2023 Mazda 3 Front Windscreen Aftermarket Vs Genuine

LDocLife on 16/10/2023 - 21:27
Last edited 17/10/2023 - 09:51 by 1 other user

Hi all, I got a crack on my car's windscreen last week.

The car is 2023 Mazda 3, with vision pack. It is insured by AAMI and I fortunately had the windscreen replacement option included. They redirected me to O'Brien Glass and they confirmed that it would be replaced with an aftermarket windscreen free of cost.

However, when I enquired about this with the Mazda dealership during a scheduled service this week, the Mazda service advisor strongly recommended to go for a genuine windscreen due to the vision pack, heads up display and rain sensing wipers. He explicitly quoted few cases were owners ended up with messed up display and sensors malfunction due to aftermarket windscreen. He also pointed out some layering differences in the aftermarket version.

I went back to O'Brien this morning and requested for a genuine windscreen and offered to pay the difference. They came back this evening with a quote of approx $2100 to be paid as the difference, which I felt is a rip-off.

I can't find online the exact rate of a genuine Mazda windscreen - so not sure on price range for getting a genuine one.

Anyone with similar experience, please share your thoughts/suggestions - any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jay

Automotive Car Mazda Windshield

Comments

  • bloom on 16/10/2023 - 21:40
    +12

    Insurer has to supply a replacement with the same functionality; doesn’t have to be genuine but has to work as it originally did.

    I definitely wouldn’t pay more for genuine out of your own pocket

    If there’s an issue with the glass take it up with insurer to resolve

    • jv on 16/10/2023 - 22:10
      -2

      If there’s an issue with the glass take it up with insurer to resolve

      ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

      THIS

  • Protractor on 16/10/2023 - 22:09
    +1

    I would pay extra, but not a huge difference if I did. Some non genuine windscreens are crap.And some O'Briens centres are better than others too.There's all sorts of wheeling & dealing between insurance and their preferred w/screen replacement business. It's worth digging deeper. It's a new bloody car. That $2100 difference is either BS or an indication you are getting a cheaper,thinner,lesser poorer fitting item.Get in writing reasons and options from your insurer or find a screen and fitter and ge a quote & go back to your insurance co. Consider switching next renewal if they shit you over a w/screen.

  • kenzstar on 16/10/2023 - 22:31

    I wouldn't use obrian glass, they are overpriced for the service they provide. I see that you are from Melbourne, i suggest calling up "the windscreen man", I used them to replace my corolla windscreen for $380 with aftermarket windscreen compared to $720 with obrian glass.I recommend calling them up and asking for price of mazda genuine windscreen and they also work with other insurance companies.

    https://www.thewindscreenman.net/

    • AdosHouse on 16/10/2023 - 23:38

      Doesn't sound like OP can. OP's insurance put them onto O'brian who are probably their preferred dealer. I be the insurer is not paying O'Brians BS customer rate, will be a lot cheaper.

      • kenzstar on 16/10/2023 - 23:57

        I think the OP just needs to provide claim number to the windscreen man so they can bill insurance, OP should double check with them what's the process.

        • AdosHouse on 17/10/2023 - 00:08

          Insurance might have a list of 'preferred' suppliers that they have agreements with. Set pricing and an agreement that the supplier warranties the work.

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 16/10/2023 - 22:41

    OP, you can find out what the dealer charges for a new windscreen by calling the service/parts department and asking them. It may give you some idea of whether the O'Brien's quote is BS or not.

    • Baysew on 17/10/2023 - 09:53

      Simply speak to the Mazda service advisor, who strongly recommended to go for a genuine windscreen.

      • Euphemistic on 18/10/2023 - 11:05

        Mazda service/dealer will ALWAYS say you have to go genuine. Doesn’t mean it’s the best option, it’s just what they are paid to do.

        • Baysew on 18/10/2023 - 11:18

          OP wants to find the price for a genuine windscreen.

          I can't find online the exact rate of a genuine Mazda windscreen

  • omguleh on 16/10/2023 - 23:32
    +3

    Does your screen need to be calibrated by the dealer?

    When I had to do a screen replacement on my BMW X5 the insurance also sent it to OBrian using OEM glass, but they had to take the car into the dealership to get it calibrated and working with the cameras/HUD. The dealer failed the OEM glass and ended up getting an original glass put in. Insurance paid for it all and took an extra 3 days to get it all done.

  • life is suffering on 16/10/2023 - 23:42

    I have heard bad stories of third party replacements and HUD not working etc.

    If 2k is too high , make sure Obrien knows how to calibrate the windscreen with mazda components

    • Euphemistic on 17/10/2023 - 05:44
      +2

      And if it screws up, go back and get it fixed. Repeat until it works.

  • Bypass on 17/10/2023 - 07:14

    I've got a 2020 Mazda 3 with vision pack. A couple years ago it got replaced with a Fuyao because OEM was $2000 more. All sensors and HUD work like before. I was told problems start from wrong calibration to the new glass.

  • Polt on 17/10/2023 - 16:33

    FWIW I have a recent CX-5 and needed the windscreen replaced, also was through AAMI and also have cameras/ vision etc that needed to be calibrated.

    When I enquired about doing it outside of insurance (didn't have glass cover at the time, lesson learned!) O'Brien's quoted ~$3500 to use genuine glass.

    Because I was also getting a windscreen wiper replaced under the same claim, AAMI sent me to their normal crash repairer, who used genuine Mazda glass anyway. I asked if they were going to use Mazda glass when I dropped it off for repair they said it was their standard practice for any recent car with cameras etc.

    • Polt on 17/10/2023 - 16:38

      One more tip - weirdly the new Mazda windscreen didn't come with any kind of rain repellent coating on it, it was noticeably different from the other original glass on the car, no beading of the water. I got a quote to have some applied by a detailing place (effectively a pro version of Rain-X and much longer lasting), and AAMI reimbursed me. Was about $200 for a guy to come and do it.

  • DocLife on 18/10/2023 - 10:07

    Thanks everyone for the vital inputs.
    AAMI confirmed they could only engage via O'Brien - and O'Brien to do the calibration and stuff to make everything work as expected. That work apparently comes with lifetime warranty and doesn't void the dealer warranty.
    Mazda dealer confirmed the price of genuine windscreen+calibration as $2700.

    After the replacement from O'Brien, Iam also thinking to take it back to the mazda dealership to do a quick test of some of the features that could go wrong with calibration and get a report in writing - any idea if the dealership would do such tests and reports and costs for this?

    Once again thanks everyone for the suggestions.

    • Euphemistic on 18/10/2023 - 11:07

      Why do you need to go back to Mazda? If O’brien guarantee it, and it works when you pick it up there’s no need. If you find something doesn’t work then go to O’brien first, then Mazda.

  • Terocket on 20/10/2023 - 10:28

    Try another O'Brien franchisee and get a quote to see if it stacks up. You definitely don't have to settle for an inferior product - that's why you have insurance

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