Date:         Sun, 17 Aug 2003 22:08:54 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: All Windshields =?
Comments: cc: Rob WIlke <rwilke@ROBWILKE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <a05200f00bb65d24a8248@[192.168.0.4]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> I am going to have my windshield replaced on my 87 Syncro
> this week and was wondering if there are good and bad
> brands

I am not aware of any significant brand differences, but I can tell you
this...
If an auto repair shop pays an auto glass specialist to go to their
garage and install a windshield for one of their customers, the going
rate (as of about a year ago) was around $135 installed (wholesale).
Obviously you can expect to pay more as a retail customer, but if you
are quoted over $200 installed, it might be worth shopping around. The
prices for windshields can vary dramatically.

Also, clear windshields versus tinted-at-the-top ones are about the same
price. I prefer the tinted ones, as it reduces glare. The tint is minor
(and graduated) such that it is hardly noticable cosmetically unless you
look carefully.

> ...Do most of the places that do new winshields also
> replace the rubber?

Generally not, and this is a good time to do it. We have them, of
course. A new seal is only about $50, so it's worth doing while the
windshield is out. A dryrotted seal can cause rust under the lip, which
will be a much more expensive repair down the road verus just putting in
a new seal preventatively now (no matter how good the old one may look).

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT