R50/53 Wow! My new windshield lasted a whole week!
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,147
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From: New Hampshire
Exactly seven days ago I got a new windshield under warrantee due to a stress crack. This is my third in 9 months of ownership.
On the way home tonight on the highway, I was about six or seven car lengths behind a Maxima when its driver drifted from the middle of his lane so his tires were exactly between lanes where all the dirt and stones collect. MA drivers have a difficult time staying in their lane - I think it's something in the water but I digress...
So I got showered with some sand and small stones (no larger than 1/4"
. Bang - there's a chip! Bang - theres a star! Yup, a chip AND a star. What the MINI windshield lacks in durablility, it makes up for in variety!
I've decided I'm not going to replace these windshields anymore. I'm in one of the few states where there's a deductible on windshields ($50), and it makes no sense for me to replace them when a week later I could be back where I started from.
From now on, I'm considering windshield imperfections part of the MINI charm. I'm a software developer, so I'll borrow a phrase from my industry: "it's not a bug - it's a feature!"
That said, I wish MINI would just admit they have sucky windshields. I don't expect them to replace every windshield on every MINI with a better one under warrantee. I just want to hear them say it: OUR WINDSHIELDS SUCK! SAY IT! You'll feel better - we'll feel better.
On the way home tonight on the highway, I was about six or seven car lengths behind a Maxima when its driver drifted from the middle of his lane so his tires were exactly between lanes where all the dirt and stones collect. MA drivers have a difficult time staying in their lane - I think it's something in the water but I digress...
So I got showered with some sand and small stones (no larger than 1/4"
. Bang - there's a chip! Bang - theres a star! Yup, a chip AND a star. What the MINI windshield lacks in durablility, it makes up for in variety!I've decided I'm not going to replace these windshields anymore. I'm in one of the few states where there's a deductible on windshields ($50), and it makes no sense for me to replace them when a week later I could be back where I started from.
From now on, I'm considering windshield imperfections part of the MINI charm. I'm a software developer, so I'll borrow a phrase from my industry: "it's not a bug - it's a feature!"
That said, I wish MINI would just admit they have sucky windshields. I don't expect them to replace every windshield on every MINI with a better one under warrantee. I just want to hear them say it: OUR WINDSHIELDS SUCK! SAY IT! You'll feel better - we'll feel better.
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2003
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>>On the way home tonight on the highway, I was about six or seven car lengths behind a Maxima when its driver drifted from the middle of his lane so his tires were exactly between lanes where all the dirt and stones collect. MA drivers have a difficult time staying in their lane - I think it's something in the water but I digress...
>>
Yeah, on the beltway (I think Rt. 128) around Boston, all the cars crochet the lanes as if they didn't exist. Scary.
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Yeah, on the beltway (I think Rt. 128) around Boston, all the cars crochet the lanes as if they didn't exist. Scary.
Well, since this windshield wasn't stress cracked, warranty wouldn't cover it anyway...so I suggest that you try an aftermarket windshield (PPG). They seem to be somewhat tougher than the OEM. It's probably worth $50 bucks to give it a shot.
And let he who is without blame hurl the first stone...don't get me started on NH drivers.
And let he who is without blame hurl the first stone...don't get me started on NH drivers.
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Burning-Ham Alabama
The original genuine MINI windshields are terrible! After being denied warranty replacement of my stress-fractured windshield by Global Imports in Atlanta, I drove around for about 8 months until I could get the much better aftermarket PPG brand windshield.
Quite simply I was not going to pay $750 to the dealership to replace a defective part with another defective part.
My final cost for installation of the PPG glass was $236 at a local shop, including the cost of genuine MINI trim and molding pieces. I've now had over 10k miles with the PPG glass installed and my original windshield lasted a month before it cracked.
If you or your insurance company have to pay for a new windshield (and especially if you have been denied warranty coverage ), by all means get the PPG glass.
