I havent heard anything on the windshild cracking problems in quite some time and I've been wondering whats happening. Has MINI started using new glass or a new fitting process of some sort??

I have no idea how any of that works, but im just curious.

 

I read something about the 2004 models will have reinforced A pillars to reduce flexing. Maybe an Oxford factory worker at the Mini assembly plant can confirm this

 

I've seen a handful of straight-up stress cracks on '02 MINIs, and lots of rock-chip cracks on '03's, but have heard nothing about '04 windscreen glass. This would be a case where silence is golden.

I don't know when the rumored stiffened A-pillar was implimented, but it would be nice to get a "started on this build date" figure. Glass could be different also, who knows.

 

I've had no problems with the ones on my 03 S or 02 Cooper. My S has the auto wipers, so its a different windscreen than the normal one. Even has a tiny stone chip that hasn't grown, and it happened like 4 months ago.

 

My 03 MC got a 5" crack just 11 days into ownership. I hadn't even arrived back home yet from picking him up in Memphis, TN. It was from a pebble hit on the express way. I paid $430 to replace it, and things are fine. But unless I put myself in a rock prone position again and get hit, I really can't say all is fine.

It's fine until I get hit again, I guess.

 

Have a '02 Cooper CVT (8/2002 build) with 17,800 miles and still has the original factory windshield. No cracks, no marks, nothing. Not all 2002's have had problems with the windscreen glass....

 

HERE IS THE ARTICLE I READ> FOUND ON BRIDGER.US WEBSITE;

I found it at BRIn a bit of news that is sure to send shockwaves through MINI service departments everywhere MINI has apparently solved the windshield cracking issue. This news is from reader Brian Moore:

While attending the MINI/Bimmer Fest in Limerock, CT, yesterday I spoke with a factory MINI rep (the ebullient Tanya), and was informed that MINI has now isolated and solved the pathological and diabolical windshield cracking problem.

According to the rep, the problem was due to flex in the A-pilars (!), which have now been reinforced. The rep couldn't provide an exact date as to the implementation of this change, but told me that it was presently in effect for cars being built currently. She also wasn't sure what would be involved in retro-active implementation of this fix to afflicted cars.

As a side note, Tanya told me that the solution was deduced through involvement with MINI race teams: despite their much more extreme use, there had apparently been no incidence of cracked windshields on cars modified for the track. It was eventually concluded that this was because these vehicles had been reinforced with cages, which eliminated the causal A-pilar flex.

Great news! Thanks for sharing Brian. I've gone through three windshields personally but have over 20,000 miles on my current one. However I think it's those owners who have gone through 5-6 windshields that will be most excited.



MINI Fixes Black Roof Warping?

9/1/2003
As some of you may know certain black roof MINIs have had issues with warping and dimpling roofs in the hot sun. Aparently MINI did listen to these concerns and according to someone who works in a MINI parts department there are now two part numbers for the main section of the roof. He told me that the new roof is seemingly further reinforced to resist warping in heat. I have yet to recieve independant confirmation on this but it looks like we might now have a solution to this issue.

For those of you who are newer to the MINI world or don't remember the issues last summer this Roadfly post should give you some background info. For instance it only happens to MINIs with black roofs and no sunroof.


Does anyone have info about this change? I think a lot of black roof owners out there are eagly awaiting some definitive news on this.

 

Any "fixes" for the solid black roofs, imply the complete removal of the headliner trim to get to the inner roof bracings. No thanks!

Removing the headliner in the MINI is a pretty ardous task that leaves too much room for error if the dealer is not careful enough when doing it. Not worth it IMO.

 

>>Any "fixes" for the solid black roofs, imply the complete removal of the headliner trim to get to the inner roof bracings. No thanks!
>>
>>Removing the headliner in the MINI is a pretty ardous task that leaves too much room for error if the dealer is not careful enough when doing it. Not worth it IMO.

But you could get something like this!!

 

I don't believe the "a-pillar flex" theory. The a-pillar is a contributing factor at best. There have numerous reports of windshield spontaneously cracking overnight while sitting in a garage. "A-pillar flex" cannot explain that.

 

No problems so far on my 03-2003 built MCS. Here is hoping that I don't run into any!

I do have the rain sensing wipers, but I was not aware that the windshields were any different except for the added sensor.

 

Bk_MCS and ciaomini just reported 2 instances of stress-crack windshields on 04s.

I guess it is not fixed after all....... (crossing my fingers)
I think if it temp related stress crack, we will see more of it during the winter. It could be 0 degrees outdoors, and 60 degrees in the garage.......

 

My 2002 Cooper CVT has been exposed to ambient temperatures ranging from 32F to 100F and no stress cracks after 18K miles.

No problems either on my '04 MCS.