URGENT!!!!!!!!!!! NEED REAR WINDSHIELD FOR 98 INFINITI Q45 (Y33) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DjElastik]

So last week I decide to park my car in a public place thinking it was a good idea to avoid anything happening to my car. WRONG a fight broke out around my car and someone threw a metal lawn chair to my back window therefore breaking my back windshield completely, damaging my trunk and the body of the rear passenger side. Here's the HUGE problem, i have one way insurance coverage cuz i'm young and two way would be way too expensive( I pay 300$ a month for one way). I got no problem with the body work but the rear window is impossible to find. A rear windshield usually retails for about 300$-700$ and if it's used it should be even cheaper. I've been looking all around my area and all i've been hearing is that the windshield repair spots don't have it in stock. The only one i found was for 1206$ at this independant shop (they say they only have one) or at the infiniti dealership for 1185$. Junk yards around here do not have any infiniti Q45 (97-01).

So what do you guys think i should do>?????????

[Yimbie]

I personally would go with the Infiniti dealership. Keep in mind though that I don't even know how to change a tire and so I have like no knowledge when it comes to spare parts. I think the Infiniti dealership will be the safest route because it's from Infiniti. You should definitely hear what other people have to say on this issue.. maybe someone will come up with an easy and cheaper solution! I wish you the absolute best with your problem because I know that would really suck if it happened to my car. I'm sorry man, I wish I knew the best solution to this problem... good luck!

- Yimbie

[Q45tech]

Transport of used will be big [crate] and expensive for any distance unless you have a full sized pickup/van and understand how to build a glass rack.

I always consider glass as a major item for spare parts acquisition especially since the rear window is specially treated uv/ir glass.

Import from US junkyard and pay the duty or VAT.................just another reason to keep a good wrecked spare at home.

[StarPD]

It's called a "backlight", not a "rear windshield".

Unless you are a skilled glass technician, forget about replacing it yourself. Removal and reinstallation of fixed (non-movable) auto glass is usually not feasible. I work for an auto glass company in Phoenix. We will not remove or install used glass, mostly because it's too difficult and usually breaks the glass, whereupon the customer then wants us to provide another at N/C.Not going to happen.

Backlights are expensive. The money you saved by not having glass coverage will now be made up in expense 10 times over.

You have just learned a valuable, albeit expensive lesson, grasshopper. There are some things that saving money on is too expensive.

Even I was foolish enough to drop glass coverage on my car. Then I just happened to be in the office one day, and asked out of curiosity how much a new W/S would run for it. I almost had a heart attack when I found out that glass and required trim kits for my '05 Q45 is around $1100 for material only at cost. That doesn't include labor. Within one minute, I called my agent and added glass coverage back onto my policy. I pay around $10 or $15 per month (I forget exactly) for glass coverage. That arithmetic is a no-brainer. Anyone who doesn't have glass coverage on his Q is kidding himself.

Call your insurance agent and have him recommend a reputable local auto glass company. He will know who's good and who isn't. $1200 is a reasonable installed charge for your backlight. Then get glass coverage. Do Not try to get coverage before the glass is replaced. Insurance fraud carries a hefty jail term.

PS, your dealer will proabably not install the glass themselves. They'll sub the job to an exerienced auto glass company. Yes, it's that specialized.

Good luck.

[bigjimmy]

Safelite auto glass quote for your back window

Safelite Regular Price: $1160.80 Sizzling Summer Savings: 45% Off Your Price: $628.07 (includes labor, before tax)

I just had my front windshield replaced by them for $215 (02 Q45)

Glass coverage for me would be $48 a year and in 25 years of driving I've had 2 windshields replaced.

[qship96]

215 for a q windsheild? something is not adding up! factory quality glass is way more expensive with special heat rejecting & u.v. cut qualities I presume

[maxnix]

It's called a "backlight", not a "rear windshield".

Well, it would be a windshield for any one who drove in reverse all the time!

Safelite auto glass quote for your back window

Safelite Regular Price: $1160.80 Sizzling Summer Savings: 45% Off Your Price: $628.07 (includes labor, before tax)

My exeprience over 4 decades is that 3rd party glass is a little different dimensionallly than OEM glass. The fit is never quite the same. Windshields and backlights with compound curves in particular are prone to developing leaks later.

Might try Joe, but a trip to the states might be in order.
Modified by maxnix at 9:55 AM 7/2/2007

[StarPD]

QUOTE=StarPD]It's called a "backlight", not a "rear windshield".

