My 2012 TSX Tech is not even 8 weeks old and driving on the highway the other day i had a small rock (that made a *very* big noise) hit my windshield about 2.5 inches from the bottom in the middle (right above the wiper). It started to spider right away (longest legs were about .3 inches).

I got it repaired at Safelite, and it looked good when I left... Now 4 days later the spider webs are back. I called Safelite and they want $300 for an aftermarket and $800 for an OEM windshield.

I've had my old 07 TSX windshield replaced with an aftermarket and there were noticeable differences between the two. I would be ok with that, except my car isn't even two months old!! I'm trying to deal with my insurance and see if they'll pay for an OEM window, but what do you guys think?

Anyone have any insight as to the *real* differences between aftermarket and OEM windshields? Noise differences, colors, etc.? Looking for some advice on which way to go...

 

I've always found in the past that aftermarket windshields seem to pit a lot quicker and easier than an OEM windshield.

I replaced the windshield of my '98 CL a couple of years ago. The insurance company wanted to replace my windshield with an aftermarket product. My position was that I pay higher rates for a premium vehicle and as such I expect to have OEM parts replaced.

After a couple of phone calls, the insurance company authorized the replacement windshield with an OEM part.

 

go through your insurance (assuming you have glass coverage) and get OEM. its a new car.

if this was a 5-6 yr old car....then go aftermarket OEM.

see this thread from the 3G TL side:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/k-049-cracked-windshield-oem-replacement-w-o-acura-logo-817643/

all acura's i believe use acoustic glass. safelite will try and put in their cheapie OE glass.

if you are fine with OEM aftermarket glass at half the price of the factory glass...then check out the badge on your factory windshield and make sure the new windshield has the exact same specs minus the acura/honda badge.

i just went through this with my TL. i have aftermarket OEM glass (like the thread). the cheap safelite glass may also have waves and be noisy. don't cheapen your new TSX.

so to summarize: factory OEM glass -$800, aftermaket OEM glass -$400 (same as factory, minus the acura/honda badge), cheapie OE glass- $2-300 (safelite). hope this helps.

 

I had 3 glass claims in three weeks the first month I had my 08 Ford Ranger (I bought it brand new). I replaced a windshield one week, had a chip filled the next week, and lastly the passenger side window got shot out with a bb gun the third week while I was on the interstate. LAME.

Now I have a Jeep and the same thing, first week I had it I took a rock to the windshield and fortunately was able to get it filled.

As others have said, go OEM, let insurance pick up the bill.

 

OEM only. And be sure to get the one with the Acura logo and not the Honda logo.

 

Thanks for your help everyone. The cost of the aftermarket (safelite) is less than my deductible (no special glass coverage in WA, sucks) but the OEM is more. Hopefully I can get away with just paying my deductible...

 

You won't be "getting away" with anything. That's the whole point of the deductible... we wouldn't have insurance otherwise.

 

Same thing happened to me. A small rock caused a crack. It started from the rear view mirror to the driver side. I called Safelite and they did the insurance claim for a new OEM windshield. It was very convenient, but their repair was horrible. I will never have any of the glass on my car replaced by them again. I watched the guy do the whole replacement. He broke the side moldings that need to be removed when replacing a windshield. He scratched the interior fabric near the windshield and I noticed all the plastic fasteners in my engine bay are missing. Safelite replaced the side moldings, but they came up with excuses for the cut in the interior and plastic fasteners. I advise you to stay clear from them, because my friend with a brand new S4 had similar problems. They are careless and try to rush through the job.

 

Glass damage (like wildlife) falls under the comprehensive portion of insurance. Accordingly your rates won't change.

Based on my experience with Safelite and others, I'll only have glass done at the dealer. While they farm it out too - probably to safelite - you have more recourse when things go wrong. With one of my glass replacements, the glass guy blamed a problem with the molding on Audi and Audi of couse blamed the installer. When Audi's installer finally replaced the glass the third time, they (the same company that tried twice at my house) broke the mirror and the dealership stepped up to fix it. Had it been at my house, I would have had to argue with the glass guy, get a new mirror at Audi and then argue for the reimbursement.

Since all I'm paying is the deductible, I don't care if the dealer adds a percentage - it is worth it to me to get the convenience of one-stop shopping.

 

Me neither, but so far State Farm is saying that they'll only pay for the "aftermarket" and I'll have to pay the rest. Obviously i'm going to fight it, i have a good story that the car is only 7 weeks old, but it's definitely very annoying.

 

My windshield cracked about 2 months after delivery of the car as well.

Got it replaced with an aftermarket part by safelite, and honestly it's holding up pretty well and not that different from OEM.

My parents always told me that the OEM glass on a car was supposed to be a lot better than an aftermarket replacement but for some reason, the one on the Acura TSX wasn't. And this is the first time that has been true.

This, plus the fog light lens problem, leads me to believe that Acura uses some shitty glass in their products...