just a good old fashioned gasket installed windshield. Same style everyone else is talking about. -J

Thanks! Called Safelite, scheduled appointment. Will be no fuss no muss.

[m110]

Looks like a regular seal
The trim insert is, however, likely plastic not anodized aluminum as in earlier cars. It is more difficult to reuse and having a new one handy might be prudent (avail on Pelican)
Doesn't sound like he is deceiving you, just not experienced

[Chuck.H]

Originally Posted by mmahon04

EJP,

That all sounds like rubbish. I just paid $600 for glass & installation of a new windshield (in-glass antennae) on my '88 3.2. I bought the seal separately from Pelican here. Prior to going this route (I used a body shop for install as I thought there might be moisture and rust intrusion), Safelite quoted me a hair over $400 for glass, seal, and install.

Thanks,
Matthew

+1 on this - get the seal from Pelican, and 'interview' local glass shops to see their experience. If you find an owner/operator who gives you confidence, use them. When I changed mine a year ago or so, I removed the old glass and carefully removed all the old glue and brought them the car to install the windshield. I duct taped the old glass in place to make the drive across town.

BTW, this is a) the only time I've taken my car anywhere for work in 20 years, and b) one of the best improvements I've made to date. A new clear windshield is awesome!!!

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 365k miles

[craigyirush]

Sorry to hijack, but I am having a similar problem with my '86 Targa. Got a very high quote for replacing with an OEM windshield; 50% less for aftermarket glass.

What was the OEM brand on the 3.2 Carreras (or was there more than one)? And which aftermarket brands are good?

And have those of you who went non-OEM had any problems with the antennae working, or the glass not fitting properly and leaking, etc?

[Dublinoh]

My 1987 windshield was replaced with a PLINKINGTON 43R-001585 label on the glass (part FW00504GGNNCOM) with I think green tint and antennae. It was sourced by a local installer. No problems and the radio works fine. I sourced the seal from Pelican (part 911-541-225-03-M260)

Agree with Chuck.H, "one of the best improvements I've made to date. A new clear windshield is awesome!!!"

[ScottT80]

Where are you guys getting original Sekurit glass? Or are am I better off just taking whatever safelite has available? Mine is an SC with a regular antenna.

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by ScottT80

Where are you guys getting original Sekurit glass? Or are am I better off just taking whatever safelite has available? Mine is an SC with a regular antenna.

Call a local independent glass guy and ask him to source the glass. He can get a better price and has a handle on who the vendors are for your area. He may or may not pass along a good deal.

Barring that contact Richard at ProSource. He will post up in the classifieds sometimes when they have excess stock of windshields. He gave me a great price but the trick with them is; Do they have a warehouse close to you? If not you'll pay $100 plus for crating and shipping. -J

Prosource Glass International

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by m110

Looks like a regular seal
The trim insert is, however, likely plastic not anodized aluminum as in earlier cars. It is more difficult to reuse and having a new one handy might be prudent (avail on Pelican)
Doesn't sound like he is deceiving you, just not experienced

I don't think there was ever plastic trim in the Carreras. My trim looked faded like that and it was metal. Once I had mine out I cleaned it all around and treated the outside with vaseline just like wheels.

If you know you are going to ditch the old gasket it's easy enough to just cut out the old windshield with a razor knife. Cut on either side of the trim strip. -J

[Chuck.H]

Regarding the high cost of OEM glass, I suggest you move to Florida. Besides the great winter weather, free windshield replacement by your insurance company is mandated by law.

I did pay for the OEM gasket because I didn't want aftermarket, but my glass guy was able to convince Progressive that only OEM glass fit well, and they went for it. No deductible on the glass, all I paid for was the rubber.

Yes of course we all pay a little more with higher premiums, but not sure if this really factors in - I don't think too many people take them up on it.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 365k miles