Replacement windscreen - Orignal or Patent??

[Sarella]

Has anyone else heard that if you ever need to replace the mini windscreen original mini/BMW glass should be used rather than the replacement company's own brand?

I was told this by a guy who repaired a chip in my screen previously, as according to him it can effect resale value, and not also seal properly.

This morning I was gutted to find a rather sizable crack in the screen of my Cooper S. After speaking to my insurance company, I've been told that if I want a OE ( original equipment) screen, I will have to pay extra on top of my standard excess.

Has anyone else heard about this? Was that chap correct, and am I about to fork out for the real McCoy when there's no real difference?

Thanks.....:O)

[Mister]

I've gone through half a dozen wind screens in my MINI owning years. I always go for the cheapest after market glass I can find because I know it will just be a matter of a few months before it will need replacing again.

BTW, I've traded in 2 MINIs, both with cheapie glass, with no effect on their resale value.

[< FORZA WEST]

The resale bit is abosolute rubbish...
If you have a standard set up,ie no rain light sensor(auto wipe)then it should be ok.
If you do have rain light then go for genuine..we see lots of problems with the wiping system due to the bonding of the element on the non gen screens

[baskers]

What do people do for heated windscreens? I've got that on my MCS, and this crossed my mind the other day...

Jay

[baskers]

Ah damn... not only is mine heated, but it's also got the rain sensor...

[indi77]

Last year I needed my screen replacing ASAP and had it done by RAC/Auto windscreens. The screen itself is fine, have had no probs with the rain sensor/heating (and I actually prefer the thinner heater element it has as its less noticeable) but the windscreen pillar cover wasn’t fitted properly and subsequently snapped off the 1st time I used the motorway. Scared the crap out of me at the time as I heard a loud crack and then lots of thumping, it was a dark stretch of road and it wasn’t till I stopped that I realised what happened and it was the foam padding whacking the side window!

Cost about £70 to be fixed by MINI and I now know that im not the 1st to have this happen so if you can, go for a MINI screen ….fitted by MINI! (or at least dont use auto windscreens )

[jlove]

As one whose motoring seems to consume many screens , I have discovered that my Mini dealership actually use a local mobile specialist for new glass. It's the same company for the Peugeot dealer and the local Ford dealer!

For my previous Peugeot, my son's Saxo and my Ford van, the local guy charged only a few Pounds more than my excess (and less than half the price of a national chain). The last Mini one was an accident repair, so Mini did it, but my Cooper has a great crack and chip, so it will need one soon... I'll go to my local specialist (A&B Windscreens of Andover) who will offer me a choice of glas, I'm sure.

[Joogle]

Im with MINI insurance, as they guarantee to use only Genuine parts I got a genuine screen last time around, no problems at all - excellent service.

Had problems with the previous insurers on my last Car when that needed a screen, I wanted OEM parts because I had heard about the sealing problems & the A panel covers used were tending to not look quite right and in a few cases come off. My Insurer was insisting on a non-OEM screen unless I paid the difference. (Around another £75) So I looked into what it would cost doing it myself, I spoke direct with Autoglass (Who were booked to do the job) and they gave me all the options/prices, turns out it was actually cheaper, easier and quicker for them to source/use a Genuine screen than to try and get a non OEM one. Phoned back the insurers explaining this, they spoke to Autoglass & authorised a Genuine screen & fittings on the spot. Everything came from the local MINI dealers, all with receipts to Autoglass for them to fit. (Who fit the dealers screens etc) But it was down to me doing the chasing not the insurers.....

[Rocco9999]

What is it about the mini screens that makes them so prone to chips?
1st mini got a chip in week one doing about 10mph in town and a second chip after 6 months - thankfully a new Mini screen was fitted under warrenty due to wind noise.
Second mini got a massive crack in month one and just had another low speed chip after 1 year.
I also have heated screen and auto wipers

Auto windsreen want £350 and the dealer wants £900 fitted!

[Bozzer]

Rocco9999

Interesting that you should bring this up.

My Dooper has a heated screen with auto wiper sensor.

Its done 8000 miles now since October last year and is really suffering from stone chipping and screen damage. Much more so than I've experienced on any previous car. One stone chip in the top corner of the screen has turned into a crack and yesterday on the M25 I gathered another in the middle which has starred.

Suppose I'll have to get it changed soon.

I wondered whether it was partly due to the fact that the screen is much more vertical than on most cars. Just a thought.

[sony]

Keep a fair distance from the car in front- I've done this for many years and have barely had any stone chips.

[EllyCab]

I've just had auto glass replace my screen, they supplied a screen that is heated and rain censored - I just assumed they fit an original screen (I can't tell the difference)

[Minisontour]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bozzer (original)

I wondered whether it was partly due to the fact that the screen is much more vertical than on most cars. Just a thought.

I've just had my windscreen replaced on tuesday, and was told by the Autoglass fitter that he fits more Mini windscreens than any other models. Apparently, they order a pallet load at a time as opposed to 2 or 3 for other makes/models

He also mentioned this was due to the increased angle of the screen, meaning less chance of the 'projectile' glancing off the screen..

BTW.. it's a Pilkington glass fitted to mine now...