Was wondering if there is any correlation in the number of reported stress cracked windshields between the Cabrio and the Hardtop. Since MINI's seem to have a design flaw in that respect anyway, (seems like an epidemic) it seems that Cabrios should have a higher percentage of stress cracks than hardtops due to the greater body flex. Or is the Cabrio actually less prone due to the reinforced/redesigned A-pillars? Anyone have any insight on this?

 

I have not heard of any Cabrio owners complaining of stress cracks. I do know they have upgraded the glass since the rash of stress cracks a couple years ago. I have one of the first Cabrios shipped to the US & so far so good!

Lois

 

I have an '05 MCSc, and got the classic stress crack on my lower center windshield, but only after getting a rock hit/chip.

~$500 to replace at the dealer - no rain sensor.

_Dave_

 

Mine was cracked after four days. But I actually so the pebble come at me. Didn't look big enough to do the damage, but looks can be deceiving. Anyway, my glass guy charged me $310 for OEM glass with rain sensor. No aftermarket glass was available. (That was about a year and a half ago). Been good ever sence. Knock on wood.

 

I had an '02 MCS and got a stone chip low on the passengers side within the first month and waited for it to spread before having it replaced. 37,000 smiles later I traded it in with the same small stone chip that had never spread. Not even during the winter with the defroster set on full HOT!

I think that they finally solved the installation problems that they were having and true stress cracks are gone. But, because of how vertical the windscreen is it is much more suseptable to stone chips than a windscreen that is sloped back more.

I do not think that the reinforced A-pillars make any difference, in fact, becasue it is a cabrio even though the A-pillar is reinforced there is still more flex across that part of the vehicle.

I do not think that is was chassis flex that was the issue. It was an installation problem. The other reason I think that is because I also Auto-X'd my '02 MCS and if anything is going to flex the chassis it will be that.

JOHO

 

My favorite topic - the MINI windshield !

I have not experienced any stress cracks and was told by MINI USA that the issues with that were resolved in 2003 sometime. What I have experienced is what I regard as excessive wear to the windshield in what I consider normal to light driving conditions and about 4000 miles. This is demonstrated by hundreds of tiny particle-sized pits in the windshield that sparkle in the sun.

My dealer would not consider replacing it; MINI USA claimed it was a result of the design of the car (low, near-perpendicular windscreen) and not a problem but a style-related issue that they were not going to correct. It was their position that since I cared more about style than quality (because I bought a MINI - their words - not mine), I ought to live with it.

A few furious but kindly-worded letters and phone calls later I had a new windshield.

If you believe that your windscreen is damaged and it is a defective product issue then I say, patiently work your way up the MINI hierarchy, taking notes all the way up. With each new level, retell your story so far. Letters with names and documentation tend to be more effective than phone calls.

Good luck.

 

2005 MCSC here. I have a crack where many others get one (running from the top of the windshield along the rear view mirror). I did get hit by a few small rocks one morning but I am still suspicious since that is the magic spot where cracks appear on so many other Minis. I am replacing w/PPG glass at the end of this month. Got a quote of $232 installed & got excited til I realized I had to fork over $90 for 2 new A-Pillars also

 

Wow, they are charging your seperately for the a pillars? Interesting, how it works out - I saw your price and thought it was extremely good until that as I paid close to $320 for the PPG w/pillars installed. In any case it is a good overall price for superior glass (PS: ask them if they remove/replace all of the old urathane sealent; my place went over the process with me and said that some people, esp the travelling glass installers, do not do a thorough replacement of all that and reseal it as well).

The design issue causing the stress fractures was not solved at all - they tried adding/changing the attachment points for the windshield in 05 but it was an experiment that did not cure the cause and occurance of the stress fractures. Seems to be an inherant design and material weakness :( (don't ask me how i know :P)

PS: I do not know if the cabrios have less issues with the windshield then the hardtops, but if so maybe it is because of the flex - perhaps the stiffness of the hardtop is what reveals the weakness of the windsheild bits more then the 'vert?

 

The glassman isnt' charging me. My MA or SA (whatever in the hec he is called ) told me that the A-pillars are for one time use so I have to buy them from Mini

When I was getting service this past Friday I was walking around outside & saw another Cabrio sitting there w/a windshield crack in the exact same place as mine. How odd uhuh

 

Oh I see, the glass place I used kept the a pillars in stock - clearly not something they would do unless lots of Minis had this issue :P

 

I just replaced my windshield a 15.5 K and got it from Safelite w/rain sensor for $315; made by Pilkington. It was caused by a small pebble. I was only happy in the fact that it didn't cost as much as other quotes I'd gotten ($575-$800), and I was temporarily "pit free". Just a month later, I already have a few new pits, but I kinda expected this.

I've concluded that this windshield replacement thing is going to continue, so I've dropped my deductible to $100 in anticipation of the next time. If it happens again within the next 2 years, which I'm sure it will, the slight premium increase will have paid for itself.

