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#1 Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 8:20 am
by Mephistopheles
Dear all,

Unfortunately the windscreen of my E type has a crack. The nightmare started when I tried to replace it by a spare part windscreen. One German spare part dealer delivered the only one windscreen in his stock made by Pilkington which was about two cm too large in width between the a pillars. Another German spare part dealer delivered a series 3 FHC windscreen instead of an OTS version, the next trial of the same dealer was still unsuccessful: series 1 or 2 FHC instead of the ordered spec. After several discussions the expert of this dealer had to admit that his stock of series 3 OTS windscreens have false labels and none of them do fit to the original specs. By the way: the supplier is - according to the expert- a Chinese brand; I do not recall its name exactly, something like „FAYON...“.
Who knows a source for series 3 OTS windscreens fulfilling the original specs?

Thanks in advance

Holger

#2 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:11 am
by Durango2k
Hi Holger,

I cannot really help here - it may be a good idea to order directly from Pilkington UK, and to have the measurements confirmed before shipping.

My car, a series 1 2+2, also needs a new one, so IF you order anything from them, please let me know, maybe we can optimize it a bit for both of us.

They do have a store in the Ruhr region (was it Gelsenkirchen ? I have to check my mails), were you can do the hand-over in person (I thought to do so for my windscreen).

Carsten (Göttingen)

#3 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:12 am
by MarekH
Just ask Pilkington directly. They can then direct you to one of their agents or supply themselves. There was a thread about other etype windscreens elsewhere on this forum and David Jones documented his factory visit and listed their contact details there.

kind regards
Marek

#4 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:08 am
by MarkRado
:yeahthat:
but might not just drop in as well.
30 years ago I fitted a then available original Triplex and it seemed to be too wide and generally not of the perfect shape! It was two man job bending and fitting it

#5 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:18 am
by Whitact
Hi Holger,
I ordered direct from Pilkington and had it delivered direct to me by their own transport. Although it was not an easy job I fitted it myself without too many problems and am very happy with the result. They offer many options: top tint, sundym, heated, radio aerial etc so its worth deciding on what you want before you contact them.
There have been reports in eg Jaguar World of screens from Pilkington not being quite right for some of the earlier models but they seem to have been willing to work with their customers until a good fit was achieved.
If possible it would be good to check the new screen carefully against the old one before actually trying to fit the new one in place.
Based on my experience if you order from Pilkington direct you will be happy with the final result.
Cheers

#6 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:56 pm
by madjack4
Hi ive had problems with windscreens for my s3 roadster the first screen i got direct from pilkingtons came with a chip on the top edge i called them very annoyed they said keep it and we will make u another i fitted it but it was tight like u said too wide but i managed to get it in. Another screen arrived about 3 weeks later i thought now thats in i will leave it got in car last winter and the screen had cracked top to bottom not on the chip the other side so i have fitted the second screen that fitted perfect just goes to show they are all slightly different when made as they are hand made pilkingtons were very good to deal with i got the impression they do suffer with quality control GOOD LUCK
Regards Rob

#7 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 3:44 pm
by Rustyred
I ordered a screen a while ago from a company Advanced AGlass, they supplied me a screen made in China, When the guy gave it to me I opened the box to check it, It was Made by FNG Auto Glass (I now know what FNG stands for.) Kid you not.
It was that bad that were the screen curves in, the distortion was horrendous. :shock:

#8 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:00 am
by Mephistopheles
Dear all,
Thanks for all your replies.
Meanwhile I have contacted Pilkington via their German automotive support to bring some light into the dark:
They told me that there are two different windscreen widths for series 3 OTS under identical (!) part number 4315 AGNBL. I.e. some kind of gamble if the windscreen fits to the car without knowing that. I will update on progress of the story...

Best regards

Holger

#9 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 10:43 am
by AussieEtype
You guys are getting me worried - I broke my OEM screen a while back and claimed a new one on insurance. One was supplied from a local classic glass supplier (Ralph Moore Autoglass Sydney) and it is still in its delivery box and I am not sure what brand I actually have.

