Xenon
06-18-2006, 12:18 AM
I can tell you right now, this post (by the time you finish reading it) will fit in numerous categories. Trim/Interior, Electrical or even Review of Body Shops etc. This is going to be long, but I promise you, it will be very informative, so please bare with me. If you would just prefer a summary, please scroll to the end of this post
This all started when I decided to get my cracked windshield replaced. Due to their high ratings, their "extraordinary customer service" and boasts that krown was "the best in the business in quality", I decided to get my windshield done at Krown Lakeshore in Mississauga.
According to Krown, there are two options you can follow in order to get your windshield replaced.
The first is the less expensive option. Use aftermarket glass (apparently the same glass that Mazda uses, minus the Mazda stamp) and use your current rain sensor. The process includes detaching your current (broken) windshield, detach the rain sensor, install the new windshield, use your existing rain sensor and install it on the new windshield. This process costs approximately $600 after labour and taxes.
The second, more expensive option (again according to Krown) is to use OEM Mazda glass with a new rain sensor already installed. This implies that all they do is take off your old windshield AND sensor, and replace it with an entirely new windshield and rainsensor, BOTH direct from the Mazda factory. This process costs $699 (Krown's Cost) + new Windshield Moulding + labour + Tax.
I chose the first option, which is why I don't have an approximate total for the second option.
Here is where the review portion of this write up comes in. When I first approched Krown, I spoke to Igor, who is the same person whom advertises on our forum. Originally he told me, that there was NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the OEM option and the aftermarket glass option, with the exception of the aftermarket being cheaper and not having a Mazda logo on it. Obviously, I chose that option, because it would theoretically save me over $350 compared to bringing my windshield and having a dealer do the install.
His statement of having NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE in the glass was extrememly misleading. He failed to mention that the OEM option comes with a rain sensor pre-installed, by mazda, with the windshield. I was under the impression that BOTH options would come with a rain sensor (since the OEM one did, and there was NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the two options, I assumed the aftermarket one would too). Of course this was not the case, and unfortunately, ONLY when I arrived to get my windshield replaced did they tell me they would be prying my old sensor off and reusing it on my new windshield. I was obviously disappointed, but igor re-assured me that they have been doing glass for over 25 years, and that the sensor would be good as new. He also mentioned that he has worked on Audi's, BMW's and Mercedes'... even other Mazdas with the rain sensors and has never had problems. I allowed him to go through with what he told me, in hopes that I would be getting back a finished job that would be good as new.
When I first came to pick up my car after I have recieved a call that the car was finished, one of the first things I noticed was that the sensor appeared to be damaged. There were shards of glass inside the sensor, and the sensor, instead of being clear like when I first brought it to them was clouded and appeared to be damaged. I tested the sensor, both by touching it with the car ON, and dumping a bottle of water over it, and of course, it did not work.
I returned to Krown asking them why the sensor looked damaged and was non-functional. They claimed that the sensor wasn't damaged, but pieces of the old windshield were stuck inside the sensor. I demanded that they reapply the sensor, as I was expecting a perfect job. My car was returned to me, better but still not perfect. Only half of the sensor seemed to be attached (clear like the original windshield) and the other half looked to be cloudy, as with condensation. Of course I questioned them again, on why it is still not totally clear and the response I got back was "If we fully apply the sensor, on a fresh windshield, we risk pushing out the entire windshield and the job would have to be redone". However, the sensor worked, as did the Auto-light system that is built into the same unit. I accepted the car the way it is, since both systems were functioning.
The next day, I went to the Unofficial Flippy Friday meet, and was actually pleased to see that it began to rain. This would be a perfect test for my newly installed rain sensor. The sensor worked... sort of. My windshield, even with the setting on the most sensitive, would not wipe unless my windshield was absolutely soaked, to the point where I could not see traffic ahead of me. Coming home from the meet, I inspected my sensor more closely, finding that the sensor had gone from 1/2 condensation, 1/2 adhesive to 7/8 condensation, 1/8 adhesive. Yup. My sensor is about ready to fall off.
I\'m obviously VERY DISSAPOINTED in the workmanship at Krown. How they became "the best in the business" is a mystery to me. Although I would love to bring it back to them and get them to do it right, I feel that it would be a lost cause. They were dishonest with me when explaining the process of the install, and even after doing the sensor a second time, they still did not get it right. Bottom Line: Get your dealership to replace your windshield. Dealers charge approximately $800 to replace the windshield and the sensor. That cannot be far off from the "$699 (Krown's Cost) + new Windshield Moulding + labour + Tax" that Krown would charge. You know that it is all genuine mazda, and that the job will be done right.
The only good thing that I can say is the fact that my windshield (the actual glass) was installed well. Thusfar, even after a thurough washing, there are no leaks, and the glass seems to be seated and adhered well.
SUMMARY
Krown Lakeshore (Mississauga) 1.5 out of 5
Pros:
-Nice People
-Cheaper than Dealership
Cons:
-Dishonest People
-Workmanship is subpar
Bottom Line: Krown is good for replacing windshields, just not with a rain sensor. Got a rain sensor? Take it to the dealer, they aren't that expensive for what you get.
