If I have my mini cooper's windshield replaced by other than MINI dealership, would it void the factory and extended mechanical warranty? I was told by one advisor that it affects the headliner and air bag. They quoted me the price of this replacement for $1500. But I did some research, and other places that specializes in windshield repair/replaced quoted me for $500. I know for a fact that factory warranty does NOT cover windshield damage. So how could it void the warranty? Any reply would be appreciated!!

 

virtually nothing you can do to your car will void the warranty 100%.

However, anytime you replace a part with a non-factory part you have eliminated that part from warranty coverage, and opened the window to possible claims that the 'system' that the part is attached to is also no longer covered.

Example one: your battery dies and you buy a replacement from AutoZone. certainly the entire warranty for everything on the car is not void. Nor is even the entire electrical system not covered.

Example two: you replace factory brake pads with an alternate in search of lower brake dust. Soon you discover you have a cracked rotor. the dealer is certainly not going to cover the brake pads which are no longer OEM, and may have a valid claim that the changed rotors were the cause of the rotor problem and not cover that issue either.

But note that technically the burden is on the dealer to prove that the new part was the cause of the damage to another part. If the dealer sys YES and you say NO you have an issue to kick higher up the chain maybe even to legal types . . . for example dealers have tried to say that a pully (GEN1) or a CAI causes the entire warranty to be void. NO. Some even claim that everything related to the engine are void and that's not true either but a stuborn dealer may fight this one depending on the case.

Since 2002, when I bought my first S, I've had the front glass replaced four times that I can remember, two cars and two dealerships, and none of that work was done by the dealer. Safelite did the work each time and the dealer never tried to void my warranty claims because of it, for example I had the cooling fan run on issue, and a failed a/c.

Had I discovered a broken A pillar cover, they may well have refused to cover this under warranty. I actually had this once but the issue was moot 'cuz when told of the problem Safelite came out and replaced the part, with an OEM part, no questions asked.... If there had been an airbag isue .... wellllll, I'm glad I never had to travel that path.

 

I have had the windshield replaced 2 times. Both times by Safelite. Both times I requested that the new glass be BMW/MINI OEM glass.

Cost to me, zero dollars as this is covered by auto my insurance.

If you had to pay out of pocket Safelite would charge you less than $325. I had the same guy do both installs. He did the work in my driveway in less than one hour.

 

Modern cars are made with the concept of having to replace the windshield in mind. Companies like Safelite can order OEM glass, and probably have way more experience in replacing windshields than the MINI serviceman.

 

Thanks guys for the input. As I'm a chick, I get "taken advantage" at the mechanic shops whenever I take my MINI. Plus, when I contacted my car insurance, they said that insurance rate might increase slightly. Why is that? I believe that windshield crack (7 in line from the bottom edge) got damaged from getting chipped at on the crappy freeway I have to commute through everyday.

 

Your insurance company evaluates you based on the risk profile you present. If you make a claim, even for glass, they may decide that you present a slightly worse risk and may decide they want to charge you for it.

The upside is that you don't have to stay with them. If your rate goes up, use it as an excuse to shop around for a better rate. Call a local agency and ask them if they can beat your current rate and coverage.

 

I've heard that about the risk profile. The insurance I currently have is by far the best in pricing range... So I don't know if other insurance has better rate than the one I currently have. Is it true that MINI voids factory and extended warranty if I have the windshield replaced by other shop other than dealership?

 

They may no longer honor the warranty on the windshield itself, though the repairer will probably warranty it for some period of time. As far as I know, there's no reason it would impact any other systems. Windshields are replaced all the time, so it would be ridiculous for the dealer to suggest that they would try to exclude other components because you had a glass repair company fix the glass.

 

PS - You won't know if there are other carriers who have better rates until you shop around. You can call a local agent (they compare lots of carriers on your behalf) and see what they can do for you.

