Less than a month after replacing my original windshield (small chip developed into a 15 inch vertical crack from just under the drivers side wiper) - while driving on the 91 Freeway in Corona, CA - a small piece of debris hit the upper passenger side. By the sound of the impact I didn't think much about it - then noticed a dime size star chip! I freaked! Within five days (after sitting in the sun for an afternoon) a crack has appeared - about 18 inches horizontal across to the mid point of the windshield. My insurance does not cover glass breakage - so it looks like another out of pocket trip to the dealer.
I am beginning to think that smart (MB) may be using a poor quality of glass material in the smart windshields. To save weight? Other reasons?
I have owned many MB's and BMW's in the last 30 years - experienced many debris hits to windshields from mild sounding to startling and have replaced only one windshield due to cracking - on a car with over 140 thousand miles! Never on a car with only 8000 miles on the odometer.
Does anyone else think that the quality of the glass in smart windshields is less than it should be? Sorry to say - but if the windshield cracks a third time - it might be time to rethink owning a smart.
I am beginning to think that smart (MB) may be using a poor quality of glass material in the smart windshields. To save weight? Other reasons?
I have owned many MB's and BMW's in the last 30 years - experienced many debris hits to windshields from mild sounding to startling and have replaced only one windshield due to cracking - on a car with over 140 thousand miles! Never on a car with only 8000 miles on the odometer.
Does anyone else think that the quality of the glass in smart windshields is less than it should be? Sorry to say - but if the windshield cracks a third time - it might be time to rethink owning a smart.
Comment
- Comment by Tony on September 6, 2009 at 10:37pm
- Cindy - you should have appealed to your state's insurance representative. how certain are you that the rock striking the glass didn't cause the failure? Sometimes a well written letter can turn things around. Just a thought. Over the years I've replaced glass on newer and older cars. Thank goodness in FL our insurance is required to cover the replacement of front windshields. The best thing you can do as a driver to reduce your risk of catching flying debris, especially on the highway is keep back, way back. It's not like it will cost you in travel time, but it might save you a lot of aggravation down the road.
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Comment by Cindy on June 2, 2009 at 11:46am - Oh yes and I should mention, we got hit by a rock which left a 50 cent piece sized round crack in the front of the windshield 2 minutes prior to the windshield failing. Which somehow is a coincidence. The windshield was covered by the insurance... the computer was not.... $2100 later......
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Comment by Cindy on June 2, 2009 at 11:45am
- If you like that, you'll love this, our windshield seal failed during a rain storm, rain leaked into the computer and fried it on the 401 series hiways in Ontario (equivalent to your freeways). Thing is our car is 4 years old, out of warranty and insurance doesn't cover something that has to be a Mfg defect. Fun fun fun.
- Comment by Jeonard Dizon on June 2, 2009 at 5:33am
- I have a 2004 Subaru Forrester, and I called my mom the other day. She had great news for me - not. While I am away at college, she had to move my car into the street because they bought mulch. Apparently, there's now an 11 inch crack in my windshield. She said it's from the weather. I want to replace it so I don't have to worry about it... how much do you think windshield replacement would cost?
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Comment by 451 Kahn on May 25, 2009 at 3:42am - How much dose a Smart Windshield cost?
- Comment by SATO on May 24, 2009 at 1:44pm
- Florida's no-fault insurance covers windshields.. I found out after a becoming the catchers mitt for flying debris on I-95. I do question the thickness or at least perhaps the tempering of the glass wind shields on our smarties.
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