[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

I don't think MoP have *ever* worked with insurance for windshields ... they leave the customer to do the billing. I had no problem sending an invoice to my insurance broker and getting a refund.
Julian has told me that insurance companies try to force the price - which surely MoP won't like, and I bet they don't pay as quick as a customer, either!

Of course, none of that is necessarily a good excuse for putting more work on the customers shoulder ...

There's a lot of legwork for me to do if I don't use one of Lynx's approved installers, I think. Something about three competitive quotes. Maybe they get them. I forget. If MoP wants $700 for a new windshield, it's a moot point (for some reason that number sticks in my head). I'm waiting on a call back from Chris and I'll run it by him.

I'm not *really* giving this whole thing that much thought; I just haven't had time at work to follow up with anyone.

[Sheenabea]

After having my MINI 21 months, I just got a 1/2 inch crack in the line of sight on my windshield. It is pitting to all heck after driving to and fro from Belmont-Plymouth. I am debating doing PPG. Does anyone know what the protocol is for a MINI with auto-sensing wipers? I'm sure that is even more hassle.

[m2smith]

21 months? - My first didn't last 21 minutes! Since I love having the MINI logo on my windscreen I replaced it with factory glass a couple more times, then they came out with newer, slightly thicker glass that MoP installed. It's been a while now and I want it to break because it's pitted...
Each time I called about getting it replaced the very first question was "Do you have auto sensing windshield wipers?" so it sounds like you will have more problems and less choice. Good luck!

[GBMINI]

The "new thicker MINI glass" rumour was only a rumour

Rain sensing glass officially can only be the OEM part, no aftermarket makes it.

Julian @ Sublime has (rarely) transferred the sensor to a non-OEM glass, but the tinted glass pattern is of course missing, so you see all the sensor "insides"!

[m2smith]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

The "new thicker MINI glass" rumour was only a rumour

Wow - the power of rumor has made it last a long time. The mojo is now broken so I'm sure the windshield will do the same

[hwy61]

Thanks a lot Brian... I've been looking at this thread for the past couple of weeks, quite smug that my '03 windscreen ( aside from the wonderful pitting ) has been ding and crack free until this morning on I-91 , some sort of high speed projectile left a good-sized ding with about a half inch crack to each side... of course it's at eye- level , drivers side.

[m2smith]

Thanks a lot Jeff -
I was supposed to get the cracked windshield, but no... The mojo was broken and I have the return of the infamous airbag light - Thing has been fine for almost 8 months!
MoP told me that there was a rev.4 version of the harness (revs 1,2,3 didn't work) - Hope that's true!

[Actual Size]

Quote: Originally Posted by hwy61 (original)

... of course it's at eye- level , drivers side.

You never knew that is a rule?

[blalor]

Finally went with Glass America and had them do a new PPG 'shield last Tuesday. The first thing I noticed was that the weatherstripping at the top of the windshield doesn't even come close to matching the factory one. I called them today (we left town on Wednesday for a couple of days) and they're dispatching someone tomorrow to set it straight. Shouldn't have to do that, but I'm learning that every repair has to be done at least twice, so I guess I should get used to it.

Had a little chat with Paul at MoP on Sunday about the high price of their windshield replacement. I was quoted about $256 for the replacement from GA, but I only paid $100 with my deductible. MoP charges at least $420, depending on how many pieces get broken and whether or not you have rain-sensing wipers. That's a pretty hefty difference to have to swallow. Provided GA fixes it right tomorrow, it'll have been worth it...

I washed the windshield this morning and put on a new set of über-expensive PIAA silicone wipers and noticed that there's a very pronounced difference in the curvature of the glass between the stock one and the new one. The new one feels much thicker in the middle and thins out as you get closer to the edge of the window at the top and bottom. I wonder how well it'll stand up to the constant sandblasting around here, tho.

[blalor]

So, I'm currently sitting in MoP's waiting room while they install a new windshield. Glass America replaced the molding with the "correct" one, but did a pretty lousy job, as it was all wavy and crooked. I could have lived with that, I suppose, but then it started leaking when we drove down here for the poker rally on Sunday. Joe helped me tape it up a bit so that water was no longer dripping from the mirror. I took it back to GA and their supposed fix was to pull down on the headliner and smear some more urethane schmutz on the inside of the glass to fix the leak, creasing the headliner. I kind of lost it then and got them to agree to pay to have MoP put things right, including a new headliner if need be. Lynx is backing me up on this, too, fortunately, through their warranty department. Chris just came up and told me that the windshield is still leaking and that they can't save the glass. So, I'm on to my 2nd windshield in three weeks. Whatever. I'm just here to make sure it gets done right, this time.

[jwardell]

Well you shouldn't have any more leaking problems, MOP does a great job of sealing. Too good of a job. Apparently last time they put in too much glue in my last replacement, and it ripped off my VIN sticker when I had the windshield installed on friday. I think I had to fend off 5 calls from insurance and the glass guys to keep telling them I don't really care about the sticker. THey did their best to reconstruct it, but it does kinda look like it's been through a chop shop. At least I can see clearly again.

[blalor]

I wouldn't blame that on MoP, necessarily. The original guy from Glass America had the same problem, and I still had the factory windshield at that point...

[holdenontoit]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

So, I'm on to my 2nd windshield in three weeks.

welcome to my world .....................

[blalor]

Glass America is supposedly processing a check to me for the cost of the new windshield from MoP. They didn't bat an eyelash when I gave them the bill, and they made it sound like they do this all the time. Well, *that's* a relief.

The punchline to all of this is that the new windshield has a flaw in it. Chris pointed it out to me when we did the walkaround. They owe me *another* new windshield, and even offered to pick the car up from Nashua. I'm due for my 2nd service in 3-4k miles, so I'll probably just wait 'til then.

[Actual Size]

Good things come in threes.

[holdenontoit]

Quote: Originally Posted by holdenontoit (original)

welcome to my world .....................

X2................

[jwardell]

Time to give up, forget the windshield, and just wear your helmet all the time.