i have had this done a few times in the past but its been awhile.

is there any advantage to paying whatever premium for an OEM glass vs. whatever aftermarket they are likely to provide otherwise?

i have a newer vehicle windshield i need to replace and wonder if i should pay extra to get OEM...

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quote:

is there any advantage to paying whatever premium for an OEM glass vs. whatever aftermarket they are likely to provide otherwise?

I've had both OEM and aftermarket. In the past, I would have preferred OEM but was satisfied with select aftermarket brands (Asahi, Pinkerton, and such).

Now, I'm not so sure. Latest car requires factory as there is no aftermarket option yet (has to do w/ the cameras and shit). But I'm not happy with factory glass in the new car. Seems fragile as shit. But the SUV will get factory glass if needed - that one is built like a tank.

I used to use aftermarket glass. Now I tend to stick with oem. My 2017 GMC 2500HD needed a windshield. Talked to my body guy and he strongly suggested oem. Said with the new electronics like lane departure the have had lots of trouble with aftermarket glass. Insurance tells him to use aftermarket but he says he always tries to convince people with safety electronics to oem.

So I guess my opinion is if no fancy electronics then aftermarket should be fine.

I've had 2 windshields replaced in the last 2 years on a Honda Passport. This is a 2 step process with the first actually cutting out and replacing the old glass and secondly, calibrating the radar/camera/stuff. It's expensive and luckily I have $50 deductible on glass. Both times, they used aftermarket but claimed it was manufactured by the OEM folks. ??. No problems regardless.

In a vehicle with rain sensing wipers, it can be hit or miss on replacement. If you have them, talk to the tech before he rips into it. OEM would be the way to go.

Because I drive so much for work I dropped my comprehensive deductible to $50 purposefully for glass replacement. It’s not uncommon for me to replace 3 a year

There are only a few OEM glass manufacturers who also produce the “aftermarket”. Pinkerton being an example that comes to mind easily. My (TX manufactured) 17 Tacoma Pro OEM glass had Pinkerton etched under Toyota. The only difference I could find was Toyota was not etched in the aftermarket. Thickness was the same, clarity was the same. Tint was the same

I strongly prefer OEM windshields. We live in a rural area and there’s a lot of O&G traffic. There was a period of time where we were going through windshields like popcorn. The aftermarket windshields seemed much more prone to chipping and then spidering than OEM.

I recall a similar thread and Forum member, FN in MT said the state requires OEM replacements for state-owned vehicles (like his highway patrol unit). They feel like the extra bucks is worth spending, I do too.

If the windshield does not have any special electronics built in, I would not hesitate using aftermarket. If it does then OEM.

shop says OEM is ~$1K more...

checking to see what insurance company says.

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I had aftermarket in my Matrix and there was significant distortion at the bottom 6 inches or so. It was frustrating. I’d go OEM.

Wow...
In 51 years and nearly one million miles I have never had a windshield replaced.

What are you guys doing? Replacing them ever time you find a sand pit in one?

The one on my old truck is cracked and needs replacing now however.

I've replaced 3 in my lifetime.

One was smashed by a Safelite guy.

I am guilty of letting a star crack slide with a DIY repair job unless it starts to spread. My insurance will cover OEM.

In my one windshield replacement, both the aftermarket and OEM glass were manufactured by Carlex. So I went with aftermarket and paid out of pocket.

I can live with aftermarket. I'll be replacing a truck windshield soon, and don't think I will want to spend the money on OEM. I certainly prefer OEM.

quote:

In 51 years and nearly one million miles I have never had a windshield replaced.

What are you guys doing? Replacing them ever time you find a sand pit in one?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Your day will come. You will be on a gravel road with a dump truck in front with no room to pass. Stones will be thrown into your grill and windshield.

I bought a new truck back in 2017.
Cracked the windshield on the way home from the dealer from a stone kicked up by a vehicle in front of me.
Had 40 miles on the odometer.

Guardian brand was far stronger than my factory Subaru brand.

Timely thread. I had a rock hit my windshield while driving down the hill to Phx.
One freaking car within a mile of me and it kicked up the pebble that chipped the glass.
A quick temperature change seemed to spider it.
(That could just be a red herring)

Going to call insurance tomorrow, we have full glass coverage. Last time (4yrs ago?) a request for OEM wasn’t even questioned.

I’d go with OEM, but I’m picky about distortions, and the aftermarket windshields seem to worse in that respect.