And it happened....thursday evening, I was picking up the kids and heard a loud smack noise...could not see anything on the windshield. About 10 mins later, turning right and I see the chip. I figured - OK, call a glass place and get the chip fixed. Come out Friday morning and its become a crack. Breaks my heart, she has 85K on it or so...sigh!

Before I call around, any advice on replacement? Is OEM still available - is the s2k world from where I come, aftermarket ones are wavy and crappy - they suggest OEM. I was wondering if that was the same here or if TL-S had a different windshield - My old Evo had lighter glass than the Lancer and I had to order one thru Mitsubishi

Also, any moldings, clips and such that need to be replaced? Please advise. Thanks in advance!

 

My biggest advice is make sure whomever replaces the windshield doesn't lose the little spring that keeps tension on mirror so it doesn't wiggle when driving. If that happens its a pain in the ass and that mirror will be all over bouncing lile you got 3 sub woofers in your trunk

 

Well, I read several threads about this...here in Central Iowa, no one can seem to get or carry the APG APTech brand. All I have found is the XYG and Pilkington with the acoustic laminate option. They are both around 300 installed with an aftermarket upper molding.

I called Acura of Johnston which is the closest dealer and they said they can get the OEM glass in a day...and their price installed is $1403. Wjowsa!!!!

I emailed my insurance company to see if I went OEM route, if my rates would go up later on.

I like my TL-S a lot and want to keep it longer, but the rear leg room space is my biggest concern - my kids are getting taller and I am 6 ft 2", so I do have to have my seat all the way back. Also, have small issues here and there that bother me with an older car. Sometimes I just want a newer truck, SUV or something which is more multi-purpose.

Anyways, point of rant is I don't know if I should spend money putting OEM in, I don't think this cars value will be much more with oem vs aftermarket glass.

And I don't know if people regret generic acoustic brands vs. OEM.

 

OEM distributor glass doesn't have the Honda logo, but is the same glass part number and same as OEM "dealer glass."
I've replaced my windshield three times now (rock damage) with AP Tech, then Pilkington Solar. Less than $300 every time.
For more info, see https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ass+dealer+oem .

 

Thanks for the advice - Are you saying the Pilkington is decent then? I assume if I replaced with Acura glass, it will say 'Acura' on it, but is it worth 1400 on a 12 year old car - that's my call. I would only pay 500 - my options are 250 for Pilkington or 500 for OEM at this point. Thanks!

 

Pilkington was an Acura/Honda OEM glass manufacturer, as was APTech. The 2004-2006 3G TLs had "Honda" logos rather than Acura logos on various parts, including the glass.
The Pilkington Solar glass is OEM distributor glass; I don't know if it has lower lines which aren't distributor glass.