Windscreen Woes

[Black_JPN]

Hi All,

I had Autoglass out this week to sort some chips in my windscreen. They fixed them (supposedly) but one gave way on Friday and I now have 2 large cracks in the screen.

Looking back through old posts and knowing 944 windscreens are bonded I know the best option is to stick with the original screen!

Sadly, its past that and I need a new screen, Autoglass are covering it under their warranty as it was possibly caused by one of their repaired chips. So no excess to pay which is good.

Question is, what's the best advice I can give to help the fitter? Obviously I can tell him its bonded but is it worth a small bribe to ensure he does the best job possible? And should I stick around to watch it being done or is it just too painful?

Thanks!

 

[944cabby]

I had Autoglass in telford replace the windscreen in my cab and they did a very good job indeed.
I did hang around in the waiting room for a couple of hours but that was because i was 40 miles from home.When they finished they seemed chuffed with the job they'de done which was good i thought.

 

[Diver944]

Stress that you are a really fussy bu66er, stress that you don't want any creaks or misfitting seals, stress that you have heard many horror stories of damage to the paint surround when fitting, stress that you'll be closely inspecting afterwards.

After that just chill and let them get on with it - no stress []

(and let me know how it goes as I'll be needing a new one soon [] )

 

[Fred Hindle]

I would stress the positive - Stress that if they do a bang-up job then they will be getting a recommendation in Porsche circles.

Carrot rather than a stick.

Cheers,

 

[sawood12]

I don't see why a 944 windscreen should be different that any other car windscreen. Most cars windscreens are bonded in these days. According to the history of my car it had a new windscreen from Autoglass about 5yrs ago. The invoice was £1500!!! Best make sure you've got good cover from your insurance. I would however ask them to pay special attention to the arial connection.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Mine was c. £700 from Autoglass 2 years ago. My insurers have a £500 limit on windscreens this year....[]

It's an old story, but when I called them the guy said "that's a nice car - we'll get one of our competent fitters in specially"....

Scary stuff, I'd be very enthusiastic about watching the experts at work. Scratches under the glass will rust later, rare but not unheard of.

 

[Black_JPN]

Its going into the depot on Thursday. There knew they were tricky and asked if I could bring it into the depot before I could suggest it. They reckon it'll be 3 hours so its at least reassuring to know they plan on taking their time with it. It could still be subject to their warranty from the chips I had repaired last week in which case I won't pay a thing otherwise its £50 excess on my insurance. I'm planning on hanging around to see them do it.

 

[paulf968]

One piece of advice I was given, is to leave it as long as possible to bond before driving the car. I guess in cold weather it may take longer so best to have it done inside their workshop and plan for it to be parked with them as long as poss rather than going for a quick getaway.

 

[Black_JPN]

Just had a bit of a palava with autoglass. I turned up and Was greeted rather sternly with 'we were expecting you at 8am sir'. I replied with 'it was 8-9' - so things didn't get off to a good start, by then it was a little before 9am. I enquired about the warranty as the crack appeared through a chip they'd fixed the day before. He came back and said no it can't be done under warranty! So cue him, the manager and me standing around pointing at my windscreen, me with the original work document with the repaired stone chips clearly identified exclaiming that it cracked the day after they had been repaired when they had assured me it wouldn't. They said there was impact damage! I told them the car hadn't even gone anywhere. Anyway, they agreed to settle half way. So half of £25, I know not much money but it was the principle of the thing, their blatantly rude attitude and poor customer service.
However.... we all noticed rust under the rubber seal at the top of the window which didn't look good at all. So they're going to call me when the screen is out to have a look further. There maybe some body repairs needed, yikes.
I'll obviously have to get the bodywork round the frame done before they can fit it
which is a bit of a nightmare but I guess a blessing really to catch it before it spreads from under the seal and onto the body. I may ask if I can do it myself as I don't fancy driving with no windscreen to the bodyshop round the corner and waiting weeks while they can fit me in. At least catching this rust now could be silver lining in the cloud.... Hey ho.. Reading an Saturday is currently looking unlikely.

