Windscreen...worth buying an original?
Discussion
Sorry, I didn’t mean that to come across as unhelpful.
The decision is yours but if it was me it would depend a lot on the actual price difference. I would also try and find out the actual manufacturer of the grey market screen. It may have come out the same factory as the OEM screens, or it may not have done.
Also, who is fitting it? If the supplier is fitting it, if it doesn’t fit then it is clearly their problem. If you are fitting it yourself and it is wrong then if they may try and blame you in some way.
If the supplier of the grey market screen is one of the big fastfit screens ask how many they have fitted and whether you can speak directly to one of the fitters who has actually fitted one.
The decision is yours but if it was me it would depend a lot on the actual price difference. I would also try and find out the actual manufacturer of the grey market screen. It may have come out the same factory as the OEM screens, or it may not have done.
Also, who is fitting it? If the supplier is fitting it, if it doesn’t fit then it is clearly their problem. If you are fitting it yourself and it is wrong then if they may try and blame you in some way.
If the supplier of the grey market screen is one of the big fastfit screens ask how many they have fitted and whether you can speak directly to one of the fitters who has actually fitted one.
And with all the grey areas high lighted above I opted for a so called o/e quality one fitted by Central Tvr and Ive been very pleased with it. Looks identical to the original, fits the body shape perfectly and doesn’t leak which is a bonus but I have no idea where it was made other than being told it was one of six being made at the time! I can see miles through it 
Expensive but in the long run and as my insurance paid most of it well worth having done if like my old screen, was pitted pretty badly and vision was badly impacted at night or evening sun, it’s those pits why wipers don’t work well and leave smear lines, new screen I noticed a marked improvement in wiper efficiency.
I was told they were from the o/e supplier and it does look top notch
Expensive but in the long run and as my insurance paid most of it well worth having done if like my old screen, was pitted pretty badly and vision was badly impacted at night or evening sun, it’s those pits why wipers don’t work well and leave smear lines, new screen I noticed a marked improvement in wiper efficiency.
I was told they were from the o/e supplier and it does look top notch
i need to organize the screen for my fitter.....but finally he will order it on his account...
as the car isnt in UK its a bit a challenge to get a screen....the UK parts dealers dont ship them....also the TVR specialist in the country where the car is actually located wants the screen being picked-up
furthermore i want a green tinted screen with a dark green stripe on upper part of screen...the original TVR screen is exactly like that....the OEM one not.(as far as i can tell from the pic on the webpage of TVR parts)
as the car isnt in UK its a bit a challenge to get a screen....the UK parts dealers dont ship them....also the TVR specialist in the country where the car is actually located wants the screen being picked-up
furthermore i want a green tinted screen with a dark green stripe on upper part of screen...the original TVR screen is exactly like that....the OEM one not.(as far as i can tell from the pic on the webpage of TVR parts)
I see!
It’s worth talking to the likes of Central and Surface and Design etc for where to get the screen and your specifications, I’m sure it can be done
I worked with glass myself for many years and it’s surely it’s not beyond the wit of a window fitter or company to deliver one,,, for a price.
Ask for Adrian at Central as he’s been ordering them direct for years.
I’ve heard some don’t fit well, ( leaks are more likely) but never seen evidence. Any decent auto window expert can fit them so to me it was about getting the right screen in the first place.
Also if it’s being fitted abroad just ask what spec of sealant they use as it needs to flex but I’m sure that’s a basic to a fitter.
It’s worth talking to the likes of Central and Surface and Design etc for where to get the screen and your specifications, I’m sure it can be done
I worked with glass myself for many years and it’s surely it’s not beyond the wit of a window fitter or company to deliver one,,, for a price. Ask for Adrian at Central as he’s been ordering them direct for years.
I’ve heard some don’t fit well, ( leaks are more likely) but never seen evidence. Any decent auto window expert can fit them so to me it was about getting the right screen in the first place.
Also if it’s being fitted abroad just ask what spec of sealant they use as it needs to flex but I’m sure that’s a basic to a fitter.
