WINDSCREEN REPLACEMENT: AUTOGLASS: AFTERMARKET OR OEM?

[Glassman]

Porsche OEM is Saint-Gobain, pretty sure the only other option for Porsche is Pilkington but I have never heard of one of those being supplied from the factory - but if you know it's original then I guess they have "moved on"

I think the common issues (assuming the right bits of tint/antenna/sensor/mirror fitment is matched) often arise from the use of generic "big roll of it in the van" seals rather than the genuine ones from Porsche.

Pilkington is the OEM for several models in the Porsche range such as the Cayman and 993.

All the glass on a 993 is (Sekurit) Saint Gobain except for the windscreen which has always been SIGLA, now an acquired brand of Pilkington NSG.

 

[1GTB1]

Afternoon,
Still Autoglass, but I have just started legal redress against them after two "Failed" attempts to replace windscreen on my MY23 GTS Macan.
In March got a stone chip, that needed repaired, its a heated screen. Went thru all the online upload photos etc, my full comp insurance is with Admiral so no issues £25 excess to pay. Technicain came to my home couple weeks later, but unfortunately on third attempt (Apparantly thats all the stadard allows) the screen chip was getting worse. So full replacement required. So £125 balance to pay. Initial info was no OEM glass, but quick call to insurers they instructed Autoglass to fit genuine screen.
Running parallel to that I had obtained a quote from local OPC to replace and that was £1,600 and they could get glass in 48hrs.
Autoglass was six weeks!! I spoke with insurers and they said wouldnt approve OPC fitting as I would need to pay diffrence.
First attempt by Autoglass, was I rejected the work as they put screen in without correct alignment as I now had a 15mm gap down full length of nearside trim, they denied at first, but even their own before/after video showed that gap not present before, the interior roof light cluster was now hanging down and rattles when driving car because they bust the retaining clips, despite the paperwork saying they fit new ones.
No written proof cameras all calibrated as per Porsche settings and also they said no way they can prove the heated screen now works until its the winter and screen frosty, if it doesnt work "Just raise a warranty claim sir and we will fix"!!!! I recorded in writing I was rejecting job due to workmanship and non compliance with manufacturers spec. I raised with Insurer and they and much to my surprise said, not their making, I need to claim warranty with Autoglass before they take further, in other words they need a second chance.

So only three weeks ago ( Yes it took them all that time to get another original screen and a booking appointment) so another 2.5hrs for them to take out screen and fit another new one, this time with new trims, fixings etc etc. Agin I rejected work as "Gap" now just 8mm, but fitter doesnt know why, but agrees that isnt how it came out factory or when first presented to them. Again no written confirmation they have set upm and calibrated cameras and again shrug of the shoulders about proving heated screen works. Customer service agen I have been dealing with is useless and stated, that despite terms and conditions issued with each job on completion i will receive a cert of calibration, but she says they havent done that since 2020! Their goodwill gesture was raised last week from £50 to £100 for full and final settlement..........................
So me thinks I need to go down another route.

Autoglass, I would avoid, only as good as the person that fits the screen, any problems and its a concrete wall you face.
Anyway I will pursue this.

Cheers GTB

 

[Skyrider]

Afternoon,
Still Autoglass, but I have just started legal redress against them after two "Failed" attempts to replace windscreen on my MY23 GTS Macan.
In March got a stone chip, that needed repaired, its a heated screen. Went thru all the online upload photos etc, my full comp insurance is with Admiral so no issues £25 excess to pay. Technicain came to my home couple weeks later, but unfortunately on third attempt (Apparantly thats all the stadard allows) the screen chip was getting worse. So full replacement required. So £125 balance to pay. Initial info was no OEM glass, but quick call to insurers they instructed Autoglass to fit genuine screen.
Running parallel to that I had obtained a quote from local OPC to replace and that was £1,600 and they could get glass in 48hrs.
Autoglass was six weeks!! I spoke with insurers and they said wouldnt approve OPC fitting as I would need to pay diffrence.
First attempt by Autoglass, was I rejected the work as they put screen in without correct alignment as I now had a 15mm gap down full length of nearside trim, they denied at first, but even their own before/after video showed that gap not present before, the interior roof light cluster was now hanging down and rattles when driving car because they bust the retaining clips, despite the paperwork saying they fit new ones.
No written proof cameras all calibrated as per Porsche settings and also they said no way they can prove the heated screen now works until its the winter and screen frosty, if it doesnt work "Just raise a warranty claim sir and we will fix"!!!! I recorded in writing I was rejecting job due to workmanship and non compliance with manufacturers spec. I raised with Insurer and they and much to my surprise said, not their making, I need to claim warranty with Autoglass before they take further, in other words they need a second chance.

