Need help replacing FY33 rear window.

[ViruzOne]

I need to replace the rear window for my 00 Q45 but every shop i call doesnt have the molding needed to install it. Tried my local dealer its special order. will take weeks. Talked to a guy at infinitiparts.com and they said that it will take the same time since they have to order through the same source as my local dealer. I found a shop that says they have the modling but will take a few days to order the glass in itself since they dont have that stocked. I need help, is there another supplier you guys know of that can help. any assistance appreciated

[StarPD]

I need to replace the rear window for my 00 Q45 but every shop i call doesnt have the molding needed to install it. Tried my local dealer its special order. will take weeks. Talked to a guy at infinitiparts.com and they said that it will take the same time since they have to order through the same source as my local dealer. I found a shop that says they have the modling but will take a few days to order the glass in itself since they dont have that stocked. I need help, is there another supplier you guys know of that can help. any assistance appreciated

Some glass trim parts are "Dealer only". Even so, they usually don't stock them and have to order them special from the mfr. It can take up to 6 weeks or longer, depending.

If you are considering changing either a windshield or backlight (that's what the rear glass is called), I strongly suggest you not try it yourself. It take special skills that only experienced glass technicians have. Even if you do get it in without breaking or damaging anything, odds are you'll have leaks, and probably will get adhesive, which BTW, is non-removable, on your interior trim and/or paintwork, as well as scratches in your paint. You'll be ahead of the game if you bite the bullet and pay a REPUTABLE local auto glass company to do the job for you. Your insurance agent can probably recommend a REPUTABLE auto glass company, they know which ones are good and which ones aren't. Avoid the bigger national auto glass outfits, they usually use what is called in the trade "aftermarket" glass, which is not up to OEM specs, and they use less experienced techs, since they're cheaper to employ. Smaller local outfits rely on word of mouth and reputation, so the good ones all use OEM spec glass and experienced techs.

I work for an auto glass company. We won't hire a glass tech that doesn't have at least 10 years of documented experience with good references. That's because even glass techs with experience less than that have proven to make too many mistakes and do too much damage to customer vehicles. We don't make enough money on glass replacement jobs to pay for re-doing installations, and especially for damage to customer vehicles.

There are some things best left to experts. Auto glass replacement is one of them. Note however that side glass replacement is a different story, and you can safely replace side windows if you have the time and patience, and are careful.

[ViruzOne]

Some glass trim parts are "Dealer only". Even so, they usually don't stock them and have to order them special from the mfr. It can take up to 6 weeks or longer, depending.

If you are considering changing either a windshield or backlight (that's what the rear glass is called), I strongly suggest you not try it yourself. It take special skills that only experienced glass technicians have. Even if you do get it in without breaking or damaging anything, odds are you'll have leaks, and probably will get adhesive, which BTW, is non-removable, on your interior trim and/or paintwork, as well as scratches in your paint. You'll be ahead of the game if you bite the bullet and pay a REPUTABLE local auto glass company to do the job for you. Your insurance agent can probably recommend a REPUTABLE auto glass company, they know which ones are good and which ones aren't. Avoid the bigger national auto glass outfits, they usually use what is called in the trade "aftermarket" glass, which is not up to OEM specs, and they use less experienced techs, since they're cheaper to employ. Smaller local outfits rely on word of mouth and reputation, so the good ones all use OEM spec glass and experienced techs.

I work for an auto glass company. We won't hire a glass tech that doesn't have at least 10 years of documented experience with good references. That's because even glass techs with experience less than that have proven to make too many mistakes and do too much damage to customer vehicles. We don't make enough money on glass replacement jobs to pay for re-doing installations, and especially for damage to customer vehicles.

There are some things best left to experts. Auto glass replacement is one of them. Note however that side glass replacement is a different story, and you can safely replace side windows if you have the time and patience, and are careful.

Thanks for the info. I have been calling around and it seems like there is no one with this molding. I guess ill have to patiently wait for when the part arrives. I wasn't taking this as a DIY project, i just need help finding the parts for it. I originally thought the glass shop doing my repair was lacking on the part since its been almost a month since the part was ordered. But with your first sentence I understood it better. Wish the persont that answers the phone for the glass shop was that informative! I guess thats the price we pay for driving our exclusive sedan! lol.

BTW: Y33 owners take care of your glass... i have been quoted 500-800 just to replace the back window! $$$$$$

[StarPD]

Thanks for the info. I have been calling around and it seems like there is no one with this molding. I guess ill have to patiently wait for when the part arrives. I wasn't taking this as a DIY project, i just need help finding the parts for it. I originally thought the glass shop doing my repair was lacking on the part since its been almost a month since the part was ordered. But with your first sentence I understood it better. Wish the persont that answers the phone for the glass shop was that informative! I guess thats the price we pay for driving our exclusive sedan! lol.

BTW: Y33 owners take care of your glass... i have been quoted 500-800 just to replace the back window! $$$$$$

Actually, that's dirt cheap especially if it includes the trim. Lemme give ya a 'xample:The rain sensing w/s on my '05 Q45 costs my company just under $900, PLUS $230 each for the TWO trim kits it requires (upper and lower). That doesn't include labor, trip cost, and other expenses involved in operating the company and its vehicle(s), not to mention a reasonable profit for the investment the owner has, and the fact that he has to lay out cash for the parts and pay the empoyees and expenses BEFORE he gets paid.

Based on all that, $1500 would not be unreasonable for a new w/s for my car. So $500 to $800 for a new backlight for your car is actually cheap. amd FWIW, I'd be wary of getting it done for $500. That sounds way too cheap for OEM glass, the trim kit(s), and an experienced technician. Even $800 sounds like the low end of what it shoud take.

The moral to the story, boys and girls is to not be such a cheapskate that you save the few lousy dollar full glass coverage on your insurance costs every month. Insist on full glass coverage on your insurance WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE. It's the best investment you'll make. And when you DO need auto glass, do NOT use your insurance company's 800 number. They'll have a national chain that uses cheap (substandard) aftermarket glass and has inexperienced techs do the job. Your chances of being happy with it are maybe 50/50. Insist that your agent farm the job out to a local auto glass company that he KNOWS and is comfortable turning you, his good customer, over to because he's had consistently good reliable results from them. If your agent won't do that, you need a different agent, one who cares about you as a customer and is willing to spend some time to make sure you are satisfied. The ones who insist on you calling the 800 number only want their commision on your premiums, and aren't willing to work for it.

[AZhitman]

Hey George - Ready to send your guy out to R&R my f&r glass in the Z?

Ready when you are.

[StarPD]

Hey George - Ready to send your guy out to R&R my f&r glass in the Z?

Ready when you are.

Ready anytime you are Greg.Shoot me your cell number again, and I'll have my office call you to schedule it. (Remember, you are sometimes a little hard to get ahold of) I'll ask them to re-quote you so there's no changes or surprises, and to verify what is required in the way of trim kits. I'll remind them again that I want Adrian to do the job, please also ask for him to do the work when you talk with them.

I'd offer to do ViruzOne's car, but SLC is too far for us. I just hope he can find someone good there.

Take care.