This past weekend I was reminded that cold water and hot glass do not mix. Small hairline cracks, even if repaired, can instantly turn into long ones.

I was expecting PPG, but the shop replaced my windshield with one by Pilkington. Is that a quality brand?

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

I think Pilkington makes glass for a lot of Benz models that PPG and others do not. I seem to have heard that it was good quality, but have no personal experience with it.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

The thing I look for most when I get a new windshield is distortion artifact.

I once got some off brand glass (the installer said that they would use PPG, but they didn't) and there was a visible distortion about 2/3 the way up the windshield. I took it back and reminded them that they promised me PPG and two hours later I had it. That was Pilsen auto glass in Chicago.....

I would examine it from different angles and make sure that there aren't any spots with image distortion........ To me, that's the most irritating aspects of some off brand glass. BTW, I've never heard of that brand before, but that doesn't mean anything since auto glass really isn't my specialty.


Good luck!

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

OK, that makes sense.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

I'll need to do that.

One thing I immediately noticed is the green tint at the top. My previous windshield (not original) did not have that.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Tis OE on my V90 Volvo.

I have that glass in my SDL and 300sel too.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I choose Pilkington. I've had more than a few windshields replaced, but it seems like the Pilkingtons didn't crack as easily as the one that came out.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

That's important. Sandblasting and chips are inevitable, but cracks I can do without.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

I was just checking the windshield for distortions and found none. The real tests will occur in bright sunlight, and rainy nights. Right now, it looks like good glass. But there is something different that I can't quite put my finger on. It could be the tinting at the top, or maybe the overall clarity of the glass in comparison to the one that was replaced. But something is different.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

My 210 had one when I got it, and it was (and still is) perfect.

What about those neat little MB stickers on the windshield? Any plans to replace them? I actually have a crack on my windshield right now too and have been mulling getting it replaced. I wonder where/how I will get a hand on those stickers.

Any dealer has the stickers, about $2

__________________
'05 Ford Escape 100,000 miles
'87 560SL 92000 miles
'89 300TE 199,000 miles
'02 Audi TT 100,000 miles
'00 Ford Excursion V-10 121000 miles
'92 Mercury Capri 100000 miles
'02 BMW 325XI 60000 miles
'92 230CE 160000
'87 BMW 535SI 160,000 miles
'93 Rinker Captiva 209
5 Kids
2 Dogs
1 Wife

Not MB related, but all the factory glass on my E90 BMW is from Pilkington and seems OK. Windshield seems soft though and finally got a crack in it on the track. I had it replaced with Saint Gobain Sekurit glass which some BMW owners have reported is better, and the latest 09 BMWs seem to come with that brand instead of the Pilkington. Just FWIW, but I would think that Pilkington isn't a bad brand per se...

from the research I have done in the past I think Pilkington and PPG are the big manufacturers. I wouldnt use anybody but them. I'm sure they both make glass for mercedes.

__________________
1994 C280
2009 VW Tiguan
1993 Toyota X-tra Cab SE-5


1973 220D ... Gone, but not forgotten
1991 Alfa Romeo 164L Gone, wife MADE me forget it

2006 Hyundai Tucson... just straight out FORGOTTEN!

Our service gives direct access to windshield replacement and windshield repair companies and gives you the ability to judge the details of each service provider side by side to ensure you get the right service for your situation. Auto glass repair has never been easier and more user friendly than with us san francisco auto glass.