What's really up with MINI windshields?
 

What gets me about this windshield thing is the uncertainty of it all: I have have replaced 5 windhshields in my last three cars. There were 3 mystery cracks and 2 that resulted from a known impact.

So, it looks like Mini has a problem, but if you seacrh Honda cracked windshield or Scion cracked windshiled, the exact same kind of, “I went into the garage this morning and there was an L shaped crack” stories that are being posted here will pop up.

My point is that how can we be sure that it’s stress, or an unseen (and unheard) rock? More importantly, how can Mini be sure that it is or isn’t a design flaw?

The problem with the Mini goes back to 2002 and was supposedly “solved” in 2003 when Mini corrected an issue with the A-pillars.

But now we see the issue again with Minis as late as 2006. Will there ever be a definitive answer? I would prefer NOT to be doing more windshields than oil changes in my Mini.

Sorry: Forgot an important question
 

How many of you have NEVER had to fix or repair your Mini windshield?

Also, please note year, model and miles.

Thanks.

If my dealer won't replace it under warranty I've already sourced another one elsewhere. They're installed by the same guy that the dealer subs out for this but he has different ones to choose from. If it comes to this then, based on what I've read, I'll go for a PPG version.

Me, for over 18 months.

I'm guessing its because the car is a flying brick. Winshield stand upright, the car has a terrible CD. Stuff hits the windshield. Most modern cars have a nice sloped winshield. I guess the price to pay for the retro look.

'03, 20K-ish

01/05 build, MCS, 108XX no problems.

03 mcs 11/02 build still has the original windshield 77k miles

Cheers,
Jack

90k : about to install #8 ( PPG lasted longer than the previous 6 combined and took a major rock strike without even cracking , just a major divot.

07/2005 build MCC, had him for 17 months, 13,300 miles, original windshield (knock on wood)

Still original windshield.
 

Got lots of pits, but no cracks yet. Cooper CVT 2005, 31K miles

:thumbsup:

Pits are a sad fact of life in Los Angeles. There's just too much s**t flying around (especially on the freeway). It sucks.

My dealer's service manager said he was aware of the problem, and when they replace windshields, they do it in such a way that it is mounted more firmly/securely, especially at the top where most pf the cracks originate. Of course, this begs the question, if the dealer can mount the windshield more securely, why can't the factory, that is, if the dealership really did mount it more securely and are not just pulling my leg, or telling me what I 'need' to hear.

Damn, I'm such a friggin' skeptic! =o\

Zip

MCS-JCW 04 24kmiles two stars from flying pepples on the 73 (OC CA)freeway and a mysterious 1 inch crack that runs corner to corner on the top driver side of the windshield.
The other annoying thing is that the plastic seal gasket at the top of the shield is for ever trying to get loose. Finally pasted it back in with some silicone.
Incidentally what is a PPG Windshield?
Buang

Still on original windshield. 2005 MCS, 24k miles, lots of pits tho!

05/05 MC, original windsheild, 31k. Lots of divots, 2 rock hits. No cracks.

07/04 build 05 has 45k and no windsheild problems.

2003 MCS 34k miles (real late build). I bought it about 5 months ago and I am pretty sure its still the original windshield. No cracks, divets or imperfections.

Possibly people with lots of imperfections tailgate? I certanly hope that I do not have the issues that many others have had.

2002 MC, 63k miles. There is a poorly filled chip on the passenger side that was there when I bought it last year. It is heavily and evenly pitted across the whole expanse, so I am pretty sure it is the original windshield. It always looks dirty when the sun hits it, it's horrible.

My hood is nothing but tiny little pits as well, also horrible.

The numbers
 

Hmmm...I'd really like to know the numbers. I would think that a smaller windshield like the Mini's would be stronger PSI than a larger one. The glass is strongest in the center and weakest near the edges. The verticality issue is not convincing either: Both the VW bug and the Saab 900 have windshields that were just as vertical and were not crack prone.

The question of the A-pillars is more interesting. However, you would think that were there an actual issue with glass that Mini would have been forced to issue a recall: Glass that cracks can also shatter which is a serious safety issue and would get them sued real bad.

Figure 36,000 Minis in the US each model year. How many of them really lose windshields w/o an impact of some kind?

I'm not sure that any of us knows the answer.

My mini has had the windshild replaced due to a big rock from a semi, the new window...like a champ...and I hit a bird going 65-70mph with it the other day... window +1 bird 0

I have an '02 with 43,000 miles and the original windshield. It does have one chip with small crack (for over a year) and numerous little pits. I'm just not up for replacement because I know something will hit it the day it is replaced. Been there, done that. I'll wait for the crack to actually grow before I get an aftermarket, american, replacement.

Does PA still cinder or salt the roads? Winter is bad on any vehicle with all those little rock-like things bouncing all over the road and off others tires.

Pittsburg Plate Glass - a type of glass. I had this installed in my wife's MINI back in October and so far am very pleased with it. Cost less than half what the dealer would charge and it's better glass.

If your MINI is a daily driver, I don't know any way of not suffering stone and gravel hits (at least in normal NJ traffic). It's amazing how far in the air some of this stuff flies.

My '06 has an L shaped crack starting from the top on the driver's side - I have NEVER had a crack in any of my windshields in 30+ years of driving.

I have owned 3 MINIs, all bought brand new, and neither has ever had its factory windshield replaced:

2002 Cooper CVT, 8/2002 build, 41,000 miles, still on original factory glass.

2004 MCS, 9/2003 build, 17,500 miles, still on original factory glass when sold the vehicle in early February 2005.

2005 MCS, 2/2005 build, 21,900 miles, still on original factory glass.

All these cars are DAILY drivers, family haulers, road trip highway cruisers, etc. they are not weekend cars or garage darling queens:lol: :nod:

Probably I am in the minority here, but never had to contend with multiple glass replacements as others have.:thumbsup:

06 with 20000 miles. Not a problem at all and I drive on the autobahn here in Germany at a standard speed of 110 MPH.