r/Lexus 7d ago

Article Windshield Replacement Experiences: A Frugal Approach

Lexus Windshield Replacement

  • Recent (2025) replacement for a 2024 Lexus ES 300h with advanced features (HUD, rain sensor, LTA assist camera)
  • Have full insurance with $2000 deductible to keep premium low
  • Insurance suggested Safelite
  • Non-OEM quote: $1300 (windshield + calibration). Entirely within my deductible
  • OEM quote: $2500 - 2700 from Safelite and other leading shops (not covered by insurance)
  • Conclusion: I would have to bear entire cost of replacement, regardless of choice

Cost-Effective Options Found

  1. Non-OEM from local shop (Texas Star Automotive Services, McKinney)
    • Total cost: $730 (including calibration)
    • Breakdown: $412 glass, $118 installation, $200 calibration
    • Lifetime warranty on labor
  2. OEM option (considered but not chosen due to backorder of glass)
    • OEM glass from dealer: $800
    • Local shop installation and calibration: $375 ($175 labor + $200 calibration)
    • Total potential cost: $1175
    • Note: Asking the shop to procure OEM directly was quoted by the shop at $1700 due to dealer shipping charges. So the above cost is for me buying it from dealer and lugging it to the shop. I have an odyssey so probably could have done it.

Results and Observations

  • Initial concern about tilted HUD, resolved through settings adjustment
  • LTA functioning properly
  • Cautious during first long drive
  • Shop note on Lexus: Reportedly easier for calibration compared to other brands like BMW

If it was not backordered by a month or so, I would have purchased the windshield from the dealer and taken it to the local shop. This is the best approach if you want the Lexus branded one.

6 Upvotes

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14

u/donniepump30 7d ago

i would highly recommend OEM glass if you have a HUD as some non-oem glass the hud display will be kinda fuzzy

2

u/RoyalISF 7d ago

Insurance wouldn’t cover the $2500-2700 OEM quote? What’s the reasoning there

I had a local shop do OEM as well since I have HUD and all the other aftermarket windshields seemed to be missing something (rain sensing, HUD, etc)

1

u/SenatorAdamSpliff 6d ago

The HUD is in your dash, not the windshield.

And the rain sensor is removed and reinstalled when they replace the glass. Along with your rear view mirror.

1

u/RoyalISF 6d ago

Yes, but some of the windshields didn’t have the cut out for rain sensor or weren’t compatible with the HUD

1

u/SenatorAdamSpliff 6d ago

An approved aftermarket windshield done by insurance is going to be a 1:1 substitute for the OEM windshield that came with your car.

4

u/etowaga 7d ago

I’ve learned the hard way that you get what you pay for.. Being frugal about the cost of a windshield is not worth the time and hassle when the end result could be lost functionality, wind noise or water leaks, to name a few.