Windshield Replacement

[Max Headroom]

Anything special I need to be concerned about getting the windshield replaced on my '06 MCS Cabrio? A rock thrown from an SUV (figures) put a nice crack at the top of the windscreen on the drivers side today. I've heard tell it's not uncommon for Minis to go through several windshields due to their high angle.

Gary

[wildcrazy442000]

Check with Twister, He replied to a post on NAM about trim parts that need to be replaced. Something about the clips on the a pillar covers.

[MINI Rog]

Make sure you observe the replacement process. The A pillar covers are prone to breakage and they may try to get by without replacing a cracked one. The guy broke the plastic pins on mine and tried to say he would glue it back on and it would be just fine. I had him order new ones and they came in a week later. Had to drive around for a week with my old covers taped on.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Gary - let me know who you use and how it works out. I got a big bullseye down in the black section hidden by the dash after about 1000 miles on my cabrio - been living with it for a year - just looks ugly from the outside. But I have a couple of other bullseyes, recently got a nice star break in the lower right hand corner, and have TONS of pitting... I'm waiting for the star to crack so I can replace mine... I'm considering Clearplex on my next windshield to control the pitting... some other folks seem to have had good results with this on their MINIs...

[wildcrazy442000]

Hi Paul,

Is Clearplex a peel off like the NASCAR teams use?

[localdrummerweb]

yeah im interested too..i have two spots on mine where rocks hit..ironically both in the same week and almost in the same spot one on the driver side and one on the passenger side

[BlimeyCabrio]

Hi Paul,

Is Clearplex a peel off like the NASCAR teams use?

Nope. It's a single layer, more like clearbra - but made for windshields and optically clear... Much like clearbra, it absorbs minor impacts. I talked to a MINI owner who's had it about 6 months or more and she still loves it - still clear, and has endured a couple of rock strikes - and seems to prevent the "sandblast" pitting that our windshields get so quickly... which is why I want it...

[wildcrazy442000]

It's a little late for my windshield. Looks like 80K worth of pitting in 16k miles. These Mini convoys we go on with the real grippy tyres does not help;)

[Max Headroom]

Thanks for the "heads up" on the A pillar. I know my insurance company has it's own preferred list of glass replacement shops, but this replacement may be one best handled by the dealership. Let's face it, they should have all the parts needed in case something other than the windshield requires replacing.

Gary

[S@ndman]

Ok, I noticed last week a crack beginning at the top behind the rearview running down and was growing everyday.

Yesterday I had Safelite come out and do a replacement. The total cost was $ 249.91.
After speaking with Paul (Blimey)this weekend he mentioned the A pillar covers, so first thing yesterday I called Flow and spoke with one of the service advisers to see if they stocked them and found out they did. He did mention that if the person performing the install was careful in taking them off there would be no reason to replace them,also said they remove them at Flow all the time without breakage.
So I rolled the dice and let the installer remove them but cautioned him about how fragile they were. He replied that he has removed many and only broke the first one he ever did. He then did the replacement in just under an hour and was very professional and clean. The pillar covers and trim were all reused and look like the day they were orig. installed.
Overall I rate Safelite a 10.0. He did mention that if they did break a pillar cover that they would pay the cost to replace them.

Mini On !

Michael
(Sandman)

[TWISTER]

Michael,
Why didn't you have this replaced under warranty from FLOW? If it was a stress fracture they normally cover this under warranty.

[S@ndman]

I went out of warranty in Feburary and there was a very tiny rock chip in the crack about 1 inch from the top.

Murphys Law is always present in my life, one way or the other :-)

[BlimeyCabrio]

Hope they didn't break the clips... If they did, you'll know soon. You can't necessarily see any difference until the cover starts vibrating, flapping, howling or flies off... :)

[S@ndman]

After he took everything off I inspected them all very closely. Great minds think alike........Do not want anything flapping on my MCS:D:D:D

[CabrioPilot]

Thats great to know that Safelite is an option...
My 07 Carbrio also has had the misfortune of being blasted with rocks and pebbles
so that now it has over 1000's of pits and 4 large chips but luckly no cracks.
I guess it doesn't help that the route to and from work goes by Ashmore Brothers Construction Company.:(

Anyone have any long lasting experience with the plastic coating for the windshield?

[S@ndman]

I called the Clearplex dealer in Charlotte to get a price and possible install date but he told me that they are currently revamping the product and it will be somewhere around the 1st part of June when the product is back on the market.

Was the old Clearplex causing problems I wonder? I will let you all know in June of the status.

Michael