Windshield longevity

[Taff]

2 year old 996 with 14k, my windshield is chipped to hell and looks awful in direct sunlight. Car is a daily driver (first owner had it for 1 year and only 5k) and does tough duty in Ga. 400 in Atlanta where there is construction and construction traffic, though few long haul trucks. Has Porsche had a problem with a supplier on this or is this a function of the height and front-end shape? My last car was a 5 series that admittedly showed some wear from this in 2.5 years but not to the same degree. BTW - my hood and bumper have some scars but tolerable compared with state of windshield. Any thoughts? Is this normal for 911's?

[ADias]

2 year old 996 with 14k, my windshield is chipped to hell and looks awful in direct sunlight. ..... Any thoughts? Is this normal for 911's?

I tend to agree that 911/996 (perhaps other models too) windshields are prone to micro pitting that you can only see in direct horizontal sunlight and it is annoying. It must be the type of glass/coatings because the hoods are in general perfect. I asked my dealer about this and he was first surprised and denied seeing any TSB, but I wonder. There are some ways to polish these micro pits but I never tried them. Perhaps Loren and others could comment on this.

[Loren]

I have seen no TSBs on this - and actually would not expect to.

My former daily driver, a Lexus, and current daily driver a Mercedes both have windshield pits. I am afraid it is a fact of life if you drive a car daily in any traffic at all.

[Kim]

I have seen no TSBs on this - and actually would not expect to.

My former daily driver, a Lexus, and current daily driver a Mercedes both have windshield pits. I am afraid it is a fact of life if you drive a car daily in any traffic at all.

Clearly, some pitting is inevitable with a daily driver ..... but it took 20+ years and 180,000 miles before my 928 windshield was pitted as much as my 5 year old, 48,000 mile 996 windshield.

Kim

2000 Cab

[GreggT]

Porsche OE glass use to have a reputation for being pretty soft (I believe OE supplier was Sigla?)........I'm not sure if it's true but I use to rationalize it on the 993 as Porsche's way to avoid outright breaks (that windscreen's pitch, and 964 & 911 before) were pretty severe compared to 996 angle back....& a chip is better than a break.

Maybe their glass continues to be the same hardness today.

.........good after-market may get you harder glass.

Good luck.

Edited November 14, 2005 by GreggT