Windshield Replacement - What brand?

[mbluhm]

All seven dealerships I talked to used a local shop or Safelite for their glass replacement...only one could tell me who the glass manufacturer was.

I ended up going with a local shop that was referred to me by a member of the local Cruiser club. They used PGW or Pilkington for aftermarket, gave me a reasonable price when I asked about OEM glass, had no problem answering my endless questions and let me watch the whole process. I learned a lot and had a great experience.

Just replaced with Lexus glass, moldings, rain sensor, etc. - $1600

The glass shop was recommended by the dealer and all parts ordered through the dealer.

The phone reps at the glass shop were pushing aftermarket for half the price.

The repair tech advised that he replaces all glass at the local Lexus dealer - only with Lexus glass and they require all related parts be replaced - and sees a significant difference in the fit of aftermarket glass and moldings.

Also, the mounting brackets for the rain sensor and rear view mirror come attached on the Lexus glass. He said it's common for these to fall off of aftermarket glass in the heat.

Finally, he believes the Lexus glass is thicker - one of the tricks to reducing road noise.

 

[CappyKD]

Just replaced with Lexus glass, moldings, rain sensor, etc. - $1600

The glass shop was recommended by the dealer and all parts ordered through the dealer.

The phone reps at the glass shop were pushing aftermarket for half the price.

The repair tech advised that he replaces all glass at the local Lexus dealer - only with Lexus glass and they require all related parts be replaced - and sees a significant difference in the fit of aftermarket glass and moldings.

Also, the mounting brackets for the rain sensor and rear view mirror come attached on the Lexus glass. He said it's common for these to fall off of aftermarket glass in the heat.

Finally, he believes the Lexus glass is thicker - one of the tricks to reducing road noise.

Last sentance is a good point. All lexus glass is 30% thicker than the Toyota glass. Not 100% sure on the wind shield, but for sure all the rest is thicker.

 

[apdxyk]

Do aftermarkets come with the rain sensor? It used to be only OEM glass attribute years ago. LX470 in question.

 

[Tinkerer]

Last sentance is a good point. All lexus glass is 30% thicker than the Toyota glass. Not 100% sure on the wind shield, but for sure all the rest is thicker.

Have heard this before about the Lexus glass being thicker vs. the Toyota versions. Can anybody confirm?

If so, that may also help prevent rock cracks/bullseyes from spreading. I have a small rock chip/crack in my original factory Lexus windshield, about 1/2" long on the longest crack, that has been unchanged for several years. I figure as long as it doesn't grow I will leave it alone and leave the factory windshield in place, since that is the only problem with it.

 

[SupraTuRD]

For those of you with the Pilkington glass, do they come with the rear view mirror bracket?

 

[fletch301]

I originally started this thread. Since my last post, I contacted another local independent Toyota/Lexus shop and was referred to their glass guy. It's a sole proprietorship located nearby and rated 'A' by the BBB. He quoted me $295 installed for Pilkington - the green tint (I have a 2004). He was well versed in the install method (rivet kit, OEM moldings, etc) and we set up an appt for yesterday. He was very professional and completed the installation in my driveway while I watched and asked questions. He re-used my OEM side moldings and used a universal trim piece for the top. And rivets. I can't tell any difference between the universal top trim and the OEM that he removed - they look identical installed. All in all a good experience and no wind noise when I hit 65mph on the way into work this morning. I'll report back if I have any issues.

Supra - my Pilkington glass had brackets for both the rear view and rain sensor.