New Windscreen

[MiniMatelot]

Just had my windscreen replaced due to a crack appearing overnight. Had to leave my car with the bloke fixing it for over an hour. When I came back, he explained to me that the driver's side pillar had cracked but it was apparently already broken before he started the job. He claims it must have been painted over and when he started the repair, it just collapsed in his hand. Not sure I trust him as right next to the crack is a lovely big scratch on my new windscreen, which I've just noticed. He's only just left, but seriously contemplating phoning the company who "fixed" my windscreen and demanding it be rectified as I don't believe the bloke.


Any one know how much it will cost, if I end up having to rectify this on my own?

Thanks
Tim

[OJM]

If anything, I'd have them for giving you a windscreen with a bloody big scratch on it!

Even if the crack was painted over, you should be able to see the difference in paint - is there any paint flecks on / near the crack?

Bit suspect to me!

[Posts001]

I wouldn't accept that, make a complaint- and get them to replace it!!!!

[hoojkel]

That so called crack/ score seems to be continued right onto the score on the windscreen, he's probably slipped and made a c$$k and bull story in the hope you won't complain. I'd def get him back or phone the co. good luck

[MiniMatelot]

Phoned his boss this afternoon when I was at work. Explained the situation to him, the scratch on the window right next to the "supposed" old crack in the pillar. Said I wasn't happy with a scratched windscreen and he's agreed to send someone out on Monday to rectify it. (He said something about it taking 3 days for the sealer to settle) He also promised to replace the pillar for me when he comes out to replace my windscreen (again).

Only problem now is that the plastic on the other side isn't sitting flush anymore. I'll be taking photos tomorrow in the light of day to fully show what I mean.

All in all, I'm a little annoyed. This company was supposed to fix my windscreen problem, not add to it.

[thecoopertrooper]

I've been through a few windscreens now, and im sure every time they fitted new shiny pillar covers

i would be demanding a new screen and pillars, i think they break when they come off . . .

[MiniMatelot]

Just a few pic showing the damage to the passenger side after my windscreen debacle.

[minicooperboyuk]

Was it an insurance job or did you just pay for the windscreen? If it was an insurance claim I would get in touch with the insurance company and giving them hell. By wot your saying I am guessing you just paid for it.

[MiniMatelot]

No, it was an insurance job. As I mentioned above, I've spoke to the windscreen company and they're replacing it next Monday/Tuesday. They're also doing the pillar. Hope the boss turns up, because then I can tell him face to face how incompetent the guy he sent out to me was.

I'm gonna phone my insurance company tomorrow to inform them of this whole ordeal, just so they know about it in case anything happens to my windscreen in the future, and also if they get any more complaints with reference to this company.

Thanks everyone for the input. Much appreciated.

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by thecoopertrooper (original)

I've been through a few windscreens now, and im sure every time they fitted new shiny pillar covers

i would be demanding a new screen and pillars, i think they break when they come off . . .

Any decent windscreen company should really have a set of the screen pillars (when replacing a MINI screen and work them into the total price / quote, IMO), as they are so brittle they can break even if you're careful especially the ones with the updated clips on them (changed as the early pillar trims kept blowing off), If the trim was already cracked you would have noticed it In My Opinion no matter what, however I have seen many cracked / slightly damaged where they screw in to the pillar, In my experience I would say the damage is down to the fitter, to be honest it looks quite a poor job, Sorry! but it does, even without seeing the MINI in person.

1. The Cracked pillar trim.
2. The scratched glass.
3. The loose gutter trim end.
4. The top screen trim & possible screen slip (see pic & description).

The trim at the top of the screen, these where known to blow out in the early days of the MINI, to me that doesn't look like it will last long at all (especially at speed), the genuine strips are fitted to the screen while out and then the screen fitted, the screen men normally carry a universal rubber strip which they cut to size as a replacement for the original, even so fitted properly it can be OK, either your's isn't fitted properly or he has put back the original one but once the original ones are forced out to remove the screen they often become distorted as the have a metal strip in them (they never go back right once bent) plus if you look at the 1st arrow on the left you can see the edge of the screen this shouldn't be like that, it looks like the screen may have slipped down (possibly causing the loose top screen trim), because the top screen trim actually seems to meet the gutter trim properly on that side, If your car was / is under warranty you would get it voided should you have any issues due to water ingress too the vehicle .

If it was through your insurance I would definitely let them know your not happy with the job and make sure if the people who did it in the 1st place are going to redo the job, make sure that they rectify it properly. if they start fixing everything back on with the black stuff they're not doing it properly clips trims etc... etc... (I personally wouldn't be happy with that scratch and agree with "thecoopertrooper" & the rest of the replys).

[Silent1]

Make sure they take both the A-pillar covers off to put the windscreen in and then make sure they replace the clips and put the bit of foam back in properly.

As for the rain channel, that doesn't look too healthy.

IMHO i'd be demanding they pay MINI to do it as they're clearly incompetant, remember you don't have to go with your insurance companies approved fitter.

[MiniMatelot]

Even if I'm getting it replaced by my insurance company? Didn't know that. What I do know is that when they come back to rectify the windscreen, I'm not gonna leave the car with them and come back when it's done. Definitely gonna wait around while the fix it to make sure they don't find anymore "broken" parts on my car. Had another look at the rain gutter and it looks like the monkey who fitted it snapped it, and tried to glue it back in place.

[MiniMatelot]

Finally got this issue resolved today following a few phone calls. Fitter replaced my windscreen as the other one was scratched, also replaced BOTH A-Pillars and the strip at the top of the window. Stayed and watched this time just to ensure no other "broken" bits of car were found.

I'm not one usually to complain about anything to companies, but bloody glad I did now. Just glad my car is how is should be.

[OJM]

You pay for a service, and if it isn't 100%, then complain - they'd do the same to you. If more people complained, then services would be much better in the first place

[Randall Raines]

Yep!, even if it was the insurance paying, and if you didn't complain straight away you'd have had no chance getting a result later on, not to mention the problems that that bad workman-ship could've caused in the future , and as "OJM" states they may do a better job the next time for the next person 1st time around, rather than having too do a job twice.

At least there was no permanent damage and everything could be put right again!

Glad you got it sorted.