Windshield Replacement - Aftermarket or OEM.
 

Hi All,

Small stone hit corner of my windshield yesterday and now I have a cracked screen. Of all the cars I have owned I am surprised how easily this windshield cracked. But time to move on….

So after some searching on the forum I am debating if I should get OEM, however as OEM seems to be SH1T would I be better with cheaper aftermarket? I suspect I could not be any worse.

Difference is price is about $300-$350 more expensive for OEM. (Two for one I guess)

Thoughts?

Windshields are one of those tricky things where the aftermarket is made by the same place as the OEM about 90% of the time. It may not bare the same marks as the OEM but it is probably made on the exact same equipment. The dies to make windshields are expensive and not worth while for a place to set up equipment for a low run car so they just contract out to the OEM and have their own info printed on it. Grab whatever is cheaper without much fear.

I've had multiple aftermarket replacement windshields in the past 5 cars I've owned (FL insurance will replace for free if cracked or chipped) and have not noticed any difference in quality, go with aftermarket and save money.

^ and ^^ ..... there ya go ........:)


humfrz

I got a non OEM replacement on my Scion tC and the optical quality of the glass is noticeably shittier than the original windshield. I hate it.

That can happen even with an OEM though.

If you can I'd go oem. With aftermarket you're basically guaranteed it'll be bad.

Most nock off windshields are perfectly fine. They come off the same tooling as the OEM. The division that they will have slightly high acceptance for defects, rate of change across the glass, etc. Which means that 90% of the glass are just as good as OEM, but you might get one from the day the equipment needed adjusting.

The same thing can happen with OEM too, but it is less likely.

Hi All,

Quick update and some useful information. Went to auto glass and spoke to the guy that was fitting my windscreen. I asked him about the screen that would be getting fitted. He basically said that the OEM glass is the exact same manufacture as the one they stock.

To be sure he inspected my windscreen and showed be the manufacture and part number of glass (no mention of Toyota or Subaru), then showed me the the one he was fitting.

OEM info was on left of screen, none OEM was on right. different format but same manufacture. He said pretty much what Tcoat said, they come from the same factory.

Quality: I see no difference between the two, so overall I am happy.


What Next: If I have to replace it again within 12 month I will get a new screen and a screen protector fitted. Do not want to keep replacing my screen every 6-12 month.

Soooo... who is the manufacturer?

Cant remember, will check later when I head home and post an update this evening.

Ahhh.......YES! Are they coming back ..........?? :happyanim:


humfrz

@Darth Khan any update on your windshield replacement? What was the total cost?

1.5 year necro bump?

Just call local glass companies for a quote.