driving up to the bay area from LA, thru some gusty wind areas, the black plastic trim on my driver's side a-pillar just flew off! had to endure some awful wind noises for hours. it just broke its plastict tabs and flew off! anyone had this happen?

 

I had it happen once. The glass shop that replaced my windshield did not replace the clips that broke when they removed it. They just stuck it on with double stick tape. I called them on it when I picked up the car (I could see the difference), but they swore nothing was wrong. It came flying off the car before I could even get home.

 

I had it happen at 130mph (testing the Fireballed ECU). It was over a year after I'd had a windscreen replaced. Sometimes it can get a slight lifting at speed as the foam tape stuff MINI uses for the front edge ages, and bubye. The good news is that it's an easy replacement, but the part will cost you about $35 from a dealership, and you'll need to buy double-sided foam tape stuff from a regualr parts place.

 

Happened to me after my last windshield replacement. A couple of broken clips and it wouldn't hold. I went to the dealer and they said they always keep the trim pieces in stock since it's not an unusual issue.

 

Yup, when I got it replaced under warranty at the dealer, they acted like it happens quite often. I was going about 70 when it flew off.

 

ACK! This begs the question...where did it go when it flew off....into a car behind you? I'd feel so bad if a piece of my car flew off and damaged someone else's

 

Mine came off on a road in the middle of nowhere, somewhere between Kelso & Baker. No cars in sight behind me.

 

Actually, I read somewhere that this was a known "issue" for MINI.

 

I think a replacement runs $40-$45

 

I've heard this before but, this seems only to be an issue with MINIs with replacement windshields, correct? If so, I'm curious - have most occurred with aftermarket installs? Have any dealer-installed replacement windshields result in lost trim? Stories anyone?

 

Had both plastic side covers come off simultaneously (36,000 mi) at normal highway speed, weird. Dealer said it was due to installation of after market windscreen. Sounds like a trend to me!

 

i had safelite replace my third broken windshield. they broke a couple of tabs while removing an a-pillar cover. they admitted what happened and replaced it w/ a new part. i was pleasantly surprised at there professionalism. no a-pillar mishaps even w/ many jaunts above 120 mph on the track.

 

is it bad looking without the plastic trim? why not just leave it off?