Windscreen replacement

[Jimi]

After never having this happen in the first 12 years of driving I've picked up stones twice now in a year. Once on the old car just before it was cubed and now the GTI.

I want factory glass as the car is still new to me. I've read enough horror stories about O'Briens and NRMA with poor fitment and paint damage to scare me off anything less than the dealership doing it with factory glass.

Has anyone done this on their MK7 Golf yet? What was the $$ damage?

This idiot didn't get the windscreen option on his insurance. I plan on getting the black rear spoiler trim and sat nav pronunciation fixed at the same time.

[lambertia]

I had my windscreen replaced by obrien with original glass. Haven't had any issues.

[Jimi]

Do you mind me asking how much it cost? Is the fitment flush? My old man had his Jetta done with O'Brien and there's a bit of a gap along each side because it's non-original glass and is a fraction more narrow than the original windscreen.

Did you have to source the original glass yourself? I didn't think O'Brien had it.

[dero]

Knowing that you're in Sydney, shipping would be something you want to put into consideration however I'm in the process of getting a Mk7 parted. The windscreen is in perfect condition. If you're interested, shoot me a PM.

[Jimi]

I think given the logistics I might just stick with the dealer replacing it.

The quote hurts though. $574 for the screen plus $320 labour. The cost of the screen is about where I thought it would land but the labour element is higher. $894 total. Getting it done on Wednesday.

Lesson learned, get the windscreen add-on on insurance.

[lambertia]

Mine was done by insurance. So no cost. Obrien turned up with original glass. I did confirm with them on the phone before hand. At the time there were no aftermarket screens available anyway.

They also mentioned that they installed the screen from the TDI. Apparently it's thicker.

[ryanjames20]

@Jimi I hope everything goes well !
I know first hand the worries you are having! I had my VW glass replaced from a large crack about a month after I took delivery.
Very heartbreaking.

After having NRMA completely wreck my headlining, rear view mirror, various trim pieces, and engine bay components; Finally got it all sorted after about 3 months from the original broken windscreen.

Does your car have a sunroof? Had major drama's as well with the sunroof seal above the windscreen as VW DONT make a replacement (Non-Factory) part... Hoping yours doesn't have one :/

Not to be negative at all, but I really hope the repairer does a good job on your car. And hope nobody else here EVER has to deal with the dramas, pain and frustration that I did.

[Mayhem]

Just added windscreen option to my insurance because of this thread.

[Imolator]

@Jimi I hope everything goes well !
Very heartbreaking.

After having NRMA completely wreck my headlining, rear view mirror, various trim pieces, and engine bay components; Finally got it all sorted after about 3 months from the original broken windscreen.

I hate trusting people to work on my cars because of stuff ups like this!

Have a look at what happened to a Focus that had its windscreen replaced....

Hatchet job of a windshield "install" - pics of the carange - Ford Focus Forum, Ford Focus ST Forum, Ford Focus RS Forum

[Lucas_R]

I recently had the windscreen in my Mk6 replaced through insurance - i asked for a genuine VW windscreen, but was told that NRMA only allows the use of genuine windscreens when an aftermarket version is not available (eg rare/exotic cars).

The windscreen was replaced at our house and my wife dealt with the installer (O'Brien Glass) as i was at work. When i got home, i went out to the garage to inspect the work. At first, everything looked ok bar some fingerprints on the glass - but when i got my cleaning products i noticed that the glass was foggy and it wasn't coming off. The foggyness was actually in the glass and not able to be removed. I tried clay bar, 0000 grade steel wool, glass polish etc but nothing worked. The windscreen started to leak over the next few weeks - something that had never happened with the original windscreen. As if that wasn't enough, the glass had an obvious wave/warp in it (which could be felt with your hand and also seen with your eyes if you looked on an angle) and this actually caused the windscreen wipers to skip/shudder. Furthermore, 2x foam pieces that are located at the base of the windscreen under the bonnet were missing, and i had to pay nearly $60 to replace them. These foam pieces were in place before the windscreen was replaced, so the installer must have removed them and discarded them.

I rang O'Brien Glass and reported the leaking windscreen and mentioned the foggy and wavy glass - and they asked me to bring it into their shop. Upon my arrival, an employee came out to look at the glass and confirmed the wave/warp and said the glass was out of spec. They asked me to leave the car there and that they would replace the glass that afternoon.

The new windscreen is better in that is does not leak, nor is is warped - but it's still foggy looking, and no matter of cleaning products will fix it.

Really wish i had just paid the price for a genuine (or better quality) windscreen.

[Jimi]

I don't have a sunroof and the installation was fine. Not perfect - VW got O'Brien to do it - but passable. At least O'Briens method of removing the old screen is apparently better than NRMA

The wipers shudder a little bit now when it's raining lightly (didn't before) and the windscreen feels a bit rough in the middle but it looks okay. I'll have a go at it with a clay bar at some stage

[ryanjames20]

@Lucas_R ohh no not your car

@Jimi glad to hear it's kinda semi fixed but.
I've got to say, I'm not sure who actually put my genuine replacement glass back in but it's fantastic, looks, feels and functions like it was done in the factory.

Oh and anyway that isn't NRMA removing a windscreen is a better way! Bloody people just hack and hack. When NRMA did my very first windscreen replacement they had to call another guy in to help remove the original glass as it wouldn't come out :/ very promising.

[Beech]

Hi I am in Perth, I have a 2014 Mk 7 GTI with a cracked windscreen, would anybody be prepared to recommend a good windscreen repairer. I am hoping to get a genuine replacement.
Cheers!

[wasabiz]

Hi I am in Perth, I have a 2014 Mk 7 GTI with a cracked windscreen, would anybody be prepared to recommend a good windscreen repairer. I am hoping to get a genuine replacement.
Cheers!

I used my insurance to get my windscreen replaced 2 months ago, I called RAC and they directed me to obrien. At first they were about to give me an aftermarket glass, but after a few phonecalls to RAC and obrien, I managed to get the greenlight to get a genuine glass fitted in.

[Esky]

for those who got their windscreens replaced under insurance, how much excess did you have to pay and which insurance company?