Windscreen replacement

[Pinarelloman]

We got a broken front windscreen today. The question is, do we go aftermarket or genuine or is there no difference?

[tigger73]

If your insurance covers it then go with the genuine one. There is the sensor for the auto wipers and headlights that gets fitted to the windscreen. If you have these then I'd definitely want the genuine windscreen.


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[Fred Nurk]

We'd had our windscreen replaced on our 103TDi, I've got no idea if its genuine or aftermarket though, it was all covered by insurance who had an allocated windscreen replacement agent, so it never really came up. New windscreen says 'Australian Autoglass' so I assume its an aftermarket one. We've got the rain sensor fitted too, didn't really notice any issues with it. I don't know what the difference would be actually.

[Bydant]

Went through this late last year.

The aftermarket ones from China are of a lesser quality glass. This might make a difference if you do a lot of regional driving. The other thing is that they don't have as much sound deadening as the genuine ones.

I ended up buying a genuine from VW and getting RACQ to fit. All up the cost was around $650, but YMMV.

Pilkington is the manufacturer for the genuine glass.

[tigger73]

If you replace the windscreen with non-genuine then if you later claim a windscreen on insurance then they will only replace with another non-genuine windscreen.

[Umai Naa!!]

Go genuine, if you can.

Also ask them to remove the A-pillar trims inside the car before they glue the new screen in. Potential for mess that isn't easily nor cheaply fixed.

[coastvw]

Had 2 replacements here (yes drive a bit where trucks like to put wheels off the edge), both have been non-genuine, both have replaced the wiper/light sensor with no issues. The smartest thing I did was take the windscreen option on my insurance, so costs $0 for the screen and can get chips repaired either no cost or low cost I cant remember which.

One screen was done by O'Briens, the other by National Windscreens, both have been fine and to be honest I cant tell the difference between them and the original.

[brad]

We got a broken front windscreen today. The question is, do we go aftermarket or genuine or is there no difference?

I got my last windscreen through my insurer. Their sub-contractor was O'Brien Glass. I can't fault the workmanship or the product.

The only negative was that apparently there is a standard screen & a thicker "sound proof" screen. I wanted the latter and was willing to pay extra but they couldn't confirm if it would fit properly.

[jets]

Go genuine, if you can.

Also ask them to remove the A-pillar trims inside the car before they glue the new screen in. Potential for mess that isn't easily nor cheaply fixed.

The windscreen in our Tig. was replaced by the original owner with a genuine VW one.[Pilkington with VW logo]
I was looking at the pillar trim after I bought the car & thought that doesn't fit very well. I pushed on it & obviously a lug or clip
is broken. Now I know it's hard for a glass fitter to know every cars fitment but this sort of thing is too common. If I was the owner at
the time it would have been taken straight back to fit a new one.

[nat225]

Had 2 replacements here (yes drive a bit where trucks like to put wheels off the edge), both have been non-genuine, both have replaced the wiper/light sensor with no issues. The smartest thing I did was take the windscreen option on my insurance, so costs $0 for the screen and can get chips repaired either no cost or low cost I cant remember which.

One screen was done by O'Briens, the other by National Windscreens, both have been fine and to be honest I cant tell the difference between them and the original.

some people cant tell the difference between Rota wheels and genuine Rays wheels either...