I want to thank all of you for your replies, so far I've done nothing but I plan on calling my agent again today for more details on who they use and what product they use as well as my deductible and such. Interesting info about the A pillar covers. Never even thought of that. Maybe I should have just let the MINI dealer do it while I was there! More info to follow...

 

Sorry to hear about your luck on the 13th.

My birthday is on April 13th, Friday the 13th every few years... and my name is Jason. dun dun dun

 

In Florida, law requires insurance companies to provide $0 deductible glass coverage. Down here it is illegal to drive around with busted glass.

 

And yet, get it done at the dealer. The plastic A-pillar covers are problematic to remove and reinstall (Broken clips) and you don't want these to fly out in the highway. This will make the dealer partly responsible for the quality of the glass replacement as it will be done under their watch.

 

Like mine did in AZ on the way back from AMVIV last year... lol

I believe that it is Illegal in most states for cracks in windscreens... some may vary on type, I know here in Ontario, they cannot repair a chip if it is in direct view of the driver.

 

As to costs and quality, I think most of it depends on the quality of the installer......

I had the windshield replaced in my '03 MCS last October, and after reading all the horror stories here on NAM, elected to have it done at the local MINI dealer, using factory glass (I have rain sensing wipers) $650 installed, btw.....

The week before Safelite replaced the windshield in my wife's '04 Audi allroad. The guy who did hers was 100% professional, knew exactly what he was doing and in 1 hr it was good as new. We've had no issues since.

The MINI, OTOH, is a nightmare........I've had it back 3 times and frankly, I've given up now. One time I went back to have the A pillar covers replaced because they were coming off, and twice more to try and cure an obnoxious wind noise that they claim they can't hear.

I wish I'd had the same Safelite guy do both........

 

Hi,

I had my windshield replaced by an original MINI one about 2 weeks ago. The windshield they got me is not exactly the same (the writings on the bottom left are different). For instance, before I had an E written on it and now I don't have such a thing. I am moving to Europe in May so I really need that E specification that's mandatory in Europe. Yesterday, I got a crack on my windshield again while driving on the highway so I will have to get it changed again.

Does anybody had the same problem when changing their glass with an OEM?