I put up this topic as a tracking thread.

Some owners not wanting to make windshield installation a hobby have installed PPG glass. The voodoo will continue with the "new/improved" Holdenontuit thread vs. all OEM and the aftermarket replacements.

Chime in with your PPG results. My story: '04 Cooper OEM cracked in first 300 mi. Replacement PPG clear, pit and crack free to date.

Hope to hear from DiD and others who have eaten 5+, has the madness stopped?

 

Global Imports in Atlanta refused to replace my stress-fractured windshield which cracked the first month I had the MINI.

I drove around for about 9 months until the PPG glass was available. I simply was not going to pay MINI $750 for a replacement defective part!

I had the PPG windshield installed and not only has it not cracked, but I think the optical clarity of the glass is an improvement over the MINI OEM glass.

I only paid $236 for the PPG installed, including replacement moldings.

Unless MINI is paying for it, NOBODY should replace a defective windshield with anything other than PPG.

 

I'm on my second PPG windscreen--first one cracked in a MAJOR way, thanks to the mother of all rocks.

I suppose it's performance is average... certainly better than the el crappo OEM glass.

 

What about folks who have the rain-sensing wipers? Any options for us besides MINI?

Thanks,
Theo

 

I have the PPG, installed about 3 weeks ago to replace the windshield that came with my car (2002 MCS, July build). The original glass had 5 bullseyes (one received while driving the car home from the dealer) and was so pitted that it looked like it had been sandblasted. I did not have any stress cracks, and was actually amazed that none of the bullseyes had spread into cracks.

Anyhow, my insurance company wouldn't have paid for the OEM glass anyway, so I had to get aftermarket (or pay out of pocket). But I'm very happy so far with the PPG and my gut feeling is that unless I just get unlucky with a big rock, the PPG glass will hold up much better than OEM.

 

The front windows on the mini suck how they got a DOT approval i do not know
i clean my window and it still looks dirty from all the pits in it is there a place in san diego that seels and installs the ppg glass?

 

4 MINI windshield each lasted about 2-3 months (multiple stress cracks & prone to rock chips).

My 5th (and hopefully final) windshield is from PPG. No problems with the PPG windshield in almost a year.

 

Anymore PPG testimonials? Seems the "new" screen has failed as expected with the part number having to do with tinting not a magic fix.

Could multiple windscreen replacements weaken A-pillars and surrounding metal due to glass shop cutting and pry forces applied? A subjective question but a concern.

Moderators, is this thread worthy pinning? I feel owners should be informed about the quality and survival of this aftermarket solution.

 

Replaced my OEM windshield after a botched patch job. Happened about a month after I got my '04 MCS. The new PPG one has held up great.

_________________
'04 CR/B MCS, T/B interior, Premium, Sport, Cold

5 Brake Lights... more mods to come.

 

>>Chime in with your PPG results.

OK, since you asked for results....

Here's some of my quotes from other threads:

March 25, 2004
"IMHO neither are winners in the MINI. In my experience, they both chip, pit and crack as easily as the other. Some have ahd great experience with PPG in MINIs. I haven't! I did have a good experience with PPG in my '90 S-10. But that was over a decade ago."

Oct 27, 2003
My PPG replacement glass has problems
* visual distorions. (like the glass wasn't made right)
* it has pitted up quicker than the stock one
* it is just as prone to chipping.

Aug 8, 2003
"I have the PPG glass now on my MINI. It is uneven, you can feel it where it's warped when cleaning it with a rag. The warpage causes some visual issues like streaching, blurring, and glare. The PPG glass seems to have pitted up quicker than my original MINI glass did. I loved the PPG glass that was installed on my ol' 1990 Chevy S10 back in the early 1990's. It was twice as strong as stock S-10 glass and didn't pit up as quickly. I was hoping for that effect when the glass company replaced my MINI's glass, but alas, it didn't happen to be so. "


So, do you really want to know what my opinion on PPG glass is? It sucks!! Why should aftermarket glass pit up EASIER and QUICKER than OEM? I don't know...

 

Seems domini.... has a negative result. I read about "visual distortion and uneven" comments prior to my installation. I carefully examined the factory glass from inside and out. Felt the external surface by hand the day before the PPG was installed.

I then repeated the examination with the new glass. Result: I see similar distortion in the tight curve areas and feel no waves or ripples anywhere. Now this is an '04 replacement the earlier '03's may be different.. I'm not suggesting his results are not valid just there may have been a bad run or PPG changed something.

Check out PPG's website they make OEM glass for many new car models and have a top rating with national glass shops. The warantee against stress cracks per PPG is lifetime. I will continue to represent they do not "suck". The real kicker is when my MINI SA confidentially suggested I proceed with the PPG as his customers (many) were not coming back.

 

I'm taking my cracked winscreen (been cracked since December 2003) in to the dealer next week for them to "pen test" it and anticipate getting PPG glass when they deny warranty replacement. If they do replace it with the "new" glass I am anticipating that it will also not last and I will eventualy have PPG glass. I am encouraged that no one has posted that the PPG glass cracked within weeks of install. In fact I don't think I have read a post that PPG glass has cracked. It pits and stars like any glass that suffers a rock hit but does not seem to crack overnight.
That I think is good news!

If PPG glass can do that then why doesn't MINI use PPG glass? My answer to this question is MONEY. They would rather put in cheap glass and have you pay for replacements; and don't kid yourself about "free" insurance replacements - you pay -even if you don't have an insurance claim, you pay!