It is stronger, cheaper, thicker, and I think its optical clarity is superior. MINI has only now begun to really acknowledge the fact that the windshields are too weak since they are now starting to offer a new improved windshield. I still would not bother with the "new" windshield from MINI since the PPG has been so well received by those that have suffered too many stress fractured MINI windshields.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Colorado
yeah i have a 5 inch stress crack a few weeks ago. it just appeared out of no where. anyways do you think they will replace it for free? i got a rock chip a couple days before the stress crack appeared way up top. It was barely noticeable.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Hampshire
>>Yeah, on the beltway (I think Rt. 128) around Boston, all the cars crochet the lanes as if they didn't exist. Scary.
That's exactly where it was - Rt. 128 North - how'd you know?
>>Well, since this windshield wasn't stress cracked, warranty wouldn't cover it anyway...so I suggest that you try an aftermarket windshield (PPG). They seem to be somewhat tougher than the OEM. It's probably worth $50 bucks to give it a shot.
Would that I could, but I don't believe a rain-sensing PPG windshield is available, is it?
>>And let he who is without blame hurl the first stone...don't get me started on NH drivers.
No argument that drivers from NH (or any state) can do stupid things, but at least we can stay in our lanes!
That's exactly where it was - Rt. 128 North - how'd you know?
>>Well, since this windshield wasn't stress cracked, warranty wouldn't cover it anyway...so I suggest that you try an aftermarket windshield (PPG). They seem to be somewhat tougher than the OEM. It's probably worth $50 bucks to give it a shot.
Would that I could, but I don't believe a rain-sensing PPG windshield is available, is it?
>>And let he who is without blame hurl the first stone...don't get me started on NH drivers.
No argument that drivers from NH (or any state) can do stupid things, but at least we can stay in our lanes!
Sorry for the diversion, but what exactly is a rain-sensing-windshield anyway? Does it sense rain and then automatically activate your wipers? If so, I can' imagine a more annoying "feature"...what's the advantage of having the car control your wipers??
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
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>>I thought I read here somewhere that PPG is making a rain-sensing windshield. Anyone know the part number? 
There are sometimes dumb questions and this is probably one of them......but is the windshield itself rain-sensing or are there rain sensors at the base of the windshield but not actually on or in it?
R.E.
There are sometimes dumb questions and this is probably one of them......but is the windshield itself rain-sensing or are there rain sensors at the base of the windshield but not actually on or in it?
R.E.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Metro-Detroit
>>Sorry for the diversion, but what exactly is a rain-sensing-windshield anyway? Does it sense rain and then automatically activate your wipers? If so, I can' imagine a more annoying "feature"...what's the advantage of having the car control your wipers??
Don't knock until you've tried it. I was a little apprehensive about rain sensing wipers, but it was bundled with auto-dimming mirror. The rain sensing works pretty nicely. It's not perfect in snow with salt, but it's still better than the intermittent that is either too fast or too slow.
As far as the windshield, I think it's just an area where the infrared sensor read through. normally this would be blacked out on the OEM windshield.
Don't knock until you've tried it. I was a little apprehensive about rain sensing wipers, but it was bundled with auto-dimming mirror. The rain sensing works pretty nicely. It's not perfect in snow with salt, but it's still better than the intermittent that is either too fast or too slow.
As far as the windshield, I think it's just an area where the infrared sensor read through. normally this would be blacked out on the OEM windshield.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Hampshire
The rain-sensing windshield has a square area right behind the rear view mirror that detects how much rain has fallen on it. It the makes the wipers swipe accordingly.
I don't know about you, but there are many times when the slow setting of the wipers swipes too infrequently, and the fast setting swipes too often. The auto-sensing setting swipes according to the rate that the rain hits the windshield.
Why would you think that's an annoying feature?
It's packaged with the auto-dimming rear view mirror which is also very handy.
I don't know about you, but there are many times when the slow setting of the wipers swipes too infrequently, and the fast setting swipes too often. The auto-sensing setting swipes according to the rate that the rain hits the windshield.
Why would you think that's an annoying feature?
It's packaged with the auto-dimming rear view mirror which is also very handy.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: D.C.
>>The rain-sensing windshield has a square area right behind the rear view mirror that detects how much rain has fallen on it. It the makes the wipers swipe accordingly.
