The windshield of our '85 300D has a large crack which necessitates its replacement. I've gotten several estimates, ranging from $250 to over $400. What do I need to ask the folks with the lowest estimate to ensure the job is done properly? For example, does anything need to be replaced in addtion to the windshield?

Phil

'84 Euro 300D
'85 300D

I tend to feel like you should get another rubber gasket that goes around the windshield. That's what I did not too long ago with the 1982 300D and it should be good for a long time now. And it stopped all the minor leaks.

If memory serves the gasket would add something like $60 to the overall cost of the job.

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Phil

You better start lobbying to get that road up the mountain paved

Steve

I just got done recently fighting with an auto glass company to get my stuff done right.

Short version of the story is make sure they can deal with older cars (mine has the aluminum windshield trim).

They screwed it up twice and it ended up costing them over $700 to fix it.

When I had mine done, the fellow ended up busting the windshield and bending the metal trim. That required him to go read about how to install a windshield on a 300D and to buy another windshield and to replace the metal trim from a wrecker. My cost for this was $90 flat rate plus cost of ONE windshield. His cost was much higher... $150ish for the windshield isn't out of line if it's new, so $250 is fair price.

I would suggest you follow some threads on this, print them for the folks, get them to agree they'll fix it right if they break things at no additional cost to you, or overrun for labor. Many windshields today are just drop glue in place, drop windshield in place, done...

Hello
This summer my windshield was replaced...i started by calling around to find some one that it seemed like i could trust...asked him some "trick questions" like about removing the trim, using the rope, the double lip seal, ect...he said he has replaced too many of these to count...he was done in no time, with no problems and no leaks...i think it was like 200 bucks window and labor and 50 for the seal, it is a ppg window though, not oem. while i was at it i had him replace the rear seal for good measure.
-Jake

I have a single large crack going across the center of my windshield. It was 1/8 across (2nd mark) when I bought the car in May, it moved a few inches in 1 month and then stoped for 7 months. The last long one happened yesterday when the wind blew my hood back while it was in the virtical position.

As you can see, it's past the halfway mark. It does not leak air or water, have a rough edge, or make any noises. I am on a very thin budget right now, should I get it replaced right away?

The redline shows the crack and the blue lines show start/stop points.

Attached Thumbnails

 

If you're on a tight budget, leave it alone. You're sure to need the money on other problems that'll eventually crop up in the future.

On the other hand, a crack like that can be used as a pretense for police to pull you over and "check you out".

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K