[Ferroequine]

So living in Calgary, I knew it had to happen eventually: chips in the windscreen from flying rocks that are on the road because the city believes they will give people better traction in snow.

But what I wasn't expecting was that a 1/4" sized chunk of glass would be removed from my windscreen by a rock thrown up by a small delivery truck (lorry). I took my MINI to a chip repair place the same day, because a crack was already forming and trying to spread. -20 C weather probably doesn't help.

The damage has been contained, but it looks like I'll still be in the market for a new windscreen sometime this spring, as the chipped area is very rough and is right in the path of the driver's side wiper blade -- it won't take long to start damaging the rubber on there. The repair guy even commented that it was some sizeable damage.

So, anyone up for a windscreen group buy? Gord, I am sure that you would be interested.

[KPKalle]

This time last year and I'd have been with you But 1/4" chunk - really?

[MiniPapa]

I need one. Not a rock but seems to be a stress crack.
It is low down so it doesn't really get in the way but it looks awful.

[MRC2K6]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

Gord, I am sure that you would be interested.

Sure am. I need a new one before the BMW driving school in May. But I think we will have to wait until close to then when they have cleared all the bullets off of the streets.

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniPapa (original)

I need one. Not a rock but seems to be a stress crack.
It is low down so it doesn't really get in the way but it looks awful.

That's what all the duct tape and vinyl on my windshield covers up - dozens of cracks. The techs up @ MINI looked the first year (2003) and assured me that it wasn't stress. What it is, they said, was small rocks hitting the very edge of the screen (right at or below the rubber) and that combined with severe cold/hot on the glass, comes cracks all along the bottom. The next year when I started getting hit with the huge bullets on Deerfoot thrown up by city trucks (don't get me started!), I got numerous chips like MiniVee is talking about.

You should be able to feel a slight chip hole or dint along the very edge at the start of your crack. That's where the rock hit the glass. (All the stress cracks that first appeared in MINIs were supposedly fixed in early 2003.)

Anyway Vince, if you find a place that will give discounts on mass windshield replacements, I think we should really take a look at it. I'd be game ... now where are those @#$%& city trucks ...

[RS3TURN]

I recommend you do not go through the dealer. Unless you like throwing your money away. I'm on my 2nd, (soon 3rd as I just got another crack) windshield. Check out Cal-Alta auto glass on Edmonton trail, I called around the city and got 10+ quotes. Excellent service through Cal-Alta and cost was around $250 (if I remember correctly) for a PPG windshield. I believe MINI crowfoot quoted me in the $800 range.

North Location
8-3927 Edmonton Trail NE
(2 blocks south of McKnight Blvd.)
Calgary, AB T2E 6T1
Phone: 403-291-7020

[British SD]

I had mine replaced through my Insurance glass coverage which replaces with MINI original parts in first 3 years. They did not like the $800 plus that the dealer wanted so they arranged through Speedy Auto glass at Crowfoot to buy a MINI windshield from the dealer and install at Speedy. All came out to about $575 to the Insurance co. Also the Glass shops use hot glue that drys and seals in less than an hour and apparently more reliable. The dealer I believe uses cold set glue that takes hours to harden, seal and need the car for the whole day.

PPG glass is much cheaper but apparently the MINI glass comes with an array of new clips and hardware. Don't know what that means but the glass shop was impressed!

[beken]

I'm on my third windshield. The later windshields are much better than the earlier ones. My last one broke because somebody dumped a load of gravel on a bridge during rush hour and my MINI wasn't the only car to have a broken windshield. I have original replacement insurance on my car so I get a MINI windshield. The MINI dealer told me they shouldn't break that easily anymore as the issue has been addressed by MINI. I was quite impressed when last week during a snowstorm a piece of ice about the size of a baseball came flying at me from the top of an 18-wheeler and hit the windshield dead on in front of my face. After recovering from the adrenalin rush, I was expecting to see a big crack but the windshield seems to have absorbed it all and looks fine. No crack. So I would recommend you go through the dealer. Your dealer can also supply an after-market windshield made by the same manufacturer that supplies MINI. He told me it's exactly the same windshield., but less expensive.

