Stone Chipped windscreen - Repair or replace?

[sootyvrs]

Just happenned not long ago on my 2 month old Cayman S!!!

Here are pics from outside
P2200133 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Inside
P2200135 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Do you think it's repairable or replacement?

My Insurance (eshure) is £100 excess on windscreen but not contacted them yet. Also not sure if I have to use AutoGlass type place or can I take it to OPC for replacement if that is what is required?

[newbieninja]

Sorry to hear about this. I had exactly the same thing happen last week. Went to autoglass, asked them if repairable and they gave me the "we might crack it as it's too small to fill without drilling it first" so I've elected to just leave it.

It's a sportscar, it's going to get chipped to hell when I drive it through Europe for Le Mans. It really shouldnt crack if you don't touch it, and if you can live with it, then best to just wait until you have 3-4 more and then replace the whole screen. It's about £400 including all the GPS/auto sensing gubbins. That is the strategy my friends have adopted and it makes sense to me. It's tough on my OCD though!

Please let me know if you do end up getting it repaired, and how well it goes if so.

[fastgerman]

sootyvrs said:

Just happenned not long ago on my 2 month old Cayman S!!!

Here are pics from outside
P2200133 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Inside
P2200135 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Do you think it's repairable or replacement?

My Insurance (eshure) is £100 excess on windscreen but not contacted them yet. Also not sure if I have to use AutoGlass type place or can I take it to OPC for replacement if that is what is required?

I had a nightmare with mine. My 997 was in warranty and had a replacement windscreen, however Admiral (my insurers) used Autoglass and they wanted to use a non Porsche approved part. This would have invalidated my warranty.

So, I paid for a Porsche windscreen, had it fitted and sent the bill to my insurers.

After much arguing, they paid the difference of Porsche price minus Autoglass price. Think I paid a few hundred pounds.

If it can be repaired, DO IT! :-)

[sootyvrs]

newbieninja said:

It really shouldnt crack if you don't touch it, and if you can live with it, then best to just wait until you have 3-4 more and then replace the whole screen. It's about £400 including all the GPS/auto sensing gubbins. That is the strategy my friends have adopted and it makes sense to me. It's tough on my OCD though!

As it happenned a few hours ago know I've calmed down and think I might take your advise and just leave it for now and see if I get any more... It's on the passenger side so not in line with my vision (which helps)... Sods law I guess!

[CGJJ]

The Porsche expert for repairing chips is

Glasstec

Paul on 07974216953
www.glasstecauto.co.uk

He did a perfect job on a big chip on my 997 Turbo because I didn't want the window out and the associated issues with
Replacement.

He is a true craftsman and lover of the marque.

[Glassman]

CGJJ said:

The Porsche expert for repairing chips is

Glasstec

Paul on 07974216953
www.glasstecauto.co.uk

He did a perfect job on a big chip on my 997 Turbo because I didn't want the window out and the associated issues with
Replacement.

He is a true craftsman and lover of the marque.

Thank you!

(as soon as I saw your profile pic, I remembered you!)

OP: the chips you show are repairable. That said, it's a bit of a minefield...

Much will depend on who you get (that is if you go with who your insurer has nominated). In terms of actually doing the work, it really is a case of two sixes; half of it can be the type of equipment being used, and the other half can be the repairer's experience (or lack of). The two together makes for some very unpleasant examples, yet they carry on doing it:

1. http://www.glasstecpaul.com/botched-windscreen-rep...

2. http://www.glasstecpaul.com/the-windscreen-chip-th...

3. http://www.glasstecpaul.com/what-isnt-clear-about-...

I wouldn't be thinking about a new windscreen; the damage does not warrant it. Some repairers will attempt a repair and fail. From what I can see from the images, the risk of the windscreen cracking whilst an attempt to repair is made is unlikely. Also, it is the type of damage which can be repaired to a good standard. What is good? This is another misconception!

You could also take the view that a new windscreen fitted today could be damaged in a similar way tomorrow.

Happy to discuss this on the phone if you prefer.

[FrankCayman]

sootyvrs said:

Just happenned not long ago on my 2 month old Cayman S!!!

Here are pics from outside
P2200133 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Inside
P2200135 by sootyvrs, on Flickr

Do you think it's repairable or replacement?

My Insurance (eshure) is £100 excess on windscreen but not contacted them yet. Also not sure if I have to use AutoGlass type place or can I take it to OPC for replacement if that is what is required?

I had a new screen in my 981 C via autoglass and requested a OEM Porsche screen....when the chap turned up, he showed me the screen before fitting it...had no probs...he was very careful. I've since had little chips like that repaired too.

[DodoRacing]

I would get it repaired until to the point that there are several and you know it's time to be replaced.
It may happen anytime again and if you get it replaced now, you'll be worrying about it all the time.
I've trained myself to un-notice the repairs on my cars for that reason.

[LindsayMac]

You will be lucky if that does not run to a full crack. I had one less that what you appear to have within 50 miles of picking up my GT3 (think the glass is thinner) and by the next couple of days had run to a full crack across the screen. Just had a new screen fitted this week at Edinburgh OPC, great job, nice people to deal with.

[Glassman]

LindsayMac said:

You will be lucky if that does not run to a full crack.

He will be unlucky if it does.

Despite what the avert scares you into thinking, not all chips will "eventually" crack.

[DodoRacing]

LindsayMac said:

You will be lucky if that does not run to a full crack. I had one less that what you appear to have within 50 miles of picking up my GT3 (think the glass is thinner) and by the next couple of days had run to a full crack across the screen. Just had a new screen fitted this week at Edinburgh OPC, great job, nice people to deal with.

That's why it's important to get it repaired asap. Repairing stops, cracking further.

[throt]

LindsayMac said:

You will be lucky if that does not run to a full crack. I had one less that what you appear to have within 50 miles of picking up my GT3 (think the glass is thinner) and by the next couple of days had run to a full crack across the screen. Just had a new screen fitted this week at Edinburgh OPC, great job, nice people to deal with.

Within 50 mile of pick up of your GT3, unbelievable. I had a chip in eye view within 10 mile of pick up on my workhorse and that was painful enough..

The chip would bug me so much, that I would have to change the screen, but, as others have said it can happen straight away again. I always do all I can on the motorways and carriageways to avoid such an event, keeping a good distance from the vehicle in front helps, but you always need good luck still.