Aloha from Hawaii. I wonder if that was a volcanic rock that hit me? It's a volcanic island- why not? Maybe a bird brought it over from the mainland. A big bird of course, silly

 

Okay I'm in the club :evil:

My "someday it will get bigger" fund begins today.

 

We join the club - 23K miles and a hairline crack appeared about a week ago.

 

I have a crack on the lower left of my windshield that extends from the edge a couple inches and perfectly frames the mini logo. Just appeared out of nowhere one day.

 

Dang! Now I'm in the club! 23,500 miles, and a crack appears, running from the top center for 6 inches or so, then migrating right. No impact damage at all, so it's a stress issue. Ah well, Brooksie's had a good run without serious problems, so hopefully I've got another 24K B4 anything else happens. Got an appointment this week.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

>> Dang! Now I'm in the club! 23,500 miles, and a crack appears, running from the top center for 6 inches or so, then migrating right. No impact damage at all, so it's a stress issue. Ah well, Brooksie's had a good run without serious problems, so hopefully I've got another 24K B4 anything else happens. Got an appointment this week.
>>
>> BCNU,
>> Rob in Dago

Rob, try to find some clear plastic and cover up that stress crack, static cling decal or whatever. You don't want a stone to hit the glass anywhere near that crack. Protect it like it was gold, and get to the dealer quick.

If you do get a stone mark by that chip they won't cover it!

Let us know what the dealer says.

_________________

 

Windshield #5 goes in today. #4 has a chip and I thought only 1 stress crack, but yesterday driving home from work I discovered it had a second crack in the center at the top that had been hiden from my view by the rear view mirror.

 

I'm on my third and its cracked again (Stress). This thing is junk.

--
Cheese

 

>>>> Dang! Now I'm in the club! 23,500 miles, and a crack appears, running from the top center for 6 inches or so, then migrating right. No impact damage at all, so it's a stress issue. Ah well, Brooksie's had a good run without serious problems, so hopefully I've got another 24K B4 anything else happens. Got an appointment this week.
>>>>
>>>> BCNU,
>>>> Rob in Dago
>>
>>Rob, try to find some clear plastic and cover up that stress crack, static cling decal or whatever. You don't want a stone to hit the glass anywhere near that crack. Protect it like it was gold, and get to the dealer quick.
>>
>>If you do get a stone mark by that chip they won't cover it!
>>
>>Let us know what the dealer says.

Hey smokey4,
what's the outcome of your 'crack story'?
Did they replace it under warranty?
Markus

 

Hello Marcus,

Nothing yet, I'm scheduled to meet the Area rep tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath. Talked to him on the phone today and he went through the speeel about the "pen down the crack crap" and that that proves it was a rock chip induced crack,

I wonder how all those rocks got trained to cause cracks at only 2 locations on the windshield? hmmmmmmmmmm Do you think they spend hours on the internet planning this out.

I'll let you know what if anything comes of this.

Have you checked the owners lounge board for some of the posts lately?

 

>>>> Dang! Now I'm in the club! 23,500 miles, and a crack appears, running from the top center for 6 inches or so, then migrating right. No impact damage at all, so it's a stress issue. Ah well, Brooksie's had a good run without serious problems, so hopefully I've got another 24K B4 anything else happens. Got an appointment this week.
>>>>
>>>> BCNU,
>>>> Rob in Dago
>>
>>Rob, try to find some clear plastic and cover up that stress crack, static cling decal or whatever. You don't want a stone to hit the glass anywhere near that crack. Protect it like it was gold, and get to the dealer quick.
>>
>>If you do get a stone mark by that chip they won't cover it!

Thanks for the tip, Smokey, but it happened while we were in AZ on Sat. last, and I had to drive back to Cal. I took it to Long Beach today, and I got the "Is that a rock chip there?" - if there is, it's microscopic, and strangely enough, it has little brothers that follow the crack as it meanders across my windshield! I'll hear from'em tomorah. Good luck yerself, BTW.
BCNU.
Rob in Dago
>>
>>Let us know what the dealer says.
>>
>>_________________
>>

 

smokey4 and Vanwall:

here is what I posted on the MINI USA OL,
just some food for thoughts and arguments when you go talk to the dealers.

I wonder whether it would be worth it to talk to a glass repair place first, to see if they think the argument below makes sense?

