I purchased a 2011 MCS like a month ago.

It needed a few things as it had 34K miles on it.

But ........

I wanted a local 1-owner MCS Non-Smoker car.

So this one was the exact color combination and had the right options.

What it did need IMO was two things.

(1) New Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ort-tires.html

(2) Replace the windshield as it had small gouges in it from the 34K miles of use.

After being on this INTERNET Site now for awhile and seeing the excellent information on it.

I decided to do a complete (Step by Step) of the R-56 windshield install by ABRA.

This was done right here at my home in my garage.

I figure this might be of interest as it sure seems like if you own a MINI it is highly likely at some point you will be replacing the windshield.

I know there are many windshield discussions here but most cover (Pricing).

So I decided that a great majority of you would like to see exactly what really takes place when the windshield is replaced.

I took 118 pics. and after going over them multiple times I have gotten it down to (58-Pics) I will post.

I think these (58 Pics) will certainly give anyone the overall look of what actually takes place.

BTW, my background comes from 18 years working for Dealers before retiring.

So I pretty much know from personal experience what someone else would like to see.

The 1st thing I did was to call my local Mini Dealership and talk with my Service Advisor.

This Mini Dealer as well as the Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac, Honda, Porsche etc. are all owned by the (Sonic Group).

I mention that to you because the Sonic Group is huge and if they use an outside company you can bet that company stands by their work.

That company that does their windshields is "ABRA".

So once I found that out I placed a call to "ABRA" and set up the time for the Tech (Brian Crandall) to do the install.

I also wanted the OEM (Factory) MINI windshield {ONLY}.
Plus the passenger outside Black Gloss Molding had imperfections in it.

Brian called me (Before) he drove to the house and had picked up all the parts from the Mini Dealership.

Something of interest also to you would be this Tech (Brian) is a {Certified} installer and has been doing it for over 10-Years.

Brian showed up at the house and introduced himself and immediately went to work.

I can tell you this he (Brian) knew exactly (Step by-Step) what he was doing with No-Hesitation.

It was a Super-Smooth install from beginning to end !!!

That was very useful info. Thank you

OMG - I watched my glass guy do this, and it was probably only his 4 or 5th one and this my friends, is what you pay a professional to do for you! It is obvious your guy knew his way around the job, NOTE the rubber gloves - absolutely critical to keep your finger oil off the areas that take adhesive.

Thanks for all the documentation, hope it frightens a few people away from trying this themselves!!!!

Glad to provide the info.
I think a lot of Members on here will appreciate this as it does should how complicated the complete process is.

I totally agree on that No-One should just {Assume} this is something for a layman to tackle.

It looks simple in the pictures but in reality it is anything but a simple process.

Wow I have been wondering of this since I got my car, I just wish the OEM mini glass wasn't so soft it does pit way too easy. Thanks for the write up.

I agree the windshields are of a soft material.

Plus the angle of the windshield adds even further to the issue.

The windshield in the MCS 2011 I just purchased could have stayed in it.
But for the cost of a new one I decided to replace it and enjoy looking out at the "World" through a Clear Windshield.

To share something with you.
Having one of these windshields replaced and the Tech doing it not all that qualified could be a very bad thing.
A person would be well advised to check out the Company and especially the Tech that is doing the install.

If any doubt at all move on to another Company and Tech !!!

When putting the battery cover plastic on... Did he do anything special? I had my battery replaced at Advanced yesterday and the guy completely messed up the piece and it won't sit flush on the windshield anymore.

EDIT: The employee pulled fasteners out of place, broke two of the connectors, and tried to force it all back together. I just spent the last 30 minutes making fasteners out of pieces of plastic and fixing his mistakes... Never having anyone other than a MINI dealer or myself pull that piece off again.

Jacob,

The guy (Tech) that did mine had been doing this for over 10-years so it all went super smooth.

Plus he does the windshields for the local Mini Of Nashville Dealership.

Lots & Lots of experience.

Man I hate your's got completely wasted/trashed by them.

How do you know who has the experience to do this job? Call your service department at your Mini dealer and ask who they use. Rarely do Mini mechanics do this work, they usually have one company that does all the cars on their lot for them. And - the guy should insist that you drop it off at their shop to do this replacement on a Mini rather than dispatch their mobile van - waaay too much dis-assembly involved to do in a parking lot. My 2 cents.

Thanks Terry very informative, and great photography nice exposures, well done.

Rock,

In my case I was in sales for 30 plus years.
I also worked for automotive dealerships for like 16-18 years.
That being said in my case I know how to go about finding what I want to know.
As always there really is no guarantee until you actually see the tech do the install.

That all depends on the Customer and their situation.

In my case being retired now (Thank-Goodness) and having a 2 1/2 car garage.
I had the perfect place for the tech to do the install.

Also I suppose at this point I will go ahead and explain a few things further as to why I did things the way I did.

Keep in mind that I worked for dealerships for over 16 years and reported to the (Parts & Service Directors).
So in my case I know exactly what takes place at dealerships.

I paid as you saw from above ABRA "Only".
There was No-Additional dealer mark-up from a Mini Dealership.
Dealerships don't handle things from their end for {Free}.
That is just business .........

Also I got to personally watch every step that was done as this all took place.

