Early 993 Windscreen replacement

[cyberface]

Spurred on by the OPC Corrosion thread - quick question for those with 993s who have replaced their windscreens for one reason or another.

My 1994 car has a couple of stone chips on the (original) screen and they are very slowly developing into starbursts. One is on the driver's side, and though not directly in line of sight, would probably be picked up by an unsympathetic MOT tester (my MOTs so far have been sympathetic ) Neither are more than 2 cm in diameter and I don't really notice them whilst driving. There is some delamination in the passenger side bottom corner (RHD) but no corrosion apparent on the surrounding metalwork.

It doesn't squeak at the moment and I know 993 windscreen replacements are tricky. I also have full glass protection without penalty on my insurance.

Anyone here with experience of the best course of action? Use the insurance and risk getting a botched job and future squeaking (or, worst case, corrosion), or pay my indie to do the job properly? Is it an expensive job? I don't have the garage / driveway or skills / experience to do it myself. Or should I just leave it?

Both chips are simple stone bumps that haven't penetrated through the laminate, and neither are deteriorating into proper cracks. However I haven't started tracking this one yet, and I expect track work to flex the screen a bit more than my usual restrained road driving... And I'd much rather spend this year's maintenance money on much-needed brake and suspension upgrades

[singh911]

I'd say that unless it turns into an MOT problem, just leave it.

If you do need to replace, use the insurance by all means but also use someone who knows what they're doing on 993s. I went to a place in Guildford/Godalming when i had the rear screen in my 993 replaced - on recomendation. Ask Maurice on the Porsche Club forum (www.porscheclubgbforum.com) if you're a member, he's the fountain of knowledge on all things 993.

Make sure they use the tape on the front to prevent squeaking if you do go for a replacement, else it will drive you nuts....

cheers

Ajit.

[silver993tt]

I replaced my windscreen under my insurance due to a crack. They wanted me to use Autoglass but I refused that service. I got an estimate from my independent and faxed that to them. They were happy for me to proceed with the indy who did a very good job including replacing the inner and outer seals. They used OEM glass. Cost was about 800 quid including labour.

[tertius]

I replaced my windscreen out of my own pocket.

I used an indie who in turn sub-contracted it to one of the windscreen specialists (don't know which one). The indie QA'd the job and made them do it three times before they were satisfied. Cost about £500.

Dan

[silver993tt]

Cost of OEM screen is £468. Not sure if that includes vat or not.

[sundiver]

My 1997 993C4s is going into the local OPC for a windscreen replacement next week. Essentially, it's delaminating at the bottom drivers side, letting in a small amount of moisture and as the rest of the car is so completely perfect, it annoys me and is therefore getting fixed.

The cost isn't pleasant - it's going to cost £720 all in including VAT and fitting. I will walk the car with them before they get started to ensure no attempt is subsequently made to avoid responsibility for any damage. I figure if they do it they can't cry out of potential claims on the corrosion warranty...

[paultje]

Cyber give either Tom or Henry a call at 911 virgin....they had to re-seal my front windscreen on the 993TT I had just bought. It was leaking, creaking, and needed the metal fettling and re-painted. I can't remember who they sent it to....but it seems to have done the trick....pending the first downpour!!

[cyberface]

With those ballpark costs, I'll definitely be waiting until it's an MOT problem and spending this year's money instead on brake and suspension upgrades

Cheers for the advice guys!

[silver993tt]

cyberface said:

With those ballpark costs, I'll definitely be waiting until it's an MOT problem and spending this year's money instead on brake and suspension upgrades Cheers for the advice guys!

I got mine done on the insurance only having to pay the £50 excess. That's what insurance policies are for. Give them a call first and tell them your screen has damage (which it does). Take it from there. If they put you through to Autoglass or whatever, insist that your independent does it. Get a quote, fax it through and that should be that.

>> Edited by silver993tt on Friday 10th February 16:36

[s8tur]

The OE glass should have a plastic moulded section attached to the edge of the glass,this allows a rubber trim to be inserted that covers the gap between body and glass edge so if painting is required the seal can be removed and refitted without removing the screen. For fitting a new screen special templates are required to centralise the glass and set the correct height from the windshield flange. It is possible to make templates and gauges prior to removing the screen, providing the screen is the original one,and fit a new screen which should come with the plastic trim. The inner moulding covers the bonding.Like most specialist jobs it just requires some homework first.