Factory Windscreen

[Gavrobb]

Annoyed to see a crack slowly moving across my (heated!) windscreen. Probably as a result of parking lower than the road level a couple weeks ago on a cold night in the mountains and with glitter trucks running up the main road.... Lesson learned!
Realise its an insurance replacement but has anybody pushed for a VW factory windscreen on the insurance rather than an 'aftermarket' item which I assume the usual places are installing?
Guess it lends the Q - who is best installing it - the dealership or a windscreen company? Specifically the heating element and I guess the wiper sensor both bother me for anything other than OEM...

 

[westfalia]

I had to get mine replaced a few years ago, i went to our local
euromaster as i know the lads there.

They told me that the replacements that they use are identical to VW ones.
I said that i want an original VW one, they tried putting me off that idea saying that
it would take longer to get and the replacements are just as good.

i told them to stop bullshitting me and order the original one or i´ll go to VW.
They got the original and everyone was happy.
I had a small excess to pay of which i knew about anyway.

Someone once told me that the replicas aren´t always a mm perfect fit.

 

[Lewis]

Annoyed to see a crack slowly moving across my (heated!) windscreen. Probably as a result of parking lower than the road level a couple weeks ago on a cold night in the mountains and with glitter trucks running up the main road.... Lesson learned!
Realise its an insurance replacement but has anybody pushed for a VW factory windscreen on the insurance rather than an 'aftermarket' item which I assume the usual places are installing?
Guess it lends the Q - who is best installing it - the dealership or a windscreen company? Specifically the heating element and I guess the wiper sensor both bother me for anything other than OEM...

We had a T6 heated windscreen replacement last year. It was done by Autoglass Specials and was an original VW product (took a few days to source). I got the impression from the lady on the phone that the product was so new that there weren't any aftermarket alternatives. That may have changed by now but hopefully a glimmer of good news. We've had no issues with it (other than having to order a new national trust sticker!)

 

[Ocean Spirit]

A sore subject with me....
I use the Marchwood bypass on a daily basis and have needed 3 windscreens since 2011. Not great going since every problem has occurred on the dual carriage way stretch of that road.
Anyway returning to topic, I had a 3 series with a rain sensor for auto lights and wipers and when the screen was replaced by autoglass the rain sensing was poor. They came back and squirted water on the screen from a bottle....The tech said there was nothing wrong with it based on this test.
However, the rain started so I asked him to accompany me on a test drive and proceeded to scare him stupid over the next few miles as I refused to manually interrupt the 'auto sensing'.
When we got back to my house he made a phone call and declared there was something wrong with the tint level in the aftermarket screen which wasn't allowing the sensor to do its job and booked me in for a replacement BMW screen.
Since then I have insisted on OEM screen before taking out the insurance policy even if it meant my excess was higher. That is until the VW California, where by none of my insurance choices would commit to an OEM screen with many calls between autoglass and the underwriters each saying it would be the others decision at the time. But should the day come, I will fight very hard for OEM.

 

[Crell]

glitter trucks ..

Not sure these would be the cause, but your van is probably looking a bit more sparkly as a result !

Oh and I really would push for an OEM screen.

 

[Volkywagen]

If the gritter did your windscreen have you checked the body work also

 

[parrot2]

I would take it to a main dealer that way you will get an oem part even though it will probably be fitted by someone the garage will call in as windscreen fitting is a skilled job.

 

[ArunAlec]

I would be surprised if the dealerships actually fit windscreens, although they may well supply a OEM screen for fitting by a windscreen fitter. When my leaky side window was replaced (twice) the dealer had to get a windscreen company to come to their workshop to do the fitting.
Having said that, I'd still try to get it done through the dealer. Just in case there are any issues if and when I have roof corrosion repairs... There have been a couple of posts related to leaky windscreens following the front panel replacement. Possibly due to the way the panel is clamped in position using suction clamps on the windscreen.

 

[Grumpy Mike]

Never had a new windscreen on the Cali, but had two on the Evoque and must admit never thought of asking for OEM and believe me at the time she was my baby. Both times Auto Windscreens did a superb job and I never had any issues at all. So personally wouldnt be concerned. I just look after the fitter with coffee...

 

[Gavrobb]

Will report back. Given how un-PC the stuff is these days I'm glad I didnt get too much stick for the original typo. Thanks Crell
I have seen non OEM Heated one go on a T6 recently so they are out there now - TBH the quality seemed fine and it's a picky, high mileage neighbour who knows his stuff and he was happy with it.
My concern now is about the rain sensor also (thanks 2020Freedom) - its a good point as it's not the most accurate already for rain sensing (are they ever? ) Thats probably another thread in itself tho...

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Yes, I wasn't an OEM snob, but I thought it was dangerous and I proved it.
The standard story is that aftermarket is the same make screen but unbranded. I hesitate because it's not nice watching people pull your car about thanks to sub standard after market savings. If the after market is fine with the sensors then great.

 

[Zebedee]

We ordered through AMG cowfold then had a guy in Brighton do it who is a specialist in high value or vintage windscreens. I have his details somewhere if you need tgem