Does anyone know what causes the rear glass to shatter spontaneously? I had nothing in my car, and nothing on the ground, to suggest my window was broken by means of throwing/shooting. Also all of the glass was still in place when I arrived on scene, and I taped it up so it would hold as one piece before it could make a mess of my trunk.

and foil tape FTW

but I should be

 

Sudden change in temperature, although very rare. It is not common for glass in the MINI to shatter just like that. BB Gun attack perhaps?

Let the insurance take care of it. At least replacing the hatch glass is no where near as bad as replacing the windshield.

 

The glass is still in place because it is tempered safety glass. The actual glass is sandwiched between 2 plastic film layers and pressed on using a special process.

 

I suspect it just broke from stress. It wasn't chipped, the defroster worked this morning, and that was about 2 hours before this occurence. It was parked with the rear facing the sun, but the inside and outside temps were equal, so I don't think it was the differential of expansion that did it.

 

Here in Florida, insurance providers are obligated to supply $0 deductible glass coverage as driving with broken glass is illegal here. What are your insurance provisions for glass coverage in your home state?

I pressume since you appear to have a 2004 MCS MC40, you are out of warranty.

 

Yes, my warranty is up. I havn't called Geico yet, but I do have full coverage. There probably are laws about driving like this, but I am not familiar with them. Given the cars I see on the roads every day, I am not concerned about getting stopped in the situation i'm in. Sometimes I wondor how these cars pass inspection, which I am due for this month!
Since I taped the inside, I could probably get off with removing the x from the back, and it will look like that reflective honda tint

 

Definitely illegal to drive with a shattered rear window in most, if not all, states. You can imagine why.

Call your insurance company. As ClubmanS said, in some jurisdictions, insurance companies waive comp deductibles for glass-only claims. And they may also pay to have the veh towed to a repair shop since it is technically non-driveable.

 

Hey CR, how much is the replacement hatch glass for a MINI typically go for?

 

Believe it or not, it was probable the rear def that broke it, have the relay checked before you put in a new one.

When electric rear defrosters first came to this country in the late 60's and early 70's this used to happen a lot.

 

So how does that brake it? They just stay on and heat the glass to expand more than the frame which holds it? I will definetly check that before I brake one twice!

 

Beats me, I haven't seen an estimate for one of those. Had a rear-ender involing a MINI about six weeks ago but the glass wasn't broken in that claim.

I'm not an estimator, so I don't have the software on my computer to look it up.

 

I believe the side windows, back window and moon roof are tempered as to increase strength and break into small ice shaped chunks, and are not a sandwiched laminate. The windshield is annealed (not tempered) and is actually 2 thin windshields sandwiched together with plastic in between to hold it together if broken. Two different processes for two different applications. Who knows what could have caused it to break. I would look for a BB inside the car though.

 

Yes, only the windshield is layered, all other glass is tempered and will break in small pieces. I second the BB search.

 

I am voting on the BB gun also. For what that is worth!

 

Bummer, hope your insurance is not a hassle. Where is the bird that ran into the glass?

 

I wish mine would do that, I destroyed it using an ice scraper!!! looks like someone used a drill with a wire wheel on it. Peter

 

I had the same thing happen to my mini cooper clubman. It isn't even a year old and there is no evidence of any foul play. It is a defect in the glass. Did mini replace the glass under warranty.

 

No, the car is an '04 model, not MINI's problem..........

One of your barn door windows broke?