Ok, I picked up my 2006 MCS in May,,, on the day I went to the dealer and got my tags and registration sticker,,, rock hit my windshield (2 miles from dealer) putting a crack in the windshield that grew to 8 inches in about 2 hours. Called SafeLite,,, new windshield after spending about $300.00

Was driving my mini down the highway and pop,, another little rock and now another 8 inch crack.

Question, has anyone else had a problem with their mini being prone to windshield cracks from just driving down the highway or is this bad luck? I mean come on,,, I have had the car since the middle of May and in less then 3000 miles, it is time for a 3rd windshield (including one that came on the car). These cracks both happened on Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas so it is not like I am following dump trucks out of a gravel pit.

Lets see I am 41 years old, been driving since I was 16 so in 25 years,, this is the first car I have ever had to replace the windshield so here I am about to do my 2nd replacement in 3 months...

 

My wife's Honda Element is a 2004. We've had to replace the windshield four times from rock dings that became cracks. It's a fact of motoring life. Our highways aren't in the best repair anymore, and rocks are always getting tossed in the air. Doesn't matter what size vehicle.

This is not meant to be SUV bashing, but the deeper treads that SUV's have on their tires, make it easier for them to pick up a rock, and send it flying. More SUV's on the road (Big rigs too), more rocks in the air.

 

Your experience makes me feel better...I've been living with 3 hits for the past 3 years and 50k...same windshield...the last one right in front of me I think it's time for a new windshield...

 

get windshield insurance. I put it on my mini and m3.

Both mini and honda element have more upright windshields that are prone to cracking as per their respective forum experience posts.

 

When you get your new windshield, make sure it is made by PPG rather than the genuine MINI supplier. Many people here have experienced it to be significantly stronger than the very fragile MINI glass.

 

My Matrix used to get hammered driving I89 for 80 miles each day, I replaced the windshield 5 times in 3 1/2 years. In the end I just gave up and accepted the chips and cracks...looked like a mine field when I traded it in. The hood was pretty screwed too, which is why a clear bra was my first aftermarket purchase for my MINI.

 

Dude,

Multi-windshield fractures are as common to MINI ownership as great handling and unique looks. No other car on the road today rewards its owners with more windshield breaks per 100,000 miles. Why I'd venture to say that the average MINI driver will get more new/repaired windshields than speeding tickets during their period of ownership.

MGC

 

PPG without a doubt!!!! You will find many threads on NAM about windshields. I had an 02 MC and went through 2 in the first six months. I replaced with PPG and no problem after that. Saint Gobain is the mfg for MINI and I don't know if it is the specs that they get from MINI or just softer/thinner glass. But there have been people with over 10 windshields somewhere on this NAM site.

 

Uhhh...I had my MINI for a exactly a year now (Yestarday was the anniversary) and haven't had a single windshield crack on me. Maybe I am just lucky...


*knock on wood*

 

Don't have to pay a dime if your windshield gets cracked in Florida. State law. 8800 miles and no cracks as of yet!

 

I'm about even right now. One new windshield, one speeding ticket (but it was worth it ). But there's also one chip repair and a number of little dings not worth repairing. Lots of construction going on in my area in preparations for the 2010 winter Olympics.

Good thing I didn't get the heated windshield.

 

2002 MCS
50000 miles with stock Sekurit glass...
No cracks, dings nothing...
(knocks on head since there is no wood around)

 

i LOVE that law, i was reading this thread and just smiling to myself, although i hope mine never breaks, because it is a hassle to have to go and get the stupid thing fixed

 

I got my fifth windshield almost exactly one year ago. I went through 4 OEM windshields in the 2 years before that. This one is a PPG and no crack yet!

I was also able to make it rain-sensing.

 

I have some pretty good Ins ...The Hartford w/ AARP (too large a group for any Ins co to mess with!)

But they will not insure windshields in Nevada...other states are covered but not here

Man do we have some rocks on the highway...not to mention pitting from the wind/sand storms...Like living on Mars sometimes!

And...BTW: My other car is an ELEMENT too

 

AAA hasn't batted an eye when we call in for yet another cracked windshield on the Element.

Gizzer, where in NV are you?

 

thanks for the replies, I will go with a PPG windshield this time,,, did safelite last time.

I have an element too,, 48,000 miles without a chip or ding...

 

I understand that Pilkington makes a rain sensing windshield for the MINI now and can be purchased from Safelite for around $300.00 Can anyone confirm this? Hopefully it will be a little more stout than the St. Gobain.

 

Safelite was the 2nd windshield that I put in,,, cracked easier then the factory one... I have a PPG windshield on the way,, it costs more, but if it prevents this from being a regular event, it is worth the extra dollars.

 

Ya gotta drive the car!!

JK. When the sun hits my WS just right it looks like stars. I'm waiting for the big one to hit it so's I can use my comprehensive coverage to replace it.

...Les

 

the existing PPG has outlasted the SIX oem combined! I was averaging one OEM every 3 months and 3 of them cracked while the car was parked in my back yard. Securit St Gobain glass is GARBAGE. I really saddens me to see these threads continuing after all this time...........What the heck ever happened to those posts we used to get on here from MINIUSA ????" We're sorry to hear of the trouble you're having with your MINI . Please call 1-800- WE-DON'T-CARE and ask to speak to a representative........"

 

I've an early 02 'S, and listened to alll the hubba hubba about the crap windshields. Mine held on for about 18 months when a big rock hit it and yes, it did crack. It was a decent rock - no foul. Weeks after the change...DAMN, another rock. The crack was small and insurance paid for a repair (I was at a $200 deductable at this point) which held for almost a year 'til another damn decent rock made a 5 inch crack....hello SAFELITE?

Now in the same time window I bought an 03 Element...and if you check their web sites, early owners had the very same complaints..."my windshield broke DEFECT!!!!" I've gone thru 3 there too....

BUT MY POINT????
As a FL resident I loved their zero deduct for windshields!!!!!

But right now I'm not in FL and these windshields with a $200 deductable on my comprehensive was getting a bit painful - I live in an 'intermodal port city' LOTS of trucks kickin' rocks. So I called my insurance company. Changing my comp' coverage, which includes windshield (NOT A COLLISION ISSUE), for 3 cars (including an 18 yoa male driver...and talking a MINI, a Miata, and an Element) to a ZERO deductable changed my 6 month premium less than $30

duh.....why did it take me so long to figure this out....

every insurance "relationship" is different...but it is worth asking.....

 

The rake of the windscreen makes a huge difference. I had 3 Saabs, and replaced windshields an average of 1-2 year for 6 years and finally just kept the cracked windshield. Never had a problem before or since with other cars.

The PPG part is important and won't be overlooked when I am sure I will need a replacement.

 

I've not had a problem with my windshield. But I bought my Mini used and the dealer told me that the prev. owner had to replace the windshield...I'm assuming with better glass, as I've not had any trouble.

 

Third windshield is a Pilkington with rain sensor. Under $400 installed. Part# on invoice is FW02305GTY. It has outlasted the first two OEM's.