>>Cooper4us
>>
>>WE KNOW YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!


..and you were asking about my Cooper CVT? Yep, 18,500 miles and going strong. Still on original factory windshield.

I'll be happy to provide digital photographic evidence if you wish....

 

I drive an 03 mcs, my windshield got craked by a rock soon after the car was purchased. I was upset at the time but the worst part was having to wait for a replacement to come from germany due to the rain sensor feature not been in stock in the U.S. at the time. I'm happy to report that the new windshield has taken a few rock hits and no craks.
My repair was covered by my insurance company.
:smile:

 

I have a 2002 MCS (no sunroof), and no cracks. I have particapatated in both a track day and drivers school, so I definitely applied a certain amount of stress to the "A" pillars. I am wondering if this problem is more common with the sunroof? Windshield seems to pit very easily, but the same could be said for my 2000 MB E320.

 

Maybe you have some kinda good luck Cooper4us.

I recommend that method to those who ask becasue they asked for an opinion and I felt that after reading that article, and punisher's comments that that was the way to go for me, so I recommend it to others. Clever, lol.

 

>>hey Bk_MCS and ciaomini,
>>
>>please do us all a favor and file a complaint with NHTSA.
>>Here is the url:
>>http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
>>
>>This will get MINI's attention and hopefully get them to come up with a real fix sooner.

I can't stress the importance of this suggestion enough. If you go to the NHTSA, and search for reported problems with the '03 MINI Cooper, there are only *3* reports of windshield cracks. Thats it! I really can't believe that people would spend so much time talking about this problem on the boards; but not take the 10 minutes it takes to file a complaint that could actually effect change.

While we would all like to think that MINI USA trolls this site constantly, looking for problems that are being discussed (and they may to an extent); what is really going to get their attention is a bunch of complaints racking up at the NHTSA.

Any thoughts on why people aren't doing this?

 

yeah people, now starts a rant...

People complain about the economy, taxations, politicans, stumbles, windshield cracks, power steering issues. etc., etc., etc.

In general, most people just complain about it and do nothing. GET ACTIVE,
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! Vote, join a political party your behind... Closer to home, NOTIFY THE NHSTA, fill out the form. It's a few minutes, and if everyone with the problem did it, then we would be much more likely to get resolve. I'm not a structural engineer, but I bet a prolonged crack somehow comprimises the strength of a window + visibility (exp. if the crack spreads!). As the cheesy Nike slogan went "Just do it"

...end rant

-Matt

 

Have there been reports of stress cracks on windscreens that have the rain sensor? I am curious if those windscreens are structurally different from the regular OEMs?

 

Here's my update on my cracked windshield. I made an appointment with my dealer to replace the windscreen, that will occur this coming Friday. I was a bit unhappy when the dealer rep quickly let me know "Nine times out of ten there is a chip that caused the crack so don't expect it to be covered under warranty." Well, a bit cocky I thought, but I was not in the mood to argue at that time.

Later, I called 866-ASK-MINI toi discuss this. I was first told that it may not be related to a chip, but in case it is, please discuss your insurance coverage options before bringing it in to the dealer. I was also told that the dealer will test for a chip by running a pencil along the crack. If it hangs up at all, then it is considered a chip. We spent a lot of time discussing my concerns about the crack, the fact that the crack occurred overnight while the car sat in the garage, that the crack emminates from behind the A-pillar molding, I have read of many others having problems with their windscreens and having them covered under warranty, etc.. The MINI rep refused to acknowledge that there was any official problem at all!!!!! THEN.....just as we finished up the call she asked if it was okay that my information was added to a list that MINI was compiling regarding the windscreen crack.....Hmmmmm....I agreed and then asked......if MINI is compiling information specific to the windscreen then they obviously feel that there is/might be a problem?????? I was not corrected....it was only stated that MINI wants to be able to match up the incidents with production dates, options, etc.!!

As others have testified to on NAM, I think it is obvious that MINI knows this is a problem and it struggling to figure out how to correct the problem without it becoming a recall issue!!!

Finally, I would offer the following suggestions to all with a new windscreen crack:

1) Photograph the crack immedeatly. My crack has extended another 4 to 5 inches since appearing. If the crack extends across an area that is chipped, then you will want evidence that it did not originally cross this area and was not caused by it.

2) Call 866-ASK-MINI to be sure your problem is properly recorded.

3) Call NHTSA to have the problem recoreded.

4) If possible, make a video as you run the "pencil test" yourself.

Finally, be tough with your dealer when you go in for repair. For each person who gives in and simply has the windscreen repair covered by insurance, that is one less recorded incident documenting the problems MINI has with stress-cracked windscreens!!!!!!


BTW: My own pencil test indicated there is nothing resembling a chip that caused the crack!!!!!

 

I filled out the NHS... thingy a few weeks ago.

Dad just told me (whilst bathing him) that the dealer asked him which glass he would rather have, aftermarket or dealer, dad said whichever was cheaper for the dealer since we live in florida (windshields are free on insurance). I guess they went with aftermarket because the people came to our house to install it and it says PPG, no MINI logos :???: . Oh well, shouldnt crack again.

 

It is far to ironic that my winscreen crack runs right through the MINI logo. Almost like one of those "No Smoking" signs



_________________
'04 MCS, CR/W/W, HK, Sport#2, MFSW, JCW

 

>>It is far to ironic that my winscreen crack runs right through the MINI logo. Almost like one of those "No Smoking" signs
>>
>>
>>
>>_________________
>>'04 MCS, CR/W/W, HK, Sport#2, MFSW, JCW

Do you have the rain sensing wipers or just the "palin" windshield with no sensors?

 

I think the rain sensor windshields just have a problem with leaking, not necessarily more succeptable to cracking.

 

Nope....no rain sensing wipers and no sunroof....just a cracked windscreen!

 

>>I think the rain sensor windshields just have a problem with leaking, not necessarily more succeptable to cracking.

The rain sensor windscreens leak???
Ain't that ironic?

 

I have the rain sensor windshield and have not have any problems with leaking in nearly 2 months since I took delivery of the car, so it is not all of them, just to clarify.

I haven't had any issues with my windshield. I am currently north of 1,800 miles. Earlier this afternoon I did put a couple of coats of Rain-X in the windshield as I read in an old discussion thread over at MINI2.com, where some owners claim that Rain-X seems to help minimize the rock pits in the windshield surface, so I am giving it a try as it can't hurt anything and helps improve visibility and wiper efficiency on downpurs in the process.

Has anyone been using Rain-X and can confirm on the reduction of rock pits in the glass surface?

 

Well, I just dropped off my MINI and, after looking at my crack for about 30 seconds, the service rep agreed that the windscreen should be replaced under warranty. They did not run the 'pencil-test' he simply ran his finger over the crack several times. The dealer was very polite about i, which was nice. They also did agree to take care of my 10k mile service even though I am just now at 9k miles. They understood that it's a 7 hour round trip for me, and I was already in the shop for the window, a couple of rattles that recently developed, and 12v outlets that don't work. So, kudo's for the dealer....my loaner mini is interesting, an automatic....should be a fun day!!!

 

>>They also did agree to take care of my 10k mile service even though I am just now at 9k miles.

According to your sig, yours is an 04!?
You must be one of the first 04s to get to the 1st service!
That is a lot of motoring you've been doing in the past couple of months!