REAR WINDOW SHATTERING FAULT - dealers aware of fault

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nearlyman (original)

Hi everyone,

Looks like I've joined a growing band of dissatisfied people, most of whom are struggling to get their BMW dealer to cover the cost of a shattered rear window. I have been advised by my friendly insurance assessor that it is a known fault and that some BMW dealers have repaired (or rather replaced the whole roof !! Great design). Reading some of the entries on this forum, which he directed me to, it is now pretty obvious.

It's my wife's 04 Mini One and I, like others, found it had shattered whilst parked up outside the house. As an retired policeman, I immediately cursed the vandal that did it but now realise it just went. The car boot was full of water, as it was a particularly wet night - typical.

I have to admit that I haven't gone back and read all the entries yet, as I want to get on and pester my local dealer as soon as possible. I'll keep the forum updated on my progress.

I would appreciate any advice from anyone, particularly on how to pressurise BMW to cover the cost.

Commiserations, Nearlyman, and sorry this is the subject of your first post!

Do you happen to know if your roof is the original one, or a subsequent replacement? If original, it certainly sounds like it could be of the age when there was spontaneous shattering. But after (maybe) more than 4 years from new, I wonder how strong your case will be. Replacing the roof is an expensive exercise - it may be that a goodwill contribution is the best you can hope to get from BMW/MINI after this time.

But if (say) it's a roof that was only replaced last year, then you may have a better case.....good luck, please do keep us posted!

Ian

[Nearlyman]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Commiserations, Nearlyman, and sorry this is the subject of your first post!

Do you happen to know if your roof is the original one, or a subsequent replacement? If original, it certainly sounds like it could be of the age when there was spontaneous shattering. But after (maybe) more than 4 years from new, I wonder how strong your case will be. Replacing the roof is an expensive exercise - it may be that a goodwill contribution is the best you can hope to get from BMW/MINI after this time.

But if (say) it's a roof that was only replaced last year, then you may have a better case.....good luck, please do keep us posted!

Ian

Have taken the car to the local main dealer and I am now just waiting for their verdict from head office !! Have now tracked back through previous forum entries and have located the link to the technical bulletin. Trouble is that I can't find the actual bulletin on the pages the link takes me to. Anyone any ideas how to find it. I'm expecting BMW to just fob me off so I just think that if I can go along with a copy of this forum and the bulletin, I might have more chance.

In resonse to Dalboyne - I'm pretty sure that the roof is the original supplied on the car. It shows the usual wear and tear of 4 years use. I have been told by a mechanic at a main BMW dealer that BMW would most likely cough up if the car had been in a garage or if I had actually been in it at the time.!!

Also just want to say how useful this forum has been. I'll be back with an update soon.

I'll be back with an update.

[jsydanma]

If anyone has the service bulletin that BMW issued (february 2005?) please colud you post it to this thread.
I'm still fighting with BMW Group Finland to get my roof changed under warranty but I really need the TSB.

[jimbob77]

Hi there,

Was out yesterday in my 54 plate, Jan '05 built, Mini Cooper hardtop and thought I'd been shot at as my rear screen suddenly went pop! It was quite frightening as there were 4 of us in the car and nobody knew what the hell had happened. I had the rear de-mister on as it was wet out but it had only been on for a maximum of 10mins before the screen went.
It was lucky that there were 2 adults in the back and not any children as my sister-in-law had shards of glass in her hand, and she was facing forward. If it had been my niece, in her rear facing child seat, it would been a trip to the hospital I think!

I phoned my insurance company and they said that they'd try to get it sorted as soon as. RAC then phoned to say that they can't get a screen til Tuesday at the earliest so sent a guy out to fit 'crash-wrap' as a temporary solution. The guy who came said he had only heard of a few cases of Mini rear screens shattering, and that was with convertibles more than hard-tops, and thought that it might have been caused by a power surge through one of the de-misting elements so recommended I get it checked by an auto electrical specialist.

Has anyone else heard of hard top rear screens shattering or is it more common in convertibles? Could it be anything to do with the glass that Mini use as back in February of this year my front screen developed a crack in it too which duly had to be changed?
Any info much appreciated,
Cheers
James

[Nearlyman]

Latest update on my claim to BMW, following the shattering of the rear window just before Christmas. (Why do these things happen at the worst time ??)

Local main dealer (Dick Lovett, Swindon) referred the matter to head office and they have offered to supply and fit a new roof, covering payment of all parts and half the labour. This leaves me to pay the other half, which works out at around £290. Car's going in tomorrow - I just hope that the new roof is fitted correctly, without the damage to the bodywork that others have found.

In some ways I shall be glad to get things sorted, without having to go through insurance, with the knock-on of increased premiums etc. I'm still not happy that the repair/replacement has not been fully covered by BMW and I shall keep up dialogue with them to see if I can pester them to part with the £290.

I'm so glad I was directed to this forum. Thanks to all who have given advice.

[dalboyne]

Well that's not too bad a result, Nearlyman! The full costs of a replacement is a very large sum indeed, (especially with BMW mechanics rates these days ), so it looks like you have got quite a good accommodation with them - well done!

Ian

[smcint5]

Hi, everyone. I just woke up to my brand-new Mini Cooper Clubman with a shattered back right window. Since it's New Year's day, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to call the dealer, but does anyone know if this has been happening with the newer Coopers? Also, anything I should be telling my dealer? So far, I'm hearing the "we've never heard of this before" response. Thanks!

Sharon

[jsydanma]

I had an phone conversation with person from BMW Finland and his message was, "The factory doesn't know anything about shattering rear windows, it's not known problem and there is NO service bulletin concerning this problem."

The phone call mede me angry as hell.

[alicecooper]

I have a mini cooper clubman and I woke up one morning to find the rear dutch door on the drivers side shattered for no reason.

[alicecooper]

has anyone else experienced shattered glass on the rear door of their clubman?

[bigcedmo]

I wish I had seen this link a week earlier, same thing happened to me, went out in the morning and no rear window, contacted the dealer and they gave me the number of their body shop and told me to contact my insurance. £1850 for new roof , having no luck with this car, 6 months ago it caught fire due to power steering pump overheating and melting wiring loom.
Any advice anybody, should I let my insurance company know or is it too late?

[BryanJulia]

Hi there Nearlyman,
This thread has proved most useful and I'm really happy that I found it!
You mention that you took your mini to Dick Lovett in Swindon, well I have exactly the same issue with my mini cooper S convertible, the back screen shattered on Saturday night. I have taken it to Dick Lovett in Bristol, but they have asked a few more details regarding yours so that they can look at what they can do for me as they helped you out,
Any help or assistance would be great!
Thanks