200 series windshield replacement...OEM or aftermarket?

[RustySeattleCruiser]

Hey guys, did some sleuthing and read a few threads on OEM vs. aftermarket for LC's. They seemed a little too general, so have any 200 owners gone aftermarket and there were any regrets? The safelite kid, who kept leaning on my hood, came to my house this morning and was recommending aftermarket. Seems like the difference is around $450. Thanks in advance

 

[grinchy]

If you can afford, get oem. Even better get an Lexus oem.

Sadlyno have no hard data, but I feel the non oem on my truck is letting some wind noise leak. Could be a bad install, but I think it's just thin glass.

 

[TimCFJ40]

The OEM windshield is better, but a quality install makes more of a difference to the end result as far leaks and wind noise than which glass. I’d see if any cruiserheads local to you have solid recommendations on who in your area is good vs just puts glass in.

 

[hankinid]

I called local toyota and lexus and asked who did their glass, and both named the same installer. He also takes care of Rover, Porsche, BMW and similar stuff. Found out he lives ~ 2 miles away, so appointments are easy and his work is first rate.

 

[Chocolate]

The Lexus/Toyota OEM glass is much higher quality than any aftermarket replacement.

 

[Markuson]

The Lexus/Toyota OEM glass is much higher quality than any aftermarket replacement.

Until you discover that Toyota doesn’t make its own glass...and you het ahold of the folks who do. It might say Toyota on it, but you can figure out who really makes it via various other codes on the glass...and you can get ahold of it by other means.

My local Toyota service guy I’ve gone to for 18 years steers me away from the Toyota labeled stuff and to a local shop...the same shop who does it for Toyota if you “have Toyota do it.” They did a fantastic job, and ordered the manufacturer model I asked for. Tiny fraction of what Toyota would have charged, and they would have had this and guy do it.

My windshield is actually better than the original.

I agree with others regarding how important the installation is. You can have perfect glass, but a poor install will leak...be noisy...and prone to cracking if not done well.

 

[edwardg]

If you’re in the Seattle area, I thoroughly recommend Euroglass in Redmond. They put a Fuyao in mine earlier last year that’s been fine. I don’t recall the details anymore, but Bruce at the shop spent as much time discussing the install and glass options as I needed. They also did a great job with my old Discovery, which is a notorious pain.

It’ll be a bit more of a hassle than the mobile/safelite guys as you have to leave the car overnight, but the result is that you have a cured, tested installation.

 

[Chocolate]

Until you discover that Toyota doesn’t make its own glass...and you het ahold of the folks who do. It might say Toyota on it, but you can figure out who really makes it via various other codes on the glass...and you can get ahold of it by other means.

My local Toyota service guy I’ve gone to for 18 years steers me away from the Toyota labeled stuff and to a local shop...the same shop who does it for Toyota if you “have Toyota do it.” They did a fantastic job, and ordered the manufacturer model I asked for. Tiny fraction of what Toyota would have charged, and they would have had this and guy do it.

My windshield is actually better than the original.

I agree with others regarding how important the installation is. You can have perfect glass, but a poor install will leak...be noisy...and prone to cracking if not done well.

Fair point.

I am just partial (biased?) towards OE parts for certain components, factory glass being one of them.

 

[Markuson]

Fair point.

I am just partial (biased?) towards OE parts for certain components, factory glass being one of them.

It’s just that there is no such thing as “Toyota factory” glass. Toyota uses several manufacturers...all of which can be purchased without Toyota’s involvement.

I was once similarly convinced as you are. I was totally convinced...and...I was totally wrong. I did my research and discovered the reality that while Toyota May have manufacturers etch the glass with “Toyota,” ...that is basically the full and only involvement Toyota has. The word, “Toyota.” (and the abbreviations/codes that indicate who REALLY made the windshield).

 

[Chocolate]

Yeah, I am fully aware Toyota uses many third party suppliers, as with many other parts. Many Toyota and Lexus headlights and taillights are Koito units, for example. In this context, I am referring to a no-name Safelite replacement, not an OE supplier. Is the Safelite aftermarket glass being offered as thick as an OE panel? (Probably need to measure with a caliper against an OE one to be certain). Does the glass have the same clarity? Maybe, but given the amount of time spent looking through the front glass, I will pay extra for an OE supplier for this part. The Toyota branded glass for Model Year 2013 (same part number between LC and LX) can be found for $660 online.


56101-60925 - Genuine Toyota GLASS SUB-ASSEMBLY, WIND


2013 Lexus LX570 Cowl Panel & Windshield Glass - Lexus Parts Now

I am curious, which brand did you go with, and how much was the cost of the replacement windshield? Because if it's reasonably priced and an OE supplier, I would certainly consider it.

 

[BTay1]

As others have said, the installation is most important. I've recently had the windshield replaced on 2015 LX. This was the worst, and best, experience with one company... two locations. Long story...

The first installer said he understood the importance of the seal, and fitment, to prevent leaks, noise, and electrical issues. I asked all the questions, received the correct answers, and moved forward even though the installer did not seem the most professional in appearance or attention to detail. The first replacement glass arrived with a chip on the edge, and I was asked if they could discount the cost and install...WTH? 2 weeks later I returned, went over the same concerns as before and asked that he pay special attention to the moldings during removal and replacement. Of course he assured me he would. 90 minutes later I can hear a rubber mallet pounding away for about 3-5 minutes...then the installer appears, "you're ready to go". Didn't take long to see the moldings did not fit, the seal strips had been torn, the top seal was not factory, the windshield was set to far in and the mallet was used to fit the upper passenger side.

Before leaving I contacted the parent location to vent, they agreed to cut it out again after curing for a week. I told the lady I was willing to travel to get the best technician available for the LX, she said they had a technician at their location that installs all of the local Lexus dealer glass. I agreed to drive 45 min for this installer. Great experience! The tech ordered all new factory moldings (on them), set the glass perfect, was very professional, and discounted for my trouble. As a bonus, my auto wipers work better than before.

 

[bloc]

Supposedly pilkington is an oe supplier and I have one of their panels on my 13 LC

The vin window doesn’t line up properly despite the glass being centered and the auto wiper sensor mounting bracket clearly isn’t correct because the sensor won’t sit totally flush with the panel.

Also it “seems” more prone to rock damage than an oe windshield, or at least the ones I’ve had on other cars.

 

[ckkone]

Aftermarket is fine, this has been covered over and over and over and over and over and over.

 

[bloc]

“Fine” means different things to different people. Some of us have higher expectations for these parts. It’s up to the owner to decide what they want.. but they need to know that it won’t necessarily be made to ALL of the original toyota specifications. The only way to guarantee that is to buy from toyota.

 

[Yossarian]

Aftermarket is fine, this has been covered over and over and over and over and over and over.

What @bloc said. Refer to this: Rear Hatch Glass Replacement

IMHO the order of importance is the installer, then the glass. That said, the tech who installed my rear hatch glass a month or so ago said he prefers OEM glass because of the little details. Enough for me.