Took the family play car for a spin after washing it (the only chance I get to drive it) and got a dirty great crack in the windscreen from a stone. The question is, as our Mini Con is only our play car do I cover it over for the winter and worry about it next spring or do I trust Autoglass to treat her to a new screen now? I reckon it might be a garage job, does anyone know? Also will the new screen have the "Mini" logo on it?
Windscreen Cracked! Can I trust Auto Glass?
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If you request factory glass, it will have the logo on it regardless of who actually does the install. Fact is, most dealers use the local glass repair folks anyway as they are highly skilled at it. My windscreen was replaced due to a stress fracture and once the trim comes off, it's pretty standard stuff.
Also, there has been a lot of debate of OEM v. PPG glass as the original windscreens fitted to our cars at the factory (for earlier build dates anyway) was pretty poor. My latest windscreen was OEM Mini-supplied and was hit by a boulder shortrly after being replaced. It did leave a small "star" in the glass but hasn't spread. Clearly, the new glass is much better so I personally wouldn't worry about it.
Also, there has been a lot of debate of OEM v. PPG glass as the original windscreens fitted to our cars at the factory (for earlier build dates anyway) was pretty poor. My latest windscreen was OEM Mini-supplied and was hit by a boulder shortrly after being replaced. It did leave a small "star" in the glass but hasn't spread. Clearly, the new glass is much better so I personally wouldn't worry about it.
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It wont have the MINI logo on it unless you get it from MINI (stating the obvious!!)
But I got my 406 windscreen replaced through RAC windscreens, and insisted it was a Puegeot Windscreen which they honoured, so maybe you could do the same thing but probably not through Auto glass.
But I got my 406 windscreen replaced through RAC windscreens, and insisted it was a Puegeot Windscreen which they honoured, so maybe you could do the same thing but probably not through Auto glass.
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not a pleasant experience
personally IMHO dont use auto glass unless u really have too, they failed to put my A frame pillar covers back on properly, one came off on the motorway and dented my roof. They also fitted the screen too low and the top trim kept sliding around. I cant say i was very impressed with their service nor their attitudes. In the end i had a row with the manager of the autoglass center, it nearly ended up in fistycuffs. some 3 months later they paid out £800 compensation for my MINI to have the dent knocked out of the roof and fully resprayed. a thoroughly unpleasant experience in totality.
if u do use them, then insist that they:
1) replace a frame pillar covers
2) replace top trim
usually they have to be reminded as they arent always in stock or brought out to you.
personally IMHO dont use auto glass unless u really have too, they failed to put my A frame pillar covers back on properly, one came off on the motorway and dented my roof. They also fitted the screen too low and the top trim kept sliding around. I cant say i was very impressed with their service nor their attitudes. In the end i had a row with the manager of the autoglass center, it nearly ended up in fistycuffs. some 3 months later they paid out £800 compensation for my MINI to have the dent knocked out of the roof and fully resprayed. a thoroughly unpleasant experience in totality.if u do use them, then insist that they:
1) replace a frame pillar covers
2) replace top trim
usually they have to be reminded as they arent always in stock or brought out to you.
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I shared your concerns until very recently when Autoglass replaced my glass sunroof after some teen yob put a brick through it. Arguably this was a more complex task than the windscreen but Autoglass were fine. The staff were helpful, quick and happy to adjust the panel to ensure the fit if I was not happy. .phil.tun said:
Fraz
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BMW will change your windscreen if your really worried. However expect 3hours labour costs + £325+vat for the screen!
My windshield has a 5 inch crack and growing. Getting it replaced at the dealers. They replace the a-pillars, which is recommended, since they don't go back on the same once they are taken off according to the dealer. I have the auto rain sensor which is on the windshield. Insurance will only cover at approved (cheaper) sites, which doesn't include the dealer, so I will have to eat the difference. I want it done right.
I want it done right.jean-ji
So if there is not a outside facility who will install a winshield with rain sensor, Then it is the insurance company that will have to,
Insurance is required to pay for repair winshield with rain sensor if purchase with car when new. (obvious)
So if there is not a outside facility who will install a winshield with rain sensor, Then it is the insurance company that will have to,
eat the difference.
