Cracked windshield

Eurospares, ask for Claudio !

Let us know please:

* how and where you found one, transported it ...
* how you took out the cracked one, how did that look ...
* how you installed the new one, which materials you needed and so on

Please with lots of photo's Alex, we all want to learn from you !

Wishing you all the luck you can get !

 

I have an acquaintance that had his replaced a while back.
I don't remember the total cost but he said a majority of the cost was to replace the trim and surround that was sacrificed during removal of the old one.
According to him, it was unavoidable due to design.

Note: I believe the glass was OEM. No mention of aftermarket.

 

Try these guys........Architectural Bent & Curved Glass Design | BentGlass Design

They are not to far from were I live. (2.5 miles) They do custom glass for yachts and old collector cars. They may be able to help.

 

Pilkington Classics would be a very reasonable place to start looking.

 

Sorry to hear. On the bright side, pulling the screen is a good opportunity to fix any leather dash shrinkage if needed.

 

From an email:
"In regards to the windshield we can offer @ $1095 bronze with the built in antenna and black mirror patch like the original. There is a $25 crate fee + truck freight. Let me know destination if you want a total.
These are a single antenna type. They did make one with a double antenna but it is not available.
All shipments are sent insured. Delivery time is approx. 10 days within the US.
Regards,
Richard

ProSource Glass International
Tel:877-345-2800 Toll Free US & Canada
Tel:978-790-4657"

 

I have used Prosource a few times. Never been sorry. Have their glass in the 328.

 

Not unavoidable but common. It needs to be in the estimate.

Breaking glass in these is such a PIA. It is the one thing I worry about driving them and have to remind myself to keep a good distance behind other cars and trucks.

 

here we get in germany windshields for TR, and not so expensive
Ferrari Testarossa: Neue Frontscheibe | Classic Autoglas

 

Same price and you would need to add trans atlantic shipping plus duty.

 

Thanks for the input Brian.
Mine isn't cracked but it is showing it's age.
I wouldn't mind getting a new one.

I think the biggest challenge in my area is finding a GOOD installer that knows TR's.
1095.00 from Prosource is quite reasonable considering......
(The price of OEM quality glass in my BMW is close to 800.00.)

 

I had a nice little rock tap the windshield pretty good a few weeks ago. I've been thinking about it every time I get in the car since. It's New England-the rocks and sand from last winter aren't going to be gone until the beginning of next winter. Sucks, and after last winter I'm hanging way back behind the other cars

 

Not silly at all-that's what your iPhone camera is for!

 

If you wanted to you could find a glass guy to acid etch it. Just get an accurate template made.

VIN Etching | Affordable Auto Glass

 

Not done by the factory so really makes no difference.


And cracking like you describe is usually an installation issue. Lets hope your installer know better than to make the same mistake.

 

Is the windshield trim considered one time use? Or is it based off the installer's experience?

 

if you would get the windshield trim for an acceptable price you buy this then.
otherwise the guy doing this job has to be double and triple careful not to damage those trim. also then it is a lot of work to clean it again.

 

The glass industry is just like fast food. You can make a great hamburger but Mcdonalds will never do it. The trim can be removed and reused but the glass installers have a mind set of a windshield being a one hour job. It will be destroyed by them.


Everyone wants cheap, cheap, cheap so industries model themselves after that. When there are no more skilled people left we have ourselves to blame.

The last really good glass shop I had just quit doing these jobs no matter how much I paid them. Low risk, brainless work made them more money.

 

Thanks! I am glad to know.

Now I hope I won't have to do this anytime soon.

 

A rock hit my windshield last year putting in a crack that quickly spread. I had a replacement installed at the local dealer. Not sure who they used for the install in Seattle but the work was excellent.

Yes, trim needs to be replaced as well as the gasket and - believe it or not - the radio antenna amplifier! The total cost in 2014 was about $8,000. Comprehensive insurance covered it so my out of pocket was just $200. I put on a ClearPlex film and glad that I did as in just 3K miles it has taken a number of hits that would have pitted the windshield or worse.

Apparently OEM is all that is available (my insurance company said that they did a lot of checking FWIW). That is a bit hard to believe but they did pay out the claim. Luckily in Washington State glass claims are not allowed to impact you rates (maybe this is a federal law?).

Anyway, it's the second windshield for me in the 512TR in 15 years meaning that their payout has about matched my premium payments!

- Will

 

Thanks for piping up Will.
Mine is showing it's age
Please PM me who you insure with for when I get mine back on the road.
Happy driving!

 

Watching this thread, as I also need a new screen, too be honest the crack has come at a good time, it has started to delaminate in a couple of places and I also need a little bodywork carried out which will be a whole lot easier for my body guy to do