R50/53 Wow! My new windshield lasted a whole week!
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>>I know that there have been many long and detailed windshield damage threads, but in summary, it seems like there are really 2 issues re. the OEM glass...
>>
>>1) The OEM glass is relatively (to many other cars and the aftermarket PPG glass) thin and prone to surface damage.
>>2) There are problems on the MINI assembly line related to proper installation of windshields. The problems are intermittent and do not affect all cars off the line.
>>
>>The combination of these two issues mean that many cars have experienced stress cracks due to improper installation of the too-thin glass. Other cars - those with PROPERLY installed glass - may still experience excessive chipping and scratching due simply to the thin glass.
>>
>>I'd hazard to say that there are some cars/owners -- Cooper4us is one -- who are lucky enough to have properly installed glass AND who drive in areas where glass-damaging road debris are not epidemic. Those folks have trouble-free windshields. But I also know that in the Northeast (as opposed to Florida), in the winter, our roads are routinely covered with sand and small gravel (for traction). This stuff is terrible on ALL windshields, and the extra-fragile MINI glass in particular.
True, here in Florida we don't get the brutal Northeast winters but we still have a big problem with road debris and we still have the same dump trucks in our highways throwing stones as everyone else. However, it would be interesting to find out the areas of the country where people seems to have the most number of reported glass related issues...I suspect owners that live in the West and northeast are the most affected.
But I agree with you about the root cause of the problem being the way the glass is installed at the factory. Right now I can't really understand as to why of the inconsistencies as these are mass produced cars with precision assembly welds and manufacturing techniques...so where is the problem coming from???
We have seen that:
1) Reinforcing the A-pillars didn't do anything for some '04 owners
2) Adding 20% thicker glass didn't do much for some owners either.
What are we missing here??
>>
>>1) The OEM glass is relatively (to many other cars and the aftermarket PPG glass) thin and prone to surface damage.
>>2) There are problems on the MINI assembly line related to proper installation of windshields. The problems are intermittent and do not affect all cars off the line.
>>
>>The combination of these two issues mean that many cars have experienced stress cracks due to improper installation of the too-thin glass. Other cars - those with PROPERLY installed glass - may still experience excessive chipping and scratching due simply to the thin glass.
>>
>>I'd hazard to say that there are some cars/owners -- Cooper4us is one -- who are lucky enough to have properly installed glass AND who drive in areas where glass-damaging road debris are not epidemic. Those folks have trouble-free windshields. But I also know that in the Northeast (as opposed to Florida), in the winter, our roads are routinely covered with sand and small gravel (for traction). This stuff is terrible on ALL windshields, and the extra-fragile MINI glass in particular.
True, here in Florida we don't get the brutal Northeast winters but we still have a big problem with road debris and we still have the same dump trucks in our highways throwing stones as everyone else. However, it would be interesting to find out the areas of the country where people seems to have the most number of reported glass related issues...I suspect owners that live in the West and northeast are the most affected.
But I agree with you about the root cause of the problem being the way the glass is installed at the factory. Right now I can't really understand as to why of the inconsistencies as these are mass produced cars with precision assembly welds and manufacturing techniques...so where is the problem coming from???
We have seen that:
1) Reinforcing the A-pillars didn't do anything for some '04 owners
2) Adding 20% thicker glass didn't do much for some owners either.
What are we missing here??
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
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From: Burning-Ham Alabama
What are we missing here??
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Right here smelling exhaust fumes
I thought maybe it might be that the windshield is positioned so upright... but that's just a stupid guess to make me feel better. I notice I get hit by rocks more often in my MINI.
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>>I thought maybe it might be that the windshield is positioned so upright... but that's just a stupid guess to make me feel better. I notice I get hit by rocks more often in my MINI.
You are right, the MINI's windshield is pretty upright compared to toher mundane cars. The Subaru Outback has the same problems and its windshield is also positioned upright.
You are right, the MINI's windshield is pretty upright compared to toher mundane cars. The Subaru Outback has the same problems and its windshield is also positioned upright.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: north seacoast ,Ma.USA
"New " windshield is NOT 20% thicker, but has an increase in tensile strength (Temper) of 20 %.
I've recieved ,since having the first of the new windshields installed ,4 solid rock hits that ,with six windshields to my credit, I can honestly say,would have caused cracks in the originals.No Cracks! I have been watching with interest the attempt to catalogue the # of PPG windshields installed,and have noticed that only 4 people signed on.Still ,next time round ,(if there is a next time ) I will probably try the ppg.For all those following my plight ,thanks for putting up with me,and I will continue to post my experience with this "New" product. Peace
I've recieved ,since having the first of the new windshields installed ,4 solid rock hits that ,with six windshields to my credit, I can honestly say,would have caused cracks in the originals.No Cracks! I have been watching with interest the attempt to catalogue the # of PPG windshields installed,and have noticed that only 4 people signed on.Still ,next time round ,(if there is a next time ) I will probably try the ppg.For all those following my plight ,thanks for putting up with me,and I will continue to post my experience with this "New" product. Peace
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>>"New " windshield is NOT 20% thicker, but has an increase in tensile strength (Temper) of 20 %.
