The 240D New Windshield today!
 

Ordered up an OEM seal and took it to Safelite. I demanded a non-SGC or non-XYG windshield when I made the appointment. The said that they had a FWG windshield, I said that I wanted either PGW(PPG), Saint Gobain or Pilkington. They said that they could get me a PGW installed for $288.

I got there this morning and they had.... a Pilkington. Installed with no issues and all the trim is in place as it should be. Total was $244. Sorry, I don't have actual 'AFTER' shots yet as the car will be in pieces for a couple of weeks.

Before: notice the pick, chips and general sandblasting from 35 years of life in California.
http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/v...dshiled003.jpg

New manufacturer's stamp.
http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/v...dshield016.jpg

I've never had a replacement windshield other than warranty stuff from rocks etc... My 87 looks like it's been driven in the desert during a sandstorm... I've been thinking about trying my hand at polishing it... I may just call my comprehensive insurance and get it changed though...

The OEM windshield I got from Mercedes for my '83 was also a Pilkington.

VS, unless you are a pro, IMHO don't bother trying to refinish. I tried on my sandblasted '95 with 300K+ at the time, using Griots glass polish and my Porter Cable, and got squat for results except I can now see more swirlies in the bright sunlight.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 366K, waiting for a big rock hit

Did you have to loosen the headliner to swap the windshield?

My headliner needs replaced and I was going to replace the rear window's seal at the same time.

The idiots who painted my car the first time (under PO) didn't cover the front windshield and sparks ate into the glass when they grinded some metal.

If the headliner has to be undone, I might as well get new front glass at the same time and save the effort later.

RefPolishing,

Isn't safety glass laminated between sheets of urethane? Seems to a bit soft to take a good polish to me.

No, the headliner did not have to be pulled for the windshield replacement. I pulled the headliner... to pull the A-Pillar trim... to pull the dashboard.... to pull the heater box.... to pull the evaporator and heat exchanger... etc.

I thought windshields were a layer of urethane sandwiched between two pieces of safety glass.

Polishing would only work on glass that's already smooth (e.g. no major rock picks or sandblasting). If you try to polish glass with major picks, chips and sandblasting, then the polish or wax will just fill the voids like is does with a paint or clear-coat surface.

The windshield in my 84 is also a Pilkington. Whenever I get around to replacing it I plan on getting the same.

To be clear, $244 does not include the price of the seal?

You are correct. The OEM seal was $130 from a other supplier.

Great, thanks for clarifying. The dealer here quoted a similar price for the seal.... I'm considering the replacement of two windshields...