Well, it would be a windshield for any one who drove in reverse all the time!

My exeprience over 4 decades is that 3rd party glass is a little different dimensionallly than OEM glass. The fit is never quite the same. Windshields and backlights with compound curves in particular are prone to developing leaks later.

Might try Joe, but a trip to the states might be in order.[/QUOTE]

You're right, Brian. Safelite is not only a glass company, but a network owned by the insurance companies that glass companies have to bill through. The insurance companies will use them if you call the insurance company 800 number because they're a lot cheaper (for them, and not to your benefit). There's a reason for that. The el cheapo glass companies are cheaper because they use "aftermarket" glass rather than OEM glass. As you mentioned, aftermarket glass is frequently not optically correct (some customers find that the headaches they develop are from an optically distorted aftermarket windshield), and the dies they use to cut the glass is used too many times, resulting in poor fit. The dies are expensive, and it raises the cost to replace them frequently enough to provide good fit.

Then too, the el cheapo glass outfits use new inexperienced techs, and require up to 10 or more jobs per day from them. In some markets, they pay $6 to $10 per hour for these techs.

The more reputable glass companies use only the more expensive OEM glass, and to get good experienced techs, have to pay up to $26 per hour for them. They also require 6 to 8 jobs per day.

This is why I suggested having your agent recommend a glass company that he knows uses OEM glass, uses experienced techs, and doesn't require too many jobs per day. Every market has local glass companies that are reputable and conscientious like my own employer, some big, some small. The agents know who they are. Most good agents can give you 1 to 3 companies they are personally familar with. If the agent tells you to call the 800 number, he isn't a good agent and is only interested in your premiums rather than giving you good service. Some are that way. The better ones will help you when you have a problem, including referring you to quality services.

Ask AZ hitman about cheap windshields. He had a bad experience with one. We just did two for him. My company uses nothing but OEM glass, only hires techs that have a minimum of 10 years documented experience, and only requires 6 to 8 jobs per day from them, depending on locations and whether some appointments involve 2 jobs at the same time. We get all of our work from insurance agent referrals, repeat customers, and customer referrals. We do no advertising, and do not solicit through car washes or gas stations. Avoid windshield replacements through those sources, they are or use the el cheapo glass companies, and frequently the customer ends up with problems from them. We are only one of a number of reputable glass companies in our market, but there are a lot of el cheapos too. That's why if you don't have a personal contact with one of the reputable glass companies, it's a good idea to get a referral from your agent. He knows which ones are good.

When you consider auto glass, just as in other important things, remember Robert Heinlein's dictum: "TANSTAAFL" (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). It's just like if you live near Q45 Techs shop, do you want him to flush your transmission, or do you want Jiffy Lube to do it cheaper?

[StarPD]

215 for a q windsheild? something is not adding up! factory quality glass is way more expensive with special heat rejecting & u.v. cut qualities I presume

No doubt about it. F 50 windshields will be $215 right after new injectors are $25 each. Many F 50s have rain sensing windshields which raises the cost too.

Also, the glass for my '05 Q45 (which does have rain sensing) is only around $830, but the job requires TWO trim kits, and upper and a lower @ $130 EACH. Remember, that's at auto glass company COST.

TANSTAAFL

[bigjimmy]

I demand high performance for many items on a car, glass is not one of them. People who get a headache from after market glass should be shot.

Glass has been around for over 5000 years, so I'm supposed to believe that Infiniti has some sort of advanced knowledge of glass making that a company who's only business is glass is unaware of. The guy who installed my windshield said he started in 1984. No visible distortion and it does not leak.

Maxnix sucks and StarPD swallows. I bet maxnix works at Pepboys selling tires.

2002 didn't offer rain sensing windshield, and anyone who wants that option is too lazy to live. yea I like head light sensors, because sometimes you forget but if there are rain drops on my windshield it's pretty obvious.

[bigjimmy]

(some customers find that the headaches they develop are from an optically distorted aftermarket windshield)

This sentence makes no sense to an educated person! All customer that get a new windshield develop a headache?

[paranoidjack]

Check with your insurance company to be sure...in MA, glass replacement is a safety and not a deductible, or chargeable item.

[MattB]

I demand high performance for many items on a car, glass is not one of them. People who get a headache from after market glass should be shot.