Also, get glass insurance....or check with you insurance company to see if they will cover the windshield (less your deductible). ICBC in BC will replace the windshield if a ding is in the windshield wiper sweep area. They won't recommend a repair as it wrecks you wipers and then compromises visibility.

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by British SD (original)

PPG glass is much cheaper but apparently the MINI glass comes with an array of new clips and hardware. Don't know what that means but the glass shop was impressed!

I've been told by a few glass shops that the existing hardware and clips can be reused if they are careful removing the windshield. When I had mine replaced they warned me that if the clips broke it was going to cost me quite a bit more....

[StormTide]

I must have the worst luck -- tons of problems and I've not even hit 1000km on my new MINI yet.

On the whitemud in Edmonton -- a f350 in the other lane comes roaring by at like 50km over the speed limit and throws a bullet at my poor mini... I've now got a 6" crack and getting larger just below the right hand wiper.

I've got a good glass place to do the work (the stealers nuts at over 800 bux) but about these clips -- are they necissary to do it right? If so, anyone know what the dealer cost is just for the clips, not the glass?

[British SD]

Quote: Originally Posted by StormTide (original)

about these clips -- are they necissary to do it right? If so, anyone know what the dealer cost is just for the clips, not the glass?

I think RS3TURN is correct. They can be reused if careful and not damaged when the broken glass is removed. I don't know if you can get the clips etc without the MINI Glass.

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by British SD (original)

I think RS3TURN is correct. They can be reused if careful and not damaged when the broken glass is removed. I don't know if you can get the clips etc without the MINI Glass.

I was quoted about $250 for the windshield with reusing the clips. If they were not able to use them they said it would be ~ another $300.....and they could get the clips separately.

Going by memory here, but I think that is what I remember them quoting.

I went through the same thing. I went through my first windshield within a week of purchasing the MINI. (Jan '04).

[StormTide]

What amount did you pay for labour to have it installed?

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by StormTide (original)

What amount did you pay for labour to have it installed?

The prices that I quoted about included labour. Around $250 all in.
Again, I called around all over Calgary, and Cal-Alta Auto Glass, had the best price, and excellent reputation.

[StormTide]

Had Crystal Glass in Edmonton do mine -- were able to re-use the clips. Did a really good job and because I work for the company that does their website -- got a really good rate too =P

So another vote for not having the dealer do it. Shame that the dealer rates are shoving up the cost of glass insurance on the mini to a level not worth buying.

[AirGuitarChampion]

I have three bullets and two crack "systems", one along the top of the window, and one along the bottom. Neither impedes the view, there's about 10"-12" uninterrupted view from side to side at drivers eye level, but it looks like hell. I tried twice to head off the cracks by having a glass shop and those parking lot guys drill and fill holes at the end, and this works for a while but you can't stop the inevitable it seems.

I did a search, dug up this thread and called Cal-Alta. They're at $289 plus tax installed. Still in the ballpark I suppose given the last quote given in this thread was from 1.5 years ago, so I'm scheduled for Saturday. Woohoo! Now all there is left to do is fix that dent in my hood (hit and run on my parked car UGGH) from last November and it'll be good as new...

[soamazin]

Do you guys have the Electric Window Defroster? That should make it more expensive to replace...Also I think the newer windshields are tougher because i've already had some decent sized stones fly at my windshield and all i have so far is grazes on the windshield. I thought they were just bugs until I couldnt wipe it off.

[mark-o]

AGC,
I have the same two crack systems with 10" of solid horizontal glass. One from the left and one from the right. It does look like hell, I should book mine in there as well.

-M

[Ferroequine]

I also need a new windscreen. I got a bullet last week to go with the chips and cracks left over from the AMVIV trip this spring.

Did the Cal-Alta quote include new OEM clips etc?

[AirGuitarChampion]

That's assuming using the existing clips. I don't have a rain sensor or heated front window (???) either so it's the bare bones swap.

[AirGuitarChampion]

Took two hours, exactly as planned. Got a new PPG windscreen installed, the base price of $289+tax was exactly as verbally quoted back on Thursday, although they added $20 for two new trim pieces (they are at the top of the A-pillars on the outside) which isn't a huge deal to me. I'd imagine they'd probably need those on any MINI installation, so think $309+tax. Overall I would recommend Cal-Alta.