Hello all,

We recently purchased a 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman. First of all, absolutely love this car. Total blast drive. I like driving it better than my BMW 330Ci. :-O

Now for the bad part. Took it in to Mini of Alexandria to have some stuff repaired. The lovely wind noise from the sunroof issue and faulty fuel gauge sending unit (warranty work). Unfortunately while checking it out they found that the windshield had been replaced and whoever did it, botched the job. Their estimate to replace/repair it is $1035. OMFG!!!

Items being replaced:
Green Windshield @ $280
Windshield cover @ $18
Repair Kit @ $84
Left and Right A Pillar Covers @ $52/each
Plus a labor charge of $500

MINI claims that nobody knows how to install windshield in MINIs correctly and they see this often. I've scanned thru the forums and have seen issues with the A pillar molding flying off going down the freeway. Need some advice or suggestions. Should we go elsewhere to have the windshield redone? I checked with Safelite and their cost ~$480. Anyone have any recommendations for a quality glass repair in the Northern VA (alexandria area). Or on the flip side are there any that we should stay away from because of shoddy work.

Unfortunately, since this was botched by someone else before we got it, there is little chance of getting any money back or correction from the original installer. Insurance will not pay (considered warranty work). Still trying to negotiate with the dealer we purchased it from to find out if they will assist any in the cost of the repair.

TIA for any help or comments.

-- Shannon

 

If you are paying out of pocket contact Safelite. Just had them replace the cracked windshield on my 2009 JCW. Used them before as well. They replaced the windshield on my 2006 BMW 330xi.

And then go show your dealer that Safelite charges $80 to do the install.

Glass - $279.94 - OEM BMW/MINI glass was used
Install kit - $22.00
Labor - $80
Some misc. part - 20.63

If the A pillars are damaged pick them up before hand and have the Safelite installer put the new ones on.

The tech did a flawless job. And was very personable too. He said he does 3 to 4 MINIs a week himself. It was a pleasant experience from start to finish.

Read the rest of this post:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-cracked.html

 

Fish,

Thanks for the info. Was sort of leaning toward Safelite. Had them do a Miata I had several year ago. The stealership $500 labor charge seemed a bit excessive to me. I really don't think that a tech that knows what they are doing is going to take 5 hours to replace a friggin windshield. Maybe they are trying to make some of the cost for all that free service they have to do. LOL.

I know I am not planning on having the Mini of Alex do it at that price. Good suggestion about the A Pillars. I am going to have them show me the deformation in the A Pillars when I go pick up the car.

-- Shannon

 

A local company did my windshield replacement and they used an OEM Mini windshield. My insurance handled it, but I don't think the whole bill was more than US$600.00.

 

The Safelite tech was not even in my driveway for an hour. He new exactly what he was doing and had a tool for everything. That is what I call impressive service.

 

I'm in NoVA and with all the road work on Beltway and around I'm sure the windshield replacement companies are busy like never before. Which is in a way a good thing as they build their expertise...