Thread: windscreen cracked

I had the same issue 12 months ago on my D4. RAC wouldn't come to the party and checking the PDS, OEM windscreens are firmly excluded. Had to stump up the extra as wasn't prepared to put a non genuine screen in. Had to haggle on price though, ended up being about 400 cheaper than originally quoted.
Cheers
Darren

My D4 was purchased new in Sep 2011. In the first 18 months of ownership I was 'lucky enough' to have 3 broken windscreens. In the last part of my second year I again got lucky and broke windscreen No 4. I think that makes me 'experienced' at doing the D4 windscreen!

As for the insurance, RAC covered 2 out of the 4 replacements and in that process we did have 'deep and meaningful' discussions on the OEM vs Non OEM windscreens as replacements. I always insisted on OEM and in those that they funded, to their credit they paid out. The RAC insurance PDS does clearly allow them to use non OEM bits if they wish. The last windscreen was self funded and I was a bit over the whole thing and went with what the local supplier had in stock. (Subject of another post in a different Windscreen thread which eludes me at present.)

Now having had the elcheapo brand in place for the last 6 or so months, travelling the same roads and having had a few stone strikes I am just begining to think the non OEM screen may just be a bit more robust!

Imagine that!

Most of the breaks that I had experienced were as discribed by others in that they were roughly at the centre base of the windscreen and on one occasion the 'stone' was very very small indeed.

Maybe, just maybe the LR OEM screen just isnt much chop?

How is the non-LR for distortion especially towards the edges and how does it compare for blocking heat? Does it have an identifying label?

LGM - you must have great negotiating skills, RAC just wouldn't budge, even when going up the food chain. guess it might be luck of the draw who gets your case. What arguments did you use? Your car is about the same age as mine and they wouldn't hear a bar of it and just pointed at the PDS.

Would definitely be interested to hear whether you think the Optikool etc makes a difference now you have a non OEM screeen

Cheers
Darren

I am with Allianz (cheapest insurance for my RRS) and I had my windscreen replaced last year - was prepared to have the argument but it never happened - all OEM optikool without having to ask.

Garry

Graeme,

I have not noticed any distortion in vision but must admit I have not specifically looked for it! I will check this morning on my way to work a 50km each way drive. I have attached a pic of the info markings on the screen. Made in China maybe???

DJC

As far as the Optikool stuff goes all I can say is the inside of the car gets bloody hot in summer no matter what type of windscreen has been in place!

My guess is that you would need some sort of instrument to measure any difference but as an end user in day to day use I have never thought it made any real world difference. Re the RAC 'discussions' remember that my last windscreen via their good process was almost 12 months back now.

No doubt the cost of the OEM screens has hardened their view!

The non-OEM screen fitted to my RRC years ago is clear rather than having a slight tint so was immediately obvious even without getting out into the sun, but once in the sun the heat difference was also immediately noticible, as is the distortion. Hopefully after-market screens have improved and that the versions for D3s & D4s do have a UV filter component.

The Xuchang Yongshun Glass Co in China started in 1999 so well after my RRC's screen was replaced. They also produce windscreens for Porche and Mercedes so must be able to produce them not too disimilar to the OEM screens.

IIRC the number 1852 on the glass was the same number the NRMA person was quoting to Obriens for the non-genuine screen originally approved. I couldn't find any reference to UV filtering though.