I found out today when I went in for my v38 upgrade that my windshield is going to be replaced by Mini.
What it turns out to be is that mini used in production models before 04/05 a thinner windshield (meaning the glass is thinner) so it would succumb to a crack from a roadside pebble easier.
My service advisor stated that it is a one time "good faith" replacement and mini is picking up the bill for it. So if you have a cracked windscreen and you have an 03 or an 02. Take your mini into your authorized dealer/service manager and they should pick it up.
Mine was done in Concord. The downside is you will not have your car for two days for it takes 2 days for the thing to cure.

 

Had mine replaced cost me the full deductible. Took it to Mini dealer said it was caused by rock...smallest rock break I have ever seen... couldn't even put a ball pt pen in it..... sigh***

 

You should be able to contact miniusa to get a reimbursement. I would think..

 

Ok, will try tomorrow.... will let you know what comes about... I told the dealer that the rock that broke that windshield wouldn't have hurt any other car that I have owned....

 

with 6 windshield replacements to date ,I am somewhat of an expert in this .Do a search on this site going all the way back to 02 under my screen name, for all threads pertaining to this very vexing problem.The very bottom line on this topic is that I have changed the way that I drive in this car.I no longer place myself anywhere near the back end of large trucks,any pick ups with large wheels and no mud guards,or suv's.the glass provided as original equipment manufacture(OEM) is crap.You can put as many of these into your car as you want, and the net result will be the same:given the SLIGHTEST pebble ,these windshields will pit,and from these pits will, at some future time between 5 minutes and a month, crack.Members with similar problems have posted better results from some of the aftermarket glass manufacturers,ie PPG and Pilkington.It really saddens me to see this thread continue to be posted here,and Miniusa is just standing by and from time to time posting how much they are "concerned about the problem"

I received what was touted at the time as the "new improved windshield", the first one in North America, because I made so much noise here on this site about glass issues.It broke after a mere 5 weeks,and you know what?I'm the worst nightmare that miniUSA could possibly have, because I will drive this broken windshield till it falls in my lap, and tell everyone within the sound of my voice about the troubles I've had and I will cost them many many sales.Are you listening ,MiniUSA?

 

Just had to jump in---


My beautiful 05 MCS, delivered 8/24, was hit by a stone this weekend and of course has a nice size chip in it that we scraped glass powder from.

I just spoke to the Auto Glass man who BMW/Mini contracts to do all their windshield work. He had just been to my house last week to fix the weather stripping that came out at highway speeds!!! He said a repair will discolor quickly and may still spread and suggests replacement.

Help me out, guys!!! I live in Arizona, rock capitol of the world!!! There are rocks everywhere!!! My yard is rocks!!! Rocks fall from the sky!!!

What should I do???

 

ever hear of the boy who lived in a bubble????
If I have 1 complaint of the mini... this windshield is it... well maybe 3
2. not enough POWER (hp)
3. trammeling of suspension

 

CWS-

I'd get it filled, since rocks fall from the sky (we have that problem here too) you should have a few more cracks before the fill discolours. Wait until it is a real problem, not just a chip in new glass.

My two cents.

 

Thanks, winechic, for your support. That's the way I feel, I mean, it's like a battle scar not a blemish! And you are right - it won't be the last!!!

By the way, hope you are enjoying your new Mini. We've got 1,050 miles on ours so we're almost broken in. I am just lovin it!

 

NEVER EVER replace a windshield if you don't have to! Most reputable autoglass shops are capable to repair chips, nicks and cracks up to 6 inches in length or diameter.


I think your repair glass man is telling you a bunch of BS! Properly repaired chips and cracks dom not discolor! That is a blatant lie to force to buy a new windshield from him! Avoid this repair guy at all costs!.

Call a reputable company like Safelite www.safelite.com. They have mobile glass repair/replacement done at your home or office or if you prefer in shop service. They are one of the biggest auto glass repair shops in the nation. I have used them before for windshield chip repair with great results, I highly recommend them.

Windshield replacement should only be considered when all available avenues of glass repair have been exhausted, or the extent of the damage is such that no existing glass repair method will solve the problem or if the damage is right within the driver's line of sight.

You don't want to break up the original windshield factory seal! The factory seal can not be ever duplicated!!! No matter what your repair glass man may tell you, so always ask for glass repair options before you allow them to use a cold knife and break your original factory glass seal.

 

I second that CSW. Bugs and Rocks in AZ. I have about 350 plus miles on the MCS driving to and from work on the 101 > 202 > 10 and those damn pebbles keep hitting my front spoiler, bonnet and windshield. I can already see tiny chips on my windshield! Today, I avoided the freeways and drove to work using the city streets but it took me an hour instead of 30 minutes.

 

got the coop back today with brand new factory glass. Yes I would not even go to an aftermarket place to get the windscreen done. Thats why when my service advisor said that mini was paying the bill for it on a one time replacement I jumped at it. Also the new windscreen has the smaller mini logo on the left front. Just like the 05's..

 

That is exactly what I thought in the first place and I do appreciate your advice!!! We'll be filling in the chip tomorrow and be happy about it. My husband's G35 has a chip in it he's had for about 6 months we'll have done at the same time.

I'll never forget the time I was driving across I-10 in Louisiana in my Maxima, turned on the defrost, and a little chip I'd had for months went CRRRRRRRACK all the way across the windshield. Lesson - get them fixed before they become big problems!

 

I have never heard of taking two days to cure??

I have had windshield replaced in other vehicles (not my MCS thank God) and driven away within a half hour after the guy left that did the replacement.

Earl

 

__________________
Hey little Red Devil: tramlining is not caused by the suspension; most likely by the tire type. You should have known about the 115 hp or 163 hp capability before you bought the car, let alone test drive it. Personally, I find the 115 hp MC adequate for my use. To each his own.

 

the hp issue might have come from driving BB chevy's growing up.... to each his own.... btw I did drive both before buying.... knowing I would eventually hop it up

 

Speaking of Chevy's... my friend just turned 6.35 seconds at 222.5 in his super nova II in the 1/4 mile. for a new record. However he could never keep up with me on highway 2.

Earl

 

LOL... that's fast... damn fast.....

yeah.... I don't it goes around corners at all