Rich's Windshield Replacement and Warning
Rich Bellville had sent the picture in before he got his C6's windshield repaired and has the following experience getting it PROPERLY replaced. Good information for anytime you need a windshield replacement!!
Bill, as a follow-up. In discussing with Mark Evans, the Penske Body Shop Expert, Never but Never allow Safelite to use their own glass on ANY of your cars (unless you are selling it). They make their own glass, and according to Mark, it is inferior to the after-market glass they use as well as the GM-OEM.
Safelite was going to install the GM-OEM glass on my C-6 but they needed the car for a whole day and I didn’t believe they knew what they were doing, I got several stories as to what they needed and how long it would take from different people. Initially before the GM-OEM approval, they actually sent an installation person to my house who said, I have never put one in a Corvette, but I will try if you want. Well you can guess my answer to that. He brought the wrong windshield anyway and it was a ‘Safelite’ glass.
I called my Insurance company and got authorization for GM-OEM glass and to transfer the vendor to Penske Body Shop. According to Mark Evans at Penske, the after-market glass Penske uses is direct replacement and of equal quality to the GM-OEM (he stated he would not be opposed to using it). Normally, he stated the insurance would not approve GM-OEM and that the after-market Penske uses is OK. I wanted the GM glass simply in cars shows, GM glass vs after market is sometimes noticed.
With all of the additional ‘stuff’ on the windshield (Heads-up display, navigation, lane departure warnings, cameras (on some)) and the miscellaneous other wiring, I didn’t want some ‘Joe, bag of donuts’ touching my Vette.
Moral, always go directly to a Corvette technician for a Corvette Windshield replacement. This way, if something isn’t right when done, you have the backing of GM, Penske and their reputation to stand behind you.
FYI, my insurance (Traveler’s) did NOT charge any extra for using GM-OEM or the Penske Body Shop. It did take multiple calls and explanations to get the GM-OEM but it is worth it. Also, the parts department at Penske priced the new windshield alone at $ 976.95 (no club discount if an insurance job).
Thanks Rich for the extremely valuable information.
Bill, as a follow-up. In discussing with Mark Evans, the Penske Body Shop Expert, Never but Never allow Safelite to use their own glass on ANY of your cars (unless you are selling it). They make their own glass, and according to Mark, it is inferior to the after-market glass they use as well as the GM-OEM.
Safelite was going to install the GM-OEM glass on my C-6 but they needed the car for a whole day and I didn’t believe they knew what they were doing, I got several stories as to what they needed and how long it would take from different people. Initially before the GM-OEM approval, they actually sent an installation person to my house who said, I have never put one in a Corvette, but I will try if you want. Well you can guess my answer to that. He brought the wrong windshield anyway and it was a ‘Safelite’ glass.
I called my Insurance company and got authorization for GM-OEM glass and to transfer the vendor to Penske Body Shop. According to Mark Evans at Penske, the after-market glass Penske uses is direct replacement and of equal quality to the GM-OEM (he stated he would not be opposed to using it). Normally, he stated the insurance would not approve GM-OEM and that the after-market Penske uses is OK. I wanted the GM glass simply in cars shows, GM glass vs after market is sometimes noticed.
With all of the additional ‘stuff’ on the windshield (Heads-up display, navigation, lane departure warnings, cameras (on some)) and the miscellaneous other wiring, I didn’t want some ‘Joe, bag of donuts’ touching my Vette.
Moral, always go directly to a Corvette technician for a Corvette Windshield replacement. This way, if something isn’t right when done, you have the backing of GM, Penske and their reputation to stand behind you.
FYI, my insurance (Traveler’s) did NOT charge any extra for using GM-OEM or the Penske Body Shop. It did take multiple calls and explanations to get the GM-OEM but it is worth it. Also, the parts department at Penske priced the new windshield alone at $ 976.95 (no club discount if an insurance job).
Thanks Rich for the extremely valuable information.