 

[Black_JPN]

I went to view the car with my windscreen out. The rust is superficial at the top and has been gently sanded and treated, it hasn't reached the bodywork and I didn't want to tempt fate with a more vigorous repair only to mess up the bodywork on the roofline.

The metal does get exposed though when the windscreen comes out, which is scary. They have assured me and I have pressed home the point that the new screen will be well sealed and all the exposed metal will be treated etc first. Waiting for a new seal which should be there tomorrow and then the screen will be going in.

 

[Diver944]

Sounding good so far - they are making all the right noises.

I meant to say something about the seal as when I had mine done many years ago by Northampton OPC they re-used the existing seal [] It didn't fit properly after removal/refitting and leaked like a sieve until they did it again with a new seal [8|]

 

[Black_JPN]

Just heard from Autoglass, the trim Porsche keep sending them is of the wrong type. They've received 2 incorrect ones so far. Its not exactly filling me with confidence. Anyway net result is no 944 now until at least next Monday/Tuesday. So I won't be at Reading tomorrow. []

 

[zcacogp]

Oooooh this is worrying.

I managed to scratch the screen on my S2 earlier on this week - clumsy with an ice scraper one morning. Replacement of the screen was a serious option (£50 excess on my insurance) until I read this thread ...

Hope it ends well Damon.


Oli.

 

[PJS917]

I have just had two windscreens replaced, one in the 44 and one in the 68. When I rang my insurance company for the first one they said they would send Autoglass around, however I said no I was using a local independent firm that were good fitters that cared for the car. There were no problems and the local firm billed my insurance direct. On my 68 which is insured with a different company they again wanted to use Autoglass which I refused, stating I was going to use a firm that cared. I had too pay for my windscreen and claim for the money back, less £60.00. Insurance companies are quite flexible, they would rather it went to a repairers/bodyshop of their choice, but the car is yours and it is up to you where and how you have it repaired.

 

[cococola]

I had a replacement screen with auto windscreens last year through my insurance (£50 excess) the screen would hve been £450 if I had paid the lot.
The job was done very well and I let it stand for the day as I had it done at work.

 

[Black_JPN]

Unfortunately I don't know anyone local who can replace windscreens otherwise I would have happily gone down this route. I paid a quick visit to my car this morning as all night on Friday I had this niggling doubt that they weren't telling me the full truth about Porsche sending them the correct trim part and the manager was blasting around in my car over the w/e. Crazy paranoia I know. Alas, they were telling the truth, despite working off the VIN, Porsche had sent a 993 trim and a 996 one. I'll be calling Autoglass first thing on Monday with the correct PET part no. and telling to ask Porsche specifically for this part! It was good to see the car though and I had a bit of time to treat the small amount of superficial surface rust myself which also made me feel better.[]

 

[Guest]

Porsche had sent a 993 trim and a 996 one.

The 993 trim is correct for our cars. Only difference between the 993 rubber trim and the original trim is that the 993 trim needs to be cut to the required length.

 

[Guest]

I had my screen replaced last year. I got a new rubber trim from forest fine but thought he sent the wrong one when it arrived it was labelled to fit a 993. after calling forest fine the guy assured me it was correct and just needed to be cut to fit. the chap at forest fine said porsche now issue the 993 trim as a replacement for our screens.

 

[Black_JPN]

Well they finally sorted it. I paid half the excess so it cost me £30 which wasn't bad. It looks like a good job, no wind noise yet or any squeaks. We gave it plenty of time to set. Theres a very small nick on the A pillar which I can live with until I get the badge panel and bumper sprayed, I was just glad to get the car back at last!

 

[Diver944]

Good news Damon [] I kno when I had mine replaced by the OPC some years ago it took three eperate visits before I was happy.

Make sure you touch in that nick straight away, doesn't need to be pretty as long as you seal it from potential rust in the future []