Wk2 Windscreens - Heads Up

[Lazybugger]

Just a quick heads up to any drivers of new WK2 Grand Cherokees. First off tick the box on the insurance form for Windscreen protection or make sure you are covered in some way should you need to replace. Having never replaced a windscreen in my 20 previous years of owning a car I didn't, however at least my insurance covers the windscreen under the general policy so I just had to pay my normal excess. I guess you could argue that over the 20 years I have probably come out ahead, but I think now for a new model like this I should have ticked it. If it was the previous model I could have paid for the windscreen myself for about the same price as my excess without affecting my no-claim rating.

How much if you aren't covered? Well, the quote I got from Novus before I decided to just go through the Insurer .... $2800 - of which only $200 related to fitting. They asked for my VIN number so they could check with Jeep for the part & O'briens (who my insurer used) needed this also. To be fair the service I was getting over the phone from Novus appeared top notch - and the guy I was talking to was surprised at the cost and very understanding when I had to say thanks for your efforts but I'll need to let the insurer take this.

Secondly I have just been told the wait for my new windscreen is an unbelievable 4 weeks. Apparently it has to come from Singapore. Its a new model so I can understand the Australian glass manufacturers not yet having produced their own version however its very disappointing that Jeep don't keep the appropriate level of spare parts in country.

In my case I have a little star at the very top edge of the windscreen above the passenger seat. This has turned into 2 cracks, one down about 15cm and to the left side edge of the glass & the other stops just under the rear view mirror.

So if you're planning any long drives on the Xmas holidays, it something to bear in mind.

[pmac]

A mate has a BMW and the same thing. All to do with the rain sensors etc etc. You can get them to make up a cheap version that is just glass (like what the majority of cars have) but hey - it's a brand new car. You want it to do everything it is meant to.

Just glad it's still driveable foy you.

[deserthucker]

sounds like they are charging for making the mould!
I average a windscreen a year out here.
Rocks falling of road trains from the opposite direction. Got one today left a small scratch.
My WG in 2004 was $1800 the last one this year was $300.
Don't think my insurance will like $2800 each year.

[eksjay]

After copping significant stone damage from pure off roading in the early years of my owning my XJ (from new), it took a rock thrown up by another car on the Newell Hwy to actually crack it!!!!

However, while the nice new windscreen is like owning a new car, the new locally made windscreen had significant noise differences at 80+km/h.

I have grown used to it, but it is not like the original.

[deserthucker]

I noticed the same thing. And close to the edges or curves it would distort.
If I claim under insurance I insist on an original windscreen.

[Tiddy]

My wife's Renault has wiper, headlight & climate control sensors built into the windscreen, so when it was hit by a stone thrown up from a truck & cracked it needed to be replaced.

Our policy has unlimited windscreen & window replacement without excess or loss of no claim, QBE replaced it with a genuine Renault screen through the dealer at a cost of $1700.00 give or take a few $'s.

We were reasonably lucky, Renault Aust had one in Melb, was freighted overnight to the dealer & fitted all within 3 days.

tiddy