mx5cartalk.com

Rather than add more comments to the "What gave me the shits" thread I thought I would start another one as this is an interesting topic that may well affect others.

As I mentioned previously, I had my windscreen broken by a speeding tradie in a work ute whilst out for my weekly drive yesterday.
I can't complain as I had never had a broken windscreen in 45years of driving in the country so I am well and truly good for one.

I contacted Shannons and a replacement was organised with their preferred repairer (O'Brien's Glass) to happen next week.
In the meantime more learned Members of this Forum pointed out that the usual practice will be for O'Briens to replace my OEM screen with a cheap and nasty Chinese one that will be softer, thinner and possibly have distortions.

I phoned O'Briens this am and spoke at length with a couple of very pleasant and understanding people who thought I should probably talk with my Insurer about it. This was what I expected, I was just fishing for any useful info about what sort of screens they used. They told me their screens come from Aust. Auto Glass - who I take to be an "Importer". They said they all meet the Aust. Standard and I said of course they do but these are minimum standards not maximum ones.

I spoke to Shannons again and as always got a great guy who was a car enthusiast and totally understood what I was on about. He went off to chase info for me and came back to say that they would try to find an OEM screen but if unsuccessful, might have to ask me to try to find one. They said they would pay for an OEM if one could be found. I said I imagined that Mazda would be able to source one but it would probably be very expensive. I note that the OEM in the car is "Lamipane - Nippon Safety". I am happy to pay extra myself - if I have to - to get an OEM.

There were some very useful tips on Whirlpool about this topic incl. watch where the repairers stick your inside rear-view mirror (crooked, upside-down, off-centre) check the new screen for distortion before they fit it, and watch out for damage to your vehicle around the windscreen caused by fitting.

So - I will keep you posted on progress.

I had mine replaced for RWC via a panel beater friend (so glass is up to insurers stds). It was OK. Charged me extra for a new window seal. It was all inexpensive and I haven't had any problems.

Thanks, Rocky, I'm watching this with interest.

Bruce - you make a good point - the Chinese 'Aftermarket' screen may be perfectly OK for all intents and purposes.
My car doesn't get dríven in the rain so the wipers are never going to be scratching the screen, and the odds are probably on my side for another broken windscreen.
Also OEMs are not perfect - My Daughter's Corolla OEM screen has a noticeable distortion in it.

But as you know, I am OCD about my cars and I guess I'd just be happier with an OEM if possible.

Too much knowledge ..... ??

I dare say that, like most people, prior to this thread I'd have just had a replacement windscreen fitted by my insurance and not thought anything about it .... now I'll be paranoid ....

Does the NB windshield have a proper rubber seal? NAs are just glued and a bit of plastic trim fitted over (that was the extra cost).
If it's a rubber seal, do you reuse/replace/OEM replacement?
NAs tend to rust in the bottom corners (mine had it). Check yours.
Just freaking you out Rocky.

Too true Kev - but that is the legacy of the Internet - so much info is available!
I was a bit depressed after reading the info on Whirlpool because I was unaware of any of those issues.
I had not even thought about the fact that the repairer is going to have to glue my rearview mirror on to the new screen.
For someone who leans towards the OCD that is a really scary prospect!
I have also just had the thought that I will have to mask my polished SS Scuff Plates so they don't scratch them.
...and maybe mask the area above the screen...
...and put a big thick blanket over the whole front of the car...
...and then there's the windscreen wipers...
I think I am going to have to have an Asprin and a good lie down.
(thank's for the support Bruce)

At the base of the windshield, under the wipers is a big plastic cover. That is nigh impossible to remove without marking/breaking some of the plastic plugs over the screws. The lil round plugs are impossible to remove without leaving marks.
I wish you well...

I've never had anything except Chinese windscreens in my cars, never had an issue with them.

The closest I've had to an issue is having to specify if I wanted one with the blue strip at the top or not.

Windscreens are not all the same. Glass is not all the same. Ford resourced glass from Pilkington to China for cost not quality. People accept many inferior products for a variety of reasons including not being able to detect differences in quality. The windscreen business is clearly a legalised racket. The authorities recognise that a windscreen can create vision problems but RWC guys fail many windscreens which present no problem to the driver. The insurers quite often offer free windscreen replacement and they do not do this for charity. If a windscreen scratches or fails in service quickly then the windscreen replacement business does not make it's inflated sales. A good windscreen for some is one that does not last a long time.

My guess is that an OEM windscreen e.g. Nippon Glass may not be available and if it is then maybe at a cost penalty. Like Rocky I would much prefer the OEM glass if it's available at an affordable price.

The windscreen franchisees do the work based essentially on cost. As for the Aust standards that is probably meaningless - who checks them and is the standard the same as an OEM spec? So many products now come into Australia and many items don't meet standards and some are without doubt fake specs.

Not sure of the difference if any between the way NA & NB windscreens are fitted, ie sealed & the surrounding trim, but there was quite a bit of discussion some years ago on here on the topic of aftermarket seals & trims:

93_Clubman wrote:Ref windscreens & seals:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=49221

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=52475&p=659423

Another consideration was the tinted band across the top of the windscreen - apparently some wanted this & some didn't, but neither could always have their way.

Hmmm, interesting.
Sounds like I need to remove the windscreen wipers and the plastic panel myself before the Fitters arrive.
That will be a couple of things they can't damage.

The screen has a rubber/plastic edging running round its extremity. Looks like it just sort of fits into a groove. Should be able to be re-fitted if it isn't glued in.

A good windscreen fitter knows how to do the job and you can talk to them first if there is a particular item of concern.

Just to fuel the debate, my son had a screen fitted to his HQ holden, first one cracked before being dríven, we were fixing it up. The second has lasted a while but has an extra curve or hump in it. It doesn't follow the contour of tge car properly. The installer said they occasionally have problems with quality..........

I'm thinking about having my windscreen in my NA replaced. I suspect the screen I currently have is the original, as there's years of tiny pits and chips all over. What sort of price can I expect to pay for a replacement screen? (I'm fine with it being a Chinese manufacture screen and not OEM).