W221 Autoglass Windscreen Repair

[mbenz1]

Hi Guys

Just a quick one. In a few days an Autoglass windscreen installer is coming to replace the windscreen on a 2008 W221 S320 CDI. I just wan't to know of your experiences with Autoglass and what I should look out for when they do the job... I just hope they will not require to remove the bonnet and interior panels, such as the dashboard etc...

Thanks.

 

[roba]

I've only ever used them once, on an A-class, and they did an almost perfect job. I say 'almost', because they fitted a glass that had the green top section whereas the original didn't, but I actually preferred the new one so wasn't complaining.

Meanwhile I'm just waiting for National Windscreens to come and fit a new screen to my E-class, so if anyone has any comments on them I'd be interested to hear. (Not that there's a lot I can do about it anyway, as my insurer insists on using them.) Slightly concerned about any effect this may have on the warranty, seeing as it's a third party doing the work - does anyone know what the rulebook says about that?

 

[johnsco]

I was impressed with Autoglass when they did the front screen on the year 2002 E430.
The guy knew exactly what he was doing and appeared to take great care.

I have no experience of National Windscreens.

My one experience of RAC Windscreens was not good.

 

[mbenz1]

Thanks for your input guys. Unfortunately I haven't experienced a windscreen repair with National Windscreens either.

 

[Giantvanman]

Unfortunately, my last experience with them was not good.

In cutting the bonding to remove the screen from a Saab, they cut both the pillar trim and the bluetooth microphone. I wouldn't have minded but they kept quiet, leaving me spot the cut/missing section of trim edge and find the microphone inoperable.

To make it worse, they have twisted the microphone wire together in an attempt to hide their mistake………and I had given them money for a drink.

To Autoglass' credit, a simple email and phone call had a new trim piece delivered and fitted and an open invoice to get the mic replaced by a fitter of my choice.

 

[mbenz1]

Unfortunately, my last experience with them was not good.

In cutting the bonding to remove the screen from a Saab, they cut both the pillar trim and the bluetooth microphone. I wouldn't have minded but they kept quiet, leaving me spot the cut/missing section of trim edge and find the microphone inoperable.

To make it worse, they have twisted the microphone wire together in an attempt to hide their mistake………and I had given them money for a drink.

To Autoglass' credit, a simple email and phone call had a new trim piece delivered and fitted and an open invoice to get the mic replaced by a fitter of my choice.

Its a shame that AutoGlass is such a big network in the UK and are widely known by many people and still their installers do bad jobs. I just hope a good fitter who knows exactly what needs to be done is available for the replacement...

 

[Giantvanman]

Its a shame that AutoGlass is such a big network in the UK and are widely known by many people and still their installers do bad jobs. I just hope a good fitter who knows exactly what needs to be done is available for the replacement...

If you are able, bring them him/her/them a cup of tea and watch………..it's always good to watch skilled people work or never seen this done before so intrigued…….whatever excuse you want, if you feel you need to give one.

That way, piece of mind.

 

[mbenz1]

If you are able, bring them him/her/them a cup of tea and watch………..it's always good to watch skilled people work or never seen this done before so intrigued…….whatever excuse you want, if you feel you need to give one.

That way, piece of mind.

Yes definitely, thanks for your advice. Offering a tea/coffee/cold drink sounds a good plan

 

[Glassman]

I hope you're having an OEM, MB branded screen fitted?

Technically, especially in terms of the lift-on, it's a two man job although a strong/experienced guy can do it on his own. They do use a lifting mechanism which attaches to the passenger front door but I'm not a fan of these things as it puts quite a few kilos of pressure on the window regulator; plus, the angle in which the screen goes in relies on the glass being swung over the front of the car and then in, under the bonnet. Whilst there are guys who are well versed in using this type of apparatus, there is never any guarantee that the screen will be laid into the rebate uniformly in order to make good contact with the adhesive (it is easily knocked over or squashed if you don't get it right). For this, the A pillar covers should be off to check this hasn't happened (they should be taking them off as standard TBH) but there's no way of telling if the bottom has made sufficient contact (if you get wind noise - it means it didn't!).

The wiper cowl should be taken off fully. Be sure to check all the attached parts, especially if you have lane departure camera(s) active lane recognition, rain sensor, GPS etc.

 

[mbenz1]

I hope you're having an OEM, MB branded screen fitted?

Technically, especially in terms of the lift-on, it's a two man job although a strong/experienced guy can do it on his own. They do use a lifting mechanism which attaches to the passenger front door but I'm not a fan of these things as it puts quite a few kilos of pressure on the window regulator; plus, the angle in which the screen goes in relies on the glass being swung over the front of the car and then in, under the bonnet. Whilst there are guys who are well versed in using this type of apparatus, there is never any guarantee that the screen will be laid into the rebate uniformly in order to make good contact with the adhesive (it is easily knocked over or squashed if you don't get it right). For this, the A pillar covers should be off to check this hasn't happened (they should be taking them off as standard TBH) but there's no way of telling if the bottom has made sufficient contact (if you get wind noise - it means it didn't!).

