Windshield repair: OEM Nissan or aftermarket?

[brmiller]

I got whacked with some flying road debris on the highway and now I have a nice quarter-sized punched spot in the lower corner of my windshield with a 5" (and growing) crack stemming from it. It's finally time to replace my rock-chipped windshield.

Problem is, I'm not sure whether the OEM Nissan-stamped glass is worth it. The parts counter guy said the windshield for a 95 240 is $850. Then I have to get it installed by someone. Another independent auto glass shop told me $199 for the glass + installation, but it would be an aftermarket windshield of unknown quality.

Do people have any experience/opinion with the OEM Nissan-stamped glass vs. run-of-the-mill aftermarket glass? It would be nice if I could get this fixed by my insurance, but my deductible is $500. Some of the places will pay your deductible, but I'm sure they have a limit on what they'll pay.

BTW, I really have gotten used to the familiar Nissan glass with the little dots along the edges and the tinted stripe at the top for sun-glare.

Brendan

[AZhitman]

It really depends on what your ins. co. will do.... My company has ALL glass covered for free (no deductible).

Genuine Nissan glass is always a higher quality....

[Meantime]

I would say get the OEM windshield. I've had bad replacement windshields before and it can be incredibly annoying (and dangerous) if the quality is off. They will chip and crack easy, can have distortion in the glass, develop wind leaks, all kinds of irritating stuff.

This isn't to say ALL replacements are bad, but...I guess my point is, you'll get what you pay for, if you can afford the OEM you'll probably be a lot more satisfied. Just my two rubles.

EDIT: I'll bet you can find a better deal than $850 on the OEM glass, too. Check a few other places that deal in Nissan parts.

[lok]

I had a crack in my wind shield and just went to the salvage yard. Because I had to have the Nissan stamp on the lower driver side. Only cost a 100 bucks and 50 to install at the place that did my tint.

[bigE]

brmiller, just go through whoever can do it for 199.99, I got into windsheild repair, and replacement over a year and a half ago, and 90% of all windshields are purchased through Safelite Autoglass, you can get it stamped or unstamped. Nissan just feeding you some BS, they most likely buy it from Safelite, and put a Nissan stamp on it. If you have any questions, IM me.

Eric

[yellow_jacket]

Just make sure the installer is reputable. Most fitment and leak problems are caused by installers and not by the glass.

[fiznat]

yeah honestly, I just got my windsheild replaced by Safelite a few weeks ago... Got the cheaper (non OEM) glass, and it's just fine: nice, even. It's got that tint at the top of course, but no dots I dont think....

I got a quote of $400 (with the molding- with is apparantly an extra $160 on our cars...). When the guy came I told him I'm not paying that for molding and he hooked me up for free... Got the glass for $200 something. Not a bad deal- I tipped the guy 20 bucks

[brmiller]

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up getting it replaced by MS Glass with an windshield that they claimed was an OEM replacement. I don't care what they call it--OEM is used far too often when it doesn't apply.

It doesn't have the Nissan stamp, of course, but it does have the dots all around the perimeter and otherwise looks just like the one that came out of it.

Installed for $169.

Thanks NICO!

Brendan

[AZhitman]

90% of all windshields are purchased through Safelite Autoglass, you can get it stamped or unstamped. Nissan just feeding you some BS, they most likely buy it from Safelite, and put a Nissan stamp on it

There's some misinformation for you. :nono

No one can "stamp" autoglass with a manufacturer's name except the manufacturer. Little issue of legality. Likewie, saying OEM is incorrect as well. By definition, this means "original equipment manufacturer", and what you got is not. They should have said, OEM-quality.

In addition, since the glass in a unibody car is a structural member, the manufacturer of said glass (and installer) can theoretically be held liable if that part of the car's safety cage does not perform properly in the event of an accident.

Safelite imports a lot of their inferior glass from the East, and trust me - You CAN tell the difference. Some people just don't care. Sounds like you did well, especially for $169.

[Infamous]

ive (not directly) been through about 4 glass replacements. and i can say aftermarket is just as good as OEM. but its up to you, your car, your chouice.

edit: on a non-nissan car:oface

[SRdave240]

For the $850 that nissan wants for new glass, couldn't you get a nice lightweight scratch resistant lexan type?

[Cyberkreig]

This thread seems like a good place for a question of mine.

I have a patch of semi-circular scratches on my windshield..(previous owner apparently didnt like to use blades on their wipers?). Regardless they are very shallow, they cant even be felt with a fingernail.. but the create a large blindspot. Can this be repaired? or do i need new glass?

[WingsNThangs]

Go with good ol' OEM.

[brmiller]

No one can "stamp" autoglass with a manufacturer's name except the manufacturer. Little issue of legality. Likewie, saying OEM is incorrect as well. By definition, this means "original equipment manufacturer", and what you got is not. They should have said, OEM-quality.

I didn't think so either--but I knew what they were getting at. I didn't expect a Nissan stamp--just wanted it as close as possible in looks and quality. Lots of people use "OEM" to mean OEM-substitute, whereas true OEM would have to come from Nissan.

Quote »In addition, since the glass in a unibody car is a structural member, the manufacturer of said glass (and installer) can theoretically be held liable if that part of the car's safety cage does not perform properly in the event of an accident.[/quote]Hmmm.. Hadn't thought about this. I think the key word is theoretically. I wonder if anyone has ever tried to hold a glass installer liable. The place I went has a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship, glass quality, or install prowess. So I'm as covered as I'm going to be. My guess is another bunch of rocks flying off a truck are going to get me before I lose it to structural integrity... But you raise a good point.

Quote »Sounds like you did well, especially for $169. [/quote] Yes, I'm feeling quite pleased--the guys were really friendly, helpful when I asked lame-o newbie questions about glass replacement, and told me to come back if I ever had any problems or questions. The best part is I can see clearly again! I'd had so many miniscule rock chips that the glass would just light up like a Christmas tree when driving in the sunlight. Now it's perfectly clear. For now, anyway.

Thanks again NICO!

Brendan