My wife's 1998 LS400 needs new front glass. I will not be doing the replacing myself, but would like to know what questions I should ask when shopping around for installers. I want to get something at least equal to the original (which I presume is what we now have -- any way to tell if it has ever been replaced before?). Is the front glass normally tinted in these cars? We're in Tucson and I think we want tint.

By the way, I always thought the car was gold but I just looked at some docs we got with it and it's listed as Cashmere Beige Met. Weird!

Thanks alot.

 

Huh. No suggestions at all?

Well, I do have insurance that will pay for replacement but I'll have to come up with $250 for deductible. I guess I should just call the dealership as it's gonna cost $250 anyhow. I'd still like to know if the LS windshield glass is somehow 'special' as opposed to 'regular' windshield glass. Come on, what do you guys know?

Thanks.

 

I would have it tinted bronze before install (if you like tint)

 

I have been told the LS glass is thicker and has a water repellent coating.

The often thinner glass used by the aftermarket may effect noise and thermal qualities of OE glass .

 

Get an OEM Lexus piece of glass other will be cheaper and have a rippled effect when looking sideways which induces cars sickness and fatigue from badly formed sheets. Also you need a special piece of glass as the lower part has heater tubes to warm the wipers area.

 

Thanks for the info! I'll be checking with the local dealers for OEM.

 

Go with OEM all the way.....I just had my glass replaced and if you have a tinted windshield like I did (Bronze tint) its well worth it. I had to play the game with the insurance company and finally got approval to get OEM. You will not regret the OEM....Good Luck...also make sure they replace the upper seal....they can reuse the sides unless you want to pay the difference...I believe they are under $50 bucks each......

 

I finally got the windshield replaced in the '98 LS. I called the local Lexus service writer and found out who they use for warranty work. He also confirmed that I have bronze glass. My insurance company didn't want to spring for OEM but they had no choice because the aftermarket apparently doesn't make bronze. I also got a pleasant surprise when the ins. agent told me that there is no deductable on glass!

The installer found that the first windshield they got from Lexus was broken in the box so had to reorder. New glass installed last week looks great.

 

Here are two threads to browse through:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ght=windshield

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=139750

I wish CA was better with glass replacement. Mine has had three and I'm sure it's not done yet.

 

Had Safelite repair ours. Looks like a good job, but car is NOTICEABLY noisier when driving. Wiper blades no longer work well. Curvature of new windshield or thickness of new glass must affect wipers ability to clear. An extra $300 for OEM is WORTH every penny to be able to see when it is raining. Now I'm dependent on Rain-X or something similar. Any ideas out there? (New blades was the first step, didn't work)

 

try PIAA super silicone blades, they should help you a LOT.

 

Bought your recommended PIAA blades and they are working like a champ. Thank you!

 

im curious as to how much you spent on yours and where u bought them?

 

Good choice on the OEM glass man. You want to make sure the car stays as OEM as possible, specially when it comes to glass. BTW, I'm also in Tucson. Take care!

 

Bap Geon Auto parts, Va Beach, it was about $35. (Don't know exactly bought 4 blades total for $70)