Windshield Replacement - Aftermarket or OEM. - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Darth Khan · 09-15-2017, 08:29 AM

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?

Tcoat · 09-15-2017, 09:52 AM

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.

8RZ · 09-15-2017, 10:00 AM

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.

humfrz · 09-15-2017, 12:26 PM

^ and ^^ ..... there ya go ........

humfrz

Clipdat · 09-15-2017, 12:34 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

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.

Tcoat · 09-15-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clipdat

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.

Brzfrsstore joel · 09-20-2017, 10:37 AM

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

SlowCarFast · 09-20-2017, 12:18 PM

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.

Darth Khan · 09-20-2017, 01:33 PM

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.

swarb · 09-20-2017, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Khan

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?

Darth Khan · 09-20-2017, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarb

Soooo... who is the manufacturer?

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

humfrz · 09-20-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Khan

Hi All,

........... 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.

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

humfrz

radroach · 03-04-2019, 10:25 PM

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

Dave-ROR · 03-06-2019, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radroach

@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.

09-15-2017, 09:52 AM	#2
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	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. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Windshield Replacement	FRStock	Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash, Wax, Detailing, Body Repairs)	11	07-22-2016 02:11 PM
Windshield Replacement	Wyattkb	Arizona	17	04-23-2016 12:01 AM
Windshield replacement in GTA	f0rge	CANADA	10	07-04-2014 10:17 AM
Windshield Replacement	shellslinger	Southern California	7	07-26-2013 12:48 AM
windshield replacement	ravenblackfrs	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	28	02-17-2013 03:08 AM

09-15-2017, 12:26 PM	#4
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 29,866 Thanks: 28,787 Thanked 31,813 Times in 16,424 Posts Mentioned: 708 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	^ and ^^ ..... there ya go ........ humfrz

09-20-2017, 10:37 AM	#7
Brzfrsstore joel Join Date: Sep 2017 Drives: Sc300, Location: Ohio Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you can I'd go oem. With aftermarket you're basically guaranteed it'll be bad.

09-20-2017, 12:18 PM	#8
SlowCarFast Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: 2015 BRZ Limited Location: Mid-South Posts: 47 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

03-04-2019, 10:25 PM	#13
radroach Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: car Location: usa Posts: 2,162 Thanks: 1,028 Thanked 867 Times in 530 Posts Mentioned: 35 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	@Darth Khan any update on your windshield replacement? What was the total cost?

User Name		Remember Me?
Password