Here it is:

I have an 03 MCS (12/6 build) picked up Jan 23 with now 11k miles.
I have not had a crack yet.
I have had numerous chips and a HUGE amount of pinhole sized dinks from tiny pieces of stuff hitting the windshield.
I have watched this problem for some time now, and notice that very, very small pieces - even too small to call them pebbles - will create a pinhole in the windshield. This is the result of two things, IMHO: the windshield is very steep - an inherent design issue that cannot be changed, and the glass in the MINI windshield is exceedingly soft, what I would call SUBSTANDARD glass.

Now, with soft glass you get these tiny pinholes.
I do not think these pinholes are sufficient to cause a stress crack per se, but if that were so (as MINI argues), then my response to MINI is: the windshield is not just too soft, it is too weak. Nevertheless, stress cracks appear in a huge number of MINIs. Now, for whatever reason they appear, given the number of pinholes on a windshield, it is highly likely that a crack that might appear for reasons unrelated to chipping will either cross a pinhole, or will - after the crack has started - run across the nearest pinhole, because even though the pinhole is not large enough to start a crack in the first place, it is a weakened area and will 'attract' a crack. This type of problem is well known in aeronautical engineering (smokey4, maybe you have some good references for this?). Now, if this were to happen, I think it is likely that the pinhole will chip a wee bit more at that very moment, and will appear larger and more noticeable. The net result will be that the crack will not pass the pen test, and the dealers will now try to weasel their way out of a warranty issue by claiming that the crack was started by the pinhole, when in the above scenario it was not.
I now have well over 100 pinholes on my windshield. This is not normal. The glass is too soft. Especially given the inherent problems with the steep windshield design, MINI needs to make windshields that are made of glass that is at least at the level of industry standard, and not sub-standard.

MINI, you have to do something about the windshields ASAP if you want to keep MINI owners happy and do not want to risk ruining the reputation of the car.

Please, please, PLEASE do something about the windshields!

Thank you in advance!

 

Add me to the list

'03 MC, 2K miles, 1 chip, 1 crack.

The chip is a little one from a rock, the other a long crack from the bottom corner of the drivers side.

MINI won't cover under warranty, and miniNYC want $800 to replace!

 

OK you guys are scaring the %&#@* out of me. I just ordered my new MCS and I can't believe there is an issue w/ the WS. This is definitly not normal. I am seriously stunned that this has been going on and the company has had no response to date. Here's hoping that they solve it before July when mine is due.

MINIUSA are you listening?

 

>>Add me to the list

 

Last windshield update, until the next one cracks that is.

Area Rep is singing the party line, "rock chip induced crack", and yes he did the "pen test" I had them conduct the TIS Bulletin inspection anyway, I have a copy of the results. This way if and it's a BIG if, Mini does admit there is a problem with the quality of the glass and my installation wasn't to the standard, they will pay me back for the cost of the replacement glass. They could not tell me what the correct thickness of the adhesive is supposed to be, but I have what mine measured out to be.

The area rep told me, "I'm a lucky guy, with all those rock chips, I should have had many cracks by now". What we need is an industry standard on what a "rock chip" is, I have strike marks, no actual glass is missing, no big old bulls-eyes, none of the standard indications of a rock chip. He also stated that the windshield is under stress because it is a structural panel, all sport car manufacturers do this. We also us it as one in aircraft, so this was known to me, but in aircraft they make them just a little bit stronger and thicker.

As for price I went with an after-market vendor / service to replace mine. The dealer wanted $612 and my insurance would not cover the amount that was excess of their authorized price, so I would have to pay the difference and my deductible. Safelight Autoglass (USAA's contract vendor) is doing the install for $272 next Tuesday, I will be paying only the deductible.

They also destroyed both of the black side trim pieces when they removed them to conduct the test, my mechanics at the hangar looked at the end results and wanted to know if they had used screwdrivers to pop the trim off. There were scrape marks on the A-pillars, and you could see where the foam had been ripped by something about 1/4" wide. The dealer has ordered replacements and is shipping them to my home out of their pocket. The local service advisor, wanted to replace the glass as a warranty item, but was denied by the Area Rep, so I didn't and still don't have a problem with my dealer, just the warranty policy of MINIDivision.

I have learned a few things with this event:
I have lowered my deductible to "zero" for other than collision coverage, yearly cost increase $46 I can't afford a new windshield every 7 months
I also carry a static cling decal to cover any crack that develops, the minute I notice it, so that a "rock chip" doesn't happen, after the fact.

Question to all the others that have had cracks or concerns regarding the glass:
Would an on-line Petition help to increase the awareness of this issue?
Would it have the same effect as the rear fog light effort?

 

I did the same thing with my USAA coverage: $0 deductable. My 5th windshield was installed in the car this past tuesday. At this rate, I'll recover my insurance premium in replacement windshields.

