Disaster !!! *

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

Just went down to see the new paint job on the 944. Beautiful work. Looks like new. Then I notice that the windscreen has 3 huge cracks in it. They say it was like that. Of couse I know it was not like that and my wife is going crazy that I even left the shop. He said also that it might be the oven or maybe it was dropped by one of the guys in the body shop.
either way, where in teh anme of God doe s acompletely frustrated porsche owner get his hands on a second hand (I presume they don't make them) windscreen for an 89 944 S2 Cabriolet !
Is it true that the 944s2 coupe window is different to the convertable ?? Where and price ?
Has anyone gone through this before ??

Kev

sawood12 · Aug 31, 2005

I think you can still get them. When I bought my car the previous owner mentioned that about 12 months before the replaced the windscreen due to a stone chip and growing crack and just used a normal windscreen supplier. The thing cost about £1500 so make sure your insurance has good windscreen cover. By the way it was a pukka windscreen with the internal aerial and everything.

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

I have fully comp. insurance and a winscreen cover that won't affect my no claims bonus but the windscren cover is only up to a few hundred euro.
To get something replaced for 1500 sterlo (about 2k euro) will kill me, especially after handing out 3k for a paint job.
As it is, I have not handed anything out and dont' intend to. Teh bottom line is that the windscreen was not broken when I gave it in and it is broken now. I don't see why I am responsible so I better get a solicitor.
Kev.

NeilW · Aug 31, 2005

Just to confirm, they do still make them. Mine has the integrated aerial and tint with graduation, and was replaced by Autoglass last year. I had to pay the £50 excess but then it was my fault it became cracked.

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

Neil,
What is the contact details for Autoglass there ?? I am in Dublin.

Also, the guy is saying that he will get a new windscreen today and it MIGHT fit. This sounds worrying to me. I had assumed that the original/real windscreen would have been strengthened and laminated and maybe have a couple more different things to seperate it from a normal windscreen.
Any thoughts on that ??
If I can talk to someone in Autoglass it might help.

Kev

Alpine · Aug 31, 2005

ORIGINAL: kevinshally

............... I don't see why I am responsible so I better get a solicitor.
Kev.

....if you do need a solicitor then send me an e-mail as i might be able to help.

944cabby · Aug 31, 2005

I have a 944 cab - the windscreen IS different to the normal 944 - have you tried douglas valley for a second-hand one?I've had no probs with spares for my cab from them.

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

I have tried a few of the usual places in England (as there is just nothing over in Ireland except hay and stuff and that is no good for seeing through). I have to go to the UK for any of my parts but since I don't drive there I never know where the places are.
In Ireland there is only 1 porsche dealer. Thats how bad it is here. If I get contact numbers /email for these places then I'll certainly give them a call. Either way, the glass has to be fixed as it will fail the NCT (Ireland version of the MOT). GGggrrrrrrrrrrr.

Diver944 · Aug 31, 2005

Kevin, the windscreen should be readily available from places like Autoglass as well as OPCs

I had a coupe screen a few years ago from an OPC and the cost then was £500

I hope you get this resolved - there is NO WAY you should be out of pocket

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

Thanks for that.
If it's one things I'm not short of it's solicitor friends. I think all my mates must have made a pact. From talking to the guy after lunch he seems to be ok for going off getting it replaced.
Now I'm worried that he will replace it on the cheap. Of course, he would need to buy new seals and I can't see that happening. Otherwise it will leak. It's just one huge disaster.

John Sims · Aug 31, 2005

Beaky had a new windscreen a couple of weeks ago, granted he is a coupe but I can't see that there would be a difference - though I could be wrong.

Autoglass did the work but they still obtained the screen from Porsche, through Lancasters at Colchester IIRC.

I can't see that cab windscreens are made of unobtainium otherwise you wouldn't be able to insure the car in the first place.

You can not use a second hand windscreen. They are bonded in and can't be removed without breaking them.

944cabby · Aug 31, 2005

Thing is kevin - the cab screen IS different to the coupe so my guess is that it a new one will be dearer than a std coupe one.

John Sims · Aug 31, 2005

By jove I think he's right [

]

I wish I'd had a 944 541 021 05 now.

Mark_Bennett · Aug 31, 2005

The cab screen is lower (shorter to the screen surround).

kevinshally · Aug 31, 2005

Brilliant John.
I forgot about the Antenna 'n' stuff.
Had the guy on the phone there to explain that it needs proper seals, antenna windscreen and it will need to be bonded. It's a pity, but then again, if I broke something belonging to someone else I'ld pay up for it.
Thanks for everything guys.
I actually found a place in Eire which will get the screen for me. A1 windshield and they are based about 500 yards from me.
I think a new paint job is great but it shows up how old the roof is.
Kev

Keggers · Aug 31, 2005

Kevin

Sounds like you've got it sorted out, but if your still find your stuck then probably worth putting in a call to Howard Langridge (http://www.langridgeporscha.com/contact_us.asp) or Barry Whelan from Whelan Motorsports (looks after a lot of Porsches and is close to the centre of Dublin) - 04 453 7224 (although you probably already know of both of these guys), as they may well know where your best place to go for a new screen is.

kevinshally · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks for that. I get all my engine work done by Barry. Sound chap. Races Porsches so a good man to have around the oily bits. I've sourced a screen here. A place called A1 Windscreen Ltd in Donnybrook. The got a friend of mine a screen for a 1982 911. He was very happy with the work and they can get mine also. I'll leave it with the garage though as it's up to them to get the work done.

tony1066 · Sep 1, 2005

Kevin, are any of the cracks around the bottom corners? When i bought my S2 it had a crack across the n/s bottom corner (disguised by the tax disc) the seller was clearly unaware of it (yes really). He had already told me that the bonnet & wings etc. had been resprayed to remove chips. When I mentioned the screen to Fred at Motawerk he said Oh yes I,ve seen it done. When you are repacing the first bonnet strut after having the bonnet off it can open enough to press onto and crack the screen. Did they remove the bonnet?