>>
>> I've recieved ,since having the first of the new windshields installed ,4 solid rock hits that ,with six windshields to my credit, I can honestly say,would have caused cracks in the originals.No Cracks! I have been watching with interest the attempt to catalogue the # of PPG windshields installed,and have noticed that only 4 people signed on.Still ,next time round ,(if there is a next time ) I will probably try the ppg.For all those following my plight ,thanks for putting up with me,and I will continue to post my experience with this "New" product. Peace
>>
>> I've recieved ,since having the first of the new windshields installed ,4 solid rock hits that ,with six windshields to my credit, I can honestly say,would have caused cracks in the originals.No Cracks! I have been watching with interest the attempt to catalogue the # of PPG windshields installed,and have noticed that only 4 people signed on.Still ,next time round ,(if there is a next time ) I will probably try the ppg.For all those following my plight ,thanks for putting up with me,and I will continue to post my experience with this "New" product. Peace
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
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I have a early 04 (Sept built), possibly with the reinforced A-pillar and the weak glass. Even though I haven't experienced a stress crack yet, I always have the fear that the crack might appear anytime. Why?
Well, driving on the wonderful roads we have here around Boston, I continue to hear popping, creaking noises coming from the A-pillar/windshield area. I sounded like the A-pillar is flexing, or the whole windshiled is moving around in its opening. Even though I can't prove it, it sure sounds to me that the windshield is under a lot of flexing stress. It is being stressed in a way it doesn't like, and is making popping noise to complain about it.
How about everyone else? Have you noticed your A-pillar popping/flexing?
Well, driving on the wonderful roads we have here around Boston, I continue to hear popping, creaking noises coming from the A-pillar/windshield area. I sounded like the A-pillar is flexing, or the whole windshiled is moving around in its opening. Even though I can't prove it, it sure sounds to me that the windshield is under a lot of flexing stress. It is being stressed in a way it doesn't like, and is making popping noise to complain about it.
How about everyone else? Have you noticed your A-pillar popping/flexing?
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>>I have a early 04 (Sept built), possibly with the reinforced A-pillar and the weak glass. Even though I haven't experienced a stress crack yet, I always have the fear that the crack might appear anytime. Why?
>>
>>Well, driving on the wonderful roads we have here around Boston, I continue to hear popping, creaking noises coming from the A-pillar/windshield area. I sounded like the A-pillar is flexing, or the whole windshiled is moving around in its opening. Even though I can't prove it, it sure sounds to me that the windshield is under a lot of flexing stress. It is being stressed in a way it doesn't like, and is making popping noise to complain about it.
>>
>>How about everyone else? Have you noticed your A-pillar popping/flexing?
Nope. Probably what you hearing is the plastic strip cover that runs on top of the dashboard at the base of the windshield. If your A-pillar were flexing, a) you would have a serious structural issue and b) your windshield would have cracked long ago.
I think people sometimes read too much into these posts waiting for the glass to break any minute. If it hasn't happened probably it won't happen and if it does, rest assured it will be a flying rock or something to that effect.
Just motor and enjoy your car!
>>
>>Well, driving on the wonderful roads we have here around Boston, I continue to hear popping, creaking noises coming from the A-pillar/windshield area. I sounded like the A-pillar is flexing, or the whole windshiled is moving around in its opening. Even though I can't prove it, it sure sounds to me that the windshield is under a lot of flexing stress. It is being stressed in a way it doesn't like, and is making popping noise to complain about it.
>>
>>How about everyone else? Have you noticed your A-pillar popping/flexing?
Nope. Probably what you hearing is the plastic strip cover that runs on top of the dashboard at the base of the windshield. If your A-pillar were flexing, a) you would have a serious structural issue and b) your windshield would have cracked long ago.
I think people sometimes read too much into these posts waiting for the glass to break any minute. If it hasn't happened probably it won't happen and if it does, rest assured it will be a flying rock or something to that effect.
Just motor and enjoy your car!
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Hampshire
Update: On the way home tonight I got ANOTHER star! I guess I should just make a game of it and see how many I can accumulate.
Same story - traveling a safe distance behind a MA driver in the left lane of the highway, when he decides he has to drift left across the yellow line and into all the gravel and dirt on the shoulder (sorry jsun - I call 'em like I see 'em and I see it EVERY day).
BANG! A nice new star to match the star and the chip from last night.
I'm NOT going to replace this one until I'm forced to (probably in order to get an insoection sticker). And I've already decided that when I do, I'll use PPG glass. If they don't have a rain-sensing version at that time, I'll get the regular one and do without that feature.
When strangers have asked me about my MINI, I've always given it glowing reviews. But now I think I'll have to add a disclaimer: If you do a lot of highway driving like I do, don't get one unless you don't mind replacing the windshield 6 times a year.
Same story - traveling a safe distance behind a MA driver in the left lane of the highway, when he decides he has to drift left across the yellow line and into all the gravel and dirt on the shoulder (sorry jsun - I call 'em like I see 'em and I see it EVERY day).
BANG! A nice new star to match the star and the chip from last night.
I'm NOT going to replace this one until I'm forced to (probably in order to get an insoection sticker). And I've already decided that when I do, I'll use PPG glass. If they don't have a rain-sensing version at that time, I'll get the regular one and do without that feature.
When strangers have asked me about my MINI, I've always given it glowing reviews. But now I think I'll have to add a disclaimer: If you do a lot of highway driving like I do, don't get one unless you don't mind replacing the windshield 6 times a year.
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