I had my windshield replaced on my '06 MC this afternoon here in my garage. The guy did a great job and it was interesting to watch him do it.

If you are needing your windshield replaced, check out Glass America www.glassusa.com I think they have locations mainly in the midwest.

I was going to use Safelite, however, their price went up over $50 (now $250 installed) since a month ago when I last checked the price! I thought a price increase of 25% in one month was a little rediculous....so I called several places and found Glass America would do it for $193.

When the guy showed up, he forewarned me it is common for the A-pillar cover to break and that the company policy is not to cover it. Safelite says on their online quote that there may be an additional charge for more parts/trim if needed, so I am assuming that they will not cover it either and will charge you to replace the cover if they break it.

One of the covers came out fine, the other one did break, but he did warn me ahead of time so I wasn't shocked or upset.

The windshield came out great and there is a guarantee against leaks or wind noise....can't even tell it has been replaced.

So look up Glass America if you are needing a windshield. Highly recommend.

 

Ya know it's a bunch of bulls*** when a company basically says that if they break a part on your car they won't cover it. I'd take my money elsewhere if I was told they wouldn't cover my a-pillar covers if they broke them!

 

I know what you're saying....totally.... but as it turns out Safelite had the same policy. If you do a quote on their website, it mentions something about trim pieces that may need replaced at an additional cost to be determined at the time of installation. The A-pillar pieces are what they are talking about there.

Seeing as this Glass America place was $50 less, I went with them. All the local (not national chains) places were at least $100 more. Even with the part I had to replace, I came out ahead $$-wise.

At first when the installer told me that sometimes they break, my thought was "this guy just doesn't want to take his time". Well, I stood there and watched him and he was probably way more careful than I would have been and the damn thing just broke in two. I guess I'd rather gamble that they may not break than have the company just work the cost of the part in automatically even if it doesn't.

 

So how much are the A-pillars when they need replacing?
And did they have some on hand?
OEM Mini?

 

I think I got it for about $35 shipped OEM (don't remember where I got it now). I doubt that you could get anything but OEM for that part as it is a specialized piece. The glass company did not have them nor did they offer to provide them. Safelite would have brought them, however, you pay much more in the long run plus the cost of the part if it breaks. I guess you pay more for the convenience in this case.

I don't want to knock Safelite as lots of people have used them and have posted here that they have had a good experience with them. I just wanted to let everyone know that there was another good alternative if they were in need of a windshield.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm in need of a replacement windshield, so it looks like I'll be having some on hand "just in case" they need to be replaced.