LLantrisant said:
i need to organize the screen for my fitter.....but finally he will order it on his account...
as the car isnt in UK its a bit a challenge to get a screen....the UK parts dealers dont ship them....also the TVR specialist in the country where the car is actually located wants the screen being picked-up
furthermore i want a green tinted screen with a dark green stripe on upper part of screen...the original TVR screen is exactly like that....the OEM one not.(as far as i can tell from the pic on the webpage of TVR parts)
I had one changed by National Windscreens 2 months ago. The first one, made by Shatterprufe (sic), made in S Africa I believe, left the roof section not fitting properly. So they agreed to do it again.as the car isnt in UK its a bit a challenge to get a screen....the UK parts dealers dont ship them....also the TVR specialist in the country where the car is actually located wants the screen being picked-up
furthermore i want a green tinted screen with a dark green stripe on upper part of screen...the original TVR screen is exactly like that....the OEM one not.(as far as i can tell from the pic on the webpage of TVR parts)
It may have been the upper front seal or the glass itself but the second time a proper TVR one was fitted. It had a green tint at the top:
At no additional cost above the original policy excess I'm glad to say.
^^^^ excellent, I’ll do similar tomorrow, take a pic and see what mine says
When you consider it you need to mark the new and original screen and surrounding area for reference and then some skill to drop a new one in place marked up using the original on sticky but to some extent movable mastic and line the marks up, if the screen is the correct dimension it should be straight forward, the thickness of mastic etc is where the experience comes in so I’d get as much info for your fitter as you can. All the old mastic needs to be removed and i’m sure it’s a good 10 mm thick maybe more? Scrap that,, until I’ve looked closer that could be false news,,,
Is your screen still in the car as that’s the best reference for a fitter I’d expect. He can work it out from there.
ETA mine has the green tint too
When you consider it you need to mark the new and original screen and surrounding area for reference and then some skill to drop a new one in place marked up using the original on sticky but to some extent movable mastic and line the marks up, if the screen is the correct dimension it should be straight forward, the thickness of mastic etc is where the experience comes in so I’d get as much info for your fitter as you can. All the old mastic needs to be removed and i’m sure it’s a good 10 mm thick maybe more? Scrap that,, until I’ve looked closer that could be false news,,,
Is your screen still in the car as that’s the best reference for a fitter I’d expect. He can work it out from there.
ETA mine has the green tint too
Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 2nd August 00:03
Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 2nd August 00:04
Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 2nd August 00:06
I’d recommend you go oem. I had mine done by auto glass last year. Tvr ecosse warned me to look out for fit - mentioned horror story of national firm insisting on trying to fit a few aftermarket screens before agreeing to source an oem. The first screen they brought clearly was the wrong shape when they laid in on and was never going to be a good fit. Eventually they agreed to source an oem (with the tvr logo) which took a couple of weeks and ended up fitted really well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
OEM in UK ~ 500pound, incl. all gaskets
Original TVR screen in the country where the car is actually located 1000,-pound
both prices plus transport (or pick-up) and fitting
even the insurance will pay for it...i do not want to risk that after the repair they may cancel the insurance contract due to the high amount.
which manufactueres are actually doing such a screen?
do the OEM ones have a neutral / manufactuere marking or also the TVR markings?
Original TVR screen in the country where the car is actually located 1000,-pound
both prices plus transport (or pick-up) and fitting
even the insurance will pay for it...i do not want to risk that after the repair they may cancel the insurance contract due to the high amount.
which manufactueres are actually doing such a screen?
do the OEM ones have a neutral / manufactuere marking or also the TVR markings?
Insurance paid for mine. It was delivered to RT Racing in Sheffield after a couple of weeks wait for a full load heading north. Perfect fit and excellent quality.
https://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-u...
https://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-u...
BIG DUNC said:
Err, by definition, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be the same as originally fitted by TVR.
Do you mean cheaper grey market spare part with provenance?
Technically, that's not necessariy the case. Do you mean cheaper grey market spare part with provenance?
It might be the same manufacturer but it needn't necessarily be to the same spec.. Granted, for a TVR windscreen it might well be but many manufacturers make similar products for various 'customers' and they aren't always to the same spec. or, if producing a new batch at a later date, ie long after production of thd original car has stopped, it might be to a more generic spec.. Depends on the spec the 'customer' , which might well not be the original car manufacturer, wants.
It's a bit like FSH, many people assume it means 'full franchise dealer service history as per manufacturer's recommendations'. Unfortunately, that isn't always the reality and it's just a record of the servicing dates/mileages.
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