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R57 Rear Window coming unglued

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Old Sep 13, 2015 | 05:10 PM
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Rear Window coming unglued

2010 convertible rear window has come unglued along the top. Has anyone seen this problem before? Any recommended fixes? If I get it re-glued by an upholstery shop is it likely to hold? Sure hope I don't need to replace the whole top.

Thanks.
 
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 02:11 PM
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Hello do you have pics the rear glass it molded into the convertible top fabric. I have not seen this from normal use , only with damage from a brush car wash or from break in's on the rear glass.

Might want to check with your insurance company first , they might help you replace it. Some convertible top install shops might have the molded plastic hot knife to fix it, they need to be able to install Haartz top or similar. That's who makes the MINI factory top.

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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 03:03 PM
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Where are you at with your factory warranty?
 
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 04:14 PM
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Way out of warranty. No car washes with brushes. No evidence of vandalism.
All shops around here warned me that a repair will not last. Pretty much looking at a new top right now.
I have a guy looking for a used one also.

 
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Old Sep 21, 2015 | 09:39 AM
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Rear Window coming unglued

I know that the VW beetles and Audi A4 cabbies are glued in. When they come unglued I have yet to hear a fix other than a new top.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 07:02 PM
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Here's the follow up story.

After looking at a few options the only good answer was to replace the top. Almost every estimate I got for the replacement was $2700 - $3000 including one for MINI. I found an independent that did the job for $1600. plus tax. The top looks and feels just like OEM. I had the choice of 2 tops. One was from Germany and the other made in the USA. I chose the USA one and it was also $100 less than the German one.
The top is also guaranteed for 2 years, parts and labor. And 5 years for the rear window falling out. I was originally worried about going the cheaper route but this shop was highly recommended by several other glass and body shops in town.
I am happy with the results and even happier that I did not spend the nearly $2800 that MINI wanted.
Sometimes it pays to shop around.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 03:13 AM
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That ended up being much less than I expected for a new top. Glad it's all sorted out!
 
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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 06:25 AM
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Thanks for the update. Dont forget to treat the top to extend its life. 83192339689 & 83192339697

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...k-for-top.html


 
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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 06:26 AM
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Does the new top use the same installation method for the glass? Or does it use the rubber surround like the new style?
 
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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 06:36 AM
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I bet its the same Haartz top or Webasto , I have not seen many come apart like that.

Whats was the brand ?
 
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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Just Krusen
Here's the follow up story.

After looking at a few options the only good answer was to replace the top. Almost every estimate I got for the replacement was $2700 - $3000 including one for MINI. I found an independent that did the job for $1600. plus tax. The top looks and feels just like OEM. I had the choice of 2 tops. One was from Germany and the other made in the USA. I chose the USA one and it was also $100 less than the German one.
The top is also guaranteed for 2 years, parts and labor. And 5 years for the rear window falling out. I was originally worried about going the cheaper route but this shop was highly recommended by several other glass and body shops in town.
I am happy with the results and even happier that I did not spend the nearly $2800 that MINI wanted.
Sometimes it pays to shop around.
That's a very good price! 54-34-2-758-078 Genuine can be a bit pricey, but glad you were able to find one that works and got it all installed for a decent price. And it comes with a good warranty! Should post up some pictures of it for us.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2015 | 06:39 PM
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I'm not sure of the brand. I never thought to ask. I do know it's the made in USA one. Window gluing looks similar to the OEM top. The installers told me the process is much better than the OEM one was in 2010. I guess I'll find out in a few years. Overall I'm very happy with the top and the install.



 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 01:29 PM
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Look very close to OEM. Glad you got things fixed. Nothing like a new top .
 
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Old Jan 7, 2017 | 05:18 AM
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I am having the same exact problem, but it happened in transit from Buffalo, NY to Nassau, Bahamas and none of the shipping companies are taking responsibility for it nor will they make an insurance claim. I also have the side seams that came unglued as well.