 

Took a rock the windshield the other day, had it been a hair higher it would have missed but no such luck. Anyway, Mini quoted me $2,000 to replace it; not sure how they could keep a straight face while doing it. I found a place that sells PWG glass (Ace Glass) here in Honolulu and they did it for $420. They did a great job and it's great to see through a clear windshield; the old one was so pitted already. Hope this one is tougher the than the OEM one.

 

I thought of an instance where a replacement windshield had leaked and caused damages not covered by MINI warranty.
A friend of mine had water dripping off interior rear view mirror and into radio, during a rainstorm. Neither mirror nor radio were covered by warranty due to outside influences, i.e. water leak caused by improper installation. Lesson to be learned is use a reputable installer who will guarantee their work.

 

There is also an extremely good chance that the dealership does not do windshield replacement in house. They most likely contract out the work to a third party who knows the ins and outs of windshield replacement.

By having the windshield replaced through the dealership, you are in effect paying them as a middleman and throwing your hard-earned $$$ away.

 

But BE CAREFUL! There are specific sealer strips that need to be addressed. The MINI windshield is more technical done right than most glass installers care about and this will potentially cause you some grief. And this can occur through the dealer also, unwittingly. I have found out the hard way and the way I found out about it on my 2008 just a couple weeks ago was by deciding I'd replace the "apron" the hard shell plastic under the wipers. The rubber on the top edge seals against the glass and mine was getting tatty from age etc. When I took it off to replace after the glass install, I discovered that the sealing strip, which also serves as the tongue and groove retention for the apron was not there! The upper edge seal also fits snugly on the window edge like the lower and must be put on prior to install. There are also foam sealers under the A-posts. The buttons that hold it on have foam washers on them as well that form a seal against the body. When I took it all apart, it was all messed up. Fortunately, when I found a MINI tech who knew what he was doing, he was able to remove the new glass without breaking it. I'm out about. All the sealers new will run you about $100 and you need 'em. If someone tells you they can provide a new rain sensor windshield installed for $225.00, run.

One thing I forgot to mention: I cut out the middleman. I used the glass company the dealer does presuming they knew what he hell they were doing....NOT!

 

My car's out of warranty but I still wouldn't let just anyone change the windshield. This place I found called Ace Glass is very reputable, everyone that has dealt with them had good things to say. You can tell when someone does a quality job; the car was spotless, the windshield perfectly clean, they didn't break anything, no debris left inside or on the dashboard. Other than a crackless windshield, I couldn't tell they changed it. Guess you just have to shop around and ask other people who they recommend.

 

I hear you.... just check to see if your apron has any give or movement to it in the center of it. Just push down on it centrally and see if the rubber seal against the window moves. It shouldn't. Or pull the section off over the battery and look to see if there is the groove available for it to lock back in to. A Ford it ain't. The guy who did mine - experienced they said - sealed the new screen right over the old sealer and buried the VIN. Real nice. Real experienced. Knock 'em out, get paid and do another.

 

If you could share what dealer quoted that outrageous cost for windshield replacement I would love to know.....Pm me if you want.

 

I was quoted $2,000 from Mini of Hawaii!

 

I had to have mine replaced on my R50 as part of the purchase agreement with the MINI dealer for exisitng crack.

They farmed it out. Installers didn't know what they were doing. They didn't replace the a-pillar fasteners as MINI advises etc. Result: windshield whistled. Also, they used aftermarket glass and because of the curve of the windshield the optics of the glass were off and at night the on-coming headlight were actually bent across the glass and it looked like they were in your lane.

Finally the dealer had to replace the glass. While they refused to fork over for MINI glass they finally put in Pilkington and it was fine. No issues after that.

I guess my advice would be to read up first as to what items besides the glass are requested to be replaced and then make sure that your vendor has experience doing it and that they will stand behind their work.

I had Safelite fill chip and they were very comfortable with replacing MINI glass and new what work should be done.

Good Luck