I am planning on getting a new windshield installed after I finish the various work I am planning on doing to my 300E to get it up in good shape.

The dilemma I face is finding someone who can do a good job replacing these windshields. If they haven't done one before, the mono wiper is going to potentially pose a problem.

My question is, do you think that it's best to just pull the wiper motor then drive it to the windshield shop, or find someone who has done a few before? The town I live near has a few windshield shops that NEVER see a Benz. If I take it to Dallas, it will kill an entire weekday to take care of it.

Anyone been there and done that on this situation?

Have a great day,

When I've had mine replaced, they just removed the wiper arm. Seems like there's an allen screw under a little cover. They had no trouble working around the rest of the assembly, although I did have one scratched before. Take off the arm and cover the rest.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

I had a windshield replaced by Windshield America, which is one of those mobile franchised deals. I think my insurance company, USAA, referred me.

I had a choice of either a domestic replacement or a Seikurt, which was more expensive, but I wanted original equipment. It just doesn't have the three pointed star.

The guy who did the job knew what he was doing. I didn't ask when I made the appointment if the tech had any Mercedes experience, but all these guys do all day is replace windshields, so they've probably see everything.

Duke

Larry:

I had the Windshield replaced on mine a while back and tried out my new digital camera. The installer used a cardboard shim - didn't need to remove the wiper. Here are the pics on the shim process (right about the time the camera battery died, so I don't have the shots of him using the electric caulking gun or placing the glass ).

1) Removing the trim retaining clips on one side so glass can be removed. Damaged glass area is from a large chunk of metal which fell off a car in front on the freeway.




2) Clips removed - re-attached with rivets later




3) Removing the lower windshield trim




4) Cutting out the lower windshield seal




5) Cardboard shim in place, ready for tape




6) Cardboard shim taped and pulled forward, ready for glass placement.



A detail tip: If you want to replace the white 'Daimler' sticker from the detailer, get the sticker before you do the windshield. Have the glass installer place your damaged glass on the bench, put down some towels, and lay the new windshield on top of the old one. Line up the new Daimler sticker over the old one, and apply. Can't help with the blue factory inspection sticker, however, as there are no replacements for those, according to the dealers.

Also, according to the installer, an electric caulking gun and uniform bead were essential to a leak-free replacement windshield. He used the PPG glass with the factory star from the dealer. PPG has proven to be very soft and prone to pits when I had my C230 done several years ago. I wanted Sigla or Sekurit, but he spent a week trying to find these brands, and they weren't available in LA or Orange county at the time, except as used items. PPG now makes the MB factory glass, and the other 2 brands are very hard to find, apparently.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I had a windshield replaced on my old car (honda) about 10years ago in San Diego and the guy used an aftermarket chrome trim. A year later, the chrome started flaking off and it looked aweful.

I brought it back and the shop denied working on my car. They said they always use OEM parts. When I showed them my receipt, they said...oh, that guy no longer works for us. To make a long story short, they ignored me and my complaints. I reported them to my insurance company but I don't know if anything was done.

Moral of the story....make sure they use OEM parts (glass, trim, clips, etc) and double check their warranty and reputation.

Good luck,

jrmd01@yahoo.com

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

Larry, I recommend using an installer that has considerable experience replacing MB windshields, particularly 300E's. If you have to travel to Dallas it's worth it to have the job done properly the first time. You don't need the aggravation of a leaking windshield and return trips to get it sealed properly. That scenario ends up wasting even more time. As a purist I would opt for the Sigla glass and definitiely have the Daimler sticker affixed to the new glass so that it looks original.

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Fred Hoelzle

I have used Sunbelt in Dallas. $400. They were rec by Dave Perry of Classic Imports(He retired and has since sold out to Marshall Motors.) He liked them because they did not turn over the $5 hr techs every month so the trim did not get bent. His clerk is with the new shop and could get the phone number and a longer ref list. I could also get the number if you want.

I went with Sekurit replacement glass.

Also, you might want to consider the new clear ceramic-based tints that cut out UV and infra-red heat, but allow for RF signals to pass through.

Check it out here:

http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=432&highlight=ceramic+tint

http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm

Also, it is important NOT to drive the car for 12-24 hrs. so the glass and sealant properly bond without flexing. The glass is part of the rigid front structure so letting it sit to seal & cure is the best thing to do.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Mine is going to have the windshield replaced the day after tomorrow at the Mercedes shop. They need to have the car for 2 or 3 days!
Apparently it has to stand in a 'heat room' for 12 hours to seal the windshield properly..

Freestyler

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Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do, you're a mile away -and you have his shoes!


'86 300E optically converted to '95 E300 (Sold)
-Blauschwarz on silver
-Black leather
-17" AMG & 15" AMG for winter

Thanks for all the good replies.

I met an impressive young guy that has an Auto Glass shop in Paris which is 20 miles away. He told me that he had done a few of them.

I got the sticker, put in an envelope and my wife drove the car to her office today. He said he would pick the car up at her office, but then the weather was good enough that he just did it out in front of her office.

All the seals look to be in perfect position and he placed the sticker in the exact spot of the original by laying the new windshield over the old and laying the sticker over the other. He also even carefully lined up the state inspection and registration stickers.

I'm very pleased and it didn't cost me any time away from the project I'm working on.

The only problem that I'll have now is trying to see the road without having to adjust for the refraction through all the cracks.

I have this old car in better condition now than it has been for a long time. I hope to really scrub out the interior and polish and wax it in a few weeks.

Have a great day,

He did a great job. I'm really pleased.

I'm sure the installer left some precautionary steps for you...the main one being do not slam the door with the windows all the way up for something like 48 hours. You don't want the pressure to push out the seal.

BTW: how much did the sticker set you back?

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mike,

I ended up buying one online and they mailed it to me. It cost $4 but considering that it's 100 miles to the dealer and I have no time to go there, it seemed to be worth it.

Maybe I should've called the dealer and had them mail me one, but what I did was quick and easy.

Do you have the house deal done yet? I hope you're enjoying the Winter.

Have a great day,

House deal was completed yesterday evening at 4pm. I plan on doing a few days work before begining to camp out in the new digs. First off I'll be replacing both entry doors with new weathersealed steel units, then probably start the upgrade on the windows. Just a little "This Old House" mini version.

I feel I got cheated on the winter. Temps have been pretty warm for the last couple weeks...upper 40's yesterday. All the ice is off the river and all the snow is melted, but we do have a couple inches slated in today's forcast.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

After windshield replacement, was the rubber on water deflector in correct position. Especially at the rear end?

Did you use new clip, new rubber, or whole new water deflector?

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1992 300D 2.5 turbo diesel. 319 k miles.
124.128 chassis, 602.962 engine, 722.418 tranny.

He didn't replace any of that stuff. Since the windshield was replaced, I have driven in a driving rainstorm with no leaks and everything still looks great.

Have a great day,