Heated Front Windscreen

[Alan Partridge]

Going to dealers tomorrow to sort out the spec on my Cooper D. Anyone got the heated front windscreen on their R56 ? Any noticeable problems with seeing the elements in the screen or distortion with either sunlight or other cars headlights ? Is it noticeably quicker than the air con at clearing a misty / icey windscreen ?

Many thanks.

[justin1010]

I have a heated screen on my 55 reg MCS. At first I did notice the wavey lines, but with everything in life you get used to them and they are now only seen if you look for them. On the plus side last week when my wife and my neighbours all had to scrape their front screens, I didnt and got a kick out of just sitting there for 30 secs then wiping it all away with the windscreen wipers. The only problem is the side windows still need defrosting. This can be sorted out with winding them down a bit to make a small gap at the top for looking out of. All in all a worth while addition in my oppinion.

[harrietb]

My Dad has it in his car, and I can really see the lines in the windscreen.. Personally I've never had any problems with clearing my Minis windsceen. I just put the heater on full, put it so its up the windscreen and it takes less than a minute to clear.. Don't see the need for the heated front screen.

[dazzpowder]

I Have it in my 2002 and had it previously on my Disco 3, you can see the lines if you focus on them but as your generally looking out past the windscreen they are invisible.

I think it's a great addition, who wants to stand out in the cold looking for something to scrape the ice off your windscreen, then after keeping the blower on full blast or aircon on so as not to steam the winscreen.

It aint a deal breaker I'm sure, but it is nice.

[SimonSJR]

I had it in my first r56 cooper (sparkling silver) and I hated it. It just irritated me... And for the cold spell of just a month or so we have her I couldnt justify specking it in my PW r56. Plus if you have the heated windscreen the sat navs (external) take ages to find a signal or won't get one at all without an external antenna, that was the deal breaker for me.

[djnas]

Ive got it on my cooper, and i dont notice it and my tom tom 510 works no problem

[Vinnies' Mini]

I had it in my Mondeo and thought it was fab...and a must on any car....its not just useful for getting rid of frost...but misting windows also......

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by SimonSJR (original)

I had it in my first r56 cooper (sparkling silver) and I hated it. It just irritated me... And for the cold spell of just a month or so we have her I couldnt justify specking it in my PW r56. Plus if you have the heated windscreen the sat navs (external) take ages to find a signal or won't get one at all without an external antenna, that was the deal breaker for me.

Got it on my R56 and on my old R53. Not essential but a very nice addition if you can afford it.

It does not interfere with Tomtom units at all, or my RoadPilot. Can't vouch for any other makes of nav though.

[Olly.]

Have it and i've never noticed the lines in the windscreen. Very useful to have in the winter.

[mark-o]

How does the heated windscreen affect it's replacement cost? My screen was cracked in under 4k's of driving, I would hate to splurge on a heated windscreen only to have it broken right away.

-Mark

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by mark-o (original)

How does the heated windscreen affect it's replacement cost? My screen was cracked in under 4k's of driving, I would hate to splurge on a heated windscreen only to have it broken right away.

-Mark

I'm sure it would cost more but I don't know exact costs.

Won't you car insurance cover replacement costs though?

[mark-o]

Not around here it won't. In Alberta, Canada insurance won't typically cover your windscreen 'cause they use gravel on the roads in winter, not sand.
You can get coverage, but it costs about the same as buying a new screen every year so there's little point.

-M

[Mike Schumacher]

stick with the air con.

the lines will get on your nerves. they might distract you!!

[SimonSJR]

hmmmmm, funny about the sat navs though, my road angel 6000 struggled when I had the heated windscreen, took about 5 minutes to find a gps signal. Even the manufacturers say a heater windscreen will affect signals.

Thats why things like this exist: http://www.easydevices.co.uk/pcp/Antennas.html but i'd hate to have another aerial on my roof.

[djtex]

I think this is a must have, I had it on my R53 Cooper and Specced it again on my R56 MCS. Would never have a car without it now, makes life so much easier.