Is there any experience out there in replacing cracked/broken windscreens? I live in rural Colorado, and my Audi A7 is now on its 4th windscreen in 4 years. Partly its due to gravel roads entering highways, that and road construction areas, but mostly its the low nose and rake of the windscreen; that car is a "rock magnet." So I'm wondering about my new F-Type which I will take delivery of this week I hope.

Normally I don't take insurance on glass, but I do now on the A7 for $100/yr, no deductible. A windscreen costs $600 for that one. Guess I will on the F. Any idea what a new windscreen costs installed on the F-Type?

 

In 15 months, I've probably had only 2-3 windshield rock impacts, and they weren't big enough or at a high enough velocity to cause any damage. It seems to me the aerodynamics of the front end design and raked windshield move most of the debris up and over the windshield. The other most common impacts tend to be very low on the car. Virtually all of my impacts have been launched by my own front tires at the rocker panels in front of the rear wheels. I also try to leave as much space as possible between me and other vehicles, particularly large ones like trucks and busses.

I do recall a couple of members reporting here a windscreen replacement, and unless you have the heated windshield option, it's no more complicated than any other car. However, it probably won't come as a great surprise that the toughest part is getting the OEM glass quickly, but that seems to be less of a problem than most other F-Type parts.

 

I had my non-heated windshield replaced by Safelite earlier this year. The only cost to me was $100 for the comprehensive insurance deductible. The total charge to the insurance company for the windshield and installation was $1,317.25 + $92 tax. Installation time was 1 hour.

Safelite ordered an oem windshield from a local Jaguar dealer which took exactly two weeks to arrive. I could have opted to have it installed by a Jaguar dealer, but chose Safelite out of convenience because they came to my office to do the replacement. According to the installer, he usually does installations for the dealer anyway because they don’t like to mess with windshields.

I started a thread earlier this year regarding my frustration over frequent windshield damage with my F-Type and you can read it here if you want:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...ly-one-137993/

 

I would be far more inclined to let safelite do the replacement than the dealer. Requires experience, and Safelite has the necessary jigs to make certain the glass is aligned correctly, even on their mobile units. And the convenience of home/business visits is quite nice.

 

If you take a car to a dealer for a windshield replacement, they rarely, if ever, do it themselves. They always call a their glass replacement contractor, and I'd rather that contractor be Safelite, which a dealer may or may not use.

 

I am currently waiting for a replacement windshield. Ordered last Thursday. Have not received an ETA for the part. It's the heated one so I expect it will take two weeks minimum. The glass has two rock chips and one 24" crack. It got the first one within three months of taking delivery. The glass is very fragile and does take a lot of impacts for some reason.

 

....said a replacement windscreen was $1400...when he was trying to sell me the lifetime glass replacement as part of the original sale. I declined. My only insurance covers are either mandatory, earned, or catastrophic. Otherwise (IMHO) no need to pay profit, admin costs, and the loss ratios created by the (over?)use of insurance cover. Ever add up the costs of insurance cover for the "stuff" you purchase each year? Wow!!! YMMV

One exception: My MY2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk: it is the model launch year, and my factory ordered vehicle had every bit of technology on it that was available. So risks were unknown, and the premium was an overall model rate and not higher based on the technology content of my specific VIN. Again YMMV.

Desert Hiker

 

List price for the windshield is only around $1000 and can be had for less than $800

GLASS - WINDSHIELD for 2015 Jaguar F-Type

 

Thanks for the link. Was surprised to see the heated windshield is the same price as the standard unit.

 

Forgot to mention that the convertible part # is different than the coupe. For some reason the convertible part is cheaper in some cases.

GLASS - WINDSHIELD for 2015 Jaguar F-Type

 

I think it was in the first, or second, week of ownership that I acquired a tiny rock chip in the windshield. Luckily I called the local glass guy on my way to work and had them, that morning (literally within a half hour of getting it) "inject it" to prevent further spreading. And, I'm happy to report, it's barely noticeable. (And, yes, it didn't cost me a cent). I have noticed, after 10 months of ownership miniscule chips in the windshield from...hello...driving. (And, yes, like Foosh, I usually keep well back of traffic when possible).

 

What the heck is "digital TV" referred to in the parts list for the various replacement windshield replacement options? They come with or without heat and with or without digital TV.

 

Many cars in the UK come with TV tuners (allowing you to watch TV while parked), and I would assume the antenna is located in the windscreen, thus the difference.

 

So does that mean the model w/o heat and digital TV would have the radio antenna?

 

Typically the radio antenna is above the defroster elements in the rear window, but I'm not certain of its location on our cars.

My assumption would be that UK windshields include the TV antenna, and US models do not. Heating element would be optional on both UK and US cars.

 

Antenna is in the rear glass. If you look closely, it is labeled in the top left corner.

 

Yup. Mine is a 2014. Looks to the same price as the '15.