Interesting. Are you sure about that or did you just assume it was aftermarket because you got it from Safelite? The reason I ask is that I got a huge spiderweb circular crack in August when a limb fell on mine during a storm. JLR was quoting December before any would arrive in the US; there weren’t even any in England at the time. I tried Safelite and filled out their online thingy, got an appointment, and then a few days later the local office called and said they get their glass from JLR and it was going to be December before they could get any. I cancelled and went back to the dealer.

Thankfully it was late October, iirc, when it actually came in to my dealer.

Anyway, either one of our Safelite reps was wrong about the glass, or things have changed since I got mine. Who knows?

 

Similar experience here. But stuck with Safelite since it made covering with insurance a lot easier.

But yes, they told me there were no 3rd party suppliers yet and they had to wait on JLR. This was 6ish months ago.

 

I was told it is a Fuyao. The heating elements are a little more noticeable, so I'll probably go with Pilkington next time. The glass itself was $307. I looked up the glass on a LR website and their price was around $1600. Part number from receipt below. Anyone familiar with the recalibration of sensors/etc.? Safelite couldn't do it and said to call a dealer. Called two local JLR dealers and one said they don't recalibrate if there aren't any issues. I guess I'll wait for some rain to see if the rain-sensing still works.
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Similar situation with mine.

Safelite was the way to go. $50 with my insurance. OEM windshield. No calibration required as no error messages popped up.

They said I'd have a wait and I did. (6 or 7 weeks which was no problem) Only OEM glass available to them at that time (Jan 2022) . I did see a FB post where a chap had a non-OEM windshield used.

GEICO wouldn't cover the part and labor cost of the dealership. Safelite did a good job. Very smooth. I look forward to using their services again.

 

I know the LR glass sucks basically... but my experience on a Range Rover Sport with Fuyao glass was totally miserable. Optical problems at various parts of the glass, including a ripple/wave right in the drivers line of sight (this on a 2010 RRS SC). So, I've refused Fuyao glass a few times recently (on a D2, BMW M3, RRS) from Safelite... worth paying more for Pilkington or whatever. Who knows, maybe all glass sucks now.

 

Maybe the difference is I have a standard, non-heated glass windshield and those who are getting aftermarket (Fuyao) glass have heating elements?

For the record, my Chubb insurance had no problem covering the cost of the dealer, which I want to say was $1100. I think Safelite was 900-ish when I got the quote, but going from memory here. At any rate I paid, submitted, and got a check in a week.

 

Three pieces of news:

1) I was in for my 21K mile service at the local dealer and the shop foreman wanted to know if the TABS had been replaced when my glass was last replaced. I do not know anything about TABS. Maybe one of you does?

At this dealer, the shop and service folks are clearly aware the Defender windscreens are cracking too often and the folks are trying to understand why.

2) My crack is now running horizontal midway up the windscreen -- total of 14 inches long -- same ol' thing. Another Defender using this dealer has REPLACED 5 WINDSHIELDS. Not a happy point of information nor comparison.

3) I am gathering quotes as I wait for the X goop to arrive. I am going to goop the new windscreen the day after it is installed.

One more thing: I looked for a bug deflector on-line and could not find one that would fit. IF ANYONE HAS ONE IDENTIFIED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I care not how the vehicle looks, just how it functions -- so if we seriously think the bug deflector would help, I am game.

Enjoy !!