Windscreen replacement

[Tomkinsm]

I've got cracks now in both my front and rear screens, which the insurance company have agreed to replace, with Autoglass.

Can anyone advise me what I should ask for when arranging the screens to be replaced?

Will they fit Merc glass (don't know if original is available for a '91 CE'?
Do they fit new seals?
I've heard horror stories of fitters cutting out the old seals and damaging the bodywork leading to rust - do they need to cut out my old seals??

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

 

[MIW615]

I've got cracks now in both my front and rear screens, which the insurance company have agreed to replace, with Autoglass.

Can anyone advise me what I should ask for when arranging the screens to be replaced?

Will they fit Merc glass (don't know if original is available for a '91 CE'?
Do they fit new seals?
I've heard horror stories of fitters cutting out the old seals and damaging the bodywork leading to rust - do they need to cut out my old seals??

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

This is where problems can arise, if it were me I would take some good quality pictures (with date and time on the pictures) of the screen surrounds before they carry out any replacements, then should problems arise later then at least you have some evidence that all was okay prior to the new glass being fitted.

They should not have to cut the old seals in order to replace the glass, having said that your car is 16 years old and I would take this opportunity to replace the seals, you can supply them yourself or ask Auto glass to supply (you will have to pay them direrct as not covered by insurance).

Finally when the screens are removed I would inspect the screen apertures for any damage and should the paint around the aperture be damaged get it touched up before the new glass is fitted.

 

[television]

I believe that these screens are bonded so there should be no problems, the rear one contains the heated rear window and possibly the radio antenna

 

[wireman]

If your car has the alloy strips that run from the bottom of the front glass and over the roof make sure that Autoglass remove without damage and fit them back properly, and that Autoglass put all of the screws on the covers below the windscreen back in.

Autoglass did not do these things to my car.

I only found out months later and Autoglas did not want to know because I did not tell them straight away.

If I ever have more new glass fitted Autoglass will not be putting it in.

I suggest that you find another fitting service, because in my opinion Autoglass are not qualified to fit a dustbin lid.

 

[television]

I suggest that you find another fitting service, because in my opinion Autoglass are not qualified to fit a dustbin lid.

Thats an interesting choice, why do dustbin lids fit so badly

 

[Tomkinsm]

Thanks for all the replys.

My insurance company will only pay for it via Autoglass. If I got to an indenpendant fitter they will only contribute £125 which won't go very far towards a new front and rear screen.

I'll just have to make sure they do it properly - if this means watching over them then so be it. I probably won't be very popular though....

 

[42864]

Mark, From your posting it sounds very much like my insurance with the same prices quoted. I need a new windscreen and refused to let Autoglass anywhere near my car, so upon speaking to my insurance company ( Churchill) they told me that they had several complaints regarding Autoglass and I could take the car to R.A.C. Glasscare, which I will be doing shortly although it means a 120mile roundtrip to do so.

 

[whitenemesis]

I don't think you can generalise about this sort of thing.
Autoglass recently fitted a new screen on my car. They took the utmost care and the fitting was excellent. I would happily recommend them. Of course much depends on the local fitters (I went to their depot), mine were first class.

 

[television]

I don't think you can generalise about this sort of thing.
Autoglass recently fitted a new screen on my car. They took the utmost care and the fitting was excellent. I would happily recommend them. Of course much depends on the local fitters (I went to their depot), mine were first class.

A very valid point if you have a few hundred employees

 

[Tomkinsm]

I've now had the work done; both front and rear screens replaced.

I took the car to the Autoglass depot (Brighton) and the screens were removed and new ones fitted by two fitters who were both friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They seem to have made an excellent job - certainly looks well done. The proof of the pudding will be when the rain comes, but judging by the finish I'm hoping all will be fine.

There has been a mixed response about Autoglass, but other members who have had work done at the depot seem to report a positive experience. Perhaps the fitters at the depots are more experienced and under less time pressures than mobile ones. So, I'd always recommend taking it to the depot, if possible.

 

[Bolide]

Another useful Brighton contact is 3rd Party Windscreens: 01273 401166

Mark: was yours the car I saw up at Ditchling Beacon?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Tomkinsm]

Hi Nick, yes that's right it was me. Well remembered!

Good to share notes on local garages etc.

Hope you got a good price for your 124!

 

[ricky s]

I HAD MY SCREEN REPLACED BY AUTO GLASS EASTBOUNE, ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, INITIALLY, I HAD ASKED LOCAL MB DEALER TO STRIP THE CAR DOWN, AND THE AUTO GLASS TO FIT AT MB DEALERSHIPS PREMISES, BECAUSE DID,NT TRUST THE DISMANTLING TO AUTOGLASS, HOWEVER, MB WANTED £360, TO STRIP THE CAR READY, AND REINSTATE AFTER AUTO GLASS FITTED THE NEW SCREEN. HAVING PICKED THE RELEVANT IMFORMATION FROM MB, WENT BACK TO AUTOGLASS EASTBOURNE, AND SPOKE TO THEM, CHALK AND CHEESE, AUTOGLASS WERE FAR MORE KNOWLEDGED THAN MB ON THIS SCREEN MATTER. THREW A BIG TIP THIER WAY( IE. DONT SCRACTH MY CAR, AND DONT LET THE SCREEN LEAK), ARRIVED TO COLLECT CAR, IT WAS WRAPPED UP IN COTTON WOOL, IN THE REAR OF THEIR UNIT, GLEAMING, i GREAT JOB, CONSIDERED IT MONEY WELL SPENT!

 

[philharve]

Does the windscreen supplier/fitter matter?

Hi All

An interesting thread this. Does any member know if MB have a preferred list of windscreen replacement suppliers/fitters or, if replacement is necessary, is the matter entirely in the hands of the insurer and MB have no part in the choice of supplier/fitter decision whatsoever?

How can Mercedes owners be confident that only MB-approved components are used?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[74merc]

Anybody know how much it would cost to get a new rear windscreen fitted to a 124 coupe? Mine has started to delaminate so would like to replace it.