OK, I've searched and searched on the topic but found nothing anywhere to help me out. Here's the story- while my wife's 03MC was parked on a rooftop garage in downtown Chicago, something apparently fell from a great height and smashed her rear panoramic sunroof glass. Ouch.

The dealer describes replacement as a complete removal and re-installation of all the glass and moving parts, etc. Parts are ~$1500 for the cassette frame and glass plus another $1000 for the labor which comes to 2600 bucks- two dealers quoted the job identically, and insist that all the old parts have to be replaced.

It sure seems like there had aught to be a way just to replace the stationary glass part. Local auto glass joints seem to think so, they've quoted doing so in the $650 range, which still is not exactly cheap, but on top of that I worry if they know what they're really bidding on... Is this a complicated job?

Has anyone out there been through this ordeal and have any lessons learned to share?

TIA,

Mark

 

Well for sure call a non dealer person. Glass company, mini mechanic...

 

There's a reason why people call Dealership = Stealerships. After warranty, they rape your wallet.

I had an AC compressor changed a few months back and cost me $550 everything included at an independent shop, the dealership wanted $1950 with labour.

Call around and avoid MINI dealership unless you want to put the owners kid thru college.

 

Did your sunroof have aftermarket window tint film applied? Did you find the "something" that hit the glass? Several reports of sunroofs just shattering for no reason in hot places like Chicago. Some tint installers refuse to do sunroofs because of the possible breakage liability from this urban legend……

A couple posts found by searching NAM for "sunroof exploded"….

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/clubman-talk-2008/144241-sunroof-tint-warranty.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/175887-sunroof-glass-shattered.html

 

$2600 to replace a stationary sunroof panel is highway robbery... I've heard some silly prices from MINI stealerships, but this one takes the cake...

 

I have read somethings that confirm the whole thing needs to be replaced and it is a very big job.
However, this should be covered by your comp insurance. While a deduct will hurt some, it is better than an inferior job on the replacement.

 

What moving parts are on the rear glass?

WTH?

I'd contact Safelite or Auto Glass Specialists. I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper.

Or get ahold of your insurance company. It should be covered under comp. insurance, I believe.

 

- it should be covered under comp (if you have comp)

- the dealer is looking to replace the entire sunroof "unit" - that's what's in their parts list

- a glass place 'might' be able to replace just the rear glass . . . .

 

I want to know how you got a new compressor installed for $550. I called many independent shops and got nothing under a grand. Maybe it has to do with geography. I'm in Texas, in the summer, maybe they take advantage of people...