Gv70 windshield rock chips

[SebringSilver]

Where did you hear this? The windshield glass has to be laminated - "acoustic" or not - it's the law required by NHTSA. And the idea that it reflects IR and UV rays - well - regular glass filters out most of the UV all by itself with no magical properties involved. The only way to reflect IR rays would be a vacuum coating engineered to reflect them, and that would be quite visible in the windshield. That statement sounds like something a service adviser, or dude at the counter at Safeway would say - basically talking out of their butts.

The side glass on the Prestige is "laminated" acoustic glass - just the lamination lessens (but doesn't eliminate) the transfer of sound from the outer glass to the inside glass, it's not magic, euro cars have had it as an option for decades. Dunno on the sunroof (probably since laminated glass rather than tempered would make more sense there, something dropped on it would be less likely to penetrate laminated glass) or rear-hatch (maybe..)

I've gotta remember to look when I go out to the car later - but my WAG is - the glass in the 2024 GV70 models is US glass right from the factory since the GV factory IS in Alabama, and there are several huge auto-glass manufacturers in the US so it wouldn't make any sense to import glass from Korea for a car built in the US. I bet in Korea there are guys complaining about the crappy US glass in their GV70's..

In case anyone forgot - ALL 2024 GV70's (for sale in the US) are manufactured in Alabama. ALL BMW SUVs worldwide are manufactured in South Carolina - I expect we'll see the same from Genesis eventually.

Not sure how you found out I work at Safeway, but that's seriously impressive.

 

[pwferg]

So laminated glass in the windshield is there for impact protection. There is a vinyl layer in between two panes of glass that behaves like a catcher's mitt if something hits it. Its purpose is to absorb impact and to remain bonded to the glass if it breaks. The glass is not strengthened (tempered) like most side, rear, and sunroof glass. Putting laminate in a sunroof may prevent the glass from shattering or falling into the cabin, but it would be a lot more prone to breakage. Just like the windshield is.

The laminated driver/passenger windows are considered and upgrade because it reduces sound transfer. I've been working in glass for 20 years and technically these acoustic layers work. The difference isn't huge, but it's there so long as the seal around it is very tight.

Regarding thickness, yes glass has gotten thinner. The measurement I got when I tried reading the windshield was 4.7mm. For reference, my 1970 Corvette windshield that is 7.1mm. So each pane of glass in the windshield is just over 2mm (not sure how thick the laminate interlayer is). Yes this glass will be more delicate than the 3mm or so versions from years back. Every square foot of 1mm glass weighs about 1/2lb

Long story short - yes glass has gotten thinner over the years. It will be somewhat more prone to breakage because it's thinner and less likely prone to breakage because of glass quality. There are still strength ranges that glass can be within to be acceptable, so theoretically is likely to vary batch to batch.

BTW the laminated driver/passenger glass in the GV70 is 4.1mm thick. So each of those glass panes are each less than 2mm thick.

 

[RB2023]

Are they still $2-3,000? I would like to know because I'm paying $400/year for glass insurance.

I was told recently at a Calgary windshield repair place that a new windshield for a G80 is $4200!

 

[Alicia]

Got my 1st rock chip today My experience with the windshield mfg is I had one on my MB. It is lousy glass, chips easy! Anyone else have problems with their windshields chipping easy?

Yes, a rock hit my windshield and in minuets the star from the rock turned into a full blow streak across the windshield. Had to purchase a new windshield. Today, I’m on my second rock chip. I’ve had my previous cars for years (10+) and they still have rock chips that do not streak across the windshields as quickly. all I can say is the material on the windshields is not durable.

 

[archiTTech7]

Yes, a rock hit my windshield and in minuets the star from the rock turned into a full blow streak across the windshield. Had to purchase a new windshield. Today, I’m on my second rock chip. I’ve had my previous cars for years (10+) and they still have rock chips that do not streak across the windshields as quickly. all I can say is the material on the windshields is not durable.

I'm in the same boat. Where did you go? I got an estimate from Safelite and Auto Glass Now. Safelite is going to be around $900 after $90off code while AGN is going to be around $800 after their code. I'm wondering if the aftermarket windshields are going to be better than OEM because this is my second chip. I haven't even asked the dealership because I can assume it will be double the price. And maybe OEM is inferior glass.