Glass has been around for over 5000 years, so I'm supposed to believe that Infiniti has some sort of advanced knowledge of glass making that a company who's only business is glass is unaware of. The guy who installed my windshield said he started in 1984. No visible distortion and it does not leak.

Maxnix sucks and StarPD swallows. I bet maxnix works at Pepboys selling tires.

2002 didn't offer rain sensing windshield, and anyone who wants that option is too lazy to live. yea I like head light sensors, because sometimes you forget but if there are rain drops on my windshield it's pretty obvious.

First of all, attacking other members who are trying to help out is totally uncalled for. And secondly, some aftermarket glass IS junk. I made the mistake of letting Safelite install a replacement windshield on my old G20. Never again. It had to be replaced again within a month due to the cheap glass they used and the shoddy work they did installing it. Why be cheap on something like a windshield? It's really not worth it, especially if you have insurance glass coverage.

[StarPD]

(some customers find that the headaches they develop are from an optically distorted aftermarket windshield)

This sentence makes no sense to an educated person! All customer that get a new windshield develop a headache?

Not ALL replacement glass. Maybe I should explain. In the trade, "OEM glass" is NOT that which comes from the vehicle manufacturer. It IS however made to OEM specs. "Aftermarket glass" is NOT. Vehicle manufacturers do not make their own glass. They have it made to their specs by contracted glass companies. Those companies usually make it for sale also to glass companies. It is the very same glass as provided to manufacturers, but does not carry the vehicle manufacturers name on it.It is different from "aftermarket glass" in several ways, and is considerably cheaper, which is why the el cheapo glass companies use it. Some auto glass is ONLY available through a manufacturer's dealer.

The distortion present in some aftermarket glass is frequently not apparent, but is there nevertheless, and looking through it for long periods can produce headaches. I had an agent whose customer had a RAV 4 that had her windshield repaced by an el cheapo glass company. She kept going to the doctor for unexplained headaches. She loaned her car to her daughter for a few days. The daughter then developed headaches. As is common in he Phoenix area, after two years, the windshield was hit by a big rock and broke again. My company replaced the windshield. The headaches stopped.

FWIW, some glass is NOT available through regular glass distributors. It's then called a "dealer only item", and must be ordered through a dealer, with a delay and much higher price.

Infiniti's practices are exactly the same for some items. They contract with subcontractors to make certain parts for them. Those same parts are then available though parts dealers under the manufacturer's name as well as though dealers under the vehicle manufactuer's name. They are identical except for the box they come in. That same part may also be available from a non-original manufacturer, but not be made to OEM specs. It is usually considerably cheaper, and for good reason. OTOH, some parts are ONLY available though a dealer.

FWIW guys, I am not soliciting busimess from members. Indeed, most members don't live where my company operates, and would not use us no matter what I say or do. I am trying to share my knowledge of this industry to educate NICO members so they can make informed decisions.

Big jimmy, you are not merely a troll, you are an unusually obnoxious one. Maxnix has helped more people here than you can ever hope to. Go find a teenage chat room where you can amaze and impress other children with your garbage.

You wrote:"This sentence makes no sense to an educated person!"

That's because you are not "educated", and cannot think like normal people. The reason you are incapable of understanding how distorted glass can produce headaches is that you are too stupid to use logic or even to think. In fact, you apparently have no reading skills either. I wrote that SOME F50s have rain sensing windshields. I made no mention of 2002 models, as you were so quick to differ with.

Have your parents sue their local school board to get the tax money they spent to educate you back. They got nothing for their money.

Modified by StarPD at 8:48 AM 7/2/2007
Modified by StarPD at 8:52 AM 7/2/2007

[KiMbRoZz]

check out my post.........

[maxnix]

(some customers find that the headaches they develop are from an optically distorted aftermarket windshield)

This sentence makes no sense to an educated person! All customer that get a new windshield develop a headache?

Well, if you made it past 3rd grade, it does.

Optical distortions do indeed produce unwanted side effects like the ina bility to judge distance and apeed and direction of motion accurately. In me, it induces nausea, but then so do colored lenses. I alsways use neutral gray for that reason.

Your proffered conclusion is not supported by the PDStar's statement.

