I put a PPG windshield in and its just fine. The total cost was around $275..00. The clarity is fine and I can't tell the difference.


Don

i had mine replaced with safelite, i did notice the pilkington had a warmer tint.

have heard the pilkington has superrior glue and is better at keeping things like deer out. Interestingly newer john dere farm tractors have pilkington, makes me wonder if there really is something better about it.

no distortions on my current glass, if you go non volvo make sure its got a good warranty, safelite is hard to beat with their national warranty, and they will be around for a while.

what about salvage glass from a junkyard? Id do a visiual on it to make sure its good but there have to be good ones out there, since very few people can tolerate badly pitted windows.

I have had 2 of our 850's windshields replaced through places like Safelite and each was submitted through insurance due to road debris damage (pitted, no bull's eyes or anything else), $50 per car, no problems. I can't tell any difference. The same for a windshield that had been shattered on our 3rd 850.

I did have a windshield on one of our 240's (RIP) replaced through a Volvo dealer with a volvo piece installed by an outside contractor and it also ended up costing $50, the insurance reimbursed us the rest. Same reason, pitted extensively.

Good luck.


--
Don 93 & 95 854 GLT, 95 855T

I had the windshield on my 850 replaced three years ago with aftermarket glass. Mine was pitted so badly I couldn't drive facing into the sun and still see out (it was that way when I purchased it used). I called my insurance agent and got the number of the place that works with them and somebody came out to work and installed a new one for $100. It has very slight distortion that I quit noticing after a week or so.

Mike

My current one is from South Africa. It was about $225, installed. No optical distortions and the markings are the same as the OEM glass except it doesn't say "Volvo" on it.

South Africa? Can they manufacture good windshields in South Africa?

They build US market BMW 325i 4-doors in South Africa.

Since I've broken 2 windshields, 1 fog light and 2 headlights within the past year due to the deplorable state of our state's roads, I thought springing for the OEM Volvo glass would be a waste.

BTW, the previous windshield, made in Indonesia, lasted about a month. Judging by the size of the rock that smashed it, the Volvo glass would certainly have broken, too.

More important than the source of the glass IMO is to use an installer with a good reputation so it doesn't leak. (Also, there are multiple prices at any shop, the undiscounted price of my windshield was $550 according to the invoice, and at $225 they were still making a profit. Windshield prices are like layers of an onion, so you SHOULD always be able to do better than the first bid...)

http://www.groundhog.org