I've used Safelite glass in many cars, and in one (mini cooper) it was actually superior.
The glass itself is not always the issue, however, installation is. Especially with older cars, the novice windshield repair gorilla may damage trim, or not install the glass correctly (leaks).
That's where I'd be most concerned.

You can always buy a new "Daimler product" sticker from the interwebz.

 

I had an aftermarket windshield installed on my old 190e and it was fine for the next 3 years until I got rid of the car. It cost $200 installed.

 

See my post with installation video below

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w12...g/forums/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/2015249-windshield-replacement-proper-mb-way.html

 

One of the members here reported a bad experience, but I cannot remember who.
In the 5 or so safelite windshields on various cars all but one were great. The "one", they badly scratched my dashboard, but I didn't care. Other than that all good.

So I'd pick one that does quality work, and if they have flesh colored safety glasses, they must be qualified. It's when you go with some gypsy who in general does shoddy work, that you'll have a problem.

 

...for myself i dont see why an after market windshield would be a problem but be aware of one thing if you get an after market piece. the installer is going to want to caulk your existing gasket unless you have a new one there for them to install with the glass. without caulking it they wont guarantee it wont leak with the old gasket.

 

Just remember that these cars, despite their age, are more complex in re. to the windshield, water drain, wiper system than your average Chevy.

But if you do find somebody who knows what they're doing, more power to ya.

I had Safelite do a windshield replacement on my old Audi A6. It was an OK (just OK) job, the installer left a few dirty fingerprints on the felt fabric headliner which didn't want to come out. Also the new glass (made by Pilkington) was much more prone to stonechips than the factory glass.

 

The difference is quality of the glass, resistance to scratch's and rock chips.

 

...is it better than unbreakable gorilla glass?

 

Also, don't be afraid to contact your insurance co. I've had the insurance co. handle winshield replacement on a few cars and if you ask nice or have the right premium they'll do factory.

When the insurance co. handles it, your out of pocket costs can be as little as nada.

 

Ok, so based on Clarks pricing, you need to call Dealer, then aftermarket and get their prices. Then apply the same logic I stated above.

 

To be honest, I don't know where I got the $800 figure, someone mentioned it to me. But regardless, every shop I called is using an aftermarket glass and OEM seems like something that needs to be special ordered. I'm going to go with aftermarket as I want to have this fixed today. Also this is one of the rare moments in Mercedes ownership where I am actually surprised by how cheap it is to replace something. I fully expected about 1k to get this done, definitely happy with $250. At that price I can replace it in a few years if its not as durable as OEM.

 

Chinese windshields? Nein danke. OEM German ones? Ja, bitte

These Mercedes-Benzes back in the day came new with Sekurit or Sigla glass.

I'd insist on these. Though they are difficult to get nowadays;

I understand that Pilkington glass is now used by Mercedes-Benz in their new vehicles and have been, for awhile.


I was referred to a mobile glass company to put a new windshield in my '91 560SEC some years ago, but was reassured that XYG glass was what they used, for only $280 plus the install.

(2 years prior, I'd had a proper Sigla windshield put in, but I was charged $1,200 for it at a "reputable" brick and mortar shop in Oakland California. But it was a great windshield and a perfect install.)

BUT while this mobile - based installer was installing it, I googled it and XYG = Xingyi Glass Company of Shanghai!

But it was too late. The new windshield was almost installed at that point...

My checking indicates that if you BUY cheap Chinese communist winshields, you GET a cheap Chinese windshield.

Common problems with these include (but are not limited to), optical distortion and clouding.


Seven years on, I have noticed that it picked up a lot of grit, sand and tiny nicks I'd never seen in 47 years of driving other cars.

A reputable and experienced installer is necessary. I inquired about the foreign accent of the installer installing my car at my house, and to my shock, he said he was from Burma, he had never done one before, and mine was the first job he ever did, and he was in a big hurry because he had two more jobs to get to in another city.

Never again.


Take it from the benefit of my experience, get OEM Sigla or Sekurit if possible and have a well experienced installer do the job -- right the first time.

The fellow assigned to my car didn't quite properly align the chrome along the top (there were two pieces to fit either,) but it was close at least, and nothing ever leaked, or made noises so I decided to make do, as (in my thinking) yet another try by them could have made things even worse.

In sum, remember the slogan under which these old Mercedes Benzes were built and engineered with, back when new: "The Best or Nothing At All".

It should apply to replacement parts - like a windshield too - in my mind at least.

If it was a 1988 Hyundai Pony, though, I guess cheap as possible would be fine and dandy.

 

These Mercedes-Benzes back in the day came new with Sekurit or Sigla glass.

