This morning as I was driving my MINI to work I heard what sounded like settling noises up at the dash. I thought that it was the plastic contracting maybe, because of the heat and it being so cold out. Well, I was WRONG! My windshield cracked from the bottom of the window. No one hit my window with anything, There wasn't even a car on the road but mine!! The crack started at the bottom of the window. Ugh - no chip or anything. I have no idea why it broke. Maybe it wasn't set in there correctly?

I can't believe it, three months old and it just cracks. I am crabby.

 

Vicki,

Look at the very top or the very bottom of the crack and see if a very small rock may have hit the windshield, just a ping from a tire can do the worst damage. It may be very hard to see, hope your deductible is set right.

You drive the MINI every day, right?

Don

 

Hmmm, some 1st gens have a stress cracking issue (semi common) wonder if this is something along those lines. Either way not fun, but may make the difference between warranty coverage and insurance claim.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of crappy MINI windshields! I have replaced the OEM ones in both of our MINIs. Have the R56 windshields been any better than the R53s?

I walked out into my garage one pleasant morning to discover a crack in my windshield - the R53s had a bad habit of doing that.

 

Run a ball point pen down the crack - if it catches anywhere then it was debris induced - if not then I think you have a warranty claim.

 

whoa....there is a blast from the past. How you doin Mark? Didn't know you still lurked around here.

Anyway, Mark is right, if there is not debris marks, then it should be warranty. On the R50/53, they covered windshields that were cracking, Schomp is really good about that. They replaced one of mine due to a rattle that they said was due to factory installation.

 

Only lurking becasue I'm trying, again, to sell my SSR wheels. Doesn't anyone track or autocross their MINI anymore? You would think that cheap high-quality track wheels with extra race rubber would get someone's attention.

 

I hear ya. I wish I had the extra cash, I would be all over the wheels, but life keeps getting in the way...and vacations .

Good luck selling them, if I win the lottery, I will be contacting you!!!

 

I just replaced my windshield and the guy from Elite Auto glass asked me why I wasn't having this replaced under warranty fromt he Dealer.

Windshield was cracked straight above the rearview mirror down about 5 inches and then over across my point of view.

Had to tell him it was an 2002 which isn't covered anymore. He said that was deifinitly a stress fracture...and if it happens again in a year Elite will replace free of charge.

I have always carried full glass replacement as I seem to chew through windshields, about 1 every year.