Hi everyone:

I just noticed a 6 inch vertical crack on the front windshield of my
'04 MCS. The crack seems to start from the roof line and is
heading towards the dash, very close to the driver's side A pilar.
Can anyone explain what could've cause this? The car is only
driven a couple of times a week and there are no signs that
a rock even came close to the windshield. Is this a stress fracture?
Is this a known problem with these cars or do I have bad luck?
I hate to think how much it will cost to replace. Thanks in advance
for your inputs.


Juan

 

Oh yeah, it's a known problem!! It sounds like that you have a classic 'stress' crack. Your best bet is to immediately go to the car and run a pen along the crack. If the pen doesn't get stuck in a 'pit', IMMEDIATELY!!!! put some clear masking or packing tape on it, and as soon as you can, head to a dealer. If there is a 'pit', MINI will likely claim that the crack was caused by a rock, and will not cover it under warranty. If there's no pit, it should (and damn well better) be covered.

The glass that MINI (and even BMW) puts in its cars is infamously crap. Combine that with a relatively upright windshield in a MINI, plus the cars' rigidity, and you can unfortunately expect some problems.

If you do a search in the forums, you can find a multitude of front windshield problems. More so prior to '04, but the problem continues through '05.

If the windshield is not covered through warranty, it's recommended that you get the windshield replaced with PPG brand aftermarket glass. It's a lot stronger and more resilient than MINIs glass.

Good luck, and I feel for ya!

-Paul! (who's on his 2nd windshield!)

 

Oh yeah, if you do have to replace it yourself, expect upwards of $700 through a MINI dealer (not recommended), or about $200 - $300 for aftermarket glass, unless if you have a rain sensor (like me ), in which case it's more like $500.

-Paul!

 

Paul:

Thanks for the input. If I have to use a PPG windshield,
I'm willing to eliminate the rain sensing glass if is going
to double the price. I like the feature, but..... This
is total BS. I saw on another board in here a whole
thread on this issue. I'll try Sterling on Monday and
keep my fingers crossed.

 

Err, I don't know if that's a choice. The glass doesn't have any rain-sensing abilities in itself. There's a sensor right in front of the rearview mirror hugging the glass that detects rain. I don't know if there's any physical reason on why you can't use standard MINI windshield glass, other than the sensor would look kinda out-of-place (the printed border for it wouldn't be there).

-Paul!

 

Ahh, got you. My wife's Jetta has the rain sensing wipers, but the glass is
clear. You can see the sensor that sits behind the rear view mirror. If that's
the only issue, I'm ok with it. I'm taking the car to Towson MINI on Monday.

Wish me luck I guess I have to buy a Strut Bar to avoid this in the
future?

 

I have Feb. 02 Copper and about three weeks ago, I had my 4th windshield installed. The first was replaced by MINI as a stress fracture, starting at the VIN and continuedfor a good 10" before I replaced it. The second one lasted about 3 months before it cracked, stress fracture again. This one was not covered by MINI, cost me $50, insurance policy. The most recently replaced windshield lasted just about 2 years and it needed to be replaced, can you guess why? ? ? Yes, stress fracture, originating at the VIN, just like the previous one's. The current windshield was installed by SafeLite Auto Glass. Cost to me $50, total cost was $525. This time I do not have BMW/MINI glass, never checked to see who made it, it might by PPG, but then it might not.

I have not heard anything in connection with a front strut bar preventing further stress related cracks originating at the top of the windshield. I would possibly lend it a little more credit for stress cracks origination from the VIN area. It is my understanding that the front strut bar lends additional rigidity to the top of the strut towers, thus allowing even less body/frame flexing. I will admit that I am not a car expert, nor do I play one on TV, but I did save 15%, some where on something, but not insurance.......

Good luck, a buddy at work was charged just under $900 for a windshield for a Copper S, at his local MINI dealership.

 

I Paid only $236 for my PPG windshield and that included the cost of genuine MINI replacement moldings and trim.

Global Imports in Atlanta wanted to charge me $750 even though it was a stress fracture that should have been covered under warranty!

My PPG glass has remained crack-free for over 2 years now!

 

That's who did my glass. I did a search on the product number on the invoice on Google, and it turns out that Safelite used Pilkington glass. From what I read, it's better than OEM, but not quite as good as PPG.

After driving a couple thousand miles on it, I'm not too impressed. No cracks yet, but it's already starting a fine collection of little tiny pits (the kind that can only be seen when sunlight hits the glass just so). It has withstood a couple of good sized rocks kicked up on the highways, though.

If and when the glass needs to be replaced again, I'll probably try and find an installer that uses PPG.

-Paul!

 

Depends on the dealer. I had rain-sensor glass put in our car at Rasmussen for around $200.

 

 

But didn't you stay at a Holiday Inn Express once?

 

Well:

Went to the dealer today and the service advisor said that it
was a stress crack. he stated that he has never seen one start
from the top. In any event, the dealer will replace it under warranty.
He also said that the new windshields are better...we'll see.
Only time will tell. To the dealer's credit, the service advisor was
very cool about it. I was not expecting a smooth and courteous
service based on what I read about this issue so far. I wish good
luck to all of you with this problem.


Juan


PS The dealer is Tate, so far so good

 

Glad to hear! They switched glass formulations sometime on '04. I'm not sure if I had the new or old. The new is supposed to be better, but still not great. Hopefully it'll work out for you! :smile:

-Paul!