I cannot see any of the engraving marks on the screen as it is still in its box but I did see this sticker.
ImageIMG_20190806_192549~2

The blurred bit at the top is "Triplex Replacement Service Ltd". Now I googled it and got a couple of hits but they all seemed dead - however their location was in Queensborough near Sheerness. I did ring a number but it was not connected, however on my phone the ID came up as Pilkington Agr (uk) in Queensborough. One google link linked Triplex Replacement Service Ltd direct to Pilkington Automotive in Queensborough.https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/aut ... eenborough

So it looks as if Triplex Replacement Service Ltd got absorbed into Pilkington Automotive Queensborough. I tried ringing but ended up reaching Pilkington Flat Glass in the US so gave up.

So those in the know - can I assume I have a Pilkington Triplex windscreen and am I likely to have the issues others have mentioned fitting these?

Thanks

Garry

#10 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 1:00 pm
by Mephistopheles
After calling the German Pilkington customer care center located in Gelsenkirchen again (0209-50725072) it became clear that one series 3 OTS windscreen has been on stock in their local warehouse in Mainz (only about 30 min driving distance from my house in Darmstadt). Thus, I jumped in my car to get this windscreen. I had to pay EUR 659,74 (including tax) to become proud owner of this part: it has the width of 1502 mm (measured along the outer curve), height of 486 mm and Triplex labeling identical to my broken windscreen. One drawback is the blue colored shadeband across the top of the green tinted screen which I do not really like aside from that it‘s not original (the part number 4315 AGNBL stands for: 4315 is the code for E Type series 3 OTS, GN = green tinted, BL = blue shadeband, A =?). However, I‘d like to get my E type back on the road....now keep the fingers crossed: I will take it to the workshop to install it.
Holger
Image

Image

#11 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 1:02 am
by AussieEtype
Holger - your last post provides me the answers to questions I had - thanks :smile:

So I have the correct Pilkington screen that is tinted and no blue shading across the top.

It will be a while before I get my screen in so will follow your results with interest.

Thanks, I hope it all goes well.

Garry

#12 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 12:10 am
by Ole-xke1974
I have a windscreen with some flaws and will follow your progress with interest !

#13 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:19 pm
by angelw
Marek Wrote:
Just ask Pilkington directly. They can then direct you to one of their agents or supply themselves. There was a thread about other etype windscreens elsewhere on this forum and David Jones documented his factory visit and listed their contact details there.
Hello Marek,
Good luck with that. I'm chasing an S3 OTS windscreen and despite 6 emails to Pilkington, I haven't had the courtesy of a reply.

Regards,

Bill

#14 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:46 am
by AussieEtype
Bill have you spoken with Ralph Moore Auto Glass in Sydney http://ralphmooreautoglass.com.au/contact-us/

They were the ones who supplied my Pilkington screen.

Garry

#15 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:47 am
by angelw
Thanks for that Garry, I've just sent them a message.

Kind regards,

Bill

#16 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:36 pm
by Mephistopheles
Dear all,
Unfortunately I did not manage to post the last chapter of the windscreen story earlier. To keep it short: my car has a new windscreen. However, it had cost blood, sweat and nerves....

Finally we met in the workshop workshop to take care of my „sick“ E type. After three prayers to the sky we started again the operation replacing the windscreen (trial no. 4). The actual windscreen has by far the best fit in comparison to the other three windscreens. However, „best fit“ is still a very relative expression: the accuracy of fit drives tears in my eyes, see picture below with finger wide gap between a-pillar and rubber seal of windscreen.

Image

Image

Last, but not least, we succeeded in finishing the job some hours later thanks to the great experience and magic hands of Marcus (on the right side of the photo) and Alex.

Image

Best regards
Holger

#17 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:45 am
by Ole-xke1974
Wow Holger, what a nightmare. Even the best fitting wind screen was not a perfect fit.
Mind you, my original (I think) windscreen was not a perfect fit when I put it back after having the car painted.
Now enjoy your gorgeous car ......... Ole

#18 Re: Nightmare: new windscreen for series 3 OTS

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:51 am
by AussieEtype
After hearing all the horror stories I am surprised the screens can be 'massaged' in without them breaking.