Someone broke into my car last night and smashed the side glass on my beautiful and previously near-mint '89 745. The thief hit just the smaller, fixed portion of the passenger-side rear window only. Thankfully there was no damage to the padded window sill or seat leather. Does anyone have any thoughts whether I should buy new OEM glass or try to find a used pane at a local wrecker? I'm leaning towards the used glass for obvious cost savings, but also because I'd like the car to be as original as possible, and an older pane may likely have aged similarly to the rest of my factory-tinted glass. Who knows? Maybe I can find another 1988-9 Belgian-made window out there somewhere. Are there any safety/longevity/leakage issues with installing used auto glass? I'll be having it done professionally; are most installers willing to work with used glass? Oh, by the way: nothing was stolen from the car but a $5 digital tire pressure gauge, as I don't keep valuables in it as a rule. The thief somehow missed the original TD-6141 Volvo stereo, the garage door opener, the DEQ registration card (which is now safely in my wallet), a few home-recorded cassettes, a very nice Cutter and Buck umbrella...and even a few loose coins beneath the rear seat. Haste makes waste! Thanks in advance for your input, and I'll look forward to reading your advice. -- Jonathan
I'd go with a used glass, hands down. Where are you located? I've seen quite a few of those cars in wrecking yards around me. IIRC that small window is the same as used on the somewhat more common sedan models. Any year 700 series will fit, but for some reason I prefer to find one of the same or later year.
Go for the used galss. it should be fine- after all, all the rst of the galss in the car is used! When parking in a questionable area I sometimes leave the glove box open and empty just to show there's nothing of value in there. before arriving, put any valuables in the locking compartment (with the spare), in a door pocket, or just take them with you. I NEVER leave my camera in the car. __ __ Randy & \ \/ /alerie's \__/olvos '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate "Shelby" & "Kate"
I've always used glass from a wrecker. If tint is an issue, you can probably have a close match made at a local tint outfit. If any existing tint is removed and new tint applied before it is mounted it should be very quick, easy and inexpensive. (If you have to mount it first the price may be the same anyway.) Mike
Thanks for the replies! If I get the time in the next few days, I'll definitely look into trying to find a used window; otherwise, I'll go with a new one, especially if they can install it on-site when I'm at work today. (Working overtime, trying to beat a deadline, this has NOT been the weekend to deal with this kind of stuff.....) James Sweet, I'm in Portland, OR. If you're also in the area (or familiar with it), I was thinking of places like John's Import Auto Parts, maybe Foster Auto Parts. I was going to give Peter's Auto Works a call this AM and get their feedback also (BTW, Peter's is an absolutely wonderful service shop, for anyone in Portland-Vancouver who's never tried them). I'll post another message ASAP as to what resloution I've finally found. Thanks, all. -- Jonathan
If you have time, head up North to Olympia and check out Pick A Part, they're along old 99 near Airport Way. Good selection of Volvos and dirt cheap, window will probably cost you 15 bucks there.
