OEM v.s. OEE windshield?

[Ephedrine]

Drove in the rain today on the highway and got the huge crack on my windshield (larger than 20cm wide).

I obviously will have to replace the entire windshield and I can go either OEM or OEE part.

The good thing about OEM is that it is the original part that came with the vehicle. Downside is that I have to place the backorder because there is zero stock within the state where I am. The parts guy said we are expecting 3+ weeks.

OEE on the other side, I can get it sooner than OEM. I was quoted 3 days to get the part. But the downside is that OEE part is NOT the same part that came with the vehicle. It is Original Equipment Equivalent. I am concerned about the quality of the glass.

I am looking for some opinions on this. Is everyone okay with the OEE parts? Or it is avoided because of its quality?

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[Katastrophe]

Personally, if given the choice, I would always go OEM. If you can afford to wait the extra time, that would be my recommendation. In the past, some (most of them, IIRC) non-OEM replacements wouldn't have the Ford or Pony logo on the windshield (it's been awhile, I can't recall which generations had which). This was a big deal to many Mustang owners.

 

[steveo1960]

OEM for sure... Some of the cars, maybe all, have that sound absorbing glass. It will say "SoundScreen" on the drivers side by the cowl. My installer told me Ford was slow to ship but he had it in and installed in less than a week. it looks identical to the cracked one.

 

[onaccountof]

Get the OEM, the wait will be worth it.

 

[smurfslayer]

I’m not sure about this. I’ve had the misfortune of busting 2x OEM windshields on the Rap (they’re made in China, like c*vid) One of them was a total freakin’ mystery, the 2nd was a SOLID hit on the S. Padre Island causeway bridge.

Gorilla glass is supposed to be available for the Rap, but I have --never-- encountered anyone with it, nor been able to track down an actual gorilla glass windshield for the Rap. best guess - it’s vaporware.

Honestly, if it happened to me now, I’d probably go aftermarket.

 

[Bikeman315]

Brand new car, no question, OEM. Older car, either, owner choice.

https://www.motor.com/2022/06/oem-glass-and-aftermarket-glass-101-a-comparison/

 

[Skye]

Another for OEM and dealer install.

The techs that install it will be most familiar with calibrating any of Ford's systems, if needed.

You know the quality of the glass is the same as original.

Edit,

BTW, three weeks for the glass...there might be some additional time to schedule an install. For example, my neighbor recently had his replaced at the Ford dealer. Fine job, done by the paint & body shop. Once they confirmed the glass was in, they then set an appointment.

 

[Gregs24]

So firstly, Ford do not make glass! They use several different companies globally.

'Soundscreen' is a Ford trademark so replacement screens that are not OEM will not say 'Soundscreen' but will say something like 'acoustic glass'

Non OEM glass will likely be just as good, and if there are flaws then get another screen - some OEM replacement screens have flaws too.

In Europe no dealers ever fit screens, they are always subbed out to expert glass fitters who do them all the time.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Dang! That sucks! Like the others, I'd wait for the OEM to come in and have my dealer do the install.

Slap some duct tape across the crack and pretend you're a hero in a cheap drive in car chase movie for a couple three weeks!

Best of luck with what ever you choose!

 

[Neggytive]

will the aftermarket glass have the Mustang on the bottom right corner?

 

[Bikeman315]

will the aftermarket glass have the Mustang on the bottom right corner?

No, only OEM glass has that.

 

[Bikeman315]

So firstly, Ford do not make glass! They use several different companies globally.

Just FYI, Ford replacement glass is sold by only one company, Carlite.

https://fordcrashparts.com/glass/#:~:text=Carlite is the only brand,manufacturers to the OE specifications.

'Soundscreen' is a Ford trademark so replacement screens that are not OEM will not say 'Soundscreen' but will say something like 'acoustic glass'

Non OEM glass will likely be just as good, and if there are flaws then get another screen - some OEM replacement screens have flaws too.

That’s the thing with OEE glass. It may or may not be acoustic. All it has to do is meet minimum manufacturers specifications. It could be as good, but maybe not.

 

[Gregs24]

Just FYI, Ford replacement glass is sold by only one company, Carlite.

In the US maybe, but elsewhere it uses other OEM suppliers such as Pilkington, Saint-Gobain Sekurit etc. I know that because it says so on our various Ford cars windows!

So European built Ford cars sold in the US may well not have Carlite glass fitted

 

[Bikeman315]

By the way here is who actually manufactures most of the OEM glass worldwide. Surprise, they are a Chinese company!!

https://www.fuyaogroup.com/en/globa...porting,Rover, and Chinese auto manufacturers.

In the US maybe, but elsewhere it uses other OEM suppliers such as Pilkington, Saint-Gobain Sekurit etc. I know that because it says so on our various Ford cars windows!

So European built Ford cars sold in the US may well not have Carlite glass fitted

Understood. I’ve used Pilkington on my other cars before. Excellent product.

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