[qship96]

If the glass isnt stamped"NISSAN",it doesnt go in my car,period

[StarPD]

If the glass isnt stamped"NISSAN",it doesnt go in my car,period

That is a "dealer only" item, more expensive than the same (OEM) glass made by the same manufacturer to the same specifications and standards.It is however, one way to ensure that you got the best. Regardless of whether my insurance company is paying, or if I am, I would still rather do business with a known reputable local glass company, one recommended by a knowledgable insurance agent, and trust them to furnish and install true OEM glass, branded or not. On some vehicles though, that's not possible, as the only glass available is "dealer only". Without checking again, as best I can recall, my 2005 Q45 windshield and backlight are just that, "dealer only", so I don't have a choice. Since my insurance company will pay the bill, that's not an issue for me anyway. To keep my premiums as low as possible though, if I could get the less expensive non-branded OEM glass, I would.

In any case, it's highly unlikely that the dealer will do the work. They invariably sub that kind of work out, even if they provide the glass.

[bigjimmy]

Well, if you made it past 3rd grade, it does.

Optical distortions do indeed produce unwanted side effects like the ina bility to judge distance and apeed and direction of motion accurately. In me, it induces nausea, but then so do colored lenses. I alsways use neutral gray for that reason.

Your proffered conclusion is not supported by the PDStar's statement.

ina bility = your ability to spellapeed = you went to the bathroom in your living room againalsways = every direction

In me you induce nausea.

[NightRiderQ45]

I demand high performance for many items on a car, glass is not one of them. People who get a headache from after market glass should be shot.

Glass has been around for over 5000 years, so I'm supposed to believe that Infiniti has some sort of advanced knowledge of glass making that a company who's only business is glass is unaware of. The guy who installed my windshield said he started in 1984. No visible distortion and it does not leak.

Maxnix sucks and StarPD swallows. I bet maxnix works at Pepboys selling tires.

2002 didn't offer rain sensing windshield, and anyone who wants that option is too lazy to live. yea I like head light sensors, because sometimes you forget but if there are rain drops on my windshield it's pretty obvious.

LOL! Man, you jumped right on them.
Modified by NightRiderQ45 at 1:46 PM 7/3/2007

[Q45tech]

Why we love having so many old Q sitting around..................the rear glass is almost always perfect as a suitable replacement................another reason to keep a wrecked spare in your backyard.

[maxnix]

In me you induce nausea.

Maybe it only happens when you breathe? Easy to cure!

Must be difficult to see the sky from that deep hole you dug. It's that little pinhole of light way above you.

[greenwar]

I must say, you guys are sometimes pretty funny!!

[Jesda]

Wow, the quality of people on NICO has gone to the sewer.

[loystock]

I just had my 97Q windshield replaced last Saturday for less than $300. The backlight was replaced at the dealership in Dec' 00, under warranty, due to 'open' heating element. The work was done by an automotive glass company recommended by a body shop affiliated with my insurance company (the body shop just completed repair on my son's 99 I30 for $9500).

I did my own research before dealing with this company as I'm leery with non-OEM products. I want to make sure that any ARG (Automotive Replacement Glass) going into my car comes from a reputable company. The local Infiniti dealership quoted a replacement cost of $1241 ($1041 for glass and molding and $200 for labor) but I have to wait since the part is a 'special order.' Discounted price from Joe (Scottsdale Infiniti) is $800+ (glass & molding) plus $150 extra for body parts shipment. BTW, I have been buying parts from Joe since 2000.

The initial quote I got for the entire job was slightly below $500, but can be lowered if the molding can be re-used. The technician, upon inspection after W/S removal, decided to re-use the molding to save me some money. It took him more than an hour to complete the job. He installed a Pilkington glass (a British company now owned by NSG - Nippon Sheet Glass) with a lifetime warranty. Pilkington-NSG, together, controls about 30% of the worldwide glass market. Their main competition is Asahi Glass (25% share). The 'cheapos' other members are referring to are probably the FYG glasses made by Fu Yao Glass company of China. FYG supplies about 60% of the OEM glasses for American, Japanese and European car companies in China. However, the quality of these glasses is questionable. Some 'glass works' companies here in the US prefer to use FYG for better margin.

I have driven the car for 2 days now and and the W/S looks good. This weekend, I'll spray water around the W/S to check for leak.

This is the best car club in the internet. I have accumulated Infiniti cars over the years because I know I can always get expert advice from people like Dennis (q45tech), Brian (maxmix) and other members in this forum. The YahooInfinitiCarOwners club used to be a very good source of info until it was invaded by religious zealots, charlatans and salesmen.

Regards,Rod

97 & 03 Q45s04 G3597 & 99 I30s