Over the last week, I have posted a thread or two as I planned to replace my 1998 XK8's windshield. Well I'm happy to say it is finnally done and looks great (sidebar: Wow it makes a much bigger improvment than I expected).

I am summarizing a few issues, things you may encounter for future reference.

There are 4 different windshields: Plain tinted; Heated; Rain Sensor; Heated with Rain Sensor. Mine is plain tinted.

It is August 2016. I live in New Jersey. Prices ranged from $265 to about $370. I chose the $265 and can now confirm it is a real price - all included. (several of us thought it may be too cheap, but it is real). I used ProGlass.

Some shops looked up the car and said: "oh this requires an in-shop replacement, we can not do it with our mobile vehicle." This is not true. As other members told me last week, it can be done mobile.

FWIW, this is a real labor intensive job. I watched them do this for 2 hours, it is not for the faint of heart. They are cutting with enough strength to do a pull up; they use a sawzall with a putty knife attachement to cut the glue straight into the inside of your windshield where it meets the dashboard. One good slip anywhere in the process would be a disaster.

FYI, They can remove the windshield without disconnecting the windshield wipers. My guys forgot the tool to pull the wipers, I wouldn't let them try to pull the wiper off, so they decided to continue working while the boss drove the tool over. Turns out all they needed to do was loosen all the screws holding the plenium down. There was enough play to get to the glue and remove the windshield. I was disapointed inside - it would have been nice to see for sure that there is no air filter in there,I mean you always wonder what if, right?

These guys were nice so I asked them: What is the secret formula to disolve and remove the state inspection sticker so you can put it on the new window? Turns out there is no formula at all. They just heat up a putty knife, the glue loosens and they remove the sticker!

As many have commented, getting the plastic trim around the window off is a slow careful job, but this guy had done it before and he was flawless. But boy it was tedious You don't need to disconnect your rear view mirror wires, they just let it hang there while installing the new window.

They had the hood open and were ready to start. I said wait - put the hood in service mode. That way it can't possibly close unexpectidly. You know about half way through the project I noticed something important. The windshield wipers were pulled back and sticking out in their service mode. I looked and realized that the hood would not clear the wipers if they are in this position. I just imagined myself or someone doing this or anything else like cleaning the windsheild with an open hood and the wipers standing straight out in this mode. Never forget, a gust of wind will shut the hood (it has happend to me) and it would demolish both wipers. File that one away for the future.

We agreed that I should close the roof right after the job was done, after all the windshield does move a bit when the roof latch secures.

The glue takes 2 hours to set (no driving for 2 hours). They did tape the moulding and it is to be left alone for 24 hours.

Frankly for the amount of work and craftsmanship they put in I was surprised it only cost $265, but I didn't complain. Thanks to all for all your comments and inputs last week as I was planning this out.

John

 

Had it done about 2 years ago after a rock cracked my windshield. I think I paid Safelite $225 for rain sensing windshield replacement. Two days later another rock put a chip in the new one, and Safelite returned to "fix" it. Both were done at my house.

 

Yes I almost hired Safelight. They quoted $276, real close to Pro Auto glass. I'm posting this for another price data point.

 

FWIW, occasionally some A/M windshields and glass are less that OEM. quality. This is not apparent until the sunlight reflects on the imperfections at unusual angles. Our cars come with Triplex glass as OEM (mine did). I've had A/M glass that was not crystal clear. Triplex has been purchased by Pilkington Grp. Ltd (world-wide glass company) and still uses the Factory molds in their glass. This info was discovered when sourcing a W/S for my modified MGB. The Triplex W/S was CRYSTAL CLEAR (Tinted with no imperfections). Sure the Triplex is more expensive, but quality actually does cost more. There is a difference in reasonably clear and crystal clear. No financial interest in Pilkington or Triplex, just 30 years research and experience .

 

Are you saying $276 glass AND labor? I've been quoted $450 up to $600 this week. I have a tinted with rain sense and auto headlights windshield.

 

Yes that's what I said for a tinted windshield. Rain sense adds a premium but I think heated was way higher. What the heck
Give these guys a call and price out one with rain sensor (auto headlights are on the rear view mirror I have auto headlights too).

Pro Auto glass tel#: 1732 537-1155. Good luck.

John

 

Johnken - glad it all worked out. But it must have been torture not being able to drive her for a whole two hours! ;-)

 

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When you do this it is the only time you can really look at the front of the dash next to the window and tighten it down. My defroster vents rattle a bit, I have used temporary solutions since getting to them with the window on is all but impossible. So, if you do this, do that

*****

 

[QUOTE=scottatl;1510592]***

When you do this it is the only time you can really look at the front of the dash next to the window and tighten it down. My defroster vents rattle a bit, I have used temporary solutions since getting to them with the window on is all but impossible. So, if you do this, do that

*****[/QUOT

Great point, I did same. Should have taken a photo. Once you see the way it connects from above mystery is gone. Wish I could share a picture

 

I just had Safelight replace the windshield in my 2000 convertible. They did require me to bring it to their shop but the total bill for a rain sesor windshield was $209 & they did a great job.

 

That's a steal! So, your car does not have the auto headlight sensor on the windshield?

I'm being quotes between $700 and $900 in Hawaii for a replacement on my 03, rain and headlight sensor, ouch......

 

awesome it worked out for you I'd be a stress basket watching them cut that up but that is a great price!

I sell parts for Infiniti and the customers/insurance generally pay around a $1000 because nobody stocks or generally makes them aftermarket. Nice going!

 

So, let me get this straight. In the States you do not have the option of "Glass Coverage" on your comprehensive insurance? That sucks!

I just had the windshield replaced on my 2001 XKR and all I had to pay was a $AUD50 excess (I believe you call it deductible). That's works out to $US38!

In addition, it does not count as an insurance claim (no increase in next years premium).

Then again, we're paying $US4 per US gallon for fuel, and cars cost quite a bit more here. So, I'm comparing apples to oranges!

New & Used Jaguar XKR cars for sale in Australia - carsales.com.au


Cheers,

Stu

 

StuG - it depends on which state - I'm in South Carolina and glass replacement is 100% (no deductible) covered by insurance as long as you have comprehensive coverage. This even covers sun roofs (had one explode on a Dodge Magnum)

 

Nothing is free.

Windshield replacement in a Texas metro area usually costs around $200-300. The last two I had put in were under $200. We pay enough for insurance already to have a "free windshield" in the policy.

People that live away from the major cities in the US pay more for everything. For Hawaii and Alaska Double or Triple the normal rate.

 

I keep zero-deductible comprehensive coverage on all four of our vehicles primarily for windshield chip repairs and windshield replacement when needed. The windshields in our S-Type, XK8, and Outback have all had chips repaired (at no additional cost to me). The windshield in my Ram was replaced in November 2014 (again, at no additional cost to me). All work has been performed by the local Safelite branch right here in our driveway. The $12 to $15 per year this coverage adds to our total auto insurance premium is a no-brainer....

 

Would be nice but in Hawaii glass cannot be covered by insurance, part of the cost of living in Paradise!

 

"You can't have your cake, and eat it too!"