I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S (Lola), with 40,000 miles. She is a sweetie except for one problem, she has had four winshield replacements. In reading several postings, it is not an uncommon problem. However, this is the second time I am faced with this situation. There is a piece of smoky colored plastic that is on either side of your windshield, between the front windshield and the side windows that has fallen off twice. The first time it happened was four months after I bought Lola, two months after I had the first windshield replaced. A couple weeks while traveling down the interstate, I heard a crackling sound, and looked in my rear view window to see another one fly off and shatter into a million pieces. The dealership claims it was caused by the windshield having to be replaced. That may indeed be the case, but.. it is a royal pain for me to drive Lola two hours one way to the dealership to get this part replaced. Does anyone know what this part is called?, if I can buy this part online?, and just have it replaced by a body shop closer to home? The part has never been covered by the warranty.. due to the windshield replacement (according to my dealership).. so I just want to avoid the trip to and from the dealership.

Thx.. Carol Ann

 

Look here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=51&fg=20

 

Has the dealership been the one to replace the windshield? If they were, then they should be responsible for replacing the part correctly so that it doesn't fall off.
I have heard of some other places not removing these pieces correctly (and breaking the clips which hold them on) and since the clips are broken and aren't replace the piece will not stay in place. I would take it up with the company who has replaced your windshield or find out the proper way to remove and replace these pieces and do it yourself prior to having the windshield replaced.

 

Had my windshield replaced last month. The dealer told my glass guy that unless the clips are replaced too the side panels will fly off.

 

What *is* the correct way to remove the window side panels so as to not destroy/break any of the clips? And if a clip or two or three does break, are they indeed replaceable, or would need to purchase an entirely new side panel?

Thanks!

 

I cringe at the thought of having mine replaced. When I had my pickup they replaced it but scraped off the paint getting the old one out. After a year it started to rust, NICE. Hopefully the MC windshield come out easy.

 

Thanks for all the information.. nope the dealership did not replace any of the windshields, since the damage was deemed not from a defective windshield, but from a rock kicked up from one of those ugly old trucks on the interstate. The first time I lost a side panel, it happened soon after a windshield was replaced, so the company that replaced the windshield replaced the side panel. This one fell off more than six months after the windshield was replaced. Maybe it is time to go to another windshield replacement place huh? Hopefully I won't have to replace one anytime soon. But at least now I know to tell them about the clips. Fortunately for me, I have not had any other damage to paint etc, with the removal of windshields.

 

Also another factor here is that the 'A' pillar cover has body tape on the inside edge of the cover where it contacts the windshield. In other words the edge against the windshield has doubleback tape on it the entire length of the cover where it touches the windshield. It is very thin and hold the edge down. Without this tape the wind get under the edge and rips it off the car. This is even if you have all the clips in place. I have tested it my friend owns a body show and we put on both covers with new new clips and put body tape on the drivers side and not on the passenger side. Both looked good after we finished and seemd tight, took the car out on the freeway and the passenger ripped off at just about 70mph.

 

Good catch.. will also ensure that they use the tape.