[s-cars] Windshield replacement.

[Steve Sears]

Bob, Taka, et al,
I had a PPG installed in the summer of 2001 on my '87 5ktq.  It seemed
fairly decent although did accumulate nicks with relative ease and whistled
a bit at highway speed on passenger side....until the first time the
temperature was -15C (happened to be 1.5 years after install due to the
non-winter of 2001/2002 here in Southern Ontario).  Turned on the defrost
while the car was warming up and POW! (yes, just like in Batman...Ka-POW!) -
cracked on the bottom passenger side corner.  The crack travelled across the
shield until the time when I got it replaced (last summer).  To add insult
to injury, while waiting for the dealer to order in a Sekurit, I got hit
with a 1/2" size stone from a truck and it bullseyed the glass mid-screen.
ARGH.
I had a bear of a time doing the Sekurit deal - basically got a "me" price
from the dealer (I get the prices that they charge shops), and then took it
to the glass shop they use and had them install it on insurance.  Got all
sorts of STANDARD grief from the glass shop...."PPG's are just as
good"...."You'll have to leave the car here for a while"...."We don't really
like doing things like this 'cuz it gives other people money" (the shop is
affiliated with a glass manufacturer)....."If you do this, we can't warranty
the glass"...blahblahblah.  I did perservere, and had the Sekurit glass
installed.  There's a slight aberration on the passenger side (not noticable
while driving) - a friend of mine had sent one back to Audi for the same
issue - the PPG didn't have that.
BTW, the glass shop did get me in the end.....charged me the deductable
(that they STANDARD-ly cover) and the difference between the "me" price and
the STANDARD ppg glass price on the Insurance form - total about C$200.
Added to that, they also scratched the dash, driver's side a-pillar, and
when I turned on the defrost, it blew glass chips out at me.....I guess I
got a the autoglass equivalent of a STANDARD "Spit Burger".  I guess it's
the STANDARD treatment because I didn't hear anything back from their head
office when I e-mailed them.  STANDARD Bastages.  I did let the dealer know
what treatment I got from the shop they STANDARDly use, though.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ - STANDARD transmission
1980 Audi 5k - also STANDARD transmission
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - hey, also STANDARD
transmission...what are the odds? ;-)
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