Cracked windshield! What to do?
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For those that are interested.
My local dealer quoted ~$1200 for parts and labor. Safelite quoted ~$900 parts (oem) and labor. I would pay the extra $$ to have it go through the dealer but they only offer one year warranty. Safelite comes with lifetime warranty for as long as I own the car. I think the choice is clear. I really want the transaction to go through the dealer but I just can't bring myself to ignore the warranty difference. So when the time comes, it will probably be Safelite. That being said, I did an 80 miles test drive through the canyons today and to my surprise the crack did not spread. Sharp turns, bumpy roads should be good for torsion and stress test of the car onto the windshield. I'm a happy camper because I really don't want to break the original seal.
My local dealer quoted ~$1200 for parts and labor. Safelite quoted ~$900 parts (oem) and labor. I would pay the extra $$ to have it go through the dealer but they only offer one year warranty. Safelite comes with lifetime warranty for as long as I own the car. I think the choice is clear. I really want the transaction to go through the dealer but I just can't bring myself to ignore the warranty difference. So when the time comes, it will probably be Safelite. That being said, I did an 80 miles test drive through the canyons today and to my surprise the crack did not spread. Sharp turns, bumpy roads should be good for torsion and stress test of the car onto the windshield. I'm a happy camper because I really don't want to break the original seal.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Boulder, CO
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You guys are too funny. What sort of magical process do you think happens in the factory to seal the windshield? Do you think there's a Porsche windshield fairy who waves the seal wand and ensures a lifetime of no leaks? Or is it maybe a regular factory worker who slaps some glue on the seal and pops the windshield in? I'd bet the latter.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
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Joined: Feb 2012
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You guys are too funny. What sort of magical process do you think happens in the factory to seal the windshield? Do you think there's a Porsche windshield fairy who waves the seal wand and ensures a lifetime of no leaks? Or is it maybe a regular factory worker who slaps some glue on the seal and pops the windshield in? I'd bet the latter.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
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From: SoCal
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Not magic... just technology. 
Porsche factory uses a multi-million-dollar robot which places the windshield with exact precision.
Locally, at Safelite or P-dealer, the fitment will vary depending on the individual installer's experience, mood, etc.
Poorly fitted windshield will result in leaks and noise.
Find a reputable installer, and u should be fine.
Porsche factory uses a multi-million-dollar robot which places the windshield with exact precision.
Locally, at Safelite or P-dealer, the fitment will vary depending on the individual installer's experience, mood, etc.
Poorly fitted windshield will result in leaks and noise.
Find a reputable installer, and u should be fine.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 380
From: Indiana
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Not magic... just technology.
Porsche factory uses a multi-million-dollar robot which places the windshield with exact precision.
Locally, at Safelite or P-dealer, the fitment will vary depending on the individual installer's experience, mood, etc.
Poorly fitted windshield will result in leaks and noise.
Find a reputable installer, and u should be fine.
Porsche factory uses a multi-million-dollar robot which places the windshield with exact precision.
Locally, at Safelite or P-dealer, the fitment will vary depending on the individual installer's experience, mood, etc.
Poorly fitted windshield will result in leaks and noise.
Find a reputable installer, and u should be fine.
1- reproducibility, robot trumps human and can do the same thing one million times with minimal variation
2- but mainly cost!
997 ran 2005-2012, 7-8 years.
you would need 2 workers to do install it well
2200 hours per year= 4400 per both = approx 30,000 man hours
These guys get paid at least 20 euros without benefits
That is 600,000 euros. And you can reprogram the robot to do the windshield of 991s later
It is all about the almighty dollar!
I live in the Phoenix area and I have full glass coverage through USAA so I'll probably go through Scottsdale Porsche when the time comes, whether they farm out the work or not. I'd feel more confident in going through them. With the amount of rock damage in Arizona, I'm sure they are well versed in the procedure and I'd rather have someone familiar with the brand than some generic company. I've got no problem having Safelite come and replace my truck's windshield but when it come to the p-car, not so much. I've got several chips and one good hit that caused a tiny spider-like crack but I'm waiting for it to get worse before I get it replaced. I'm sure I'll take a few more rocks to the face before the time comes.
