Glassy

TPS is a distributor for VAG parts. It's easy to misconstrue what 'stamped' means as a lot of people then believe that the non-stamped windscreens are the same product. This is not the case. If the product bears the manufacturer's logo it is the best available product. All the others are copies of it. Fakes. One is manufactured from the blueprint (owned and copyrighted by the car manufacturer) and the others are produced by a reverse engineering process. They are fakes in other words. However, some will be better than others. Distortion is almost unavoidable. Whilst there is a chance that the screen in your car isn't as perfect as it could be, when you're sandwiching a polyvinyl butyral sheet between two layers of curved glass the finished product is never going to be as good - optically - as a flat piece of glass. A thick sheet of flat glass is never going to be as good as a thinner sheet. Was the current 'VW' screen fitted from the outstet, or did this replace another? I could go back through the thread but just want to get a clearer*, more up-to-date picture of the status quo. * unintentional pun.

This image (again, courtesy of Pilkington AGR part of the NSG Group) shows the modified version whereby the trim has been replaced by a buffer (it ensures the glass doesn't end up recessed too far in the aperture and flat against the frame). My guess is that the glass might be sitting too high if anything. But there's nothing wrong or missing. If anything I'd say it's more about the finish/lack of attention to detail + the brand of glass (which you still haven't told us).

You still haven't told us what brand of glass has been fitted to the car! Re your questions: the earlier windscreens for this car come with an underglass trim fitted to the glass edge. There is no 'seal' as such; the glass is glazed directly to the car (oka bonded) with a polyurethane adhesive. The trim is pre-applied at the factory so the glass comes, effectively, pre-encapsulated. It is not a separate part, but does provide a 'buffer' to ensure the glass doesn't end up flat against the pinchweld. The later screens were produced without a trim (the trim would have been replaced with a thin line of adhesive to act as the buffer). In any case, it doesn't matter as the overwhelming majority of VAG cars are glazed without these trims. If anything, the trim can sometimes hide sin (if the windscreen fitter scratches the paintwork for example). The absence of one means he will have to be conscious and alert about what he's doing because the slightest lapse in concentration will show. The notes I have show that the 'trim-less' version has now superseded the trimmed version. Any screens with trim on will be old stock or cheap reproductions for aftermarket distribution. The attached image shows the earlier screen with a trim. Image courtesy of Pilkington AGR part of the NSG Group. Second image to follow...

Chuck me the reg number and I'll come back with some definitive answers.

As long as it wasn't a chocolate one.

Did you manage to identify who manufactures the windscreen? Will be down in one of the corners (usually the RHS).

Don;t want to jump to any conclusions without seeing more of the car, but the picture I'm beginning to get is that the screen is sat too high. This might be because: a) There were scratches (from being heavy handed) to the paintwork which would have been visible. Sitting the screen on blocks would lift it and thus cover the damage. b) If an aftermarket glass was used it may not fit as well as a genuine product. For example, Nordglass 'encapsulate' the upper trim to the glass edge with a bead of polyurethane. It's way too much adhesive for the job and fitters just lump the screen in without a thought. You can make a nice job of it by trimming the PUR back and test fitting it until it looks right, but you at first need to give a **** about being a professional and take a bit of pride in your work.

I'm not convinced just yet but the gaps do appear to be excessive, Look at the A-pillar trim against the glass (marked in red) it looks wider than the gap between the glass and the headliner.

I am indeed. I'm also a consumer so happy to help others with questions/situations etc.

I think the OP's windscreen has been sat too high. If it's a Nordglass windscreen, I would say without any doubt it is sitting too high.

brand of glass, please.

There is no seal or trim to go there, and I doubt the fitter(s) would have cut the headlining back (unless they hacked into it whilst removing the windscreen or cutting back the adhesive, and have evened up the damage). Does the windscreen look like it's sat a bit high in the rebate? Image will help.

I have spoken to a few people who were considering this (or another similar) product after having their windscreen replaced. None of them went through with it because, AFAICS, the feedback generally isn't great. I'm yet to find someone who is using it or has used.

This ^^ The condition of the road surfaces in the UK generally are very poor. The biggest factor in increased insurance premiums are fraudulent and moody claims. Do you have this on your windscreen?

For anyone with driver assistance technology: the cameras are self calibrating. Calibration *might* be needed if a non-gen part is fitted, or if the car was put through an ignition whilst the device was disconnected. http://www.glasstecpaul.com/adas-recalibration-after-windscreen-replacement/