I've tried so hard to not let my windshield get hit by flying debris on the freeway. After a month, I got my first ding.

How much do these ding repairs cost for your wind shield usually? Am I going to pay that much more by having the MINI dealership 'fix' the ding?

Is it something most of you do yourselves? If I need a professional, what is the price range I am looking at?

Any help is appreciated

 

depending on your insurance company some will pay to have it fixed without you having to pay a deductable due to the fact that it could keep them from having to replace your winshield just as a idea. there are kits out there that you can purchase if you feel confident that you will not mess anything up and possibly screw up your windshield.

Cost would probably change some depending on location, etc...

Google Results for Windshield Chip Repair
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=10&...w=1555&bih=811

 

The dealership will only sublet to a glass repair company.

 

It would probably depend on how you're defining "ding". If it's a star, it will definitely spread eventually and crack. This might be something the insurance company would be interested in getting fixed before it requires a full windshield replacement and shouldn't cost much to get done and, as Warped417 said, you can buy a kit to do it yourself. Habanero had a battle with a stone within the first week I owned him and he suffered a minor defeat. Not a star, or crack, but a couple of small chips. Not noticeable to anyone but me, but still a little disappointing. When I changed my insurance after getting him, I lowered the comprehensive deductible to $50 anticipating I was going to need at least one windshield at some point. We'll see whether the relatively small increase in premium will turn out to be a good investment or not.

 

On my way down to Phoenix to pick up my 2012 R57, THE CUBE's windshield got struck with a rock and a huge star. Adding insult to injury, on the way home it was struck again, resulting in another break.
At least it happened before a repair to the first one. The insurance company (Hartford) paid to have it replaced with 2 hits. No cost to me-zero deductible. I believe I can replace a windshield 5 times before it costs anything. I was just grateful it didn't happen to the MINI, too.

 

My car made it 6 months into ownership and it received its first dime sized crack. I managed to wait another 6 months before throwing in the towel because at that point the windshield was so pitted it was hard to see when the sun was shining down. So while I did get the crack "repaired" I eventually replaced the whole windshield.

Getting the windshield replaced was a WHOLE different story. A few tips...read the threads to understand what happens during a windshield replacement i.e. how the a-pillars are removed. When mine was replaced I bought new a-pillars (they come with new clips) because they were scratched up and I figured if the old ones broke who cares. I also bought new foam pieces that go with the a-pillars. The last thing I purchased was "Bullet Proof Windshield Protectant". To get a film on the windshield to protect from rocks it was going to be several hundred dollars and only guaranteed for a year. This protectant is suppose to reduce chips and act like Rain-x for when it rains. Fingers crossed...almost 6 months with new window and still shines like brand new.

 

Abra fixed mine for $50, using the vacuum injection cement; practically invisible and still good after a year.

 

Amazing responses ITT

I will look into my insurance coverage first. Then if that's not looking too great I will probably look into what oldsbear said, just a conventional chip repair shop. Would like to eventually learn how to do this myself since chips happen quite a bit. By teaching myself I can hopefully limit my windshield replacements to once a year.

 

Got my second rock chip on my 2007 Mini. Well first rock chip for me, I bought it with one already on the window plus the window is so pitted. Looks like a replacement is now in order. I have the sensor on the mirror. Any thing I should know before I bring her in?

 

nice revival of a 2011 thread .... search would reveal much more current threads I suspect..

First thing to know is DO NOT GO TO THE DEALER . . . . .

1. What's your insurance coverage wrt windshield? and what state do you live in? Some states require insurance to replace front glass for zero deductible ...

2. some insurance' cover chip repair at zero deductible . . . glass is usually covered under 'comprehensive' and you might be surprised to learn how little extra a zero deduct' comp' policy costs ($5 a year in some cases)

3. I've used SAFELITE to replace my glass many times, MINI and others, over the last 20 years. IME they do good work (but every office IS different as they are a franchise .. but also the LARGEST auto glass company) (and from what I've read here, the sensor is no problem, just tell them . . .)

 

I'm lucky to have a windscreen last for more than one year, with the amount of gravel they insist on throwing on the roads here... Good thing I found an excellent independently owned shop who knows how to do MINIs.

 

I got real small nick right in front of drivers view. It was for the weed wacker at the hotel while at the dragon last year. Hope I don't repeat the process again this dragon.