Windshield Stonechip...

[Frost]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post on this board. I\\\'m sorry that it wasn\\\'t something on a positive note.

Last week I was driving on the 404 and a rock chipped my windshield. I figured it was a tiny chip and thought nothing of it. By the end of the day the chip turned into a crack almost a third the way down my windshield. Its now been a few days since and I\\\'ve been calling around to get quotes. So far the range is anywhere from 760-1000!! :O

Unfortunately I cannot find any aftermarket windshield for the Mazda 3. I read the TSB about the Windshield Chip and it seems next to impossible to have it covered under warranty.

Help?! - Does anyone know a better way (less expensive) to go about this?

[Snipes]

Head to Avante. I\'m pretty sure the windshield is $500 and then install. With the dealer affiliation you may be able to get a discount and save some money that way. Do you have rain sensing feature? If so, the windshield is more expensive. I think that one is like $600.

[Xenon]

you best get a windshield from a Mazda Dealer... especially if you have the Rain Sensing Wipers. The windshield has a certain optical distortion that the sensor takes into consideration.

If you get a different windshield, the glass may be made differently and therefor have a different optical distortion. That may screw up your rain sensor.

If you don\'t have that feature (GX or GS without the packages) then go with whatever windshield you feel is best.

[Frost]

Ok, Thanks guys! I have one more source to check...

Its looking like I\'m gonna pay around $650 taxes in (with the group discount)...

[civiclad]

As other members have suggested, get your replacement Windshield at a Mazda dealer.
Especially, if your car is equipped with the Rain Sensing Wipers.

[FLIPDADY]

At the current time the windshields are a dealer item only. No aftermarket glass company has them available due to the rain-sensing feature. Another note the windshields are currently on backorder again.

[Xenon]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED

Another note the windshields are currently on backorder again.

Seems like almost every part for the Mazda3 is on back order... Is that a bad thing (as in things are going wrong so often that they can\'t keep them in stock) or a good thing (as in there are hardly any problems so they don\'t have to keep stock of them)

[fat mike]

Originally posted by Xenon



Originally posted by FLIPSPEED

Another note the windshields are currently on backorder again.

Seems like almost every part for the Mazda3 is on back order... Is that a bad thing (as in things are going wrong so often that they can\'t keep them in stock) or a good thing (as in there are hardly any problems so they don\'t have to keep stock of them)

The reason is Mazda didnt expect the 3 to sell so well. They didnt prepare parts orders to meet the demand that the 3 has. Also they only put aside a certain amount of parts to sell as parts and the rest goes to production. Next year Mazda should be caught up and better prepared for the 3.

[M34ME]

My windshield got a chip two weeks after I got the car on the 401, Bam, $650 total cost. I thought it was expensive, But I was willing to pay it because I didnt want anything but the original windshield so I dont lose the rain sensor. It was a huge bolder mind you, any windshield would have chipped.

[FLIPDADY]

Originally posted by fat mike



Originally posted by Xenon



Originally posted by FLIPSPEED

Another note the windshields are currently on backorder again.

Seems like almost every part for the Mazda3 is on back order... Is that a bad thing (as in things are going wrong so often that they can\'t keep them in stock) or a good thing (as in there are hardly any problems so they don\'t have to keep stock of them)

The reason is Mazda didnt expect the 3 to sell so well. They didnt prepare parts orders to meet the demand that the 3 has. Also they only put aside a certain amount of parts to sell as parts and the rest goes to production. Next year Mazda should be caught up and better prepared for the 3.
Couldn\'t have said it better myself.:)

[teambedlam]

My windshield cracked on the second day I had the car. a 6\" crack fromt he bottom of the window. I was a afraid i was going tto have to pay so much for a new one. Luckily i borugh tthe car from the best dealer around. They went to bat for me and got it covered under \"good will\". Not sure if that means they paid for it or Mazda did. I figure i\'ve bought two cars through them so i guess i\'m a good customer.

[Snipes]

Who is your dealer? Is it Avante?

[teambedlam]

Nope it was Achillies out in Acton. I bought my Protege 5 there on referal from a friend. The when it cane time to get the M3 they gave me a nice repeat customer discount. No other dealer could touch it. Oh that and Achillies was the only dealer willing to fax me a quote and locate the car in my color without me actually signing on the line.

I get to go back there in the next week or so to pick up my block heater that i paid for back in March.

[Frost]

Thanks for your input gang...

Its a pretty slim chance that the dealer would repair in \"good faith\" for me. But you never know :)

[wtom]

Originally posted by Frost


Thanks for your input gang...

Its a pretty slim chance that the dealer would repair in \"good faith\" for me. But you never know :)



If you feel your dealer is a group of nice people, it doesn\'t hurt you at all to ask. Good luck! :)

[wongpres]

As an FYI, the cost at Apple autoglass for a non rain-sensor Mazda3 windshield is $606 + tax. This includes the windshield and labor.

[Lonte]

Hey guys I new i bought my car in B.C. and drove it here. I got a stone chip on the highway and I brought it to Prima Mazda. They said it would cost $700 with labour. Well it took 5 time for them to get it right and they skrached my cars plilars.They had to paint it and they still charged me full...All I can say is stay clear of that dealer ship....they suck...PRIMA MAZDA!!!!!

Lonte

[///M]

Why did you buy your car in BC?

btw - is it a silver 3 Sport GT? I see one with BC plates all the time

[Lonte]

I lived out there foe 9 months.I have a blue hatchback GT. But I have to change the plates...No more free rides on the 407.

[Illmatic]

Just noticed a stone chip in my windshield as well! It hasn\'t cracked though so is there a possibility that I could get it fixed or am I looking at replacing the whole thing?

[Cosmo77]

If its just a chip, get it fixxed ASAP before it crack\'s...you might be able te get away with just a repair if you act fast enough..although some chips never crack, do you really want to chance it?

Alot of windshield palces have some pretty good deals on filling chips.

Cosmo

P.s. if you have the auto wipers...move even quicker...those windows aren\'t cheap!