Is a replaced windscreen noticeable?

Soldato
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My girlfriend bought a brand new Suzuki Swift at the start of the month, a couple of hours into driving it she noticed some hairline scratches on the windscreen. Suzuki have offered to replace the windscreen but I'm just wondering how obvious a replaced windscreen is going to be and whether it's worth it over a few scratches, although that is completely unacceptable on a brand new car.
 
Not noticeable at all. My 3 series windscreen was replaced by Autoglass and I cannot tell at all if it came with the car or was replaced.
 
When I had one a few years ago on a Fiat Bravo, it was a damn sight cleaner.

Seriously, you shouldn't be able top tell, and if they are replacing it free and to the same spec (if you have a tint or such) then I don't think you have anything to complain about.
 
I've wondered this. My windscreen is full of feint scratches and they are built up to be an annoyance when a bit of sun hits it.

I don't want the black details on the windscreen to be different or not OEM just becasue I own a car that is well taken by enthusiasts and although resale is rock bottom at the moment, things like a new windscreen are frowned upon usually and they might look elsewhere if I decide to sell.

I'm going to see if they can be polished out first mind you, but if push comes to shove and all that. Gotta be able to see I suppose!
 
They replace it like for like, Autoglass can get any screen for any car pretty much. Mine has light sensor/rain sensor built in and they got that perfect, even the rubber seals around the edge looks like the factory stuff.
 
I've had 2 windscreens replaced under insurance and they went overboard with the black bonding stuff on both so its squidged out further than the A pillar inside trim, I guess its hard to guage the right amount, depends how good the fitter is but if your not happy with the results let them know about it.
 
Hopefully :p

Only reason I got a free new windscreen was because the first Autoglass guy was a noob and managed to make the stone chip crack bigger so I ended up getting a free new one :D
 
I'd say in most cases non noticeable, but there are some exceptions to the rule.

1) Your car is a grey import: The manufacturer of the glass, and the black markings may be different. It annoyed the crap out of me on my Legacy because the glass was now made by Pilkington who apparently need black markings to tell them where the tinted section at the top needs to stop.

2) The replacement glass is badly fitted: You might see bits of the glue and you might get premature rust forming on the A pillars a few years down the line.
 
I don't want the black details on the windscreen to be different or not OEM just becasue I own a car that is well taken by enthusiasts and although resale is rock bottom at the moment, things like a new windscreen are frowned upon usually and they might look elsewhere if I decide to sell.

A UK bread van is hardly an enthusiast jdm y0 car is it, the older model or the newer saloon model i can understand but come on
 
A UK bread van is hardly an enthusiast jdm y0 car is it, the older model or the newer saloon model i can understand but come on

Almost all marques have an enthusiast following in some way, the Type-R brand more so than the others given the well appreciated branding in the enthusiast scene, "JDM" or not.

The type of person that buys a 2nd hand Type-R is one that's going to know a little more than the average owner and therefore its valuable to keep things OEM in terms of glass and other non-modable components. I've been a member of car communities long enough to see how fussy potential and current owners are whatever the badge. It's not just a benefit of resale, it'll bug the hell out of me if I need to have it replaced and it's not quite right so I persoanlly would want a proper windscreen fitted to factory standards.

But hey, it's only a ****** Honda with no torque and Hovis written down the side, of course nobody cares :rolleyes:
 
I just don't get this.

What if something happens, like with my windscreen, you get a stone flick up and need to replace the screen, what then? You lose 50p off the price because of a random flung stone?

If people are THAT anal about their cars, they need to get out more, even Fox isn't that anal. :p
 
The type of person that buys a 2nd hand Type-R is one that's going to know a little more than the average owner and therefore its valuable to keep things OEM in terms of glass and other non-modable components. I've been a member of car communities long enough to see how fussy potential and current owners are whatever the badge. It's not just a benefit of resale, it'll bug the hell out of me if I need to have it replaced and it's not quite right so I persoanlly would want a proper windscreen fitted to factory standards.

Car communities are not representative of the average buyer; its a mainstream hot hatch and 99% of potential buyers could give a flying **** imho.
 
As long as they use an OEM screen it should be invisible. Some of the pattern screens that Autoglass supply do not fit very well (like the one on my car!), and it can be quite obvious.
 
I have never heard of a replacement windscreen devaluing a car. What a load of rot, what possible difference does it make? As if you'd want a 6+ year old windscreen anyway!
 
Windscreens should be considered a consumable in the same way as brake disks or clutches, the will need to replaced at some point.
 
If anything a new windscreen should be considered a bonus. The difference in clarity between a 10 year old screen and a new one is staggering, especially at night.
 
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