I need a new windshiled for my '98 v70 awd. Should I buy a Volvo oem windshield, or should I just go through a local glass dealer? I have insurance w/a deductible.

(My question has mostly to do with the safety of the car; I bought it to protect my family, and I seem to remember reading somewhere that Volvo glass is somehow superior to, and more "safe" than, most other cars' glass).
--
Kevin ('98 v70 awd 83k; '92 745 turbo 135k)

All automotive glass legally distributed and sold in the US meets the same federal standard.

I replaced my Volvo windshield glass twice over the 10.5 years. I asked for Volvo original glass with "Volvo" logo and other approval logo etched on the lower right hand corner.

My insurance covered the first replacement (50%) but not the second (0%). If I asked for the regular glass, it will be covered 100%. Otherwise, I paid for it 100%.

Ching-Ho Cheng
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1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

I had a crack in my windshield. I have full coverage on the car which covered it 100%

A Volvo windshield came out of it, a Volvo winshield went back into it.

I put generic glass on, I think Malaysian, and a month later got hit by another rock. My current generic windshield is South Africa, it's lasted about 3 years now, although I'm thinking of replacing it again this Fall because of the usual chips. I'll buy generic again.

I used a windshield shop recommended by my indy, it doesn't leak. BTW, the windshield shop can GET the OEM glass, if you're filing an insurance claim and the deductible is the same, by all means go for the OEM glass! My insurance company doesn't want to be bothered by the dinky stuff they specifically exclude windshield rock damage under the standard deductable, and my TWO windshields together cost about the same as my deductable.

-BTC

Pilkinton makes the glass for Volvo. If you want it to say Volvo on it, you will pay dearly. Any safety glass will work. I have glass coverage on my policy, but the ins. co will not replace "Volvo" (from the dealer only) glass.
I would suggest calling a local glass co.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

I'm not sure where you live but go to an independent glass shop who are familiar with European cars. I have a friend who got his glass on his '05 V70R done at the dealer and it leaks. We asked our body shop guy who he reccomends and he pointed us to a guy who has done enough European cars to know that it's more exact than most other cars.

As far as the glass is concerend, laminated glass is laminated glass. When your windshield breaks from that hawk that just hit it, it'll stay in place.
--
'98 XC '95 855 GLT '83 245 DL (245 for sale! e-mail me if your looking to buy); All over 125k miles

Hi,
I would agree that generic windshields are just fine. My wife`s 850 wagon is due for glass replacement & we are going generic partly due to cost & we will likely only have the car for another year or so. 35 years with Volvo & we are staying with Volvo(yeh, I know, I know!!!)
Re: Volvo standards. Back in the late 60`s when I was going to college I worked in auto glass factory( Duplate, likely owned by pilkington now)& I recall getting back a shipment of windshields which had been rejected by Volvo. The QC guy & myself started checking the winshields, couldn`t find anything wrong. Then, we got a magnifying glass & sure enuff there were scratches which were almost invisible to the naked eye. WE looked at one another & said"Wow! these Volvo guys are ANAL". Shortly after, I bought my first 544 & have been driving Volvo`s ever since.
Cheers,
Rich