well I was giving a ride to my friend when he noticed my windshield has a crack on the top.. It starts from the edge of the roof and is about 4-5 inches long..
I haven't noticed it because of the rearview mirror.
I remember hearing a loud crack some time ago and I think that may have caused it. I've also been hearing series of cracks and I think it was the crack growing..

 

Hi: I had crack in exactly same place as you. I could not see it from driver seat because of rear view mirror and my friend in passenger seat noticed it. Any ways, took it to Crevier Mini in Socal, and they replaced it under warranty. Definately stress crack! Hope you get yours fixed.

 

I was at my Mini dealer today.. No Mini SA were there..
One of the guys who work for BMW said he has never heard about stress cracks in Minis before and no windshields are covered under warranty..
He also took a look at the crack and said it'll cost $900 to replace. He says it's a rock chip that caused it and pointed to a small rough spot in the windshield, which I was able to removed with my fingernail..
He then said he has never seen a stress fracture on top of the windshield and that most are happening on the bottom.. (which contradicts what he said earlier about never hearing about stress cracks)
Anyways I guess I'll have to stop by the dealer again during the week when someone who knows about this is there..
I don't mind getting it repaired myself, but don't want the bill if I can have it replaced under warranty..

 

BS.....That guy def doesnt know ish.

There is a very known problem with this and MINI knows about it.

Its from installation of the adhesive and stress being put on the window before the glue has time to cure. It happens at the top.

Tell that dealer to look up service bulletin SI M51 04 05.

 

My 05 had a stress crack happen a couple of weeks ago. It was really cold and my wife went out, cleared the window and put the heat on. I have a really long driveway and when she got to the end of it, she turned left and heard a pop.

She got to the end of our road and turned right and heard another pop, she got about half way to her destination and finally saw the crack spreading accross the windshield.

You could easily see that there was a crack that started from the windshield frame just above the mirror and down about 3 inches, then it spread right and left. Very interesting looking crack to be sure.

I stuck a ballpoint pen in the crack and it ran through without any snags, so I took it to the dealer and it was replaced under warranty. I was told it was the first 05 (in Canada at least) without the heated windshield to have a crack happen.

 

Different dealer time. And I do believe Grumbler (DCMM) had his windshield replaced again, and for some reason I remember him saying something about $300. When I got my F150 (much bigger windshielf than Mini) replaced it was like $190. $900 is crazytalk.

 

$900 is way off.

Windshield costs,

Basic $189.00 Very common

Rain Sensor & Int mirror w/auto dim,Visibility package $290.00 Uncommon

Rain Sensor, Visibility Package $290.00 Uncommon

Rain Sensor $260.00 Very Common

Green Schade Band $234.00 Never used

Windshield Molding $13.90

Labor is roughly $200


So thats roughly $500 total for either of the ones mostly used. Id like to know where the other $400 is coming from.

Now also remember....If this is done by a glass company they can use aftermarket products which are sometimes cheaper. If this done at the dealer and is coming out of your pocket for some other reasons, expect to pay the above amounts.

 

I"m on my third windshield. Rocks were the culprit for me...

Just north of $600 at Mini of Mt View (basic windshield). Just over $230 for a PPG. Interestingly, the PPG hasn't cracked, but it sure pitts! I guess that the windshield is becomeing a "service item".

Matt

 

Matt - I live in Palo Alto, who did the PPG work??? No way I'm paying Mini of Mt View a nickel...

 

I'll report back after going to the dealer again tomorrow morning when the Mini SA are present.
for the "pen-test" do I run a pen along the crack or over it, side to side?
I don't feel anything if I trace the crack but if I go side to side, there's a little bump as if the glass has a slightly different height to it.