Windshield Source?

[Raymond]

While my car is in the paint shop, I want to replace the windshield.  Is there a good source in the US?  I am in Florida.  

By the way, the folks at LoCan Glass in Massachusettes said they have only one in stock and it has chips around the edge that they "think" would be hidden by the seal.  They won't send photos or take it back if it's unsatisfactory.  I am not inclined to do business with a company with that attitude.



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Ed Cave]

Ray:

During my recent restoration I too decided to replace the windshield. The cost difference between a new windshild from MB and an aftermarket was minimal so I opted for the original MB glass. I suggest you talk to a local MB dealer (of which there are many in Florida) and compare.

I think you'll realize the answer is closer and easier than you may have thought.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
1973 911S
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[DaveB]

Don't know about a Florida source but I just measured an old windshield and seal and I found the seal to cover the outer 8mm or 1/3" of the glass. So if the chips are smaller than 8mm, and if the glass is Sekurit, and the price is right.... (notwithstanding their poor customer relations!)

DaveB

[Tom230sl]

Just purchased a new windshield last week from Caliber Motors, part #113-671-03-10 cost $380.80 with club discount. How can you go wrong?

[hands_aus]

Hey Tom,

What club discount are you referring to?



Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Ed Cave]

I just looked back through some of my notes and it appears we paid $441 for the original windshield from MB.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
1973 911S
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[Mark in KS]

Wow!  Take the deal.  2 years ago I purchased a new Sekurit windshield from the local MBZ dealer.  It's all clear without any polarized band on top (I really like that aspect), but it cost over $600.00.  I guess that was when $$ had no influence.  It was also the only one showing in the MBZ inventory on hand in the USA.  They shipped it down from Chicago.

[glennard]

quote:Originally posted by Raymond

While my car is in the paint shop, I want to replace the windshield.  Is there a good source in the US?  I am in Florida.  

By the way, the folks at LoCan Glass in Massachusettes said they have only one in stock and it has chips around the edge that they "think" would be hidden by the seal.  They won't send photos or take it back if it's unsatisfactory.  I am not inclined to do business with a company with that attitude.



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

LoCan used to be in Somerville.  I think I bought something from them long ago.   And, I'm in Boston.  How much for the windscreen?

[Raymond]

Glennard, I was working with Lee & Cates a really good local glass shop and they were going to do it for $476, INSTALLED! I am providing the seal.  That was before they heard about the chips. They told me about Locan's response and said they would continue if I wanted to take the chance.  If Locan had been willing to send photos of the edge damage, I probably would have gone ahead.  I think Locan was offering it at $359 to the shop.  If you can eyeball it, then you can make a good decision.  I just didn't want glass shipped 800 miles with no warranty or recourse.

Miller's said they could get one for $295 plus $100 shipping, but Kevin didn't know what brand or where it would come from.

Today Brumos, the MB dealer, quoted me $470.  I checked while I was there picking up the MB windshield seal that they sold me for $91.00.  That was less than any aftermarket price I found.  They're pretty competitive on most parts and they're all OEM.  The head parts guy owns a '69 Pagoda.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Tom230sl]

Our club, of course. 20% off list. just have to ask for it.

quote:Originally posted by hands_aus

Hey Tom,

What club discount are you referring to?



Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Raymond

The head parts guy owns a '69 Pagoda.

I assume you recruited him as a member?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[babarsheikh]

I am thinking about replacingmy windshield and went to the dealer to check the price out it would cost about $400 but it is made my PPG.  Wondering if I shoudl just get a PPG windsheild and not through the dealer.  It is the sameglass but cheaper obviuosly but are there any other factors I should consider?  I suppose there will be mercedes marks over the dealer one?

Thanks,

Bobby

[mrfatboy]

$200 installed at home, All Star Glass. This was in San Diego.

[bpossel]

With the discussion on windshields, I thought that I would take a picture of my windshield numbers, located on the drivers side.  Is this windshield original, or a replacement?  Does anyone know what the numbers, letters represent?
Bob

Download Attachment: windshield1.jpg
71.92 KB

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[rwmastel]

My guess is that it's a replacement.  I think originally they were all made by Sekurit.  Check the rest of the glass, including the hard top.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[dwilli3038]

Tom,

Now that our good friend Tom Hansen is no loner at Calaper motors who do you talk to there?

Daryl
'64 230 SL Buckeye Benz Scarlet interior and Grey top Serial # 508
'77 280SE

[psmith]

Ask for Al Trevino, he knows the cars well and is/was an owner of a 280 from what I remember.

Pete S.

[Douglas]

Al is terrific. Just bought some parts from him. Apparently, he was actually at the dealership longer than Tom. I had no idea.

Also, Don over at Caliber is also very knowledgeable with these cars too.  

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[babarsheikh]

Do you have a contact name?

quote:Originally posted by mrfatboy

$200 installed at home, All Star Glass. This was in San Diego.

[mrfatboy]

I just called the local shop. Here is the yellowpage.com link to the All Star Glass stores in Calif. They are all over place.  Not sure about any other states though.

http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/yellowpages/ypresults.jsp?t=0&v=2&s=0&p=1&q=all+star+glass&st=CA


It is a PPG windshield.  I didn't really pay attention if there where other brands.  I knew I like $200 instead of $400.  I actually was relieved when I called about it.  I was expecting $600 +.  Frankly, I thought $200 for a brand new windshield and having "home install service" was a steal.

[Ed Cave]

Here is a detail shot of the label on the windshield I refer to much further down in this thread. MB Part, $441.



Download Attachment: Sekurit.jpg
57.14 KB

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[babarsheikh]

Thanks Ed.  I talked to the dealer and they only had the PPG glass.  Apprently Sekurit is no longer the OEM manufacturer for windshields in the US.  Am deciding if I want to pursue the Sekurit option (not sure where I can get it).  Any thoughts anyone?

quote:Originally posted by Ed Cave

Here is a detail shot of the label on the windshield I refer to much further down in this thread. MB Part, $441.



Download Attachment: Sekurit.jpg
57.14 KB

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[mrfatboy]

When I first started calling around Star Quality had a couple of windshields for $400 or so.  Maybe they were the Sekurit.  I am not sure what the difference is between PPG and others.  The PPG seems find unless you need OEM for competitions or something.