Yeah, I've been reading up about various different options. Like these guys: https://windshielddefense.com/ but bloody typical, they do just about everything but a Defender!

 

I cracked the windshiled on my '21 Cayenne S WHEN DRIVING IT FROM THE DELIVERY CENTER! Sorry for caps lol.
Then I cracked the Audi Q8 etron month 3.
Now that I have a Defender, I splurged and installed the Xpel Windshield protection film (outside, clear). It's like PPF but for windshield. Did the same to my Frontier and Macan.
The issue I found is that aside from the replacement with OEM/aftermarket, there are two major issues:
1. Recalibration of all the sensors for ADAS. You're at the mercy of the tech doing it. God forbid you're not using insurance - it's like $400.
2. More importantly, the tint would need to be reinstalled (I live in Vegas). But only a week later. And you're paying.
Basically, I think all reasonable measures should be taken to protect the original windshield. The xpel thing is $550-600 depending on the installer. Exoshield does the same thing.
Hope this helps someone.

 

is the heads up display a problem on the replacement?

 

The HUD isn't affected - the projector is inside on the driver side dash so just shines onto the new glass. There can be recalibration required for the other bits in the cluster attached to the top center of the windshield. My State Farm glass coverage addresses the glass and includes any recalibration required (I pay for the recalibration and submit as expense which is reimbursed),

 

2024 Defender 130, with a little over 20k miles.
It started as a small crack on the top left corner and quickly creeped down and across to almost the middle of the windshield! Sounds like I made the right decision in purchasing the additional windhsield/tire and wheel protection and replacement package. I normally don't purchase those extra gimmicky coverages, but this one sounded good and useful! Windshield #1 replaced and 1 tire (due to a puncture a month or 2 before the windshield).

 

Well, my 90's windshield got busted again last week.
This will be the 3rd windshield going into my 90 in its first 6500 miles.

Just curious has there been any improvements made to the glass on these things in the past 6 months to a year.
I really hope someday they come up with some better glass for these Defenders. Last I knew when I replaced the last one, only OE glass was offered, and it was unchanged as far as no improvements.

I even had mine coated with a protective film.
Didn't seem to help.
Windshield Protection Film | Madico, Inc.

What's the going rate now days for replacing one of these windshields.
I want to say that last one was something crazy like around $2K.

 

I am not usually one for purchasing warranties offered by the dealer, but during my research on the Defender (and the cross shopped GX550) it seemed likely that the windshield would take a hit at some point. My 130 made it 53 weeks before I got to call my dealer and make the replacement appointment. The warranty covered the full cost of the replacement, which was right at $2400 for glass ($1867.56) labor ($375.00 - install and calibration) and supplies ($155.54 - 2x LR078295 ADHESIVE AND SEAL KIT) With the timing, I let them keep the Defender for a couple of days and did the annual maintenance as well.

There does seem to be some truth to the - When, not If, the windshield will have to be replaced!

 

I went through two windshields within a year in my previous Rover and when my OCTA arrived thought it was the perfect time to have a new Xpel product for windshields installed while they did other PPF work.

I'm a huge PPF advocate for more than 20 years and have been using Xpel for over a decade. My early report:

-The first week is a little rough as the windshield PPF's moisture evaporates fully. Three weeks in and you don't know it is there
-I've got a couple of spots the installer called out and he wants to see how they look in another few weeks before re-doing the windshield.
-Have been in rain a few times and the wipers work fine, no chattering.

As of today I'd say it is worth considering. How much you ask? I have no clue as the price was buried in with other PPF and tint but work searching for an installer near you.

https://www.xpel.com/products/windsh...rotection-film

 

I did the same, lots of PPF on my LR as well, and also had my windshield coated as well.
That was one of my major disappointments that I have had since the windshield got broke again, the that protective film coating I had installed on the glass didn't seem to help.

 

I was offered this by the dealer at the time of purchase and refused as I thought my insurance covered it. A large rock cracked my windshield on the freeway just 10 minutes after I left the dealer. I had a total of 27 miles on the new d90 when this happened. Bad omen I thought. Sure enough, insurance did not cover it (my wife had recently changed our insurers to save money). $1800 out of pocket to replace with OEM windshield. Thankfully the rock didn’t hit anywhere on the hood or elsewhere.