So only three weeks ago ( Yes it took them all that time to get another original screen and a booking appointment) so another 2.5hrs for them to take out screen and fit another new one, this time with new trims, fixings etc etc. Agin I rejected work as "Gap" now just 8mm, but fitter doesnt know why, but agrees that isnt how it came out factory or when first presented to them. Again no written confirmation they have set upm and calibrated cameras and again shrug of the shoulders about proving heated screen works. Customer service agen I have been dealing with is useless and stated, that despite terms and conditions issued with each job on completion i will receive a cert of calibration, but she says they havent done that since 2020! Their goodwill gesture was raised last week from £50 to £100 for full and final settlement..........................
So me thinks I need to go down another route.

Autoglass, I would avoid, only as good as the person that fits the screen, any problems and its a concrete wall you face.
Anyway I will pursue this.

Cheers GTB

OMG, what a nightmare, just the kind of situation I was afraid of, & wanted to avoid with my own situation.

I have recently had the damage to my screen repaired by Paul (Glasstec), who did an excellent job after Autoglass said it couldn't be done etc. (see above).

In this case my insurer agreed to contribute £40 toward the cost.

Anyway, I hope you manage to finally get this sorted to your satisfaction...

 

[MichaelHaller]

Indeed, a nightmare.

I've a scratch (a beautiful arc from the passenger side, courtesy of a stone caught in the wiper). Are scratches something that can be repaired, generally? (I expect yes, if the scratch isn't too deep, but I don't know.) I'm not concerned about the integrity of the screen, but it's irritating to look at. Reading this thread has made me nervous about having it replaced (costs aside.., well, and that too).

Thanks and regards,

- Michael

 

[Skyrider]

Indeed, a nightmare.

I've a scratch (a beautiful arc from the passenger side, courtesy of a stone caught in the wiper). Are scratches something that can be repaired, generally? (I expect yes, if the scratch isn't too deep, but I don't know.) I'm not concerned about the integrity of the screen, but it's irritating to look at. Reading this thread has made me nervous about having it replaced (costs aside.., well, and that too).

Thanks and regards,

- Michael

Can't say if it can be repaired or not, it might be worth having a chat with Paul who recently repaired my screen:

Windscreen Repair - Glasstec Paul

We repair windscreens, fit new windscreens and replace glass for all your vehicles.

glasstecpaul.com

 

[1GTB1]

Just a quick update to my own windscreen issue, after contacting my insurer again over their "Agent" Autoglass and my intent to start a legal claim against them, insurer stepped up to the plate. Autoglass Service director got in touch, listened to all the history and why his company failed twice to replace my windscreen correctly, he checked paperwork and history of calls and emails, and has now indicated they failed to do the job, as such they have accepted a quote and approved work to go ahead at my local Porsche OPC for them to replace the screen etc and they will pick up the costs.
So not done yet, so will get booked in over next couple of weeks.

Cheers GTB

 

[Skyrider]

Just a quick update to my own windscreen issue, after contacting my insurer again over their "Agent" Autoglass and my intent to start a legal claim against them, insurer stepped up to the plate. Autoglass Service director got in touch, listened to all the history and why his company failed twice to replace my windscreen correctly, he checked paperwork and history of calls and emails, and has now indicated they failed to do the job, as such they have accepted a quote and approved work to go ahead at my local Porsche OPC for them to replace the screen etc and they will pick up the costs.
So not done yet, so will get booked in over next couple of weeks.

Cheers GTB

Excellent news

 

[MichaelHaller]

Can't say if it can be repaired or not, it might be worth having a chat with Paul who recently repaired my screen:

Windscreen Repair - Glasstec Paul

We repair windscreens, fit new windscreens and replace glass for all your vehicles.

glasstecpaul.com

Thanks. I've contacted him.

 

[vitesse]

Funny thing is that all glass is now made using the Float method invented by Pilkington in St Helens & licensed to the likes of St Gobain ,the Chinese etc after the 25yr patent expired many years ago.
Triplex ,another Pilkington company produced windscreens initially just toughened but also laminated (for aircraft etc) with windscreen shape cut to specific templates from float glass before being moulded to aperture shape & tempered using cool air blasts-laminated ones are just 2 such shapes bonded to the plastic interface which for certain applications can be a mixture of toughened/tempered versions.
I suppose variations talked about are down to accuracy,quality control/process control et alia but all made the same way.

 

[Lancerlot]

Fitting an after-market screen may invalidate Extended Warranty (i.e. non Porsche approved component).
My OPC service adviser tells me Autoglass can and do fit OEM screens at their Centre.
I'm there tomorrow morning, so I'll see if I am able to clarify the situation.

Regards,

Clive

 

[MichaelHaller]

Fitting an after-market screen may invalidate Extended Warranty (i.e. non Porsche approved component).
My OPC service adviser tells me Autoglass can and do fit OEM screens at their Centre.
I'm there tomorrow morning, so I'll see if I am able to clarify the situation.

Regards,

Clive

I’m interested to know how it goes. Good luck.