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Replacement Windshiled - OEM vs OEE - Recomendations?

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Jiffster

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I need to have my windshield replaced in my 2011. I had a windshiled replaced in a 2004 and it had waves. Felt like I was wearing a new pair of glasses. I don't want that again.

Do I need to insist on OEM or will OEE glass be the same?

I'm in southern Michigan and have AAA insurance. Safelight is their preffered glass company. They charge $505 out of pocket for OEM glass. Not sure if AAA will approve OEM. Safelight said they almost never do and require OEE glass because it's cheaper.

Now I called Henerson Glass and they want $244 to replace what they say is OEM glass. Half the price of Safelight. Is this too good to be true?
 
#2 ·
Jiffster said:
I need to have my windshield replaced in my 2011. I had a windshiled replaced in a 2004 and it had waves. Felt like I was wearing a new pair of glasses. I don't want that again.

Do I need to insist on OEM or will OEE glass be the same?

I'm in southern Michigan and have AAA insurance. Safelight is their preffered glass company. They charge $505 out of pocket for OEM glass. Not sure if AAA will approve OEM. Safelight said they almost never do and require OEE glass because it's cheaper.

Now I called Henerson Glass and they want $244 to replace what they say is OEM glass. Half the price of Safelight. Is this too good to be true?
Click to expand...
New pair of glasses, correct on that. I had a 98 Ford Expedition, had windshield replaced, same as you described, made them put on another factory windshield and it was then fixed right.
 
#4 ·
Ok, over 20 years as an Auto Glass shop owner and FINALLY retired from that biz. ALWAYS insist on OEM.
Safelites own brand is OEE, A designation made up by them. It is made in Enfield, NC and is JUNK. Then there is re labelled Chinese parts. Safelite even re labels theirs.
You want a REAL Pilkington. Insist on seeing the label on it to see origin of manufacture because all of them rebadge Chinese junk with their names on it. There is a DOT code on every piece of glass that tells you where it was made. Insist on watching them install it and make sure the glass is primed EVEN IF THEY SAY ITS PRIMERLESS GLUE. They also need to prime the body and all scratches they make. If you have a rain sensor if you don't use OEM it will have issues working right. Make sure a new sensor pad is used too if you have one.
AND DONT EVER TRUST ONE DAMN WORD SAFELITE SAYS, Or AAA for that matter. They have a special deal with one another.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
dodge16vrt said:
Ok, over 20 years as an Auto Glass shop owner and FINALLY retired from that biz. ALWAYS insist on OEM.
Safelites own brand is OEE, A designation made up by them. It is made in Enfield, NC and is JUNK. Then there is re labelled Chinese parts. Safelite even re labels theirs.
You want a REAL Pilkington. Insist on seeing the label on it to see origin of manufacture because all of them rebadge Chinese junk with their names on it. There is a DOT code on every piece of glass that tells you where it was made. Insist on watching them install it and make sure the glass is primed EVEN IF THEY SAY ITS PRIMERLESS GLUE. They also need to prime the body and all scratches they make. If you have a rain sensor if you don't use OEM it will have issues working right. Make sure a new sensor pad is used too if you have one.
AND DONT EVER TRUST ONE DAMN WORD SAFELITE SAYS, Or AAA for that matter. They have a special deal with one another.
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Ann Arbor Auto Glass told me they use "PGW" glass for their non-OEM version. They said I can get OEM glas made by Pilkington for $320.

I'm leaning towards going with them. I sincerely appreciate the info and advice but I'm not certain I can be as adamant to insist on watching the entire install. Not knowing what the heck I'm doing, I wouldn't know if they're doing it wrong or not! :laugh:
 
#6 ·
It's been said many times that if you have the rain-sensing wipers, than OEM glass is preferred. Some folks have reported issues with the sensing with non-OEM glass.
 
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#7 ·
^^^ Yes definitely use OEM if you have rain sensors. They may still come with the bracket glued in place.
 
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#9 ·
I had my OEM windshield with rain sensor replaced on my 2002 Jeep 5 years ago with a OEM replacement ( at that time safelite did not have the rain sensor glass available) . State Farm covered the balance after my $250 deductible . The windshield has held up well . The guy who installed it had been installing windshields for 25 years. he did a great job. I got a lifetime warranty against any installation defects .
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Ah673000 said:
I had my OEM windshield with rain sensor replaced on my 2002 Jeep 5 years ago with a OEM replacement ( at that time safelite did not have the rain sensor glass available) . State Farm covered the balance after my $250 deductible . The windshield has held up well . The guy who installed it had been installing windshields for 25 years. he did a great job. I got a lifetime warranty against any installation defects .
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Do you recall where that was and if it had the Mopar label on the glass?
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
OK guys, appreciate your patience with me.

I spoke with A2 Auto Glass (very reputable in my area) again this morning and they said I can get Mopar glass for $320. It is made by "PGW". They also said I can get "PGW" non-OEM glass that they have had excellent results with for $265. My vehicle does not have rain sensors so no issue there.

http://www.a2autoglass.com/

My insurance (AAA) will not comensate me for Mopar glass because there is a non-OEM glass that meets their requirements. My comp deductable is $250 so no use even making a claim. I changed this moving forward so glass coverage will be $0.

Do you see any issues with using non-OEM PGW glass?
 
