Well, I finally got my first windscreen chip/crack. I have glass insurance, so I'm not worried about that, but if you've already dealt with this issue, what would you suggest? A repair from a glass place, or should I try to get a full OEM replacement (as I have the older style windscreen glass in my car)?
I had 2 windshields replaced by Bison Glass- they are Towne's glass place, and they did a good job with mine. On the 2nd one, I have slight rattling from the right A pillar trim piece, but it's still there after a year and a half. I think they are a mobile unit too, so they'll come to you.
No problems with OEM glass here, but the 2nd one has lasted longer...
I got my first chip within a couple of months of taking delivery. I was told (at the time) that there wasn't any OEM glass so I elected to keep the original windshield and have it repaired. Another thing that influenced my decision was a fear of scratches, rattles, leaks and carelessly dripped windshield sealer (which I have on my little Ford, you cannot get that stuff off of paint once it has dried.)
First they grind out the rough edges inside the chip. They blow compressed air in the chip to clean it. Then they create a vacuum (to reduce the chance of unwanted air bubbles) within the chip and mix a 2 part epoxy (via a two chamber syringe) and suck it into the chip to fill it. The repairman claimed the repair is stronger than the original glass and said the repair was guaranteed for life. If at any time I decide I don’t like the way it looks they will replace the entire windshield at no cost.
My chip happened right on the lower portion of the driver's side. The repair is noticeable from within the car but nearly invisible from outside. From the inside it looks like the glass has a flaw. The chip is just below my normal line of sight and I don’t even notice it anymore. I’ve never had anyone mention the repair job at any car shows or cruise nights.
Funny story, the guy that came to my house to repair the windshield had never heard of a MINI. He spent more time talking about my car than he did repairing the chip.
Hope this helps.
-Andy
PS- I was told that there is a limit on how big a chip/crack they will fix. With the hot and cold temperature changes your chip can develop a crack. I think they told me they won't fix it if the crack is over 1 or 2 inches long.
Cogman here. I am on my THIRD windshield right now. I don't know the cost, but this one I have now is the best by far, and is a PPG product. I had it installed by Gerstner Collision on Main in Williamsville, after being sent there by Paul Will at Towne. The workmanship was superb, the service great, and the price right. I'd have to do some hunting to find the original bill, but I was happy. The first windshield I had fell victim to the mysterious "corner cracking" which the early Minis were prone to. The second was taken out by a flying dipstick assembly courtesy of some clunker Pontiac on the 290. This third took a vicious hit about a week ago from what appeared to be a flying wheel nut, and may be up for replacement at Inspection if they see the mark. If I were you, I'd ask for the American made replacement product from your installer though.
I've had the PPG replacement on my 03 for 2 years now. It's worn a bit and I have a chip on the passenger side but it never turned into a crack. I hope I didn't just jinx myself because it's being traded in on Friday
Just thought I would pass along some windshield info. Bison Glass replaced a windshield on my first Mini when a large rock nearly came through....had glass shards on the dashboard. The kid doing the work looked as though he knew what he was doing....except for putting in some retaining clips for the trim...they were backwards! He came back a week or so later and replaced them ....correctly this time. After 2 chips in the newly replaced windshield, I stopped submitting the claims for repair. Insurance companies look for reasons to deny coverage....like "excessive claims". I found a guy who does a great job in repairing small nics and cracks. His name is Jim Gresock, his company is Windshield Saver (Niagara Falls, phone: 285-8028, cell:308-5154). He will come to your home or place of business for the repair. He uses a small drill to create an opening into which he injects UV cured epoxy that fills the crack/chip. Depending on the size and nature of the damage, the repair looks pretty good and minimizes the look and distraction of the crack/chip. Jim also happens to be a car guy, going back to the early days of drag racing. He has had some neat cars, plans for lots of future projects and is fun to talk with.
