Windshield replacement advice sought

Michael T · 12-13-2015, 07:09 AM

i would like to replace the windshield in my 1989 Carrera Targa. i was wondering on recomendations on brands of window and making sure it has an antenna. I also would like advice on the mouldings. Are there two required? From some searching it sounds like only Porsche OEM is the way to go.

Also if anyone in Houston has a recommendation on a shop, that would be great.

patz · 12-13-2015, 07:21 AM

Contact Stoddard for the oem windshield, have a pro install it.

RSTarga · 12-13-2015, 08:18 AM

If you are going to buy from Porsche, you might as well go to your dealer for windshield and installation, specify a new seal. The dealer won't charge you freight on the windshield.

However, you are in a large city, ask your shop to recommend a glass installer and specify one with an antenna and a factory seal. More than likely you'll end up with an OEM supplier, for a lot cheaper than the dealer or Stoddard.

I consider windshields to be like brake pads or wipers, they wear out and get changed. I've never had a bad windshield OEM or not, so unless you are going to show your car, shop around.

grizzfan · grizzfan's Garage

I had good luck at my local Chevrolet detail shop. It was not German glass, nor was an internal antenna involved. He had one in stock. I did purchase a Porsche seal through our sponsor. No leaks, but I don't drive it in the rain!

Tom

Ducman · 12-13-2015, 04:34 PM

I think you're good with an off brand windshield, last one I got was PWG. Looks great. I do use OEM seals. It's really easy to replace yourself, especially in a targa because you can stand in car with top off and position from both inside and outside of car. There's good threads here on how to do it if you search.

universeman · universeman's Garage

I just had a mobile glass shop come out that "specializes in classics", they got the windshield out of my targa in 3 minutes, but it took them forever to get it back in, and despite me telling them they needed to put the trim in the seal before seating the windshield (thanks to all of you here on Pelican who taught me that), they tried to put the trim in afterwards -- no luck. So I still have no windshield seal (it leaks a bit when it rains.)

I ordered a new Porsche seal and am installing it myself next weekend. I'll take pictures and make a thread about the differences between the seals - I now own a Uro seal, an "OEM" branded seal, and soon a Porsche seal. I'm not sure what the one I took out was, I'll try to do some research on it. This way we can settle the "which seal is best" once and for all! (OK, we all know which seal is best, but this may give us definitive proof that they're not all the same.)

Cook&Dunning · 12-14-2015, 04:26 AM

Later 1989 cars had the pinch weld modified and used 964 windshield and seal. Just an fyi

Mick_D · 12-14-2015, 07:15 AM

My local Porsche dealer will charge you over $900 for a windshield, around $130 for a seal, and two-hours minimum labor at a rate of $150 an hour.

My local Binswanger glass will charge me $216 for the windshield AND installation, and I can supply the seal and trim, AND they can do it in my driveway.