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5,960 Posts
Autoglass are the experts at fitting your windscreen, not the dealership. I don't think any dealers actually fit the screens these days - its subbed out to specialists.
Refitting the A pillars is a simple task, but sometimes its easy to damage the plastic lugs that hold it on - its these plastic lugs that should be replaced, not the A pillar covers themselves. If you can, watch the guy do the job. Inspect the lugs for damage before he pops them back on.
I've had a pillar fly off after screen replacement, and was lucky not to have damage to the car. The next time I got it replaced, I checked the bits were sound before it went back on.
Refitting the A pillars is a simple task, but sometimes its easy to damage the plastic lugs that hold it on - its these plastic lugs that should be replaced, not the A pillar covers themselves. If you can, watch the guy do the job. Inspect the lugs for damage before he pops them back on.
I've had a pillar fly off after screen replacement, and was lucky not to have damage to the car. The next time I got it replaced, I checked the bits were sound before it went back on.
Had the screens changed on both my previous mini's by Autoglass. 1st one was fine but the second did a good job of the windscreen but a better job of the paint work Lots of fine scratches on the sides of the bonnet. Only noticed this a week after when it got a wash and polish. Luckly they polished out fine.
Just this week collected a chip in my cab. Going to try a repair first, often free under the insurance.
One thing though isn't the structural integretiy of the windscreen even more important with a convertible?
Lots of fine scratches on the sides of the bonnet. Only noticed this a week after when it got a wash and polish. Luckly they polished out fine.Just this week collected a chip in my cab. Going to try a repair first, often free under the insurance.
One thing though isn't the structural integretiy of the windscreen even more important with a convertible?
Tony is correct. The issue is not whether the A pillar needs to be changed but whether the retaining clips were damages in which case they have to be replaced. Although my windscreen was replaced at the dealer, in truth, the auto glass shop guy did it out back as those jobs usually are contracted out anyway.
The dealer wants to keep it overnight to let the glue set up, so they are doing it in-house. They say the a-pillars are a one time use, they need to be replaced when taken off, so they are putting new ones on. Insurance will cover the rain sensor, but the cheaper quotes from the glass guys win out over my dealer of course since they are not an authorized (cheaper) site the insurance deals with. The catch is the glass guys won't give me a time to bring it in until they have the part in their facility and they have to get it from Mini or a dealer. My dealer can do it Monday (they have one in stock) and are giving me a loaner car since they need to keep it overnight. I'm having them put on snow tires while she's in there. The crack was 2 inches and has grown to 5 inches in two days, so I don't want to mess around, and I'll take what money the insurance is doling out. So much for total glass coverage.
Glimmer of hope! Today I bumped into a very nice chap who works for Autoglass, I explained my concerns and he advised me that all Autoglass fitters have been trained in the replacement of Mini Windscreens. He also suggested that if I waited until warmer weather, ie next spring the job could be carried out on my drive allowing me to closely monitor the operation.
Thanks for all your comments and advice.
Phil
Thanks for all your comments and advice.
Phil
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641 Posts
I picked up another big chip last night on the way home from work and have just dropped the car off at Autoclass to have it repaired. This will be the 3rd chip repair and the car is only 10 months old, I'm averaging just 3,000 miles between windscreen repairs Is this a "normal" run rate for MINI windscreen damage?
I've had no issues with the service or quality of the chip repairs from Autoglass so far and as they are approved by my insurer (Direct line) I pay nothing for the repair. I am concerned though over the number of windscreen chips that MINIs seem to receive. If I was an insurance company I'd be looking to put some restrictions on number of repairs (they cost the insurance company about £40- per time). I'm not aware of any insurance companies putting restrictions in place but with MINis it's only a matter of time.
Is this a "normal" run rate for MINI windscreen damage?I've had no issues with the service or quality of the chip repairs from Autoglass so far and as they are approved by my insurer (Direct line) I pay nothing for the repair. I am concerned though over the number of windscreen chips that MINIs seem to receive. If I was an insurance company I'd be looking to put some restrictions on number of repairs (they cost the insurance company about £40- per time). I'm not aware of any insurance companies putting restrictions in place but with MINis it's only a matter of time.
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