I got a medium-sized stone chip smack in the middle of my windhshield. I tried to have to fixed by having the local glass shop shoot resin into the spot.

Well, the dude held the bic lighter too long, and melted a snowflake pattern into the glass the size of a silver dollar. Now they have to replace the whole windshield! I guess the quality of the original windshield was a bit lacking.

 

Got a BIG chip in windshield within 2 weeks of getting car, on interstate crusing slowly at around 60 mph, from what seeemed like a fairly small pebble from a truck. The ding was so loud and hard, it created a chip and an adjacent but disconnected crack. Had it fixed that pm and no problems with that since. Now I do stay clear of trucks or try to pass them asap.
5 prior years in Subaru Outback and no crack or chip, and now one within 2 weeks. Oh well.

 

Pinhole chip from a rock that I didn't notice...is now a HUGE ugly crack stretching across the whole windshield.

 

In 5 months, I have one through 2 windshields.
My uncle owns a Glass company so he keeps me on the road.
He told me I was going to go through windshields fast!
They are so thin!
There are actually 2 pieces of glass, about 1/16" or so thick with a piece
of mylar between them. Together, the windshield couldn't have been more than 3/16" thick. Most cars are 1/4" think or more.
He also commented that it was the lightest windshield he ever replaced.

As a matter of fact, he is fixing a new start chip in mine tomorrow.

I would suggest changing your insurance premium to $0 glass.
It is expensive since the only place you can get it right now is from a MINI dealership!

Happy Motoring guys.

 

I had my cracked windshield repaired, and they melted a giant snowflake pattern into it the size of a silver dollar. I think the thin glass melts very easily, and is likely to get screwed up.

 

Just a bit of clarification... Windshield glass for the MINI is available from sources other than a MINI dealership. There is some question whether the original equipment glass is available elsewhere, but other MCOers have found that PPG and at least one other manuf make windshields. Now, you may not WANT aftermarket glass...but it is available.

 

>>Well, the dude held the bic lighter too long<<

Here's the first problem..... a lighter? WTF, chuck? They should be using a resin and an Ultraviolet light. No melting issues, excellent bond, and high strength. (Also fully covered by my insurance with no deductible - and we can't get $0 glass deductible in PA.)

Was this "dude" from a professional glass service? They seriously need to get with the program.

 

1 massive "oyster" this weekend on 16 back from Savannah, GA for SPD! We all had the cruse set on 105 and BAMN! A camaro kicked a rock up!

GOOD NEWS EVERYBODY I found a use for the enormous "playschool" rearview mirror. My chip (size of a US quarter) is right behind it, from the drivers prespective. So it's not so bad. . .

-Ian-

 

what's up with these cheap windshields?
i can play connect the chips on mine :evil:

 

I got a nice rock chip / crack within a month of ownership... got it repaired.. been ok for this last month..

 

Two stress cracks at the same time top center behind mirror and lower driverside. I feel lucky though its been fine for the last 12k.

 

>>Now, you may not WANT aftermarket glass...but it is available.

When I had the windshield replace on my 1990 S-10 pickup, the replacement glass was a lot more resistant to pitting and to chips. It might be the same with the MINI. I already have one spider crack starting..

 

First chip at 3500 miles

 

1 stress crack and one chip luckily the chip is on the screen with the stress crack so it wil be gone once i have time to chage the windscreen....I live over 200 miles from my dealer

 

oooops 3 months and 11,000 miles not 1,100

 

Has Mini done anything to improve this on the 2003 Minis? You'd figure it'd be less expensive for them to place better windshields on the car then having to replace so many.

 

Just got my MCS yesterday. This morning on the way to work, bang, stone chip to the windshield. Odometer: 107 miles.

Maybe somebody ought to try putting that clear nose bra on windshields.

 

>>Just got my MCS yesterday. This morning on the way to work, bang, stone chip

Bummer.

>>Maybe somebody ought to try putting that clear nose bra on windshields.

Hmmm....interesting idea? Kind of like the tear-off on motor-cycle helmet visors or the ones on NASCAR.


Happy Motoring!

 

>>
>>>>Maybe somebody ought to try putting that clear nose bra on windshields.
>>
>>Hmmm....interesting idea? Kind of like the tear-off on motor-cycle helmet visors or the ones on NASCAR.
>>
>>
how about stronger/thicker glass?

 

>>?????? rocks on the bounce (tigger rocks)

When I used to go with my parents on woodcutting trips where I rode in the back of the truck, I'd keep a handfull of gravel with me. I'd toss one out when no cars were behind us. The first hit it would bounce slightly. The second hit just slightly more. The third hit, shazam! It would fly way up into the air. The the rock gains more rotational velocity, it spring boards itself into the air higher than any of the previous two bounces. So maybe a rock came off another vehicle and hit that magical thrid bounce and went TIGGER on ya!!


Happy Motoring!

 

>>
>>>>?????? rocks on the bounce (tigger rocks)
>>
>>When I used to go with my parents on woodcutting trips where I rode in the back of the truck, I'd keep a handfull of gravel with me. I'd toss one out when no cars were behind us. The first hit it would bounce slightly. The second hit just slightly more. The third hit, shazam! It would fly way up into the air. The the rock gains more rotational velocity, it spring boards itself into the air higher than any of the previous two bounces. So maybe a rock came off another vehicle and hit that magical thrid bounce and went TIGGER on ya!!
>>
>>
>>Happy Motoring!

i see
but i still have a pretty white chip on my smoked black sunroof :evil:
maybe i can use a black sharpie to cover it up (it's small but i know it's there, every time i clean it)

 

Hi:

Crack appeared after parking in direct sun, lower right front WS, upside down L, starting at end of wiper blade going up 4" then left 6". After a hard freeway drive of 175miles, sometimes hitting 105 mph...., no chip anywhere on the crack. Will notify dealer later today.

Gotta Motor every opportunity.

 

well i poseted this in the aftermarket thread, but i'm also going to post it here, as it might get more views...

Well unfortunately I get to join the cracked windshield club

Gotta few questions.. Since I'll be paying for the entire thing out of pocket (high deductable.. WS needs to be replaced), I would rather not get a second seemingly crappy MINI windshield, but a thicker, stronger one:
1. will dealers only install factory products? I'd rather use their knowledge of the MINI when putting on the new WS (especially after VAmini's story), but would rather use a better quality WS
2. what windshield brands are out there that are good. vendors, etc.
3. how much do these typically cost, and what's the total service and other crap fees come to?

thanks for anyone who has any info...

ryan

 

Just joined the club this week. Mine sounds similar to miniron's. Like wags, I'd like to replace it with something a bit stronger. Unless it's a stress crack, then the dealer can replace it for FREE with whatever they want!

 

Haven't joined the club yet (knock wood) but lots of folks here talking about chips... when does a pit become a chip? Is there a specific difference between a pit and a chip?