We are on our third windshield and just got our second chip in that one, just driving on highways. Starting to think there is something in the aerodynamics sucking stones our way. Anyone else notice this?

 

Though I would think it's not so much the aerodynamics, so much as the upright nature of the windshield. Rocks that can skim off a steeply raked windshield cause chips on a Mini.

 

We took our new 2019 for a road trip and got smacked within the first 100 miles with a chip... its either what you guys are saying or these windshields are a bit on the softer side :(

 

A good independent glass shop can seal those chips quickly and fairly inexpensively if taken care of before any cracks spread out from the chip. Just had one done last week, took the guy 20 or so minutes for $40...while I waited.

 

Try to keep more distance between your car and the vehicle ahead.

Even so there is a lot of traffic in most areas and the rock can come from a vehicle some distance away. Road surfaces in a number of areas are crumbly. But it doesn't have to be the road surface. A vehicle coming out of a gravel drive or road can have small rocks stuck in the tread and as the vehicle gains speed the small rocks will get thrown out and if you are in the wrong position.

As Fly'n Brick mentioned small rock chips can be "repaired". Got one in my new JCW's windshield not long after I bought the car and took the car to the MINI dealer but was told no repairs to the glass in front of the driver. But I "know" a glass guy who visits the nearby Porsche dealer and took my car there and for $50 he patched the chip. Then got a rock chip in my Hellcat's windshield and took the Hellcat to him to patch.

Some years ago a rock chip in the windshield of one of my cars developed into a windshield wide crack just about eyeball height. Finally had to have the windshield replaced. Long story short got it replaced but not too long after the new windshield received its first rock chip. Fortunately the chip never developed into a crack. But since then whenever a rock chip appears I get it taken care of.

 

What RockC says, try to keep more distance between your car and the vehicle ahead. Especially trucks.

Driving Mini's since 2003, and are getting used to replacing windscreens. Seems that the mini is a bit more vulnerable because of the more upstanding front window. My previous mini Clubman my windshield was replaced two Times. First week when I received the car and the last week when I had the car.

 

talk to your insurance company about glass coverage

it may be VERY inexpensive .... mine is .......

and check state laws ......

In FL if you have insurance that covers front glass ..... they can not charge a deductible ..... state law .... front glass as a safety item must be replaced if coverage is held .... NO deduct' applies . . .

but yes, the mini VERTICAL screen is more prone to hits .... claims about 'soft glass' not withstanding

 

When the rock or debris has your name, nothing you can do to avoid it. I've been close to trucks throwing crap off and not been hit and I've backed way off and got slammed. They want you they will have you. Sorry.