Are all windshields the same?
 

I am going to replace my windshield on my 1973.5T soon and have been shopping around noting that several are priced as low as $179.00 on Ebay. The price ranges vary hundreds of dollars and many of these are imported from China. Can I assume that all windshields imported to the USA must pass a safety standard and would be as good as the pricier German units? Are all windshields the same?

Thanks

Bob

also interested to learn this

No, all glass is not the same. First and foremost is the size and fit. Wait, now that I think about it, safety is number one. The windshield helps keep bad pookie out of our face. I would not trust my safety to ANYTHING made in China.

Look around and talk to local glass shops. Ask for Sigla brand of glass. That is the OEM brand and it fits the car perfectly. Be sure to get a new Porsche OEM seal. Don't even bother wasting the money on any other windshield seal, because they don't fit right and they usually leak.

Simple goes to DOT number data base almost every winshield have dot follow by number ex you can buy PPG dot18 made usa dot 19 made canada and dot 563 Shenzhen china.Hope that help to choose the winshield.

I need one as well. Let us know what you decide on and how it works out.
Rich

Thanks....

So China does have a window that meets our DOT standards which I figured was an ISO and DOT safety requirement. The $150.00 glass will then be as safe as the $500 glass regarding how its tempered, but I am not sure if the fit would be exact. The Chinese glass even has the green upper tint as original. I am going to keep looking around. Good information.

Bob

I've been measuring glass lately to solve my '80 windshield puzzle. Widths have varied up to 3/4". Got price on Porsche windshield with no antena (for amusement purposes)... $1,000.

Securit makes a good one, I think there may be some for sale in the want ads here.

Are you sure the green tint band is original? I thought all LWB cars had either all clear or all green tint. Is 73.5 different being a transitional year?

light green tint band on upper shield on the 1973.5T

At least with dot number data base i would prefer buy can or us winshield than chinese india Can and US replacement are 1mm thicker same thickness has sekurit

Getting an education on windows here...................would pay indeed to get thicker and non-Chinese made. Any recommended vendors where good buys can be found?

Try Richard at ProSource glass - he posts in classifeds forum here. Great knowledge and service when I bought from him.

Some states require insurance to replace windshield if cracked/chipped. Not sure if it's same for all states. Florida has this requirement.

Bob,

Sekurit is a product of Saint Gobain and making OEM car glass for many, many years for a lot of cars like Porsche, Mercedes and BMW. So if you see the brand name Saint Gobain or it's known that the glass is produced by them, you can order without any doubt.

Otto

Bought mine from windshieldstogo.com. Great fit, doesn't leak. $179 I think.

I've been using $120 Chinese windshields for years. Never had a problem with them. It's a wear item, as far as I'm concerned.

No ones talked about weight but there is quite a difference. Thinner cheap glass is perhaps close to RS spec! Though I seem to recall all front windshields were the same originally.

How often do you have to replace them Jack? Your car's mostly track these days, or is it your daily driver?