Hi All,
I have several small chips in my windshield (2003 SLK32) that I noticed recently when washing my car, so I'm getting help with my insurance to replace the windshield. I have a $0 deductable, so it's free to get the "comparable" piece of glass. I was given the option of upgrading to the Merc OEM part for $208, and the glass shop told me that the difference was that the part would fit slightly better. She told me that in all other ways the windshields should be comparable. I am going to keep the car for several more years, so maybe its a good investment.

Is it worth $200 to do the upgrade?
Are there any particular questions about the two that I can ask the shop to get a better idea?

Thanks!

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Black '03 SLK32 AMG

The windshield you get should fit perfectly without spending extra money. Call your agent and ask him what's up.

I agree. Glass is glass, I think.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Sounds like BS

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

It could be just as good, but I have had some bad experiences with aftermarket glass in the past. One time I went to a place and specifically asked for PPG glass (oem for that car). They gave me some other brand. I would have never noticed if it weren't for a rather obvious ripple in the windshield that badly distorted my view about 2/3 the way up the windshield. Driving down the road, you would see the street lights stretch out as you went by.

I went back the next day and reminded them that I had ordered PPG glass, and 2 hours later I was happy again.

Just make sure it's good glass!

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-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

I would pay the extra and get the Mercedes Benz OEM replacement glass, I think, made by Pilkington now


I made the mistake of replacing the glass with so-called "equivalent" glass, that the Insurance company and glass company I selected SWORE was just as good.


Liars.


It wasn't. It was shoddy "XYG" glass. A goodle search revealed this was the Xingyi Glass Co out of Shanghai.


You get what you pay for, in this case likely cheap glass made by chinese child workers probably toiling for 3 cents a year


Yeah you get what you pay for.



I am telling you , do you NEED clouding and optical distortion, and so on?


I can't wait for someone to toss a pumpkin at midnight through that crap windshield I have been staring through for the last 40,000 miles.....Volunteers?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

The more expensive one will fit the same as the cheaper one, but the more expensive one will not crack as easily. I sell auto parts for a living, and the phrase "you get what you pay for" is 99% true in the auto parts world. I have, and I will again, pay more money for the Pilkington windshields.

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- Brian


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

That's basically what I wanted to know. I think I'm going to get the MB glass. It sounds like if you notice a difference it's a big difference. Since I'm going to have the car for a while, I can invest in a good windshield. Hopefully it'll be better on wind noise, thicker, match the tint, and so on. Thanks for the advice everyone!

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Black '03 SLK32 AMG