Somewhere on the forum, I believe others have had this happen. Went out this am to go to town about 200 yards out of the drive I notice a crack in the bottom middle of my windshield. it starts vertical for about 4" and then does a right angle for about a dollar bills length. I know this was not there yesterday because I washed my car. This was not rock damage. To those of you who have had to replace the glass how satisfied were you with the installation? My 2008 MCS Cabrio Chili Red with less then 4000 miles on it. I'm concerned. Also did you have OEM Glass installed? Has to order Windshield,no telling how long this will take.Bill

 

This happened to me 2 months into having my 06 MCS. It is a stress fracture, likely based on the angle and shape of the windshield. I got a local auto glass company here in Phoenix to do it with PPG glass, which I believe was thicker than the stock factory glass.
Brilliant no-fuss install by a very nice and knowledgable guy. I had to tell my insurance company verbally that I wanted a different installer than their shill company installers, but it was all good.

good luck, and make sure your installer has worked on MINIs before; it's a little tricky to get the gasket sealant from smearing.

 

Thanks motionmonk,since there are very few Mini's here in the Tampa Bay Area I doubt I will have the luck you had. Appreciate you advice. Bill

 

My original windshield cracked and was replaced under warranty at the MINI dealer. My second windshield is now cracked and will be replaced at a glass shop since I'm out of warranty. The cracks are exactly as yours, starts at the edge and runs across.