First off, let me say that my windshield problem is definitely NOT a stress crack! The rock that hit my windshield was so big I saw it coming...... Now I have a nice half-circle spider web crack that the local glass shop says they can't fix. So, I'm having them replace the windshield.

The manager told me their distributor had replacement glass in stock (this didn't surprise me, even though we only have one MINI dealership in the state of Michigan), but said he could get "BMW" glass from the dealer for close to the same price. Given the myriad of cracked windshield reports on this and other forums, I opted for the replacement PPG glass.

Does anyone have any experience with the replacement PPG glass? Do you think this was the better choice?

I know..... should've asked this question before having the glass replaced, but I didn't know I had a choice until I dropped the car off for repair.

Satchmo

 

>>First off, let me say that my windshield problem is definitely NOT a stress crack! The rock that hit my windshield was so big I saw it coming...... Now I have a nice half-circle spider web crack that the local glass shop says they can't fix. So, I'm having them replace the windshield.
>>
>>The manager told me their distributor had replacement glass in stock (this didn't surprise me, even though we only have one MINI dealership in the state of Michigan), but said he could get "BMW" glass from the dealer for close to the same price. Given the myriad of cracked windshield reports on this and other forums, I opted for the replacement PPG glass.
>>
>>Does anyone have any experience with the replacement PPG glass? Do you think this was the better choice?
>>
>>I know..... should've asked this question before having the glass replaced, but I didn't know I had a choice until I dropped the car off for repair.
>>
>>Satchmo


In what state are you in?

Here in Florida, insurance providers are obligated under law to provide $0 deductible coverage for auto glass replacement, including windshields. It is illegal to drive with a broken windshield and more so if the damage is in the line of sight of the driver.


The factory windshield is made by "Sekurit" and the PPG glass should be an equivalent. I would try to stick to OEM equipment as I haven't had a problem with our factory MINI windshield in a year of motoring.

 

PPG glass is original factory equipment in many other makes of cars. GM, Honda, etc use PPG glass as OEM. You should not have a problem with them.

Worry more about who is installing it and if they will do the job correctly. A badly installed windshield is EXTREMELY dangerous because the front airbags rely completely in the windshield as a support structure for their proper functioning. If the glass flies off the frame in an accident the airbags will not work. The windshield is one of the most critical structurewise and safetywise parts of the car. An improperly installed windshield could cost your life so select your installer very carefully and beware of the "Cheapo" installers often pushed in by insurance companies looking to save a buck or two in their claims.

 

>>
>>In what state are you in?
>>
>>Here in Florida, insurance providers are obligated under law to provide $0 deductible coverage for auto glass replacement, including windshields. It is illegal to drive with a broken windshield and more so if the damage is in the line of sight of the driver.>>

I live in Michigan, where there is no law like that and we DEFINITELY have insurance deductibles for auto glass. However, most glass shops will waive your deductible for a windshield replacement.

There are plenty of cars running around here with severely cracked windshields!

I'll let you know if I run into any problems with the PPG glass.

 

I would opt for the NON-BMW glass. First because we all know that the MINI's come with incredibly fragile defective windshields. If we know the BMW/MINI windshields are extrememly weak, we might as well install some other manufacturer's glass and chances are it will be stronger.

Good luck with your PPG windshield. My windshield is cracked. I believe it is a stress crack but the dealer found what they say is a rock chip so it is not covered by warranty. They also want about $750 for the replacement! I think this is an outrageous price and wonder what other people pay for windshield replacement.

 

I have the PPG glass now on my MINI. It is uneven, you can feel it where it's warped when cleaning it with a rag. The warpage causes some visual issues like streaching, blurring, and glare. The PPG glass seems to have pitted up quicker than my original MINI glass did. I loved the PPG glass that was installed on my ol' 1990 Chevy S10 back in the early 1990's. It was twice as strong as stock S-10 glass and didn't pit up as quickly. I was hoping for that effect when the glass company replaced my MINI's glass, but alas, it didn't happen to be so.

 

>>I would opt for the NON-BMW glass. First because we all know that the MINI's come with incredibly fragile defective windshields. If we know the BMW/MINI windshields are extrememly weak, we might as well install some other manufacturer's glass and chances are it will be stronger.
>>
>>Good luck with your PPG windshield. My windshield is cracked. I believe it is a stress crack but the dealer found what they say is a rock chip so it is not covered by warranty. They also want about $750 for the replacement! I think this is an outrageous price and wonder what other people pay for windshield replacement.


My OEM MINI windshield has been perfect for 11.5K miles of motoring. Not all of them are bad, sorry.

 

While I agree that an El-Cheapo company can screw an installation so can a trained service tech. I think that the newer airbags do not bounce off the windshield ala 1980. All the Insurance Center tests I've seen the deployments were towards the person. That's why they want to slow them down now, too many broken noses, bruises as well as some deaths. :???:

I've had the PPG in mine for 6000 miles, I have just under 22,000 on the car. I wish I had a point of reference on the OEM glass at that same mileage in order to compare the two, but I don't. I can say that my PPG glass doesn't have any more distortion then the OEM glass and is holding up well.

 

>>I would opt for the NON-BMW glass. First because we all know that the MINI's come with incredibly fragile defective windshields. If we know the BMW/MINI windshields are extrememly weak, we might as well install some other manufacturer's glass and chances are it will be stronger.
>>
>>Good luck with your PPG windshield. My windshield is cracked. I believe it is a stress crack but the dealer found what they say is a rock chip so it is not covered by warranty. They also want about $750 for the replacement! I think this is an outrageous price and wonder what other people pay for windshield replacement.


My first windshield was free. The wipers made two marks in the glass. I've posted this before- it was during monsoon season and it was about 2 weeks before I could wash my car and discovered it was permanent damage, went for 10K checkup and they replaced without any questions. MY Second was due to a rock, for sure. I got a PPG recently because of $160 price difference. MINI's quote was about $550.

 

Just got the car back with the PPG glass installed. Looks OK, although I can see that it doesn't look perfectly smooth along the top edge.....But I never looked at my old glass from that critical perspective, so it may have been the same.

I didn't notice any distortion or additional glare during the 20 mile drive home.

So....I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks all!

 

The windshield also provides structural support to the roof in case of a rollover to prevent the roof from collapsing under the weight of the car.

Be careful when you close the doors because this creates a vacuum inside the car and thus push off the windshield from the frame while the glue is curing.

 

>>Be careful when you close the doors because this creates a vacuum inside the car and thus push off the windshield from the frame while the glue is curing.

Thanks, that's exactly what they told me when I picked up the car. It's in the garage with the sunroof popped-up AND the windows partially open!