Anyone know where I can get a replacement windshield replaced besides the dealer? They want $1200 plus install. Is that reasonable, and if there are any advantages of getting it done at a dealer? They told me that they sub the work to someone else. Any suggestiona?

 

I had a crack that came up from the bottom on my '06 Cooper S. Insurance covered it, but even the dealer said to go to Safelite Auto Glass. GOT to be cheaper than a dealer. www.safelight.com They did an excellent job on the replacement.

 

Thanks, i will check it out.

 

check with your insurance and see if they cover it. With my insurance, it's free if it can be repaired, if it has to be replaced, I pay comprehensive deductible.
Dealers usually sub-contract glass work. I had mine replaced with a ppg glass which is more durable.

 

i cracked mine on the first gen. Mini. covered by warranty since it was determined stress crack from dealer.

anyway, dealer outsource glass/windshield job anyway. no advantage going to dealer unless whoever they use is good. otherwise u just let them make more money on it.

 

Drive back from Houston a few weeks back & pop. Rock hit the windshield and now I have to look at a damn star.

 

Hit up the junkyards. Should be able to do a web search and find one cheap, i think.

 

Car and Driver long term test said windshield cracks and dashboard rattles are the number one complaint with these cars. My 03'S has several cracks, straight lines, circles, stars, like modern art. It is the boxy shape/upright windshield?

 

i have had three cracked windshields. the first was four days after i picked up the car in jan 06. i thought that it must have been a factory problem, so i took it to the dealer. they informed me that it was from a rock (it didn't pass the ball-point pen test) and that i would have to have my insurance cover it. since it was at the dealer, i had them do it. my insurance company wasn't too happy about the $1200 bill, but they paid it. the dealer had my car for four days. next time, i call safe-lite. they came to my shop and installed it. they broke one of my a-pillar covers, but they came and told me and already had a driver on the way with a replacement, so no harm. the cost was about $300 using MINI glass. the last time, i again called safe-light and had them install PPG glass which is supposed to be more durable.

 

I hate the rattle....

 

I do like however all the beer opening spots on the car.. I hear a cracking noise every once in a while... but never a crack.. weird.. Good luck.