SA3R

Tonight I copped a large (about golf ball sized) rock or glob of hard road tar into my windshield at about 60mph/100kmh. It put a large spider web the size of a dinner plate in the glass, an inch above the wipers, dead center. Got flung at me by a car in front of me, out of some highway asphalt works

Since this windscreen is now toast, I have to get a new one fitted. Does anyone know if the aftermarket ones the glass companies use are good quality, same thickness, etc? Do all model years use the same screen +rubber, or did the part numbers ever change?

My insurance doesnt cover windscreen replacement, so this is out of my own pocket. Not interested in pulling a used one out of the parts car I have here, because its a bit sandblasted looking.

So I want to go in with my eyes open to the options/pitfalls, and hear from anyone who has gone through it before. Thanks

SA3R

Also I should add, if/when I replace the broken windscreen, I'm considering applying this 'Clearplex' windscreen protection film to guard against further rock impacts.
Anyone have any experiences with the stuff?

JWteknix

iTrader: (2)

Haven't tried it but if it work as well as my iPhone screen protector I'd say go for it

Ceylon

iTrader: (3)

No idea about Australia, but over here you need to ask for oem when you get it replaced. Otherwise they fit a blue tinted screen. Stock FD's have bronze glass.

SA3R

Thanks for the tips

Yeah, I think the aftermarket ones here are blue tinted glass as well.. Which I dont mind as much really.

Called 4 windscreen shops around my city today. Interesting results:

Shop #1 quoted $580.00
Shop #2 $440.00
Shop #3 $480.00 then haggled them down to $440.00
Shop #4 $350.00

All for the same brand (Pilkington glass) same part number, no differences.
Makes you wonder why one company quotes $580 when the next one offers the same thing for $350 straight up?

billyboy

Can't remember exactly what I paid, but all those prices seem on the steepish side, although the lower one with installation might be closer to the ballpark.

You can get a heated windscreen for that top price.

Screen rubbers and inserts did change over the model years, I'd just go with what the installer uses unless a genuine only freak. Dunno what clearplex is, if it's the plastic peel-offs one of the windscreen sellers offer, won't protect against large impacts.