PSA - Do Not Permit an After Market Windshield Installation

[FlyingPoint]

This is my fourth windshield in 35 months of ownership. I have always had the windshield replaced at the dealer, but since those unfortunate occurrences were early in my Taycan's life, there were no alternatives.

After a recent encounter with a rock and a resultant broken windshield, my insurance company steered me to SafeLight. What a big mistake. SafeLight installed an after market (non OEM) windshield, which ultimately could not be calibrated as it relates to the safety systems (Headlight, Lane change keep, Safety stop system). The windshield had to be removed. A Porsche OEM was installed and now the previous calibration is permitting a;; the safety functions and error message gone. I think the old saying goes "Penny wise - Pound foolish".

I know folks would say "why didn't you insist on an OEM windshield?". Truthfully, I didn't care as the car is being turned back to Porsche in August.

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[bn8959]

I think it’s really bad that there are 3rd parties manufacturing windscreens that clearly are not fit for purpose! Especially as it affects life safety systems, or worse could throw off calibration of things like ALK. I know Porsche should necessarily have a monopoly on replacements, but there clearly has to be a manufacturer set minimum specification for replacements. I’m very glad the software can tell, and throw errors.

similar to the major debate around Apple and coding replacement parts to enforce genuine items. When it comes to the integrity of security (for example) you have to be able to ensure the replacements parts perform exactly as you expect.

 

[bn8959]

I think it’s really bad that there are 3rd parties manufacturing windscreens that clearly are not fit for purpose! Especially as it affects life safety systems, or worse could throw off calibration of things like ALK. I know Porsche should necessarily have a monopoly on replacements, but there clearly has to be a manufacturer set minimum specification for replacements. I’m very glad the software can tell, and throw errors.

similar to the major debate around Apple and coding replacement parts to enforce genuine items. When it comes to the integrity of security (for example) you have to be able to ensure the replacements parts perform exactly as you expect.

And it’s worse still that there are insurance companies insisting on only paying for these poor 3rd party replacements. I guess a liability claim against them in a major incident will stop that pretty quickly!

 

[anonymouse]

My insurance company gave me a choice: third-party windscreen for £80 or Porsche one at full price (>£1000). The third-party one was well made and there were no calibration issues.

 

[whitex]

third-party windscreen for £80

Was that your portion of the payment? I somehow don't see the cost being that low to even get it delivered, much less installed, even if it's just a generic piece of glass of the correct size.

 

[bsclywilly]

This is my fourth windshield in 35 months of ownership. I have always had the windshield replaced at the dealer, but since those unfortunate occurrences were early in my Taycan's life, there were no alternatives.

After a recent encounter with a rock and a resultant broken windshield, my insurance company steered me to SafeLight. What a big mistake. SafeLight installed an after market (non OEM) windshield, which ultimately could not be calibrated as it relates to the safety systems (Headlight, Lane change keep, Safety stop system). The windshield had to be removed. A Porsche OEM was installed and now the previous calibration is permitting a;; the safety functions and error message gone. I think the old saying goes "Penny wise - Pound foolish".

I know folks would say "why didn't you insist on an OEM windshield?". Truthfully, I didn't care as the car is being turned back to Porsche in August.

I may soon be needing a third windshield and I was actually considering that a third party glass might be better than the crack/chip prone OE windshield. This is good to know that there may be issues with compatibility.

Has anyone else gone the 3rd party route successfully?

 

[jvincent]

I was told by my original glass vendor that no aftermarket windshields were available for my VIN. I have the thermal and noise insulated glass, so maybe not an option for cars so equipped. Things got annoying and I ended up at Porsche. Looking at all the work they did, including 4 wheel alignment, I have to agree with OP's advice.

Got quoted $1650 for the OEM glass. Wonder what the aftermarket savings is.

 

[achaudh]

I see here mention of third or fourth windshield replacements. Why is that? Is Taycan windshield that brittle or you all live in areas with a lot of loose gravel or under-construction areas? I never had to replace windshields in either of my cars ever and I have been driving for over 30 years.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

I see here mention of third or fourth windshield replacements. Why is that? Is Taycan windshield that brittle or you all live in areas with a lot of loose gravel or under-construction areas? I never had to replace windshields in either of my cars ever and I have been driving for over 30 years.

I’ve had a chip filled at a local business. The guy told me VAG uses low quality glass - and i tend to agree. Based on reports here, Taycan windshields chip very easily, and in my own experience just using the wipers causes wear.

If/when, I’ll definitely go the aftermarket route. There’s no reason alignment can’t be achieved, the glass is not an active component.

 

[whitex]

If/when, I’ll definitely go the aftermarket route. There’s no reason alignment can’t be achieved, the glass is not an active component.

The cameras need to be at a particular location and orientation, plus they cannot handle too much distortion (some windshields have more distortion around the edges for some reason). So unless the windshield has a wrong slant angle or distortion, I don't see why the sensors would even be able to tell the difference between OEM and 3rd party.

 

[bsclywilly]

I see here mention of third or fourth windshield replacements. Why is that? Is Taycan windshield that brittle or you all live in areas with a lot of loose gravel or under-construction areas? I never had to replace windshields in either of my cars ever and I have been driving for over 30 years.

It’s mostly the glass quality. I’ve never had to replace a windshield before this car in 25 years. Even my side windows show scratches from rolling them down when there’s been grit in the wipers, and I rarely go to the beach! The other factor is the aerodynamics, having a low hood line doesn’t deflect as much air upwards so smaller rocks (and more of them lower to the ground) have a more direct path.

Having a low glass deductible helps. So does not following too close on bad roads. And having a repair kit on hand to repair any cracks before they grow.

 

[Boss Hogg]

and in my own experience just using the wipers causes wear.

I have noticed the wiper marks and also lots of small pits in the glass, the glass seems soft. I have thermal and noise insulating option so it could be the thermal coating. I challenged Porsche service/warranty on the wiper marks and they said it was acceptable although they are clearly visible in certain conditions.

 

[tigerbalm]

A big reason why I picked my current insurer (CHUBB) is because they cover (and encourage) you to get OEM glass replaced at dealer. I don't have a HUD, but those that do need OEM glass even more.

 

[FlyingPoint]

I see here mention of third or fourth windshield replacements. Why is that? Is Taycan windshield that brittle or you all live in areas with a lot of loose gravel or under-construction areas? I never had to replace windshields in either of my cars ever and I have been driving for over 30 years.

In my case, just bad fortune. In every case a rock was thrown from either the vehicle in front of or a passing vehicle on the other side of the road.

 

[FlyingPoint]

I’ve had a chip filled at a local business. The guy told me VAG uses low quality glass - and i tend to agree. Based on reports here, Taycan windshields chip very easily, and in my own experience just using the wipers causes wear.

If/when, I’ll definitely go the aftermarket route. There’s no reason alignment can’t be achieved, the glass is not an active component.

Do so at your own peril. Some after market market windows may be better than others. In my case, an after market window was installed with a cost was $900. The calibration by a Porsche dealer was $1,537. The safety systems faulted. I went back to Porsche to check the calibration and they performed it again only for it to fail again. The tech told me that the camera was shifting.
When the faulty aftermarket was replaced with the OEM windshield, the cameras did not have to be recalibrated. Everything worked fine.

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