Pittsburgh Plate Glass (they also make paint). PPG glass is, according to folks that have it, the best replacement glass for the MINI.

...Les

 

Ok. One more and that's it. How much this PPG glass costs? (average)

 

anyone?

 

That will vary too, by install shop. I'd tell you what mine cost, but I had a $50 deductible so I don't know.

My guess would be $200-$400 though.

 

You were fed a line. Safelite does not make MINI windscreens, they source them from PPG.

 

Taking the car to morristown mini on the 28th. he said that they would do what they call "the pen test" (cheesy name!) Basically they pass a pen's tip through the crack and if the pen stops or gets stuck it is not covered. (hmmm let's not get started here please!)
They say this basic way of checking lets them determine if its by stress or a flying object.
Ok...now bring the jokes!

 

I have a wandering crack going on my windshield.

 

The pen test is the standard way MINI dealerships get out of a free replacement - it's been discussed here many times.

 

I called a few glass places today. The range is $185 to $255 (no tax), out-of-pocket (not making insurance mistake again).
Anyone know about Safelite? They make their own glass.
Speedy was willing to match low price, they're hungry.
Is there a brand to avoid at all costs?

 

According to Safelite they use there own glass and not the OEM. I asked them if they do the OEM or the PPG and they said that they only use their own glass. I just had mine replaced this past Saturday. Has anyone had any experience with the Safelite glass?

 

I was washing my car today - the first day of sun
after many rainy days here in Central CA - and noticed
the "Infamous" L shaped crack behind my rear view
mirror! My car only has 8245 miles. Anyone in Cen Cal had
luck getting this replaced by Mountain View Mini under
warranty?

 

As I stated above: Safelite does not make MINI windscreens, they source them from PPG.

It is one of the few windshields they do not make themselves.

 

I got a quote of $232 for the PPG glass installed here in Alabama but...the exterior A pillars on the Mini are for one time use so you have to order 2 replacements @ $45 each plus the top window seal moulding .

Also my SA told me to carefully explain to the glass installer that if he breaks the clips off the interior A pillars (I think thats what they are called? they are the interior piece right behind the exterior A pillar) under no circumstances should he glue them back on. My SA said if those interiors pieces are glued back on I will never know by looking at them but if I have a wreck & my airbag deploys those pieces will become projectiles if they are glued in place. I don't fully understand the mechanics of this but my SA is pretty knowledgeable & I thought I would pass it along

 

I'm actually learning something here!
Interesting about Safelite and PPG, and the A pillar info.

 

I have the L shape crack at the base of the windshield in the center....3600mi. Allstate is happy to pay Mini for the parts, but they want NOTHING to do with those freakin' hourly rates. $250 out of pocket after $50 deductible. This SUCKS!

 

Unfortunately, the PPG tint does not match the remaining OEM glass. Safelite has the same problem, probably since it is sourced from PPG. Safelite will install OEM glass for about $20 more than the PPG glass. You need to determinne if Tint is more important than durability.
First time out I chose the PPG replacement. Second time I went back to OEM as the tint mismatch bothered me too much.

 

Okay, remember tint.

 

This is not true. The exterior A-pillar covers are not one-time use, but the clips that hold them on are. You (or the installer) do not need to buy new pillar covers, just new clips.

 

My first post in this thread was a couple of months ago, right after my stress cracked windshield was replaced under warranty at two months of ownership. Now 2 1/2 months later, I'm having it replaced AGAIN! This time due to the four rock chips in less than a month. I had the first three fixed, good workmanship but varying optics, the newest one is too much in my line of sight for my preferences. Most people would not replace a windshield in the shape mine's in, but I'm tired of it. After reading pages and pages of windshield problems on this and other MINI forums, I'm willing to pay for a new PPG and see if that helps. A local glass company who fixed the cracks is doing it for $250, they're old school with just one guy and his wife who've been in business for over 30 years in the same location. Dropping it off tonight after work and picking it up tomorrow.

 

Let us know how it goes!

 

Dropped off the car Thursday evening after work. He had it finished Friday but suggested letting it sit overnight. I picked it up this morning and he did a jam up job, looks perfect. He saved the old one for me to look at and the PPG was around 1mm thicker than OEM, I'm hoping this one will have a bit more longevity.

 

I recieved the word this morning that my crack was from a rock! even though you can't even see it. The Shop manager took out the pen and traced the split... Stopping on a tiny, and I mean tiny pit. not even visable to the human eye!!!! nope not covered....

PPG glass, local shop 325$ total for the job. Insurance paying for all but 100$ deductible.

I saw a link on the forums here a while back to a consumer complaint link!!!!

Anyone know what it is? My SA was very cool, gave me free touchup paint kit. But told me they have to send the Glass back to mini and if Mini saw the pit the dealer would have to pay for the Glass? How true is that?

 

Does PPG make a windshield for the cabrio with the rain sensor option? Thanks.

 

If you have the rain sensor option, here are instructions to keep that feature with PPG glass (cabrio or not):

LINK

 

http://www.diamon-fusionusa.com/main.html

This was posted once before. Anyone try it?