[slimjim]

A pebble cracked up my car's front windshield. The dealer told me it's $500 for replacing it, but I heard that I can get someone to do "repairs" on it instead of replacing the whole thing.

Does anyone have experience in that? The costs and limitations?

[Clix]

It really depends on the size of the crack. Small cracks can be fixed so that they don't keep cracking. They're still visible but it's an alternative to replacing the whole windshield.

[SHARK]

Some people specialize in windshield repair and can remove smaller cracks, dents, chipped bits, etc. I'm not sure how, but in my town, there's a guy who specializes in it and sets up a little stand in a very random parking lot, and you can bring your car to him to fix. He actually does an AMAZING job, I watched him fix up the windshield of someone's Lexus.

[90th.degree]

It really depends on the size of the crack. Small cracks can be fixed so that they don't keep cracking. They're still visible but it's an alternative to replacing the whole windshield.

This. If the crack is rather small, then it can be easily repaired. If it's a major one that can be clearly seen, then replacing it is the only option.

@ SHARK: we have a glass repair shop chain up here that does the same thing. Basically, the guy injects some resin into the crack, which in a short amount of time solidifies, filling it.

[jphase]

like everyone else said, you can get it fixed if its small but if its big, you can get it replaced. remember, you dont have to get it replaced at the dealership. also.. it might be covered under your insurance. but if the deductible is more than the cost of replacing it out of your pocket, then just pay for it yourself.

[jowyun]

Small chips can be filled/mended before they start cracking.

If it's cracked, the windshield will have to be replaced. It's against the law to drive with a broken/cracked windshield, in Ontario at least.

[ilikeyoface]

What car is this for, i replaced my old 1998 accord windshield for around $140 and i believe we got my friends s2000 done for around $250.

[switchlanez]

$500 seems a little high. I got my 2004 Celica windshield replaced for $150 in SoCal.

But to answer your question about spot repairs I've had quotes for about $50 where they put some kind of clear glass filler material. I wouldn't pay more than $20 so I chose to live with the cracks for years until I completely replaced the windshield.

[itsannies]

My friend got his window repaired for around $150, and my other friend who replaced her window, I think it was either $200 or $400 at the dealer. My friend who had the window repaired, the people told him it would be around $200-$300 to replace it. This was just some shop that did windows. The repaired windshields car was an S5, and the replaced windshield was a passat, if what kind of car matters.

[slimjim]

Thanks for the inputs.

It's not covered under my insurance. $500 was the dealer quote, but I found other places for $400. It's a '06 German car, so I guess they don't make as many spare windshields for US inventory? I got it repaired since it's cheaper and the crack is on the upper right side, which means I will never see it as a driver. Now I'm waiting for another rock to hit the windshield so that I can replace the whole thing.

[Hax]

^Ahhhhhh ic ic. I have 3 cracks in my windshield that are all visible and near my driving sight, haha. I think I get one per year or something. Good thing I'm ditching this car for something else soon!

[OMGHIyori2U]

Thanks for the inputs.

It's not covered under my insurance. $500 was the dealer quote, but I found other places for $400. It's a '06 German car, so I guess they don't make as many spare windshields for US inventory? I got it repaired since it's cheaper and the crack is on the upper right side, which means I will never see it as a driver. Now I'm waiting for another rock to hit the windshield so that I can replace the whole thing.

just go to any auto glass company in your area like Safelite (although they're still expensive as well) and have them replace the windshield. Dealer OEM glass will always cost more. Plus if you have the bluish tint like on most Mercedes (not sure if the windshield is tinted blue though) of course it's going to cost more.

[slimjim]

just go to any auto glass company in your area like Safelite (although they're still expensive as well) and have them replace the windshield. Dealer OEM glass will always cost more. Plus if you have the bluish tint like on most Mercedes (not sure if the windshield is tinted blue though) of course it's going to cost more.

It's a gray tint. I don't know if blue tint applies to the front. However, I was going to get blue for the next one, but now that you reminded me that replacement costs more, maybe I'll stick with gray.