[Simon Templar]

OK guys, here's the deal...

I just took delivery of my 300C AWD this Friday evening past. <applause, applause> My dealer, being the fine professional and upstanding gentlemen that they are, didn't bother to notice a few things. One...the UConnect system which they swore was there...isn't. More on that in another thread.

Second...and the reason for my question: The windshield, when the car is pointed in just the right direction, has a fracture in the glass. It's about a quarter inch in length (maybe sightly less) and right at eye level in front of the driver. No kidding.....if you don't have it at just the right angle to the sun, it disappears and you cannot find it for the life of you. But, nevertheless, it is there....and no doubt waiting for some future date to develop into a full on crack.

I took it in to the dealer and they also found a very light scratch on the outside of the glass which is co-located with this fracture. Even I had missed this scratch, it is so light. So ...and nobody is more surprised about this than me... they are all over this problem. They just rang me up and have things set for a local auto-glass shop to replace the windshield in a day or so.

My question is this: I have noticed on the widow sticker that it states "Solar Control glass." What is 'Solar Control glass'? Is there something to this....or is it just marketing-speak from Chrysler? And, if there is something to it, is it likely that this replacement from the installer will also have this? Or...do I need to make an issue of this with the dealer to get the proper type glass installed?

I may be worrying about nothing, I know. But, this car is my baby and I'd hate to be taking shortcuts or damaging it a bare week after I just got it. And with some of the other things this dealer has done....I am more than a little leary about anything that they do....especially when they do it willingly. Not to mention apprehension at letting them do surgery of this sort and facing the pontential of leaks down the road should they bugger the job.

Any and all advice/comments welcome.


.....sT

 

[First300COwner]

Try this...............

It's prob. just marketing jargen from Chrysler. Most likley 90% of the newer cars out there have their own special formula for glass that attempts to cut heat from the sun and "radiation" help wear on you and the interior.

Mind you i'm not for sure but it just seems like one of those things. Might wan't to ask the winshield repair shop a few questions about glass.

Call the shop as if you are just some normal guy. At first don't let them know you currently have car glass currently being fixed by them. After you get some question let him know about the "super solar glass" and see what he tells you. Doesn't hurt to call a few other glass shops around town and ask the same questions.

Good Luck
-First300C

 

[JustForFun]

Glass is NOT glass. It varies widely in quality and type.

INSIST from your dealer that the replacement windshield is done with OEM glass. Accept NOTHING less. 3rd party, aftermarket glass IS inferior and NOT what you paid for with your NEW vehicle.

My .02

JFF

 

[5point7]

Do NOT accept anything less than a replacement from the factory, and be sure to verify yourself that the replacement is factory glass. I'd compare part numbers before install, It's not the same!! The glass in the C is supposed to the 25% thicker (?) for noise reduction...

 

[JonW]

My personal feeling on the glass in the 300's is that it is "soft". I already have many nicks and scratches in mine and I do not drive it daily. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if some quality 3rd party glass wouldn't actually be superior to the factory glass.

As far as being solar glass, that is mostly the tinting on the side windows or the top edge of the windshield. If you have a pair of Oakley polarized glasses, you can see the difference. Polarized glasses actually make your windows look like crap if you have solar tinting. The front windshield doesn't have the solar tinting, so looking through that with polarized glasses is fine.

 

[jeepgrady]

I agree 100% with the other parties. Only accept the Chrysler glass. Also, make sure that you get paperwork from the dealer that the glass was installed. You want it on thier letterhead, not the installers. This will ensure that Chrysler is aware of the problem and will cover any future problems.

 

[CottyGee]

http://www.autoglassmagazine.net/articles.php?id=218

"To use original manufacturers’ glass—or not
Two shop owners discuss their motivations, from both sides of the aftermarket fence"


Interesting read on the controversy about OEM vs. aftermarket auto glass...

 

[300Con23s]

Glass is NOT glass. It varies widely in quality and type.

INSIST from your dealer that the replacement windshield is done with OEM glass. Accept NOTHING less. 3rd party, aftermarket glass IS inferior and NOT what you paid for with your NEW vehicle.

My .02

JFF

Your 100% correct. The OEM glass is much different then what a shop might replace it with. For a brand new car it should only be replaced with the OEM windshield and nothing less.

 

[Northern Rider]

Simon, You have a brand new car and the defect is a warranty claim. Insist on OEM glass.

I've replaced dozens of windshields over the years. Never had an issue with OEM. I have had some issues with 3rd party glass.

 

[Simon Templar]

Well, you've all convinced me. MOPAR it is. Thanks for the encouragement.

You know, I traded-in an Isuzu VehiCROSS when I bought my 'C'. The VX was the first vehicle I have ever owned, since my days of owning Brits in the 60s/70s, with a fanatical ownership body. VX owners have their own enclaves for discussion and support that are tighter than many families. I thought I would miss that more than anything else when I made the leap. You folks, and the 300Cforums as a whole, have shown me that I have not lost a thing in that category! I appreciate everyone's comments!


As an interesting aside:

The glass shop called me to schedule the appointment. Asked them if it was MOPAR glass, She said she'd check into it (but thought it would be)'but if its not it will be just as good'. I asked her, if it wasn't, how long would it take if I waited for the real deal. Her repsonse was 'Let me check and see what we Do have and I'll call you back'.

That was at 3p this afternoon.....no return call as yet. Maybe this says soemeting....perhaps it doesn't. Interesting, though....no?



....sT

 

[Ride Slow]

Anybody notice a horizontal wave distortion, very slight, drivers side, about 9" down from the top of the glass?

 

[HaTaX]

My personal feeling on the glass in the 300's is that it is "soft". I already have many nicks and scratches in mine and I do not drive it daily. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if some quality 3rd party glass wouldn't actually be superior to the factory glass.

As far as being solar glass, that is mostly the tinting on the side windows or the top edge of the windshield. If you have a pair of Oakley polarized glasses, you can see the difference. Polarized glasses actually make your windows look like crap if you have solar tinting. The front windshield doesn't have the solar tinting, so looking through that with polarized glasses is fine.

They also make your nav system screen go black at the right angle and gas pump LCD screens turn purple and green and black....