And I don't know what you're talking about with these "A-pillars". The guy who installed mine said he's done several Minis and didn't say anything about replacing "A-pillars". He just put back on all the parts and it's been fine.

 

My Mini service guy said the A pillars are for one time use & need to be replaced if a new windshield is put in. I don't know why but that is what he told me. I am sure anything can be glued back on but evidently they are supposed to be replaced.

 

After 6000 miles my wife had the infamous stress crackon her 05 MCSC, and it was replaced under warranty. We referenced the TSB.

 

I just called miniusa & they said as long as the A pillars are not broken during installation that they do NOT need to be replaced. I guess I was just fed yet another line of b/s by the Global service department when they told me I MUST have new ones

 

From what I understand it is very easy to break the clips that hold the pillar covers on and that it is pretty much inevitable (I think they may designed as one use clips). Many people have reported having the covers fly off on the highway at some point after a windsheild repair has been done, so all in all I think the guy was just trying to be sure its all good the first time.

 

The service guy did tell me another thing (who knows if this was a lie 2) The interior A pillars should not be glued back on if they break a clip off because if they are glued on they will become projectiles if the airbags deploy. Of course. to me, it seems if they are gonna be projectiles glued they would be projectiles if clipped too

 

Hmm, well as I recall the interior panels to the a pillar are connected via a strap which is there to prevent it from becoming a projectile, so I would guess it all depends if that is cut ... I might be wrong but this service guy sounds kinda half informed, but he wouldnt be the first

 

My windshield cracked after 15 months. Started just above rear view mirror and progressed into about a 12" L shaped crack. Replaced today by Safelite with Pilkington windshield. Cost $241.00 including two new moldings and reinstallation of rain sensor.

 

Update on my windshield...

I got my windshield replaced Tuesday for $230 & they reused the A-Pillars with no problemo. I told the glass company when I placed the order that I wanted PPG glass. The installer called & said he was on the way w/CSG glass. I said no way so they located a PPG windshield but alas the installer broke it while installing so the company agreed that if I accepted the CSG glass they would replace it if anything ever happens to it (including a crack caused by a rock) so I figured I couldn't beat that guarantee & went w/the CSG.

I got that guarantee in writing . I do recommend them. The installer did a great job after he got done breaking the 1st windshield . I used Diamond Triumph Glass (I think they are a national company)

 

Deleted

 

i got my 05 last june, one march day i washed her and found a crack just over the rear view mirror begining at the seam without any sign of a rock chip. guess i'll have to go looking for quotes.

 

Resurrecting this thread in hopes of getting answers to a carry-on question...
Anyone ever been given grief by the dealer refusing to admit "stress crack" and insisting that it was caused by external damage?

My '06 MCSc is just over 1 yr old, with about 8500k miles.
Has a brand new 6 inch crack starting at the rain sensor and going horizontal. **Correction - DOES start at an edge - the top, then makes a right turn at the rain sensor. SO it's more lke 10 inches long.
It has absolutely no sign of even the tiniest chip. When it appeared, I had not been doing highway driving for several days, and did not hear any kind of stone hit when I last was on the highway.

I ask because my 03 MCS had a stress crack that started at the bottom and spread, also no sign at all of a chip, and the deaaler flat out refused to accept responsibility.

Do they push back since they KNOW I have 100% coverage?

Also, they claim it's a $1000 job - your posts here show very different numbers...

Appreciate any insight!

 

Your a pillars are held on by 3 ball/socket snap style clips down the pillar and a couple screws behind the window molding. The problem is not breaking the pillar (though it can happen) its the clips that tend to break. The real problem is when the guy replacing your windshield doesn't own up to breaking them and you have you pillar fly off on the front stretch of Lime Rock and end up in the grill of a Z06 . That was actually the second one (drivers side) to jettison itself on me, I lost the first one (passengers side) about a week after installation on I-287S (not quite as dramatic as the second one ). The shop whose name will be left out (lets just say that their name reminds me of what a girls best friend is, for those of us in Northern NJ) did eventually replace both pieces (it took a little pleasant complaining to a manager and my company at the time did do a large amt of business with them), but it was aggravating none the less, when the stereo shop I deal with can take the piece off twice (2 sat radio antennas) and not break it, a guy whose job is to just replace windshields can't get it right twice).

 

If there are truly NO signs of a chip, force the issue and make them replace it under warranty.

If there are signs of a chip, even the teeniest one, don't waste your time with the dealership. If they can find some semblance of a chip they will not cover it under warranty. They will want at least $800 to do the repair, which is ridiculous. Find a glass replacement (mobile, they will come to you!) and you can often get it done for under $300. I paid $280ish for my last one.

And ask for better quality glass! When they give you a quote, ask if that's for OEM glass. If it is, ask for something better quality - PPG, and there are others that folks here can recommend. But definitely DON'T pay the dealer $800 plus to put more crappy glass in.