Porsche Windshield Replacement: How Much Does It Cost?

Quick Answer

The cost to replace the windshield on your Porsche will vary significantly depending on your model and whether you use a genuine or aftermarket windshield. If you use a genuine Porsche windshield, expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000. However, if you use an aftermarket windshield, expect to pay between $500 to $1,000.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

You’re driving down the highway while listening to your favorite music, then you hear a loud, “POP!” A small chip appears, but, one week, the chip has grown to become a several inch long crack. If this sounds like your situation, then you will most likely need to replace your windshield.

A car’s windshield affects your visibility and keeps you safe in an accident, so you should replace a damaged windshield ASAP. In addition, most states have laws that prohibit you from operating your vehicle if the windshield damage exceeds specific criteria.

The cost to replace a Porsche windshield will vary based on these primary factors:

1. What Porsche model do you own?
2. Will you use a genuine or aftermarket windshield?
3. Will you use a Porsche dealership or a glass repair company?
4. Will your vehicle require special calibration?

Depending on your situation, here is how much you can expect to pay:

Why is a New Porsche Windshield So Expensive?

The average vehicle’s windshield costs around $350 to replace, but it is significantly more expensive on a Porsche. While the cost of your windshield replacement will vary based on your model, a Porsche windshield replacement is so expensive for these three reasons:

1. Part Costs
2. Labor
3. Technology

Parts Costs

The largest expense to replace your windshield is the windshield itself. While a genuine Ford F-150 windshield costs around $300, expect to pay at least $600 for a genuine Porsche windshield. Additionally, a new windshield may also require a new window seal, adhesive, and mounts for the rear view mirror and rain sensor.

If the Porsche tax is something you don’t want to pay, you can save some money by purchasing an aftermarket windshield. Here are the typical prices of genuine versus aftermarket windshields for various Porsche models:

Labor

Properly replacing the windshield on your Porsche takes an expert between 1 to 2 hours to complete. Since Porsche dealerships charge anywhere between $170 to $220 per labor hour, expect to pay between $170 to $440 for labor alone. If you want to save money, you can use a reputable glass company like Safelite and pay around $100 for labor.

Technology

Replacing the windshield on a modern Porsche is not a simple job like it was on cars made before the era of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Modern Porsches are packed with technology that is affected by the windshield. For example, a new Porsche Cayenne can be equipped with forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and heads-up display.

If your Porsche has some of these options, there’s a good change the vehicle’s sensors will need to be re-calibrated. Expect to pay around $500 for sensor calibration at a Porsche dealership or around $300 at a glass repair company.

Do You Really Need to Replace Your Windshield?

Every windshield chip and crack is unique. However, in general, you can repair windshield damage that is smaller than the size of a quarter. Anything bigger, especially straight line cracks, usually will continue to spread even despite a repair.

Repairing a Porsche Windshield

A windshield can be repaired using a special resin. Think of this resin as liquid glue that can penetrate into a chip or crack and cures to become hard and clear. When a windshield chip or crack is properly repaired, the damage is nearly undetectable and permanently fixed.

To give yourself the best chance of salvaging your windshield, it’s critical that you prevent the chip or crack from getting worse. As soon as you notice windshield damage, take these following steps:

1. Take a thumb tack or needle and use it to clean out broken glass from the damaged area.
2. Apply clear tape over the damage to prevent dirt, debris, and moisture from getting inside the damage; this will allow the repair resin to create a strong bond with the glass and cure as transparently as possible.
3. Avoid parking in the sun or leaving your car out in the extreme cold; any windshield expansion or contraction could cause the cracks to spread.
4. Visit a glass repair specialist ASAP.

Most glass repair specialists charge around $50 to repair a typical chip or crack. However, before paying out-of-pocket, see if your car insurance company offers complimentary windshield repair; most major insurance companies do. Alternatively, if you are somewhat handy, you can purchase this inexpensive Permatex DIY kit and fix it yourself.

To learn how to repair the windshield on your Porsche, check out this video from Car Fanatic.

Replacing a Porsche Windshield

When a Porsche owner decides to replace a windshield, usually two questions pop up:

1. Should I go to a Porsche dealership or a glass repair company?
2. Should I use a genuine Porsche or aftermarket windshield?

If you aren’t concerned with money, we recommend you visit a Porsche dealership. Their technicians are highly trained, so you can rest assured that a genuine windshield will be installed correctly and that your vehicle’s features will continue to work properly. However, if you are budget conscious, it’s perfectly fine to use a reputable glass repair company like Safelite.

Main Suppliers of Porsche Windshields

If you go with a glass repair company, they will give you the option between a genuine or aftermarket windshield. Typically, Saint-Gobain Sekurit makes genuine Porsche windshields while Pilkington, Guardian, and Fuyao (FYG) are the most common aftermarket windshield manufacturers. While you may be skeptical of aftermarket windshields, Pilkington, Guardian, and Fuyao are original-equipment manufacturers for many of luxury automakers such as Audi, BMW, and Range Rover (just not Porsche).

For Porsche owners who decide to go with an aftermarket windshield, we recommend the following tips:

1. Use a highly reputable company, such as Safelite, that will guarantee the quality of their work and supplies.
2. Insist on using a genuine Porsche window seal to ensure your new windshield stays properly sealed for the life of the windshield.
3. Inspect the aftermarket windshield for visual distortions and other defects; if you see any defects, ask to see other windshields from the same and different brands.

If you’re still unsure about using an independent glass repair company and an aftermarket windshield, check out this helpful video which documents Car Fanatic’s experience.

Will Your Car Insurance Replace Your Windshield?

Most car insurance companies offer additional glass coverage, which will cover the cost of a windshield replacement at no cost to you. If you don’t have glass coverage, but have comprehensive coverage, you can still get your insurance company to cover the cost. However, you will have to pay your deductible and the claim could potentially raise your insurance premium. If the windshield replacement cost isn’t much more than your deductible, we recommend you just pay out-of-pocket.

How To Prevent Windshield Damage In The Future

Windshield damage occurs when a rock or other small debris strikes your windshield. This almost always occurs because another vehicle either drops or kicks-up a rock or object. Here are some tips to help you prevent windshield damage from occurring:

1. Don’t follow cars in front of you too closely.
2. Avoid driving behind dump trucks, construction vehicles, pickup trucks, and off-road vehicles.
3. Avoid driving on lanes directly beside highway shoulders littered with gravel and debris.
4. Slow down…the faster you drive, the more damage that will occur if your car strikes an object.
5. Be particularly cautious during and after days of heavy rain as rain tends to wash rocks and other objects onto the highway.

Our mission at eCarGuides

Here at eCarGuides, our goal is to help car owners make the best decisions possible when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. Find a highly-rated Porsche mechanic near you and detailed DIY guides for your Porsche.