This all started when I decided to get my cracked windshield replaced. Due to their high ratings, their "extraordinary customer service" and boasts that krown was "the best in the business in quality", I decided to get my windshield done at Krown Lakeshore in Mississauga.
According to Krown, there are two options you can follow in order to get your windshield replaced.
The first is the less expensive option. Use aftermarket glass (apparently the same glass that Mazda uses, minus the Mazda stamp) and use your current rain sensor. The process includes detaching your current (broken) windshield, detach the rain sensor, install the new windshield, use your existing rain sensor and install it on the new windshield. This process costs approximately $600 after labour and taxes.
The second, more expensive option (again according to Krown) is to use OEM Mazda glass with a new rain sensor already installed. This implies that all they do is take off your old windshield AND sensor, and replace it with an entirely new windshield and rainsensor, BOTH direct from the Mazda factory. This process costs $699 (Krown's Cost) + new Windshield Moulding + labour + Tax.
I chose the first option, which is why I don't have an approximate total for the second option.
Here is where the review portion of this write up comes in. When I first approched Krown, I spoke to Igor, who is the same person whom advertises on our forum. Originally he told me, that there was NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the OEM option and the aftermarket glass option, with the exception of the aftermarket being cheaper and not having a Mazda logo on it. Obviously, I chose that option, because it would theoretically save me over $350 compared to bringing my windshield and having a dealer do the install.
His statement of having NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE in the glass was extrememly misleading. He failed to mention that the OEM option comes with a rain sensor pre-installed, by mazda, with the windshield. I was under the impression that BOTH options would come with a rain sensor (since the OEM one did, and there was NO MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the two options, I assumed the aftermarket one would too). Of course this was not the case, and unfortunately, ONLY when I arrived to get my windshield replaced did they tell me they would be prying my old sensor off and reusing it on my new windshield. I was obviously disappointed, but igor re-assured me that they have been doing glass for over 25 years, and that the sensor would be good as new. He also mentioned that he has worked on Audi's, BMW's and Mercedes'... even other Mazdas with the rain sensors and has never had problems. I allowed him to go through with what he told me, in hopes that I would be getting back a finished job that would be good as new.
When I first came to pick up my car after I have recieved a call that the car was finished, one of the first things I noticed was that the sensor appeared to be damaged. There were shards of glass inside the sensor, and the sensor, instead of being clear like when I first brought it to them was clouded and appeared to be damaged. I tested the sensor, both by touching it with the car ON, and dumping a bottle of water over it, and of course, it did not work.
I returned to Krown asking them why the sensor looked damaged and was non-functional. They claimed that the sensor wasn't damaged, but pieces of the old windshield were stuck inside the sensor. I demanded that they reapply the sensor, as I was expecting a perfect job. My car was returned to me, better but still not perfect. Only half of the sensor seemed to be attached (clear like the original windshield) and the other half looked to be cloudy, as with condensation. Of course I questioned them again, on why it is still not totally clear and the response I got back was "If we fully apply the sensor, on a fresh windshield, we risk pushing out the entire windshield and the job would have to be redone". However, the sensor worked, as did the Auto-light system that is built into the same unit. I accepted the car the way it is, since both systems were functioning.
The next day, I went to the Unofficial Flippy Friday meet, and was actually pleased to see that it began to rain. This would be a perfect test for my newly installed rain sensor. The sensor worked... sort of. My windshield, even with the setting on the most sensitive, would not wipe unless my windshield was absolutely soaked, to the point where I could not see traffic ahead of me. Coming home from the meet, I inspected my sensor more closely, finding that the sensor had gone from 1/2 condensation, 1/2 adhesive to 7/8 condensation, 1/8 adhesive. Yup. My sensor is about ready to fall off.
I\'m obviously VERY DISSAPOINTED in the workmanship at Krown. How they became "the best in the business" is a mystery to me. Although I would love to bring it back to them and get them to do it right, I feel that it would be a lost cause. They were dishonest with me when explaining the process of the install, and even after doing the sensor a second time, they still did not get it right. Bottom Line: Get your dealership to replace your windshield. Dealers charge approximately $800 to replace the windshield and the sensor. That cannot be far off from the "$699 (Krown's Cost) + new Windshield Moulding + labour + Tax" that Krown would charge. You know that it is all genuine mazda, and that the job will be done right.
The only good thing that I can say is the fact that my windshield (the actual glass) was installed well. Thusfar, even after a thurough washing, there are no leaks, and the glass seems to be seated and adhered well.
SUMMARY
Krown Lakeshore (Mississauga) 1.5 out of 5
Pros:
-Nice People
-Cheaper than Dealership
Cons:
-Dishonest People
-Workmanship is subpar
Bottom Line: Krown is good for replacing windshields, just not with a rain sensor. Got a rain sensor? Take it to the dealer, they aren't that expensive for what you get.