Bgw70

Nam, do you have USAA for your car insurance? If so, I am very interested what they will do for you because I too have USAA and have an issue with my windsheild. Tks bro!

JohnnyCake

At my dealer last month:

Parts: 1,529.48
Labor/Misc: 208.00

Rip off? Of course.
Peace of mind: priceless!

rudyH

Exactly! I know people get windshields installed by insurance specialist replacement shops all the time with no problems but I don't want some guy taking apart my car in my parking lot at work or in my driveway at home. It's not like you need a windshield replaced regularly unless you're unlucky. I'll pay the dealer or at least specify OEM glass only. I would think there's a way to get insurance to cover part of that cost anyway.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

There are very strict specifications for auto glass. These are federal standards. I guess it is possible to find a sub par glass but if you go to a reputable installer that uses name brand glass like PGW, there will be no difference between the Lexus glass and aftermarket. I have seen no difference in the Lexus glass and the PGW other than the water sheeting effect (on the Lexus glass) and I didn't really like that anyway.

rudyH

http://www.carwindshields.info/winds...something-else

JohnnyCake

Unfortunately, like many companies PGW has out-sourced after-market glass to China and other foreign companies.

http://www.cprautoglassrepair.com/oe...o-glass-china/

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

I really don't care what that ad says. I have a friend that owns a body shop and has for about 30 years. I gave him a call to see what he had to say about this. they replace glass all the time. They never use OEM glass and neither do the other body shops. He said the insurance companies would never allow glass to be put in that is sub standard due to their own liability since they are paying for it. If there were problems with after market glass do think that we would not have heard about it? I'm sure some government agency would be investigating someone. Now, if you go to a shop that is really cheap that is not certified by the insurance company, maybe there is some glass out there that is not up to par. I have had three Lexus cars and all of them have had to have the glass replaced. In none of them has it been replaced with OEM. All through SafeLite and all either PPG or now PGW. They have been identical in every respect. (except the water sheeting on the SC) If it makes you feel better to have the Lexus logo on your glass then by all means do so. And please, no more links to ads claiming OEM is better. I can find sites claiming the opposite. They all have something to sell.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, that proves my point. And why do you automatically feel that anything made in China is bad. We used to say the same thing about "Made in Japan" I don't know how you are living here in the good Ole USA with a problem with Chinese made products. They are everywhere.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...questions.html

Here is a thread on this site that makes it appear that the Lexus dealer put in PPG or PGW glass in the CPO process. This owner liked the aftermarket better.

NAmVet68

BGW70;
I have Florida Farm Bureau Insurance, and they have a list of authorized installers they use. They put me in touch with their preferred installer, who is Glass America. When I set up the appointment, I asked whether they used Lexus OEM glass, and they said they could, but it would take about another week to get it .

They said they usually use another supplier who is actually an OEM for Chrysler & Ford, (it's actually PPG Glass), and they said it should have the antenna in it, They will have the installer call me to verify that when he picks it up from the supplier just to be sure (they are coming Monday afternoon) . They said that most of their customers liked the PPG windshields better? My windshield has now cracked completely across the front, and is basically undriveable at this point (crack runs directly across my field of vision when I'm driving - its like I'm wearing bi-focals!).

I guess I'll let them go ahead an replace it - since they have an unlimited two-year replacement guarantee. If I'm not happy with it, they said I can have them replace it with a Lexus OEM windshield if it comes to that. Since I won't be charged either way, I might as well give it a shot (in Florida, windshields have to be replaced at no charge - state law if the crack is over 1 inch in length - I'm sure they build it into our rates anyway). One of the other advantages of living in the Sunshine State

I'll report back on Monday evening to let you know how it goes.....

JohnnyCake

As an American, I prefer to keep jobs at home. End of story.

So I'm not sure what point you are referring to nor did I ever mention the quality of Chinese made parts.

rudyH

I'm sure it will be fine. Sorry you can't drive the car until then.

DiggerJim

You are correct about the safety characteristics of the glass. That's all the insurance company and DOT are worried about. However, Lexus specs their glass (as do other high end brands) with more than just saftey in mind. The glass on a Lexus is usually thicker and at least on my LS600 is also double-paned in addition to having the secondary antenna built in. The thickness is what helps create the quiet interior of a Lexus (or Mercedes or BMW). Lexus also has the water sheeting compound baked in as well. So you can get a perfectly safe replacement that is not the same as OEM equivalent glass. It's as safe as OEM but it's not necessarily meeting all the other standards that Lexus places on its glass.

Your decision of course as to whether you care about the impact on sound levels in the car, presence or not of the antenna and thickness, water sheeting or coloration/tinting differences as well. But don't think you're getting the same thing when you get a $350 Safelite windshield vs the Lexus dealer OEM replacement windshield.

(And yes, I have been working in the insurance industry for 34 years.)

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

All that may be true, but, the PGW glass is exactly (except for the water sheeting) the same as the OEM glass. there is no difference in sound or tinting and the gaskets are all in the exact same position in relation to the frame as they were with the OEM. Leading me to believe the thickness is the same. The antenna is in the same spot and all functions of the radio and GPS work just like they did with the OEM. So, if there is a difference, it doesn't seem to have any effect on the use of the car. Secondly, SafeLite charged $660.00 for the replacement. They said the SC430 windshield was very expensive compared to other windshields. Not sure what that really means, but that is what they charged.

NAmVet68

Just following up.... I had the windshield replaced on Wednesday (they couldn't do it at my home as they originally planned because they said it was a difficult job on an SC430, so I had to take it in to a regular automotive glass shop).

The windshield was made by PGW (PPG), and as far as I can tell, everything is the same - fits perfectly and the antenna is there & works fine. It doesn't seem to have the same tinting as the OEM glass (not darker near the top), but seems "clearer". Maybe it's me. Otherwise, everything seems fine.

The only issue was that the rear-view mirror fell down on the way home (the installer didn't get it in right). The rear-view mirror on the SC mounts to a metal disk inside the glass...it's pretty tricky to get everything lined up right and twisted into place properly, but I've done it before, so I just fixed it myself.

I'm not driving it for a day or so to let it set up properly, and I'll hit it with a couple of coats of RaineX to get it water-repellent again, but so far, it looks like all is well...