Current cost for W123 windshield replacement? - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Junkman · #61 12-31-2020, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YousefTAK

Shern, deductible on my auto policy is $500. Junkman, that seems like a great deal! Not sure how many of those guys are knowing around anymore, if they are I don't know any!

I had a front glass replaced by Safelite and the installer knew what he was doing. My friend who retired from bodywork had long term relationships with glass installers. The two places that I know that do restorations and even basic repaints have access to glass installers who know what they're doing.

You just have to meet the actual glass people. Anyone that starts the conversation with "I'm not responsible if it breaks" isn't your guy.

The one that did the recent install had absolutely no worries about breaking or leaks or getting the glass installed. He did say that OE seals are preferred but not a deal breaker for him. I think it's more of a longevity issue.

He said he'd reuse the read seal on the TD so I shouldn't buy one or damage what's there by cutting it out. Just leave it alone and He'd handle it. He's even willing to come to my house - same difference to him as going to a car lot or shop.

sun tortise · #62 01-03-2021, 11:14 PM

Check the local pick and pull junk yards. Cheapest way to get original glass.

Shern · #63 01-03-2021, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun tortise

Check the local pick and pull junk yards. Cheapest way to get original glass.

Yeah, about that...

I’m not sure there’s any real virtue in installing 40 year old glass.
I made a stink about the tint strip, but honestly, now that I’ve a fresh windshield... it looks amazing. Pilkington, fuyao, whatever. New glass looks phenomenal.

ROLLGUY · #64 01-04-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun tortise

Check the local pick and pull junk yards. Cheapest way to get original glass.

Many glass shops and/or installers will NOT install used glass. At least that has been my experience.

vwnate1 · #65 01-07-2021, 06:07 PM

....Is the biggest bang for your buck .

Used glass can be installed, typically it will be optically impure and can be polished by those on tight budgets or whom simply like to do the little things .

carock · #66 01-09-2021, 12:39 AM

1985 300 CD, September 2020

$395 for Safe-Lite windshield. This is a aftermarket DOT windshield. OEM windshield was only available from Europe. OEM is not DOT glass, it is Euro glass, BUT it was without warranty for chipping or cracking during shipping.

$185 for rubber gasket from Mercedes

No complaints about installation from Paolo's Automotive in San Marcos California. The job looked factory and does not leak. $120 for installation.

Junkman · #67 01-09-2021, 08:01 PM

Only the front windshield is available new. I don't remember what I paid for the rear seal but it certainly wasn't $200. I bought it from a dealership in Naperville IL but they have a lower priced site than what you get from calling the dealership. The dealership does process the order so perhaps you can ask the parts department where the cut rate site is.

The glass people I met didn't care about OE glass or seal. They basically put seal on glass, put glass in hole, do whatever sealing is necessary (none on an SD rear), get paid and go to the next job. They do these things so many times that it is completely routine.

I remember working as a meat cutter. We didn't screw around wondering about how to cut the thing or this or that. Put meat on saw, slam it through the saw, trim, scrape bone dust, package and on to the next thing.

YousefTAK · #68 01-16-2021, 08:31 PM

The shop I am using is saying the front seal is around $250, and he doesn't know which brand it is... Very irritating. So this is going to be an even more costly job, up to around $950 for the whole deal. Maybe I should supply them with a URO seal. Maybe its worth the gamble that whatever seals they are getting will be better than URO.

On another note, I replaced my door seals with URO seals two years ago so they are great, reduced the wind-noise a lot. I noticed this is the rain recently, and noticed the seal is perhaps not seated properly. I should note that it was my first time doing seals and I don't really think I did a great job.

The car was parked with the nose facing down on a downhill after some light rain that lasted nearly a full day. Is this normal or should I re-do the seal?

Shern · #69 01-16-2021, 08:53 PM

Dude, 250 for the seal alone? And it's generic? I think you need to find another shop.

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YousefTAK · #70 01-16-2021, 08:54 PM

I think you're right. But aren't the much sought after original MB seals that expensive?

*edit* He doesn't know which brand they are at all, could they be OEM?

vwnate1 · #71 01-16-2021, 11:21 PM

Go to the peach parts catalog and find it, they'll offer the M-B factory one if it's available and I've discovered that they're occasionally cheaper than the M-B Classic Center (!) .

This is an important thing, do not cheap out as you'll destroy the car by the time you realize it's leaking .

Shern · #72 01-16-2021, 11:43 PM

Nate is right from a certain perspective.
On the other hand, the Uro windshield seals seem to be pretty solid these days. If you search the archives there are plenty of people who have had no issues. On the other hand, you may be getting an MB seal that’s been sitting on a shelf for 10 years or longer.
I thought about this a lot, decided I’d not buy an MB at this point unless I’d known it to be freshly manufactured.

YousefTAK · #73 02-07-2021, 12:48 PM

Got the car back yesterday. I think the glass shop I chose did a decent job overall, but they were sloppy in terms of putting my windshield stickers and plate as well as my phone mount back. A minor niggle perhaps, but not the best attention to detail and disappointing there. They also removed a bumper sticker I had on the rear glass without asking. Is that normal?

In terms of the actual seals, the font looks good. That was an actual MB part. The shop said that the aftermarket seal they initially tried was junk so they sourced an actual MB seal, and I'm happy about that. The rear seal was aftermarket, and I think it came out worse.

I'm considering going back to them, what do you all think?

On the rear, it seems like they installed the trim after they put the glass in, which would be incorrect. Would that explain why the rear trim is not flush? There's a gap between the trim and the rubber in some places. The rubber seems fully seated though. The tech said it would shrink in the sun and look better after a while.

Rear gasket top left corner, is this normal? Or is it not seated all the way?

Here is where the trim seems not to be installed all the way, the silicone all over the trim was installed by PO and I will try to remove as much as I can in the spring.

Gap more visible on the other side:

It doesn't look too bad though:

Front seal looks good:

But the trim is a tiny bit mangled:

What do you all think? Good enough or should I ask them to re-do the rear?

Shern · #74 02-07-2021, 01:39 PM

When I had my windshield done, I noticed on the inside, down by the driver’s side dash, a small half inch scratch. I thought about it for a month. I recently had them redo it. It was the right move.

If it’s bothering you now, the job may not feel “complete” until you’ve dealt with it.
That trim would eat me up.

Front corners don’t look great. If you’re careful, you can gently bend them back into shape with a couple of flat-head screwdrivers.
You can also pull a couple fresh ones from the yard.

ROLLGUY · #75 02-07-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

When I had my windshield done, I noticed on the inside, down by the driver’s side dash, a small half inch scratch. I thought about it for a month. I recently had them redo it. It was the right move.

If it’s bothering you now, the job may not feel “complete” until you’ve dealt with it.
That trim would eat me up.

Front corners don’t look great. If you’re careful, you can gently bend them back into shape with a couple of flat-head screwdrivers.
You can also pull a couple fresh ones from the yard.

My opinion is to NOT use anything metal to manipulate the aluminum trim or corners. Use plastic trim tools.