 

Hey smokey4,
thanks for keeping us posted.
I'd be interested in more info on how the aftermarket windshield is going to work out. Do you know if it is as thin as the OEM? Let us know your impressions on whether it pits as easily.
Cheers,
Markus

 

>>I did the same thing with my USAA coverage: $0 deductable. My 5th windshield was installed in the car this past tuesday. At this rate, I'll recover my insurance premium in replacement windshields.


I had noticed in the past that there seems to be quite a few USAA members that are mini owners and I asked USAA if their system was capable of running through their database to determining how many of us have placed a claim for windshield replacement. The ladies I spoke with in the claims department couldn't do it from their level and said they'd look into it for me. It would be interesting to see what the percentage is of owners/claims

This might be the only way to get Mini to improve their design, have the insurance companies start asking questions and putting pressure on them.

Also someone posted a link to the Highway Safety Board on the owners lounge MB and over on a related thread at Mini2. Think all concerned should send an email voicing the issue.

Marcus:
The glass is scheduled to be installed on Tuesday, I'll let you know about size then, but from what I've read on this subject the PPG glass is the same thickness as the OEM.

 

As I mentioned before on a previous post, MINIUSA step up to the plate and admit that there is a "quality problem " with the current windshilds and stop "stonewalling" no pun intended, and recall all windshields and replace with a stronger unit!!.. but NO, you "FIX" a non problem by putting a softer you say "more compliant" ride, Stop putting new shocks in and replace with a stronger windshield!!! MINIUSA, please respond!!!!!!

 

Growing crack on passenger side. Washed and waxed, put in garage. VOILA....the start of the crack in the AM!!

 

>>OK...
>>
>>Not sure if this has been done yet.
>>
>>But, I will be:
>>
>>#1
>>
>>My partner Cy will be:
>>
>>#2
>>
>>Who is next??????
>>
>>___I will definately throw my 4 cents worth:8 months,4 windshields,all but one replaced under warrentee,don't know what # this makes me ,but I'd love to hear someone from miniUSA comment on this either to me or this growing group.AGAIN,CAN YOU SAY CLASS ACTION SUIT????????????______________
>>Diamond Mini [img]my documentsmy picturesmini mine.jpg[/img]

 

Does anyone know if a thicker windshield is even an option without redesigning the car? How would a thicker windshield fit in the existing location designed for the thinner windshield? Since you've spent a lot of time looking at your windshield, Smokey, what'da'ya think?

If a thicker windshield cannot be used, is their stronger glass available?

See ya,
JS

 

rock chip at 4K on the odometer... not serious.

damn dump trucks on I95

=D=

 

>>Does anyone know if a thicker windshield is even an option without redesigning the car? How would a thicker windshield fit in the existing location designed for the thinner windshield? Since you've spent a lot of time looking at your windshield, Smokey, what'da'ya think?
>>
>>If a thicker windshield cannot be used, is their stronger glass available?
>>
>>See ya,
>>JS

I'll take a stab at that question JS,

Since my trim is removed while I wait for the replacement glass to be installed next week I had the ability to take my micrometer and measure the thickness of the glass.

I checked in two locations on the A-pillars and they both came in at 0 .175 inch that is less then 3/16th (0.1875) of an inch and slightly more then 5/32nd (0.15625) of an inch.

I do however think that there is room for improvement. The amount of adhesive would need to stay constant with the current amount, so they can't create more room on that side of the glass. They could, with minor changes to the A-pillar exterior trim, the lower chrome and top roofline trim compensate for the added thickness of a new design.

The A-pillar trim has 4 "body clip" style fasteners that could easily be made longer, it also has a thin layer of foam where it makes contact with the outside layer of glass. This foam appears to be approx 1/8th inch thick, so it could be made thinner. The top roof-line trim is a standard "J" shaped molding with a bottom lip to fit behind the glass, so by adjusting the height of the "J" it would allow a thicker piece of glass to be installed.

The lower chrome piece of trim would be the most costly to change. It uses about 12 small plastic 2-piece clips, the 2-piece design allows lateral movement and ease of removal, and is secured at both ends under the A-pillar trim. The height of these items would have to be increased, and the chrome strip would have to be lengthened to compensate for the increased radius of the glass.

The item that I can not answer is what aerodynamic effect, if any, would all these changes bring about: Will there be an increase in wind noise, will this change of the airflow over the windshield cause even more of an "opportunity" for objects to strike the glass? Makes me wish I had a small wind tunnel for my Diecast cars but then I’d have to destroy a very good model.

Anyone else have an opinion?