#13 ·
Dodge16vrt is obviously the expert in this thread so I hope he chimes in, but I would like to add my comment. Modern vehicle designs have changed to remove weight while improving survivability for occupants in a crash. As a result, windshield glass has become a key structural component and, in my opinion, should not be modified in any manner. Quality issues aside, any differences between the replacement glass and the OEM installed glass compromises crash worthiness of the vehicle. I think this arguement can be used to insist an insurance company pay for OEM glass, but even if I had to bear the entire expense myself I would never have anything other than OEM glass installed. Its not worth the risk.
 
#15 ·
Ok, forgot about this thread, Sorry. Anyone with a Safelite windshield that is happy with it is a one in a million. Ask even a Safelite installer what they think. Its the worst on the market.
Rain sensor glass should ALWAYS be OEM.
If OEE is actually OEM then why isn't it OEM? And why don't vehicle manufaturers use it? Hmm.
Heres why. OEE designation was made up by Safelite so they could compete usuing their brand glass. OEE MEETS DOT standards while OEM EXCEEDS it. I could post 1000 pictures of defective OEE glass to 1 true OEM defect.
True, Mopar glass is NOT made by Mopar but a few different manufacturers. PGW (PPG) is one of them. Look at the DOT code. The PGW Mopar will be made at the PGW(PPG) US Plant while the PGW (XYG) non Mopar will be made at XinYI glass in China.
If the PGW glass non Mopar has a US made sticker on it then it is OEM quality, If not well its not.
Pilkington (I was an operations manager for them) Used to be ONLY OEM but this is no longer the case. They were always known as the Cadillac of glass and you paid a premium for it.
Nowadays, They all have an OEE line but only a few get the OEM title and you still have to make sure you are getting a true OEM.
The difference between DEALER OEM and direct supplier OEM is dealer will have the make name.
For example, a manufacture(original) installed glass will always say Toyota on it and underneath say PGW, Lamisafe, LN Libbey Nippon etc. Those are OEM makers. Now you can get an OEM quality glass and it wont say Toyota juts Libbey Nippon, PGW etc. but is exactly thew same glass as long as it comes from the OEM plant.
The cost differences are huge with certain makes. Example, 2005 Corolla dealer glass my cost $890, cost direct from PGW $45.
My shop would not install anything aftermarket unless requested.
If your vehicle is within 3 years of new then DEMAND OEM glass. And Mopar glass has a NAGS part number and can be billed as such by the glass shop just like Fords Carlite glass. There are a few ways to get your Mopar glass and get them to pay. I keep my vehicles registered in SC so free glass for me!
That windshield for your Jeep costs me $78 plus materials for an OEM non Mopar.
 
#16 ·
And yes, A windshield is over 70% of the roof integrity, Works with the crumple zones and passenger airbag system. It must be installed correctly with correct quality parts. Why not ask Safelite about their multimillion dollar lawsuit for installing bad glass in a truck that failed in a roll over accident and killed a father and daughter in Colorado. Or the Safelite warehouse driver who was seriously injured when their Safelite installed OEE glass failed to stay in the vehicle when he rear ended someone and the vehicle safety cage failed.
MOST of Safelites product is Chinese now because Enfield can not keep up with the demand. The Chinese product has a severe residue on the glass frit band (black band) that will cause retention failure issues. It is so bad of a problem Sika industries came up with a special cleaner for it.

Another tid bit:
Safelite controls over 70% if the auto glass replacement industry. They manufacture, wholesale, retail, install and process glass claims.
When you call the majority of insurers, As soon as you say glass claim, You ARE talking to safelite and NOT your insurer.
Some examples of insurers allowing Safelite to handle the claim:
Geico,Nationwide,Progressive,Allstate,USAA,Farmers,AAA and about 200 more.
They have the most cut rate payment to the glass shops that it is impossible to do the job 100% by the book and still turn a profit. This is why I left the industry. Its not worth the risk.
Example of pay rates to the glass shop:
We have to offer FREE mobile service, 57% off list pricing, $15 for trhe install materials (urethane, primer, clips, dam,etc), $35 per NAGS hour labor or $50 flat plus a lifetime warranty.
This means you go to and from the job FREE. Sometimes there is $10 profit off the part, Sometimes we lose. There are some times we do make out well but rare. Experienced installers get $18-$25 per hour (not including their perks), gassing the van, insurance etc, OEM quality urethane costs me $10 a tube, do the math. Moldings they will end up getting free.
No longer worth it to me.
 
#17 ·
elarm1 said:
I have Safelite (OEE) with rain sensors. No problems here
Click to expand...
How long have you had it? Took about 6 months for my dodge to have issues.
 
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#18 ·
Its not whether he is having issues, Its that he doesn't notice he has issues. To the untrained eye he might not be seeing any flaws in the glass and that's fine if he can live with the cosmetic flaws. Its the retention issues that you will not see until it is in an accident or it starts to leak and ruins your interior or electrical system.
The other issue isn't glass related itself, It is installer error. If they do not prime the body scratches and you live where they salt the roads or by the ocean, You WILL get bad rust.
Mopar rain sensors aren't as sensitive as others and are less likely to have issues. When we bought my daughter her Commander it had a Safelite windshield in it and the sensor was not working. I replaced it a Pilkington and no more issues. Certain cars like Mercedes can not have aftermarket glass at all. The sensors are tuned to the specific glass colors as well like their Super Blue glass. And they use a combo of audio and visual sensors to detect rain drops on the glass.
Look at the DOT number on the Safelite windshield and tell me what it is and I can tell you if its American. I hate to say it but this is a case where the Chinese knockoff is better.
 
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