R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 The first stress cracked windshield on an 04?

Old Nov 10, 2003 | 08:35 AM
  #1  
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From: Fleming Island (orange park basically) FL

from dad to me:
cracked front window on the mini. Is that covered under warranty?

to dad from me:
God damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did a rock hit it? Check for pitting by running your finger along the crack. If it wasnt a rock it will be warranty. There's been a big problem with lots of MINI windows cracking. People said that the A pillars have been beefed up for 04s to solve this prob but I guess not, unless a rock hit it. They'll probably give you it under warranty anyways since it's been such a problem. Dont say anything about rocks if it was a rock.

from dad to me:
No, wasn't a rock. Crack starts under the moulding on the lower passenger side.

to dad from me:
good, call scott and let him know, and tell him definately not a rock! and ask if he knows anything about reinforced a pillars.

I dont even know what to say.

Oh, and let me add that I am happy to be the first stress cracked 04! Yes!

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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 08:58 AM
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I am afraid that we might tie for the first stress crack on a '04 i just had mine fixed under warranty last week. They tried at first to blame it on a rock but i pitched a fit so they admitted to the fault. Make sure you do not get pushed into admitting to a rock. I wish they would fix this problem seems like the crack never gets resolved from year to year.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 09:13 AM
  #3  
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wow. I was hoping this problem was fixed. I have a late build 03 which suposidly got the reinf a pillars. I have 3500 miles on it already no crack. yet but I have been hit with 2 rocks. got a very small pit but no crack.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 09:27 AM
  #4  
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From: Fleming Island (orange park basically) FL
Something like 2500 now I assume, between dad driving 40 miles to and from work every day.

We'll see about the reinforced a pillars, I told dad to ask, but he'll probably get the "if your source isnt BMW then it's no good" bs that my MA (scott) gave me when I told him about the ebrake unlock program feature.

I'll make sure to stress to dad that he is not to admit to rock chips.

Oh, and I hate you, if I have to have a cracked 04 windshield, I wanted to be first! Are you sure yours was built in October, lol.

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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 10:10 AM
  #5  
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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.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 10:26 AM
  #6  
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Filled out the complaint, now Katana, I'll be upset if my dad gets a bunch of spam email/phone calls because of this, lol.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 10:29 AM
  #7  
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1,270 Miles and no windshield cracks.

Please post a pic of the crack on your windshield.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 10:31 AM
  #8  
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I'm at FSU and dad is in Jville, he has no digi, otherwise I'd get a pic.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 11:17 AM
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Yes october build. LOL. I have a couple of pics of my crack but I'm afraid, I'm not sure how to upload. I have filed complaints to the above links.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 12:47 PM
  #10  
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Dern, I guess second will have to do, at least I can claim that, lol!
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 01:27 PM
  #11  
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Dad just told me it was maybe 5 inches and that he called service and they said no problem just bring it in on wednsday.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 01:45 PM
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From: Moved from Leesburg, VA to Oceanside, CA Nov. 2003
Bummer......
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 02:10 PM
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>>Filled out the complaint, now Katana, I'll be upset if my dad gets a bunch of spam email/phone calls because of this, lol.

If that happens, blame the government, not me :smile:
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 02:28 PM
  #14  
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From: brookfield NH
My 02 broke it's original windsheild very early on, but was replaced with ppg glass. I've been pegged a few times by good size stones that have left permanent marks on the glass.But it didn't break.So if I ever need to replace it, it's going to be another ppg.
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 04:56 PM
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>>My 02 broke it's original windsheild very early on, but was replaced with ppg glass. I've been pegged a few times by good size stones that have left permanent marks on the glass.But it didn't break.So if I ever need to replace it, it's going to be another ppg.

Was it your dealer who had the PPG installed?
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 05:07 PM
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4400 miles, no problems yet.

Wonder why some crack, and some don't? Could it be improper installation at the factory? I guess if mine cracks, I will searching the threads on the subject.

Regards,
Red
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 05:41 PM
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>>Yes october build. LOL. I have a couple of pics of my crack but I'm afraid, I'm not sure how to upload. I have filed complaints to the above links.<<


Please, no pictures of your crack, this is a G rated website............well, PG anyway.

Also, don't be afraid.

R.E.
:smile:
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 06:00 PM
  #18  
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From: cincy,OH
well this is dissapointing...mini windows crackig for no reason? sounds like they need to do somethign about this for the 05's!
 
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Old Nov 10, 2003 | 08:46 PM
  #19  
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From: so cal
I copied this from another website;

"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."

Thought this might be of interest.

 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 05:06 AM
  #20  
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I now serve as one more piece of the LONG line of evidence that MINI has a problem with the windshields!!! I arrived home last night and parked my MINI in the garage....no problem. Walked out early this morning......problem :evil: .

I also read through the rest of this thread and will follow-through with making a NHTSA complaint, hopefully this will help all of us!!! I will post an update after working with the dealer.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 10:09 AM
  #21  
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SEE! All you doubters.

That's the same that happened to mine from what Dad said, and MINI said it wasnt a stress crack but a rock, so dad just fixed it under insurance since it's Florida.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 01:26 PM
  #22  
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I can't recall on the windscreen problem: is it occurring more often w/ or w/out sunroof MINI's, and Is it more often occurring w/ the MCS's v. MC's, or are all factors equal on this?
 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 01:35 PM
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I have seen more reports on MINIs with sunroofs, but then again of the MINIs I've seen a healthy majority have sunroofs, so I'm not sure if it's any higher than normal (non sunroof) MINIs.


BTW, I'm still on windshield #5. The first 4 were MINI glass. None of them lasted more than a few months. Windshield #5 is a PPG and I've had it in the car now for 6 months without cracks or rock chips.

Bummed this windshield glass is still a problem for even the newest MINI owners.

Dave
 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 03:28 PM
  #24  
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'04 MCS, 1,600+ miles, zero problems with the windshield.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2003 | 03:44 PM
  #25  
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From: Fleming Island (orange park basically) FL
Cooper4us

WE KNOW YOU HAVE NO PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!

I swear he hunts for all the problem threads and posts that same respons in each, changing the mileage when appropriate, what about your CVT? LOL.

I'll keep the PPG in mind DiD if it happens again.
 
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