My front windshield is like looking through fog with all the pitting over the years. My instincts tell me the Auto Glass & Safelite type companies are cheap but I might be disappointed. The dealer quoted me $326 just for the glass with my discount. Safelight is around $300 installed. I need your opinions & suggestions & experiences with this.......
Thanks - Marty
1996 850 GLT 192k

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.


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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

Where did you get a great price of $225 installed. I think the best I've seen is around $300 or so. I don't know how the installers will be around here in CT. I know Volvo uses a local guy to do theirs , but I would guess he would be at least $80-$100 to install after I got the windshield.
If you could send a link to the place you got the glass from, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks - Marty
1996 Volvo 850 GLT 192k

Glass installers often work with pre-negotitated prices from insurance companies. And the insurers beat them down on price. When you walk in by yourself, they aren't going to immediately quote you these rates. Expect to bargain.

How are your camel-trading skills?

You need to go back and forth on the phone a few times between a few installers. Ask "Best Price" etc. The $225 glass and installation I think was before state sales tax but they did give me a coupon for a free breakfast at the cafe' down the street. Also, I went to the shop first thing in the AM and waited, rather than have them come to the house or workplace, this probably helps with the price because they're not losing any time looking for your car. I'll take a wild guess the chain pays $100 for the glass, it took 1/2 hour to install and the glue cost them $20 max. Local franchise of large national chain, recommended by both local Volvo indy and the indy who works on our other cars.

-Punxsutawney Phil

i notice no difference what so ever between my old OE Volvo (plingston or whatever) glass, and cheaper Speedy-autoglass glass

Thanks Guys. I'm convinced to go with aftermarket and not pay the ridiculous $500 at my dealer. So I called around and here in CT a company out of Long Island (Harmon Auto Glass) will have a guy at my house Monday morning. Total cost including tax $258.00

Marty
96 850 GLT 4dr.
83 240 GL 4dr.

Marty, Well done! Hugh