I'd insist on these. Though they are difficult to get nowadays;

I understand that Pilkington glass is now used by Mercedes-Benz in their new vehicles and have been, for awhile.


I was referred to a mobile glass company to put a new windshield in my '91 560SEC some years ago, but was reassured that XYG glass was what they used, for only $280 plus the install.

My checking indicates that if you BUY cheap Chinese communist winshields, you GET a cheap Chinese windshield.

Common problems with these include (but are not limited to), optical distortion and clouding.


Seven years on, I have noticed that it picked up a lot of grit, sand and tiny nicks I'd never seen in 47 years of driving other cars.

Take it from the benefit of my experience, get OEM Sigla or Sekurit if possible and have a well experienced installer do the job -- right the first time.

There you have it, are you keeping your car? Or flipping it.

Drywall or windshield, Chinese is crap, considering the price I posted on OE Mercedes shield for a 124

 

I tried safelite about ten years back, it was about $250 then. It took two small stone cracks from highway driving within a month. I went back complaining, so they gave me the special "heavy duty" glass and I paid "only" the $150 difference ($250 vs $400). Same thing within a month.... stone cracks

Frustrated, I went to dealer, I was given a pilkington at the dealer and had no issues afterwards.... for $600...

so my nice $600 pilkington cost $1000 considering the two safelites

Got a crack on my windshield. Not sure..........

Is there anything particularly special about MB glass that I will be sacrificing if I went with aftermarket?
I do love the "A Diamler Benz Product" signature on the OEM one, but for $600 can live without it.

 

Not defending Safelite, but mine went the other way, had an $800 dealer installed windshield on the wifes mini after waking up to find a crack from nothing.
that lasted a month and cracked again, Safelite took a rock about the size of a golf ball and no damage. It was made in Pittsburgh I believe. I really think the installer makes the biggest difference.

Best part was about five years after I sold the car, I got a check for $800 some dollars due to class action suit for defects in Mini windshields.

 

What model Mercedes was the mini?

You have to compare like models, shape & thickness all vary with manufacturers

 

Confused?

I was just relating a happy ending story of Safelite being better than OEM, and noting it was an entirely different car so as not to be confused as a proven W124 cheap windshield alternative. So far in the thread all 124 aftermarket replacements have been sub par.

I still think installer is more important than screen though. Not saying glass is glass, but more damage and a general lack of care is from inexperience and haste than the glass quality.

 

Nope, just a little morning sarcasm...........

 

Why I aughta...

 

Bumping this old thread up to top. I've been calling around for a windshield and much to my dismay, Sekurite or Pinkerton are no longer avail for my ride . The only thing I can get is a FYG glass from China. I'm so bummed.

 

I replaced mine last yr and insisted on MB glass. I paid $100 more...so right around $400 installed.

PGW with the Mercedes Star. The risk in the aftermarkets is the shape. If they don't get the shape molded correctly, your monowiper can't do its job.

I would stay stay from Safelite if you can. They're the ones that cracked my windshield in the first place trying to fix a tiny chip and left me with a two ft crack. They work with Allstate and both are scammers as far as I'm concerned. Noodle around Google about Safelite's track record and you'll see the stories.

Kevin

 

^This. The penalty to have the OE MB glass is not high enough to spin the wheel on the new Chinese junk starting to flood the market. And make sure your glass installer knows how to deal with the W124. Otherwise you might be starting a hidden rust spot.

 

How NOT to replace the windshield on a W124

 

Wow..........I didn't know that much was involved in replacing a W124 windshield. I bet most shops don't do it that way! Did they change the glass mounting method in later models of MB?

 

Nope, same procedure for all flavors W124. The reason it is this involved is because the windshield is a part of the body structure.

 

I meant on models other than W124.....later years.

 

Come on. We're talking Mercedes, the masters of complexity. If it's a part being held down by 3 screws, there is probably a 30 page installation procedure to match it.

I'm still hoping holding out hope for them to introduce a hydraulically operated massager for one's nether regions with a heating element fed by engine coolant and regulated with electronics.

 

Thanks for the videos. Wonder if I should buy the replacement clips from Mercedes as I doubt the installer replace them. I had the installer install Sekurite (about seven years ago and there were no noise or water issues afterwards so I'll use them again.

I had the installer call the dealer and it turns out that the dealer quoted him a glass by PGW. According to the 'net, PGW glass is now manufactured by FYG. So, we've come to a full circle! Installed cost of a PGW is $440 and for the FYG is $240.

 

OK, I knew I was going to be dealing with fools. Sooooo....I took ALL the trim off myself and the windshield wiper.

If you don't, you better hope the installers have prior MB knowledge.....not just nodding their heads and saying 'yes'. Because when fools break things, then the 'cover up' starts and you may be months before you realize you're a victim.

Kevin