The wiper cowl should be taken off fully. Be sure to check all the attached parts, especially if you have lane departure camera(s) active lane recognition, rain sensor, GPS etc.

Glassman, thanks for your top advice. Much appreciated and will keep it in mind. I guess its a gamble as to whether a good job will be done or not and since MB don't replace windscreens, we are left with no option. The screen is OEM, since Autoglass said that the screen is from Pilkington, which supply to MB. The screen won't have the MB logo since its not from them but the main thing is that it is an OEM piece. The repair is being done through the insurance company by the way... The car does not have lane departure or night vision, it only has the standard windscreen with the rain sensors etc...

 

[chrisdean]

If your that concerned about the quality of work then you should perhaps get it fitted in a depot where they will have more staff, more equipment and a stable environment. I suspected that my screen had been replaced during previous ownership because it had a Pilks logo and the side glass was MB but a quick look around a dealers forecourt shows that's the norm for a C Class.

 

[jaymanek]

Just sit and watch them... I do, I dont care if they dont like it... I try and be helpful where possible but id never leave them alone.

Autoglass came out to do my SL60 and im very glad I helped out...
The fitter, although obviously experienced, had no clue about removal of the R129 trims.

If i hadnt have been there, lots of clips would have gotten broken and things bent out of shape.

In the end all was well, but I did most of the prep work.

 

[Teshie]

Make sure the rain sensor works correctly before they disappear with your cash

 

[Glassman]

Glassman, thanks for your top advice. Much appreciated and will keep it in mind. I guess its a gamble as to whether a good job will be done or not and since MB don't replace windscreens, we are left with no option. The screen is OEM, since Autoglass said that the screen is from Pilkington, which supply to MB. The screen won't have the MB logo since its not from them but the main thing is that it is an OEM piece. The repair is being done through the insurance company by the way... The car does not have lane departure or night vision, it only has the standard windscreen with the rain sensors etc...

Pilkington is a good brand. IMHO, and IME, prolly not as good as Saint Gobain Sekurit (Autover) and it could be down to NSG's 'globalisation' of the Pilkington brand (there's a way of telling where in the world a windscreen was manufactured just by looking at the logo!)

Generally speaking, if a part does not display the car manufacturer's logo, it is not OEM. There's a huge misconception that if a manufacturer produces an OEM branded product and a non branded 'equivalent', it's from the same production run (minus the logo). It's not, and there are very few exceptions to this (for example, in some rare cases the car manufacturer emblem may have been removed by laser, and then overlaid with a black patch to hide it).

What's the difference between the two products? It can be very obvious in terms of quality. For example, the hardware/materials may not be as good or the processes may not be the same. Take Splintex (aka AGC) - OEM for some many car manufacturers; they also have an 'aftermarket' equivalent to the glass they supply to the car manufacturers. If it's the same product with or without the car manufacturer's logo, why don't they say so? Instead, they (and others) will use statements such as, "This is to confirm that all products made by Splintex for the ARG market respond to OEM main technical and aesthetic characteristics." On this basis, the knock-off Nike trainers you might from China also 'respond' to the same "technical" and "aesthetic" criteria as the genuine ones.A bit more about that, here.

Furthermore, you should also consider that owing to a deal struck between insurer and supplier, you are accepting an inferior product for your car. If it is a like-for-like indemnity, why let them get away with it? What does it state on your policy? Because if that's the case, you may as well let them fit a secondhand part. Also, there have been many cases where main dealers (especially in warranty scenarios) who will not entertain any related issues where they can see a non-genuine part fitted. In some cases, a potential buyer (main dealer included) will see it as a reason to devalue the car.

 

[mbenz1]

If your that concerned about the quality of work then you should perhaps get it fitted in a depot where they will have more staff, more equipment and a stable environment. I suspected that my screen had been replaced during previous ownership because it had a Pilks logo and the side glass was MB but a quick look around a dealers forecourt shows that's the norm for a C Class.

Just sit and watch them... I do, I dont care if they dont like it... I try and be helpful where possible but id never leave them alone.

Autoglass came out to do my SL60 and im very glad I helped out...
The fitter, although obviously experienced, had no clue about removal of the R129 trims.

If i hadnt have been there, lots of clips would have gotten broken and things bent out of shape.

In the end all was well, but I did most of the prep work.

