What is the Mercedes Benz front glass price?
By
Vroomouk
In this article, we find out the cost of the Mercedes Benz front glass or front windshield and answer the following questions: what is the Mercedes Benz front glass made up of? How to distinguish between genuine Mercedes Benz front windshield glass and an aftermarket alternative? Why is it not recommended to install an aftermarket windshield?
What is the Mercedes Benz front glass price?
The Mercedes Benz front glass price can be from 500 USD to 700 USD, the price also depends on the model and the markets. If it is a domestic market then the price of the front windshield glass is slightly cheaper than the price in the international markets. The difference is due to shipping costs and the import duties levied by the local government authorities.
Complete replacement of the front windshield can cost up to 1000 USD including the labour and materials required to install the windshield. Mercedes Benz uses a bonding agent on the windshield which adds structural rigidity and also waterproofs the gaps.
Mercedes Benz also manufactures the GUARD range of models that has the highest level of armour protection in production cars since 1999. All guard range models have a multi-layer bulletproof glass with an additional polycarbonate layer on the inside.
The front glass for the Mercedes Benz GUARD models can cost from 15000 USD to 20000 USD. The glass looks like any ordinary glass from the outside but its true thickness can only be seen after opening the doors. The thickness of the windows and windshield is more than 10 cm. Mercedes Benz guard vehicles also offer protection against close-range explosives.
What is a Mercedes Benz front glass made up of?
The front glass in the standard Mercedes Benz models is made up of automobile safety glass but it is designed in such a way that it is easy to break from the inside of the vehicle if it is overturned and occupants need to exit from the windshield.
Mercedes Benz uses a special layer in the windshield which reduces glare coming from the headlights at night. There is a special UV protection layer in the windshield that will filter out 80% of UV rays and keep the interior cooler. This also helps in reducing the load on the air conditioning system of the car.
How to distinguish between genuine Mercedes Benz front windshield glass and an aftermarket alternative?
Mercedes Benz genuine windshields have a Company logo and manufacturing date stamped on them. It is located on the front passenger and topside on the driver’s side. If there is no logo and special opening for the rain and sunlight sensor then it is not a genuine Mercedes Benz front glass.
All the latest Mercedes Benz models manufactured after 2016 have a signature on the windshield. The windshield signature represents that it is a genuine Mercedes Benz part and it also adds a styling touch to the overall design.
The genuine front glass of a Mercedes Benz car is strong enough to withstand direct hits from small debris. It is also compatible with stereo and multifunction cameras which are important for the operation of advanced driving systems.
The signature on the genuine Mercedes Benz front glass belongs to Mercedes Benz Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler. Some entry-level models like the C Class and the GLC also have a simple Mercedes printed on the windshield.
Why does Mercedes Benz not recommend using an aftermarket windshield as a replacement part?
Mercedes Benz models offer great comfort and high performance, the original windshield of the passenger cars is responsible for lower noise levels in the passenger cabin and there are several advanced driver assistance systems onboard which are installed behind the front glass. Hence, Mercedes Benz does not recommend using the aftermarket front glass due to following reasons
- Safety
Aftermarket windshield Glass on the other hand is made by local glass manufacturing companies but they don’t meet the basic requirements like the genuine parts. The cost may be significantly lower however it can endanger the safety of the driver. Many aftermarket glasses look the same as the original windshield but they lack the special protective layers built into the windshield.
The lack of protective layers can lead to light scattering and disturb the driver while driving at night. Many advanced driver assistance systems depend on the reflection properties of windshields. Aftermarket windshields can hinder the functionality of the assistance systems and cause malfunctions.
- Compromised structure
As the windshield is glued onto the vehicle Mercedes Benz bonding agents have special properties like noise damping and waterproofing the gaps. A genuine windshield with genuine glass adhesive is also responsible for 30 per cent of body rigidity.
Installing the aftermarket windshield can lead to increased noise and vibrations levels in the vehicle.
It can also leak water inside the cabin and there will not be proper protection in case of collision. Driving a vehicle with a broken or cracked windshield is not safe and water will enter the cabin and damage critical onboard electronic systems in the vehicle.
- Advanced driver assistance systems are inoperative
Components like a Multifunction camera, rain/light sensor and stereo camera are installed behind the windshield. The multifunction camera is responsible for the intelligent light system and the stereo camera is used for active steering assistance. Both the cameras are calibrated to the front glass and any distortion in the image due to non-genuine glass can cause a malfunction in the system.
The rain light sensor is used to determine if it is raining or if it is night outside. It is responsible for the automatic operation of windshield wipers and headlights in the vehicle. When raindrops fall on the windshield, the infrared light beam projected from the sensor on the viewport of the windshield can determine if it is raining as light rays shatter due to the raindrops. Based on the intensity of the rain it can moderate the speed of windshield wipers.
Mercedes Benz has also issued official statements in Markets like the USA, the statement clearly states the aftermarket windshield cannot meet the complex standards required for the operation of advanced driver assistance systems and any malfunctions will not be claimed under warranty if the windshield is not genuine.
Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in
Should you buy a Mercedes Benz extended warranty?
How often does Mercedes Benz need an engine oil change?
Conclusion
The overall cost of the Mercedes Benz front glass is higher compared to other cars by companies like Toyota, Jaguar, and BMW. But the build quality and the safety offered by the front glass are still the best in the segment. Mercedes Benz is also partnered with various insurance companies in domestic as well as international markets that can cover the cost of windshield replacement in the event of an accident. Mercedes Benz is also one of a few car manufacturers that offer bulletproof front glass in production models.