So having never replaced a windshield myself, what do they do about the embedded radio antenna? How does that hook up?
So having never replaced a windshield myself, what do they do about the embedded radio antenna? How does that hook up?
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Same insurance, same dealer. When I called USAA I simply told them I wanted the dealer to do the work, no issues. They did a 3 way call with North SDL Porsche, set it all up. They used an OEM windshield. The antenna, etc is one of the reasons I didnt want Safelight doing it. They did a great job, to include replacing the seal (gasket?), either way - they did right.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 51
From: Snohomish, WA
Rep Power: 16
Just went through this a couple months ago -- stone thrown by a truck hit near the top on the driver's side. Crack had spread 6" to 7" by the time we got home. I called up my insurance company, and they wanted it repaired, "as long as it can be covered by a dollar bill." The also wanted to send in SafeLite (the insurance company's windshield program is administered by a branch of SafeLite). I told them I insisted on an OEM windshield either installed directly by my Porsche dealer or whomever they recommended. Stiff resistance, especially to the OEM windshield -- they wanted to use a Chinese-made aftermarket windshield. Having stood in the Porsche factory and watched their robot (1) carefully apply metered glue, then (2) press the windshield into place within roughly 2 thousandths, and (3) had it explained that the windscreen contributes no small amount to the shear bracing (stiffness) of the car, I was bound and determined to get official Porsche sanctioning or bust. I was referred to Euro Glass in Redmond, WA by Porsche, and I have to say, they are absolutely superb (for anyone in the Northwest who needs windshield service). Postscript: On our very first outing after having the windshield repaired, we got hit with another stone, but only minor pitting resulted. I don't want to go through another windshield replacement, but if I ever to, Euro Glass is the bomb!
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: toronto
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had my windshield replaced by porsche; i have no idea if it was outsourced or not but im going to assume yes. either way no leaks no worries.
the 2 posts below are right on the money.
the 2 posts below are right on the money.
You guys are too funny. What sort of magical process do you think happens in the factory to seal the windshield? Do you think there's a Porsche windshield fairy who waves the seal wand and ensures a lifetime of no leaks? Or is it maybe a regular factory worker who slaps some glue on the seal and pops the windshield in? I'd bet the latter.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
But, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I'm about as **** as it gets about cars. I had just finished removing all four wheels and cleaning/sealing the inside of the rims while I bled my brakes a day before the install. I was happy to have someone come to my house and work in my garage where I could watch over him. He spent 2 hours to make sure the new windshield was perfect, and seemed to enjoy working on a car that someone cares about, rather than spending 30 minutes to slam it in at the shop, which is probably what would happen at the dealer.
So my opinion is that Safelite is just as good as anything else as long as you specify that they order factory glass from Porsche. That will come with a full kit that includes factory trim pieces around the windshield as well.
I agree with you, however two of the main reasons they have a robot do it are:
1- reproducibility, robot trumps human and can do the same thing one million times with minimal variation
2- but mainly cost!
997 ran 2005-2012, 7-8 years.
you would need 2 workers to do install it well
2200 hours per year= 4400 per both = approx 30,000 man hours
These guys get paid at least 20 euros without benefits
That is 600,000 euros. And you can reprogram the robot to do the windshield of 991s later
It is all about the almighty dollar!
1- reproducibility, robot trumps human and can do the same thing one million times with minimal variation
2- but mainly cost!
997 ran 2005-2012, 7-8 years.
you would need 2 workers to do install it well
2200 hours per year= 4400 per both = approx 30,000 man hours
These guys get paid at least 20 euros without benefits
That is 600,000 euros. And you can reprogram the robot to do the windshield of 991s later
It is all about the almighty dollar!
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