Just got back from a 1250 mile road trip. Drove through freezing rain, blowing snow for 500 of those miles. Stopped overnight, started out for the last 135 miles in bright sunshine. Having been hit by numerous small stones in bits of ice the previous day I checked my windshield before starting out. With about 60 miles left to go I noticed a crack beginning to form on the lower left (driver's side) of the windshield. It is now about 4 inches long. Will be calling my dealer this morning.

 

Do not, under any circumstances, let them have an "area rep" inspect your windshield without you present. They will find some miniscule chip that popped out from the growing crack, run their ballpoint pen over it (which will make it bigger) and tell you that the crack is from a stone hitting the windshield.

Make sure to point out to them that there seems to be an epidemic of stones (little tiny ones) hitting the lower left corner of Mini windshields. No other car known to mankind has had this curious epidemic, yet Mini is refusing to acknowledge this problem.

Also point out that these little tiny stones never hit in the center of the windshields. Clever and accurate these stones must be.

Please let me know what your dealer does for you.

 

I am wondering if anyone has had thier windshield replaced by someone other than MINI. I just spoke to a place in town that has the glass and will do it, while waiving my deductible, AND they come to me. Much better than driving down to Detroit. But, my crack is in the same place everyone else's is, the lower passenger side, and I'm wondering if this is something MINI should look at. I closely examined the crack and in the middle of it, I see a very minor knick. You can barely see it. Has anyone had this same crack and replaced it with glass other than OEM glass? What's the difference? I imagine you loose the black border that surrounds the glass. I don't know if that is something to be concerend with or not. Crazy as it seems, I kind of like the little MINI symbol on my glass.

 

You could be concerned about getting this done as a warranty issue. Note from all of the posts on the various sites that a sizable number all report a crack in the lower windshield and a very very tiny knick. This knick is simply where a bit of glass splits off as the crack develops. Mini is saying that the knicks are points of impact.

They are simply ducking the issue (and responsibility) and we should not let them get away with it.

It would be an incredible coincidence for so many of one particular kind of car all being hit by miniscule rocks in the same location. Does Mini think that there is a conspiracy between all of the small rocks of the world to target the corners on new Mini windshields??? Why wouldn't these rocks target other cars, too, or aim for the middle.

Lastly, if somehow all of these precision strikes in the corners cause cracks, why don't they cause cracks if they hit in the middle? Surely if Minis are being peppered with rocks, some must be hitting other parts of windshields. If a tiny grain of sand causes a crack in the corner but not in the middle, then it is a design flaw issue anyway.

Either way, the windshields are a problem and Mini should have to take responsibility. I suspect that the conspiracy is not between the pebbles of the world but within Mini since they do not want admit such a problem if they can bully people into getting their insurance companies to pay for all of these replacement windshields.

If enough people try to get past "customer service" or mention this frustration to prospective buyers, maybe Mini will finally step up and live up to their hype.

 

>>Do not, under any circumstances, let them have an "area rep" inspect your windshield without you present. They will find some miniscule chip that popped out from the growing crack, run their ballpoint pen over it (which will make it bigger) and tell you that the crack is from a stone hitting the windshield.
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>>Please let me know what your dealer does for you.

Unfortunately, I had to leave Ole Yella at the dealer, the "rep" did inspect the windshield without my being present. Prior to this the Service manager pointed out a "miniscule chip" as well as another miniscule chip that was without a crack.

Bottom line, windshield replaced - Under Warranty!
:smile: :smile: :smile:

They also replaced the handbrake boot that had a hole worn in it from the adjustment bolt, and the throttle body that was causing the check engine and EML warning lights to come on.

I felt so good I had them install the alarm system. $584.90 plus tax.

 

I wish I had your dealer. Who are they?

 

Just to let everyone know. I just had my windshield replaced by a State Farm Authorized Auto Glass Service and I was a little worried if it would be the same type of design. The MINI windshield has the black border that tapers into little black spots and it also has the MINI logo etched onto it.

I am very particular about my MINI and worried if it would be perfect. After the service was done (which took less than half a day) I got my MINI back and it's as good as new. They put PPG glas into the car and it is an exact duplicate of the MINI glass, with the exception of the MINI logo. I'm very pleased with it.

MC