FYI on 997 windshield replacement.

[Dus10R]

So I got a crack in my windshield worthy enough to replace. A friend of mine owns a glass repair company and knows everything there is to know about glass so I called him. He tells me that the only after market glass available for 997's comes from a Chinese company. he said they're the best of the Chinese companies but it's still Chinese which means its a copy of a copy.

He then warned me that insurance would fight me on wanting to replace the glass with OEM which is the only high quality glass availble.

So as I have a zero deductible glass policy with Progressive, I called them to file the claim. I told them I had done my own research and that I found out that the only aftermarket glass availble for 997's is Chinese and that I refused to accept a Chinese glass. I told them that I wasn't opposed to aftermarket glass as long it came from a European manufacturer (knowing there were none). So they told me that they would have to call Safelite (their preferred vendor) and verify what I told them. And then if the car needed OEM that I could be out of pocket for the excess amount beyond what they think the job should cost.

So they called Safelite and Safelite verified that the only aftermarket company for windshields is Chinese and they even agreed that installing a Chinese glass in a high end car would not last as the glass doesn't fit perfectly and if it rcvd even the smallest rock chip would spider and then need replacing again.

So Progressive agreed to replace with OEM Porsche glass at no additional cost to me.

SCORE!

So if anybody needs to replace a windshield, just know that the only aftermarket option is Chinese. Doesn't sound like a big deal but windshields nowdays are structural elements of the car. Most after market companies just copy glass from the OEM, and the copy never fits exactly like the OEM glass. So when the installers install it, it doesn't fit exactly and so they have to force it into shape a bit which means the glass is under higher stress when they epoxy it down. Hence why the stuff spider cracks if it gets hit by a fly.

[EleCTriCT]

this topic has come up recentl;y in our area as well.

if your a cup car racer or race team your probably buying them by the dozen....

but for the everyday street car ive heard nothing but negatives - waves in the glass and poor reception because the internal antenna is crap etc...

[1dmurrray]

Make sure you supervise the installation, I had to "help" Safelite install a windshield in my 996. Better safe than sorry.