OEM windshield difference
 

I'm considering purchasing a 2020 Luxury trim with 50k miles. Overall at the dealership it seemed very clean but I did notice that the windshield is not OEM Lexus glass. The car is not certified. I didn't give it much thought or ask questions at the time. Now I'm wondering (1) if this is the reason the car isn't certified (2) how much a difference non OEM glass makes on this car (there's no HUD), and (3) if it's reasonable to negotiate a $500 or so discount based on this fact. Thanks!

Ask Lexus dealer if it can be L certified and the cost and if not why not.

I have had cracked windshields do to rocks and such hitting my car. I call Safelight. They replace and recalibrate everything. I have never, never had an issue. I do believe the only difference is that in the little corner, it does not say Acura, or Lexus. It does mean that for some reason, the glass was replaced. But It could just be a little chip that got bigger when the weather got colder. That was my issues.

I bought mine CPO and it also had an aftermarket windshield. I had no issues with it.
However, when I brought the car in to investigate a whistling at highway speeds, they noticed it wasn't a Lexus windshield and replaced it for me at no cost. Sadly, it did nothing for the whistle sound, lol.

This sounds 100% on point. Like every part of the story lol.

I used Safelight in the past as my insurer recommended them. However, after one of their supposed OEM-but-not-really windshields de-laminated on my 2011 ES, I've only used true, Lexus-stamped, glass since!

First, Lexus does not make their own windshields but source them from several different glass suppliers, some of whom are in North America and who also may sell a non-branded "version" of the same. Allegedly they are made to the same spec. but whenever possible I'd ask for pricing on a genuine, "Lexus" branded version. Surprisingly enough, the last time I purchased one it was for my Gen 6 and I found that from a windshield glass installer franchise, the branded was actually a couple hundred less $ than the "aftermarket" version!!!??? True. Personally I think that where the main difference between non-branded and branded comes in is with respect to the noise reduction aspect...the noise reduction (branded) may use a thicker "intermediate" layer laminating the two sheets of glass together than the aftermarket. That's not to say that the aftermarket always cheaps out over then branded but.....YMMV

If anyone wants to know why I'd buy a windshield when I have comprehensive insurance including glass, it's because the insurance company I have has a policy of ONLY paying for aftermarket glass(!) and with the deductible I'd still have had to pay several hundred dollars. Might as well go with the real McCoy. Why do I keep glass coverage then?....sunroof and side glass! And, yeah I know...if I can buy "Lexus" branded cheaper than non-branded, why can't the insurance company? Maybe there are differences in that with the many variations and options available but it is a mystery. (Maybe it has something to do with Gen 6 being made in Japan up to the 2016 MY? Might not be the same with the Gen 7 or 2016 and newer.)

This is the old one that I had to replace...although they are apparently(!) Chinese, they do have factories in North America and claim to be an OEM supplier to Lexus of North America. You can check some of those codes with the NTSB but the important code is apparently a manufacturer's "in-house" coding.

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