someone shot at my car ('08 IS) with a bb gun last week and shattered the rear window and left a nice little dent mark in my rear quarter panel. One of the glass places I called around here said that PPG makes the OEM glass for Lexus - was wondering if this is true.

ALSO - what I am doing is having the glass/dent and other vandalism marks (egg paint chips) all fixed under my comprehensive insurance ($1000 deductible). The body shop I am taking it to is quoting high for the insurance so I dont have to pay the ded ....but they are gonna go w/ an aftermarket rear window (their cost is $350) should i be concerned w/ the quality on this?

 

Damn, some people are just plain stupid! Sucks it had to happen to you, but as far as windows, i'd check to see what the price is for an OEM one. Not sure about aftermarket windows, but if it's a reputable company, then i wouldn't worry too much. Hopefully the damage isn't too severe in costs. Best of luck on the repairs, and welcome to CL!

 

PPG and Pilkington make OEM glass. All OEM distributors contract with one or more of the various car manufacturers, and that's what qualifies them as Original Equipment Manufacturers. I would NOT go with aftermarket glass. I worked for a major glass company (Safelite) for almost 7 years and I have seen way too many issues with aftermarket glass leaking and being distorted. Hope this helps!

 

If you could get the factory window that would be great. OEM window is also a good option but it may look a bit odd without the Lexus logos on them.

 

id go with the oem window. theres nothing saying you have to get an aftermarket one. tell the shop you want the original oem rear window.

 

thanks for the input!

 

Definitely go OEM... I had the Safelite aftermarket one for my Civic and it was leaking water into the car whenever it rained. I would hear the water swishing and dripping when it rained. I had my front windshield replaced on the Civic.

Since it's a Lexus, I recommend going to OEM and a good shop.

 

so I just got off the phone with the body shop and they said they are going with Pilkington - this is good yeah?

 

correct

 

Make sure the window has UV filter on it. The originals do . That's is why the sun's rays don't damage the interior.