So #1: I am stuck footing the bill and #2: I need to find someone on a very small island that is capable of doing the work.


I am going to try a Canvas shop and see if they will sew a a plastic window in for a temporary fix until I can get the car back to the US to have the top replaced properly.


Definitely a frustrating situation because I have had the car on the island for 5 months and I have had it under a cover since it got here.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2017 | 11:13 AM
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Oh no, I would push them and keep a paper trail. They should pay for that if it was damaged in transit.

I been down there and there allot of convertibles around, so the shops there should know how to repair it.

Otherwise new tops are here and any upholstery shop could replace it. There are 4 different colors. I guess you could change the color while you are at it. 54342758078, 54347310524, 54342758301, 54342758300

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tible-top.html
 
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Old Jan 9, 2017 | 01:34 PM
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Hoping the sail/canvas shop I have an appointment at on Wednesday will be able to repair it as a temporary fix and the plan is to replace the top when we move back to the USA.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2017 | 02:09 PM
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Wow that's coming apart big time. Was there any spots of separating before it shipped? Otherwise when they strapped it down and it was shaken the top. What year do you have?
 
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Old Jan 9, 2017 | 04:25 PM
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This is our second 2009 R57... the first was totaled after a rear end collision. We purchased this one from Chantilly Audi in Virgina... so it's been a warm weather car it's whole life.

There was no sign of separation before being shipped, but when it started coming apart, I noticed some black goopy epoxy that didn't look to be from the factory. So it's possible that it was given a cheap fix before I bought it or at some point during transport. But whatever.

It's my wife's car that I didn't think I'd like until I drove it and the rest is history. I can't imagine not having a mini now...
 
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Old Jan 10, 2017 | 06:04 AM
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Yea, the Audi dealership might have done a quick patch fix, maybe? Hopefully, you can get somewhere with the shipping company.
 
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Old Jan 11, 2017 | 08:37 AM
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I won't get anywhere with shipping companies because it changed hands multiple times after being subcontracted multiple times so I wouldn't even know who to go after and the idiot that accepted it at the shipping yard here and delivered it to me signed off on it with "no damage".

I had a sail shop look at it and they quoted me $5-600 to hand sew a clear piece of 40 weight clear plastic in in place of the glass and hand sew the 2 side seams.

Then I'll replace the entire top when I ship it back to the US in a few years.
 
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Old Jan 18, 2017 | 10:32 AM
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ok, sorry about the shipper. Good luck on the top repair. If you need anything I am here.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2017 | 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Just Krusen
2010 convertible rear window has come unglued along the top. Has anyone seen this problem before? Any recommended fixes? If I get it re-glued by an upholstery shop is it likely to hold? Sure hope I don't need to replace the whole top.

Thanks.
I have a 2011 Mini Convertible and have had the same thing happen. A few months ago, the bottom corners started coming unglued. We used some silicone caulk, it doesn't look great but it helped to make it waterproof again.

Now I just came back from being out of town for a week and the top is completely unglued all the way across.

What was the name of the company that replaced your top? I live in Key Largo and would be willing to drive to Naples to have it fixed.

Thanks
 

Last edited by SHaab1; Aug 28, 2017 at 08:27 AM. Reason: typo and add additional info
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Old Aug 28, 2017 | 05:00 PM
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Old Nov 10, 2017 | 01:12 AM
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Folks, you can source second hand/used fabric tops without the frame on your favourite buy it, sell it websites. Always a bargain to be had. I wrote a guide in the R57 section how to replace one (the Gen 1 is almost identical). It is not rocket science and you will save hundreds. Mine took a few hours to do but I had to do it without a guide. Basic tools, a drill, pop-rivet gun, screw drivers and small spanner set. Some beers.
 
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Old Sep 15, 2024 | 01:44 PM
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What shop did you use for the convertible replacement?

[I a few years ago, but what shop did you use to have your convertible replaced
 
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