For those combing these threads for a glass fix, check this out. Had a local glass shop (Harmon Glass) replace my '04 windshield with an aftermarket PPG. I was concerned that shops might not have experience with MINI's. All went perfectly! I recommend you look around and ask questions to qualify a good installer.

I studied the OEM shield before the swap. The replacement really has better optical quality. Hard to explain but the pillar curves look cleaner with no distortion. Tint etc. has no visible difference. The new glass is .085 thicker and reported more chip resistant.

The shop preformed a non-scientific glass density examination on the pull. Okay, they whacked it with metal tools. The result concluded is that it "seemed pretty easy to bullet and crack". I hoped for a whack at that @#@#$ thing but it's against shop policy.

 

So now that you have your new bullit proof windshield, are you gong to start tailgating dump trucks to see if it can really stand up to rocks? Be sure to let us all know how it works.

 

^^ It won't -- so don't. As someone who recently had a hole blown through her (PPG) glass, I feel confindent in my assertion.