I should I suppose at this point also mention this.
I had a conversation with the tech (Before) he showed-up and when he (Showed-Up) at the house.

None of that would have been possible if the 2011 MCS was simply dropped off at the Mini of Nashville Dealership.

And before any of this took place I took the time and put out the effort to (Research) windshield installs.

I saw videos as well as many-many Threads/Posts on installs.

So I knew exactly what should take place and knew what I wanted to discuss with the tech.

The other thing I had decided I wanted to do this because I had the time and experience to do a (Separate Thread/Post) on North American Motoring.

I felt like to be a Supporting/Paid Member it would be nice to actually (Contribute) something useful to the Majority of members.

In this case windshields are a part of Mini/MINI ownership.

Lastly after a discussion with the Tech from ABRA I told him what I wanted to do and also said I would do it as professional as possible and make sure he had a (Copy).

In all the years he has been doing the installs he had No-real-Pictures of him doing this.

So he was pumped that I would do this and make sure he had that information.

That is for the most part the (Rest-of-the-Story).

Hi Kenny,

I be appreciating your comments.

It takes a lot of time to do that sort of thing but I wanted to contribute something useful to all of you.

Glad I had the time and expertise to do it.

Nicely done - Thanks for taking the time & effort to document and share!

Hi Charlie,

No problem glad you liked the post and it's content.

I know from my end it would have been cool if that was available when I was searching here for windshield information.

That is why I decided to do the new Thread/Post.

I figured other members at some point would be going through the windshield replacement thing just like me.

Fascinating! While I hope I never have to replace my windshield, I have to say thanks for the first class writeup! Well done!
j

Any tips for researching to find the right glass guy to the members of the forum who don't have your experience?

For a couple of gouges $550 was not worth it. That could have been money spent else where. Also windshields never fit as good as the one from the factory. It is a nice documentation of a great professional job but, in my opinion the replacement was not worth it.

Your most welcome and glad to provide the info.

I can offer my (Opinion) for what it is worth.
Call your Local Mini Dealership and ask to speak to the (Service Manager).
Then simply ask him what company they use for their Windshield replacements.
Or as an alternative ask the Service (Advisor/Consultant).

Ask either of those people if they are totally satisfied with that Company.

Ask them how long they have been using that company.

Once you know what Company they use then simply jump on Google and look them up.

If your comfortable talking with people give that Company a call and mention your Mini Dealership recommended them.
So you wanted to talk with them yourself as you want to be comfortable with the Tech and Company that does your windshield.

Also on Google once you look them up you can probably immediately see how long they have been in business.

I hope those suggestions are helpful.

I think I can share this thought and my opinion with you as you have your's with me.

And before I go on I want you to know I don't post with Smart-*** comments.

I will answer in a very straight forward honest manner to another member.

It was definitely worth it to me.

Also in my situation the $550.00 dollars was no big deal at all.
For what I have invested in this 2011 MCS versus me purchasing a new MCS the $550.00 dollars was cheap.

Not really as I wanted the new factory windshield for my wife's MCS and that was a very easy decision.
The MCS is actually my wife's new ride.
She is easily worth $550.00 dollars.

Just as something for you to perhaps think about.
What one person's financial situation is versus another person's is more than likely not even close.

Thanks for the compliment I did try to make it worth other members time to check out.

wow, what a level headed post to one of the most obnoxious posters I've seen in my short time on this forum.

Agree that its up to the individual what's really important. 550 for a windshield is too much for some, but those same people will spend 2k to try and get a few more ponies to the wheels.

To each their own. Personally, I think I'm going to try the rock chip fix through my insurance for the couple of blemishes I have.

Thanks for your Post.

I see you are from San Antonio, TX.
I have a good buddy that is from their.

Your so right that each of us chooses where, when and what we spend our dollars on.

I am a Moderator over on another INTERNET Site www.IMBOC.com so I try my best to remain civil in my post.
If you like all different kinds of cars check out my ride.
http://www.imboc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176176

I can be a real *** but for the most part I (Think) before I comment.
It seems to work best for me for the greater percentage of the time.
(There are exceptions though)

If your (Blemishes) are not right in your "Line-of-Sight" ???
Having those simply filled in is certainly less expensive and will work well.

In our situation with the MCS there were just way to many Chips, Gouges etc. and a few were right where you look through the windshield.

So, I decided to check it out and see what the (OEM) replacement windshield would cost.
Also wanted to make sure I was there for that replacement from (Beginning to End).

I actually waited awhile before checking into the replacement as I wanted to make sure the wife (Cathy) was going to keep the MINI.
She had wanted one for years and I was always reluctant from a safety standpoint to put her in one.
Once she drove the MINI and especially after driving it for awhile she just kept telling me how much she loved it.
Once she drove it at night and it was raining she noticed the Star-Effect you can get from Chips, Gouges with on coming lights and especially with it raining.
After she told me that I made the decision to have the windshield replaced.

To be real honest I was not sure what that replacement was going to cost using all MINI Factory parts.
Once I found out from "ABRA" the total replacement cost it was a No-Brainer.

The other thing I did do on the front-end was replacing the worn {Run-Flat} tires.
I went with a new set of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
What a "Major" difference in Noise level as well as Smooth ride.
I highly recommend the Michelin tires !!!
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ort-tires.html