My sisters and brothers in the cause:

I know I should know this, but just got my 2004 R53 a few months ago and have a crack on the windshield. Every place I go for an estimate (including the dealer) they ask if I have rain sensor windshield or not ... do I? I can't recall from driving it! How would I know if I did?

 

do you have wipers that come on automatically when it begins to rain?

 

no ... does that mean they are NOT sensor?

 

The lowest price is not the best in a mini....
make sure they have done a few mini windshields...
The plastic sides often break, and need replacing....just sticking them back on with tape rather than clips can cause extra noise...so imo ask around. That and the quality of glass varries lots...buy a cheap glass windshield that gives you a distorted view, and you will remember the "great deal" as a bad buy long after the sweetness of the deal is long gone...and you get it done for the second time. Safelight imo has some of the worst glass around...often they do an install for less than the wholsale cost of a quality piece of glass...and you can often tell from the waviness of the view (different car 2 times).

 

Auto sensors turn on your wipers/sets the delay..
If you turn them on youself, you have manual...
The sensor is up by the mirror...so the black glass paint around the edges are different in a windshield with auto wipers to keep the sensor in the open.

 

you rock ... thanks!

 

thanks. This auto body shop got great reviews, but I do get nervous not going to the dealer ... but it is $400 less .. ugh! SO hard to decide.

 

if you turn the wipers on yourself you either don't have the auto option, or don't know how to use it and don't miss it so just say 'no'

btw - glass replacement is covered by most insurance companies under comprehensive ... it may be worth calling and asking. What's your comp deductable? You might ask what your annual rate difference would be changing your comp' deductable to zero .... I went from a $200 deductable to 0 for about $30 a year total for 4 vehicles . . . .

AND

in some states, Florida is one, if you have coverage on the glass (comprehensive typically), glass is considered a safety item and the insurance company is not allowed to apply the deductable. In FL front galss is replaced by the insurance company for zip so long as the glass is covered by the policy (comprehensive or a sep' clause).

Worth looking into .... I went thru an average of one front screen a year on my 02-S. I had SAFELITE repair every time with never a problem. My insurance company has a partnership with SAFELITE and I've had them replace a lot of glass over the years on many different makes incl Honda, MINI, Toy', Audi, Mazda, Dodge . . .

Lastly, some cracks can be 'repaired' .... glue is injected to keep the crack or chip from getting worse - many insurance companies will cover this at no cost no matter what your comp' deductable . . .

many auto-glass shops, incl SAFELITE will come to you and do this work (replace or repair) in your driveway or even place of work parking lot . . .

 

Capt., you rock! Great ideas -- I am calling auto insurance NOW