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>>I don't know about you, but there are many times when the slow setting of the wipers swipes too infrequently, and the fast setting swipes too often. The auto-sensing setting swipes according to the rate that the rain hits the windshield.
>>
>>Why would you think that's an annoying feature?
>>
>>It's packaged with the auto-dimming rear view mirror which is also very handy.
Phew! I was getting anxious for a bit that autodim/wipers wasn't a good choice on my end :???:
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>>I don't know about you, but there are many times when the slow setting of the wipers swipes too infrequently, and the fast setting swipes too often. The auto-sensing setting swipes according to the rate that the rain hits the windshield.
>>
>>Why would you think that's an annoying feature?
>>
>>It's packaged with the auto-dimming rear view mirror which is also very handy.
Phew! I was getting anxious for a bit that autodim/wipers wasn't a good choice on my end :???:
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Chicago
350MI on my ODO, and after cleaning the windshield perfectly (for an application
of RainX), it a few tiny imperfections already
My Corvette windshield (which is closer to the ground) in 21,000MI NEVER cracked, and had about the same # of imperfections!
RE: the rain sensor, I had a chance to try it out last week. Works well, I can't say it's the best feature (I wish I could disable it), but overall does a good job at keeping the moisture off the 'shield, without overwiping and "chattering"... The sensor is @ the top of the windshield, just behind the rear-view mirror. Be sure that area is always clean, otherwise the windshield wipers (when on) will not be as accurare for their speed...
of RainX), it a few tiny imperfections already
My Corvette windshield (which is closer to the ground) in 21,000MI NEVER cracked, and had about the same # of imperfections! RE: the rain sensor, I had a chance to try it out last week. Works well, I can't say it's the best feature (I wish I could disable it), but overall does a good job at keeping the moisture off the 'shield, without overwiping and "chattering"... The sensor is @ the top of the windshield, just behind the rear-view mirror. Be sure that area is always clean, otherwise the windshield wipers (when on) will not be as accurare for their speed...
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Hampshire
Works well, I can't say it's the best feature (I wish I could disable it),
The wiper settings are Off, Sensing, Slow, and Fast. Just pick one of the other 3 settings. Why the need to disable?
The wiper settings are Off, Sensing, Slow, and Fast. Just pick one of the other 3 settings. Why the need to disable?
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>>still the same factory windshield but do you have stars? chips? or is in perfect condition?
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>>tony
In the '02 Cooper CVT we only have a couple of tiny chips, but otherwise is perfect...crystal clear no stars or cracks. We have done over 10K miles of roadtrips so this car has seen a lot of the highway. This is original Saint-Gobain/Sekurit factory glass installed on August 2002 at the assembly line.
The windshield in my '04 MCS is still pristine as well.
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>>tony
In the '02 Cooper CVT we only have a couple of tiny chips, but otherwise is perfect...crystal clear no stars or cracks. We have done over 10K miles of roadtrips so this car has seen a lot of the highway. This is original Saint-Gobain/Sekurit factory glass installed on August 2002 at the assembly line.
The windshield in my '04 MCS is still pristine as well.
4th Gear
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From: Right here smelling exhaust fumes
I agree with y'all here...
My first MINI was picked up on Dec of 03 and driven on chicago expressways through the winter... I have tons of rock chips. It's weak glass.
My husband thinks that I follow too close
My first MINI was picked up on Dec of 03 and driven on chicago expressways through the winter... I have tons of rock chips. It's weak glass.
My husband thinks that I follow too close
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>>I agree with y'all here...
>>My first MINI was picked up on Dec of 03 and driven on chicago expressways through the winter... I have tons of rock chips. It's weak glass.
>>My husband thinks that I follow too close
The only reason manufacturerers use "thin" glass is to save weight and possibly cost.
Another car with notorious windshield problems is the Subaru Outback station wagon.
>>My first MINI was picked up on Dec of 03 and driven on chicago expressways through the winter... I have tons of rock chips. It's weak glass.
>>My husband thinks that I follow too close
The only reason manufacturerers use "thin" glass is to save weight and possibly cost.
Another car with notorious windshield problems is the Subaru Outback station wagon.
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.
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.