Learn Me: Windshield Replacement Quality

I need my windshield replaced in my '16 Golf R, and looking for some advise. A previous vehicle (96 4Runner) had windhshield frame rust that was apparently from a sloppy windshield install job (nicking the paint I assume). How paranoid do I need to be about this happening again on my Golf? I have glass coverage, Farmers is pointing me towards Safelite, but I can look for other shops as well. 

As a data point, I had the local safelite shop put a new windshield in my 05 frontier two months ago. The windshield trim was different from OEM (smaller) resulting in some sloppy leftover sealent beign exposed.  That truck is a bit of beater so I'm not losing sleep, but it makes me question taking my golf there. The dealer is reccomending All Star Glass (good google reviews) for whatever that is worth.

Not sure about Golf, but my Lexus had 2 new windshields 

we went with Pilkington, and been very happy with that glass. I have it on my S2000 as well. 

good luck 

the oem glass for non rain sensing is $575 i epect the rain sensing glass is $6-750 are they paying for OEM or generic?

also if you trust your local VW dealership, ask them who they have do their glasswork, odds are it is safelite.

My glass guy brags about this very subject. Every windshield he does he uses this pinch weld primer to touch up any scratches. It's a disposable paint pen like deal. He snaps it open and carefully goes around the perimeter and touches up the scratches before installing the new glass. He says that the pinch weld primer pen deals are expensive but every job gets a new one and that is a difference between the different caliber of glass guys. In the long haul your stuff won't rust if the glass guy is diligent this way.

FWIW. I'm in Texas, so what do I really know about rust anyway. I like my glass guy and I believe in him.

Yeah, I've had Safelite experiences ranging from great to horrible. The reality is that it's completely variable, which is bad. 

Whenever possible, I use my local glass company. Ask around, the shops/car nuts in your area will know who they are. The difference in quality of work is noticeable.

Oh, and you want OEM glass. Why? It's better (ask that local glass shop and they'll tell you). With enough fighting, insurance will pay for it. 

I used Safelite for my e46 M3. E36 M3ty job and neither the auto headlights or wipers work anymore. 

I used an independent guy and requested Pilkington glass per forum recommendations on my S2000. The guy did a great job but the metal puck for the rearview mirror was too high up on that glass and I cant tilt the mirror past a point as it touches the frame. 

On my e36 M3 I took it to BMW and said here, change it with factory parts. They ordered all the parts and called an installer. Its perfect, everything looks as it is meant to be. 

In Florida you dont pay for this, so my recommendation is take it to the dealer and have them take care of it with factory parts if possible. 

All of our cars are fairly old, and all have some degree of windshield damage, mostly slight chipping. None are cracked.

I need the windshield replaced in my GMT 400, not due to the chips (which seem stable), and to the scratches that you'd expect on an old truck, but to the fact that it leaks occasionally/rarely.

I haven't done it since it only leaks about once or twice a year when we get extended torrential rain, so it's more of a budget issue. Florida does get those rains, though...

OEM glass is always the best choice.  

I've had good experience with Allstar. Not sure on the manufacturer of the glass but the service has been good

Lots of great feedback here. I'll check in w/ farmers tomorrow to see what the glass policy actually covers.  The local VW dealer did just aquire a body shop across the street, I'll find out what they reccomend over there. It sounds worthwhile to go OEM even if I foot the extra cost.

As one of the guys who pays for windshields and is chummy with two local independent glass installers here's what I know:

Safelite is the Wal-Mart of windshield installers. Most glass guys start with them, learn the trade, then move on to having their own business. Turnover is high. Quality of talent is HIGHLY variable.

Aftermarket glass is pretty much the standard and all insurance will typically pay for unless the piece has a 'brand' made into it like the running horse logo on my Mustang. Brand names like Pilkington are no guarantee of quality. I just had an Audi with Pilkington as the OEM glass. The German installed windshield is NOT the same as the replacement in the USA (made in China, of course). The radar system won't work with the China one. Expensive problem to find. Sometimes OEM is price competitive and you can get the upgrade for a little out of pocket.

Ask body shops who they use for glass work. After you talk with a few you'll see a pattern. Body shops do not want comebacks from improperly installed windshields so stick with the best they can find. That's the guy you want. It will rarely be Safelite.

Update: Dealer uses a 3rd party (allstar glass, local I believe) that they recommend. Their (newley aquired) body shop has someone in-house. The car is going to go in for some other front end body work since I ran over a lawnmower bag a few months ago and the metal frame beat up a bit of the grill/bumper so I'm going to have them do the windshield then.  They also claimed the can usually price match w/ OEM glass, which is nice.