Jay Manek, that's the benefit of knowing a car inside out, like you do...I wish I had that knowledge

Make sure the rain sensor works correctly before they disappear with your cash

Top Banana :bannana:

Pilkington is a good brand. IMHO, and IME, prolly not as good as Saint Gobain Sekurit (Autover) and it could be down to NSG's 'globalisation' of the Pilkington brand (there's a way of telling where in the world a windscreen was manufactured just by looking at the logo!)

Generally speaking, if a part does not display the car manufacturer's logo, it is not OEM. There's a huge misconception that if a manufacturer produces an OEM branded product and a non branded 'equivalent', it's from the same production run (minus the logo). It's not, and there are very few exceptions to this (for example, in some rare cases the car manufacturer emblem may have been removed by laser, and then overlaid with a black patch to hide it).

What's the difference between the two products? It can be very obvious in terms of quality. For example, the hardware/materials may not be as good or the processes may not be the same. Take Splintex (aka AGC) - OEM for some many car manufacturers; they also have an 'aftermarket' equivalent to the glass they supply to the car manufacturers. If it's the same product with or without the car manufacturer's logo, why don't they say so? Instead, they (and others) will use statements such as, "This is to confirm that all products made by Splintex for the ARG market respond to OEM main technical and aesthetic characteristics." On this basis, the knock-off Nike trainers you might from China also 'respond' to the same "technical" and "aesthetic" criteria as the genuine ones.A bit more about that, here.

Furthermore, you should also consider that owing to a deal struck between insurer and supplier, you are accepting an inferior product for your car. If it is a like-for-like indemnity, why let them get away with it? What does it state on your policy? Because if that's the case, you may as well let them fit a secondhand part. Also, there have been many cases where main dealers (especially in warranty scenarios) who will not entertain any related issues where they can see a non-genuine part fitted. In some cases, a potential buyer (main dealer included) will see it as a reason to devalue the car.

Thanks for your advice. I seen somehere here on the forum that Pilkington supply the exact same screens to MB, as the screens that Pilkington supply to installers like Autoglass, but obviously the screen used by the insurance company's windscreen screen company/partner would not have the MB logo

However, due to a change of plan the booking with autoglass has now been cancelled and will have to postponed for a few months now, due to going abroad also. The main reason of the windscreen replacement was very small (bit bigger than the size of a pin head) chips on the screen (about 4 noticeable ones and 6 other randomly-located smaller chips) that are not repairable, upon consulting with a screen specialist in the car park of Sainsbury's ...I am now thinking its better to not replace the screen since the chips are not a big obstruction in terms of view and all the things that can go wrong in a windcreen replacement have made me a bit worried... but thanks for all your input guys.

 

[Glassman]

The main reason of the windscreen replacement was very small (bit bigger than the size of a pin head) chips on the screen (about 4 noticeable ones and 6 other randomly-located smaller chips) that are not repairable, upon consulting with a screen specialist in the car park of Sainsbury's

Interesting. Can you post an image of them?

 

[mbenz1]

Interesting. Can you post an image of them?

Yes, I will take one maybe tomorrow and see if they show up in the picture and post on here.

 

[gurpz]

As already stated insist on a dealer OEM glass and if that is refused at least a reputable brand such as Pilkington or Sekurit Saint Gobain both which are OE for most Mercs. Be sure to check all sensors such as the rain sensor do work before they leave as tint levels can vary between manufactures of glass and cause the sensors to not function correctly. Sometimes they may need re coding in Star to fix this.

Lastly if you are confident in removing trim then its vital you remove remove as much as u possibly can. Whilst some fitters may be ace I have known of many instances where they have seriously damaged pillar trims, cut headlining and not re fitted scuttles or various trims properly. If you do let them do this then check its all fitted well and especially inspect in the inner pillar trims and the top of the headlining for any cut damage.

Not here to scare you as im sure most are done spot on but just beware.

 

[mbenz1]

As already stated insist on a dealer OEM glass and if that is refused at least a reputable brand such as Pilkington or Sekurit Saint Gobain both which are OE for most Mercs. Be sure to check all sensors such as the rain sensor do work before they leave as tint levels can vary between manufactures of glass and cause the sensors to not function correctly. Sometimes they may need re coding in Star to fix this.

Lastly if you are confident in removing trim then its vital you remove remove as much as u possibly can. Whilst some fitters may be ace I have known of many instances where they have seriously damaged pillar trims, cut headlining and not re fitted scuttles or various trims properly. If you do let them do this then check its all fitted well and especially inspect in the inner pillar trims and the top of the headlining for any cut damage.

Not here to scare you as im sure most are done spot on but just beware.

Thanks for your advice. I wouldn't have a clue on how to remove aany trim in a W221 ... I can remove the mats though . I will check with MB for their prices for reference but if Pilkington supply to MB the screen will be same, regardless of who fits it...

 

[jaymanek]

Generally they are more used to modern cars, even something like the W221 as they will do them regularly.