Windscreen replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 12:46 pm
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.
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.