How much to replace my windshield? Or do I have another option?

Ed_Collins

I'm very sad as I write this.

New Z owner here... I just purchased it earlier this summer. It's a 2013 model but it had less than 3,000 miles on it when I bought it, so it definitely feels like a brand new car to me.

I'm having lots of fun with it... until today, anyway.

Earlier this afternoon, on a drive back to Los Angeles from San Diego, while on the freeway a large rock shot up into my windshield from one of the vehicles in front of me.

At least that's what my passenger said. I thought it was a lead pipe! It all happened in a fraction of a second, hence the reason for our difference.

I suppose whatever it was is now irrelevant. But whatever it was, it was large and the noise it made on contact was very loud and it crashed into the windshield with a lot of force. It scarred the heck out of both of us. In all of my 36 years of driving I've NEVER had an object that size and with that much force any portion of my car.

As you might suspect, it left a small chip in the windshield. Actually, it left several chips. I counted about 8 in all, albeit some of them are very small. But the two largest ones are quite noticeable. The good thing (good thing?) is at least the chips are all directly in front of the passenger's seat.

To say I'm disappointed and sad right now is putting it mildly. I've been babying this car for the past three months like you wouldn't believe. (Well, you fellow Z owners might believe it, 'cause maybe you're doing the same.)

Anyway, what's the status on today's technology on fixing windshields? I'm not up on what can be done. Can it be filled in and buffed it out??? Or will the entire windshield have to be replaced?

I can't see myself leaving it as is... the chips are enough to bother me and take away my enjoyment of it, just knowing they are there. If this happened ten years from now, yea, maybe I'd leave it alone. But not three months into the car.

If I have to replace the entire windshield, can anyone give me an estimate on what a new one might cost me?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

SouthArk370Z

Chips can often be repaired as long as there are no cracks (some type of resin is used). I have no idea how much it will cost. Call some of the auto glass shops around you.

Your insurance may cover a repair/replacement. Contact your agent.

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Spooler

Keep the moisture out of it and you should hardly notice the repair.

chops

yep. get the chips filled. all you'll notice are very very small indentations in the glass. however, it will be smooth due to the resin they use. dont pay more than 20/chip. they likely will do the small ones for free. at least they did for me

KetanLadd

I am not sure how it works in other countries but generally insurances companies cover windscreen replacements for either no excess or a very small charge. I know in the UK it was £50, in Dubai its £80.

I would seriously consider getting it replaced rather than repaired.

BGTV8

Resin injection repairs are usually perfectly serviceable. It depends entirely in the size of the chip is to whether a repair is viable or not.

Check for windscreen repairers in your area - down-under they will usually do the repair at your home or office and the ones I have had repaired are invisible unless you look very closely.

Jordo!

Might be 100% covered by your insurance -- and for free. No deductible.

Also, repair or installation servicer should come to you.

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mishuko

i'm replacing my windshield because a chip (right at the edge) cracked and is running

OEM was aprox 2000 and aftermarket is about 1000. I have to pay a deductible and the insurance won't cover OEM because I didn't pay for that 'OEM premium'. oh well...

As for insurance waiving the fee, first get a quote and see if it's fillable. If it needs a full replacement then compare what your deducitible will be and also ask your broker if it will affect your premium. You be the judge at that point.

mab864

I have a couple very small chips in my windshield right in front of the driver seat. I had a glass repair technician look at them and he said they were too small to repair. They are smaller than a grain of rice and he said the resin would not stick to such a small area. And they couldn't be polished out either so I've just grown to ignore them. Regarding window replacement, I checked into that and didn't find the windshield as expensive as mishuko noted. I got a price of $650 for OEM and $350 for aftermarket.

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mishuko

I'm from canadia it was around 1600 + labour for the oem in my hood sigh...

DOOMMONKEY777

Wow...2000 bucks....those guys smoke alot of crack at that stealership? $340 bucks with aftermarket and installation oem i think 500sh. I replaced my civics windshield $350 from a stealership and that was expensive.

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chops

for the people not in the know, OEM is not always the best. PPG is a GREAT aftermarket windshield. in fact, sometimes better. OEM goes with the lowest possible bidder. PPG for instance, sometimes has thicker than OEM glass which will keep noises down

mab864

That's good to know chops. Honestly, I wasn't that thrilled about putting OEM back in because the stock windshield seems to chip so easily. I got the chips on two separate occasions from very small pebbles that were thrown up. Maybe it's the shape and slope of the Z's windshield, but it seems to be more vulnerable to rock chips. I'll have to look into the PPG glass when I replace.

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Limeybastard

While reading that I was expecting a breaker bar picture smashed through the windscreen. Chips can be drilled and filled so long as it aint gone through.

Ed_Collins

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions.