So a couple weeks ago I was washing the windows on my car and noticed I had a TINY rock chip at the base of my windshield (where the wipers are). It was proabbly about the size of the tip of a match.. I know that you can get those tiny chips fixed for relatively cheap and it will prevent the windshield from getting worse....

I figured I wasnt going to be driving the car for a week or so, so I'd just get it fixed in a week or so.. I put a small piece of electrical tape so that water or dirt wouldnt get into it...

Fast forward to this weekend... It was beautiful outside and I was going for a nice drive up to the lake house, but the car was kinda dusty so I decided I'd hose it off real quick before I left. As soon as the water hit the windsheild, CRACK. Now I have a crack going the entire height of the windshield, and I get to buy a new windshield.

Also, good reminder to wash my car. With a gold Q, I never see dirt, so I never care to wash it.

96Qowner is right. Last time I had a windshield crack, I had it replaced with little or no out of pocket cost. Most insurance does cover the windshield for any reason. The windshield insurance is actually separate from your other insurance and has it's own deductible. I either used this site: http://www.89glass.com or one just like them and they took care of all the paperwork and the insurance claim. They came to my work and replaced it during the day. I got lucky and it wound up not costing my anything because they were having an internet special and the rebate to me was enough to cover the deductible.

Don't drive too long with the windshield like that, it will just keep cracking more and more in different directions. I know because I drove on mine WAY too long before finding out that it wasn't going to cost me anything to have it repaired.

Jade Metallic '02 F50

FYI, There's a chance it won't pass safety/tech inspection and thus you may not be able to autocross it .

Next time I'll pay the full deductible and get decent glass.

I got 3 different quotes @ $254.81, $235, and the $255 from the place I am using but they came down to $225. Also, if they ask for tint color options the blue tint seems to be the cheapest for some reason, and I think it was by quite a bit.

Quote, originally posted by phatyak »

Wes, 96Qowner is right. Last time I had a windshield crack, I had it replaced with little or no out of pocket cost. Most insurance does cover the windshield for any reason. The windshield insurance is actually separate from your other insurance and has it's own deductible.

Be sure to check out the specifics of your policy first.

Try to beat these prices:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/em...mrsZ1

Im definitely going to get a good windshield to put on this thing...

I agree 100% with avoiding cheap glass. I got to choose between 4 local shops to get the work done. The rebate was from the online store, not the local shop that did the repairs. That local shop got full price for the glass (although they do pay a listing fee to be part of the online website), and I got an exact match on the front windshield of my Toyota Camry (very light tan tint to the glass). Quality install, glass was fine for the next two years before the car was sent to RIP.

Guess it just depends on the companies you deal with as to whether you get a quality product. If you have a glass shop you trust already and are in a position to pay, that is absolutely the best way to go!

Whatever the case, hope it works out for you. I'm shutting up now.

$231.89 with tax.

I work part-time for my son who owns an auto glass company. I call on insurance agents to try to get them to send us their windshield replacement jobs and repairs, so I know a little about auto glass.

First, windshield repair will NOT keep a windshield from cracking. It is a cosmetic repair only.

Second, never try to replace a windshield yourself. That requires extensive knowledge and skill. I recall one member here who wanted to pull a windshield from a wrecked car in a junkyard and install it himself in his Q. Bad idea, and terribly false economy, which probably wouldn't work anyway, and would likely result in the replacement glass cracking eventually and/or leaks.

Many States do not have what is kown as "full glass coverage" at all, and some do have coverage but have a deductible. Here in AZ, we have "full glass coverage" with NO deductible, and surprisingy, it's relatively inexpensive. Be sure to discuss with your agent exactly what coverage you can get, what it will cost, and what the terms are.

If you do get your windshield replaced, NEVER, EVER use those represented by hawkers at car washes, gas stations, or in TV commercials especially the ones that offer free diamonds, steaks, dinners, or other come-ons. They almost always use aftermarket glass, which frequently is of poor optical quality, and frequently doesn't fit properly. See, aftermarket glass manufacturers re-use the dies they that are used to cut the windshield too many times. Each cut removes some of the die. When worn, the glass ends up being cut too small, and results in cracking and/or leaks. OEM glass OTOH, requires that the dies be used only a limited number of times, and is carefully checked for optical distortion. That's why OEM glass costs more than aftermaket glass. Sometimes that distortion is not apparent, but can result in eye strain and even headaches. Don't use the 800 numbers insurance companies use to get your windshield replaced either. They usually use el cheapo glass companies that employ beginning techs and aftermarket glass. Instead, use your insurance AGENT to personally recommend a local glass company that he works with and that he knows uses OEM glass, and has qualified techs. If he refuses to recommend someone, get a different agent that doesn't want to just blow you off and send you to the 800 number. This kind of agent only wants to get his commissions on your insurance and isn't willing to help you like he should. Some of my best agent customers learned the hard way from sending their customers to the 800 number and got too many complaints. After a few instances like this, they use us and our GOOD local competitors in rotation, selecting only 3 to 5 of those companies that take good care of their customers for them. Take advantage of your agent's value of you as a customer, and his personal knowledge of the auto glass business.

Here's some insight on the glass companies who use come-ons. Reputable local glass companies cannot afford to wait 9 to 12 months to get their money. If they bill the insurance company direct, which by law, they can, they wait for their money. So they bill through what is known as a glass network, of which each insurance company has one they use. These networks get the money to the glass companies quickly and without undue delay, but they set the heavily discounted price. They leave enough for the glass company to profit, but not overcharge them or make excessive profits. Because these better local glass companies work through the agents, they almost always use OEM glass and have highly qualified technicians. As an example, most of the "come-on" glass companies use aftermarket glass, and pay beginning techs $7 to $9 per hour, and require them to do 10 jobs per day, including travel time. We and our good competitors use OEM glass and pay our techs a lot more (because we have to in order to get good ones), and require a minimum of 6 jobs per day, with a maximum of 8. As an example, our newest technician hired a year ago makes $26 per hour. That's what it took to get him. Since we work through agents, we absolutely MUST have top technicians. The come-on glass outfits charge the insurance companies full list and inflated labor charges though, and since they make so much money, they can afford to wait to get their bucks. It's not to the benefit of customers though.

Do NOT shop by yourself for windshield replacement based on price. You WILL get what you pay for. Instead, once again, rely on your insurance agent to send you to 2 or 3 to compare prices from

Elwesso, your windshield will likely not just fall out. They're made to not do so. But you could get a citation for having a cracked windshield, illegal in many States. Call your agent, and even if you don't have full glass coverage, ask him to recomend a GOOD local glass company that uses OEM glass and has exerienced technicians. ALL of the good ones will come to your home or business to do the job, so you won't have to worry about getting the car to them and leaving it all day, depending on someone else for transportation to and from their shop.

Anyone in AZ who needs a windshield, PM me and I'll take good care of you.
Just be sure to remind me that you're a NICO member so I can be sure to "Red Carpet" you like I do for relatives and friends.

Modified by StarPD at 1:04 PM 4/23/2007

Modified by StarPD at 1:17 PM 4/23/2007

Well, geez George! I just had mine done today. Wish I would have known that.

Shane

Thank you Jesda.
I try to repay fellow members for their help if and when I can by posting things I know about and learn (usually the hard way).

I hope what I posted save sothers problems in the future.

Modified by StarPD at 2:14 PM 4/23/2007

I hope you got it done by one of our reputable competitors. There ARE some in Phoenix, but one has to be careful about choosing which one. That's why I suggested relying on your insurance agent, even if you don't have full glass coverage.

My company BTW is "Universal Auto Glass".

If I can help anyone else though, let me know.

Question- I wont be driving the car for 1.5 weeks or so, os the car is gonna have plenty of down time. I dont think we have any glass places around here... Is it as easy as me calling my agent, telling me where to get it replaced, and then I call the place and they come to my house and replace it? I dont need the car so it can sit dormant while the windshield gets replaced.. i'm at school right now but I do have a private residence.. I just dont want a lot of hassle, and mainly i dont have a lot of time to drive around.

The crack is BARELY visible. So much that I tried to take a picture of it, but I couldnt get it to come out because you can only see it at certain angles. If you saw the car you probably wouldnt notice it, youd probably only notice it while sitting in the car.

My car is the same color. Even in the winter with all of the salt , It still looks great!

Yes, most reputable auto glass outfits will come to you and do the replacement at your home or business, unless it's really a LONG distance.
It would have to be a pretty good way though. We travel all over the valley here in the Phoenix metro area, which is huge. It's almost 100 miles diagonally across the metro area in one direction, almost 75 in the other, and we go anywhere in it.

Don't worry about downtime. The company you choose will call you and schedule your job at a convenient time for you, either at your home or work/school. You WILL have to be available to verify the work though, so be sure to take that into account when you set the appointment. Another note. Sometimes they get hung up on a job, so times are approximate, not "hard" appintments. Do be sure to quickly go over the car while the tech is there so that if any collateral damage occurs, there's no argument as to how it happened or who did it. Sometimes the repair process does create minor damage to headliners or other associated areas. The glass company is responsible for taking care of any damage, and will usually do so without quarrel. I know that on the rare occasion we encounter that, we step up to the pate without argument or hassle. Any reputable glass company that your agent recommends will do the same. Don't worry though. While it happens occasionally, it's not common, and you shouldn't have any problem. Just protect yourself in front.

Let me know how you make out.

Good luck.

For comparison Wes, I got a windshield put in my 90Q last year and it was $200/installed. I also was given 3 price options and chose the middle option since I wasn't keeping the car. I made an appointment for the next day and the glass was waiting. Picked up the Q four hours later.

90 Q45 Base 246,000 miles

Lola - 94 Q45t, 187K miles, HICAS, NICO ECU, Tint, ASA AR1 18x8 & 18x9 wheels, Adj FUCA & RUCA, Custom FSTB, Cali Custom springs, Tokiko Blue struts, Rear Subframe busings, Custom "INFINITI" Aluminum Z32 Calipers, drilled slotted rotors, Braided SS brake lines, DOT4 Brake Fluid, Full Synthetics, Custom Stainless Steel mesh grille, STILLEN K&N POP Charger, and Custom 2.25" T-316 Stainless Steel NASCAR exhaust with X-Pipe and polished 4" SS tips.

Ice T - 00 I30t Sport, 120K, Chrome 2002 wheels, FSTB, 3" SS exhaust tips, dealership serviced only - full records, original owner, perfect paint & interior, only black/black I30t made in 2000 (special order)

My two OEM glass replacements on Q1 (with new OEM gaskets) totaled somewhere around $800 each if I remember correctly. This was with Nissan glass and gaskets installed at two different glass shops.

$250 is absolutely aftermarket glass...

Heath

Q45 glass is indeed expensive. Thanks to the antenna and rain sensing stuff, windshield for my 2005 Q45 is my cost over 950. It also requires TWO trim kits at $130 each plus the glass, and that's at actual net cost. It is a dealer only item, no OEM glass from distributors, and not even aftermarket glass. Backlight is similar in cost. Labor is not included in these figures, since I not only get the glass and trim at cost, I get labor free.

If you don't have glass coverage now, I strongly urge you to get it before a rock breaks yours. Cost for coverage is much less than glass replacement.
FWIW, summer is coming, and that's when our business increases dramatically due to the heat, so do it now BEFORE you need it. Some insurers will insist on inspecting the car before issuing gass coverage to make sure people don't break their windshield and then get coverage.

BTW, not sure about F50 or Y33, but G50 glass comes in either blue or bronze tint, depending on paint and exterior color. If you need windshield replacement, be sure to insist on the original color.

Infinitis aren't cheap.

I'll also be bugging you for a quote on my 240sx (out-of-pocket ).

This is gonna make a great article. I'm gonna work on it this afternoon.

TEAM NICO: 137,000 Nissan enthusiasts strong.

NICOclub on Facebook

AZhitman on MySpace

Love it here? Add a link to NICOclub to your site!

This site dedicated to the memory of Stacey Lynn Childs 1970-2007

Call me on my cell @ 602-717-0056 when you're ready.
I'll make sure we take especially good care of you on both vehicles.

Be advised that we use ONLY OEM glass, and our techs are very good, so we won't be the cheapest on the cash job, but will give you good service and the best products. We can't afford to do any less for our customers, since we depend on the good will of our agents who send us our work.
Many of them won't send their work anywhere else.

By the way, these three qoutes were from different shops, not three different window options from the same place. The one I got turned out nice, glass looks good, not blury even from an angle.

The G35 gets OEM glass as well - it's still got its "virgin" windshield, but has a few chips and some "sandblasting" pits.