Sections: Uncategorized Dec 29th, 2004 
We were recently sent this picture from a MINI Convertible owner in England - hopefully this is not going to be a common problem for the MINI Convertible, especially since this MINI2 thread suggests that the repair cost could be as high as $3000 because the whole roof has to be replaced! Carol, who sent the picture, wrote:
Last Sunday I opened the car from a distance of about 30 feet (it was parked in an open garage) and my back window shattered into thousands of bits!! The car had been parked there since the previous day, the back window was in perfect condition i. e. no stone chips or similar so what happened?
I am waiting for the dealer to collect it but they tell me that Mini say it doesn't happen and that I must have done something so it may not be possible to replace under warranty. I'm also told that it is not just a case of replacing the window, but the entire roof
My 2002 MC developed a crack in the middle bottom of the windscreen and started to move upward and to the driver's side of the window. MINI at that time said that it was not having a problem with cracks.
Now with an 05 MC convertible (MCC?) I have a new window problem to worry about? Hope not.
Same has happened with my GF's MCC as folks will see in the MINI2 thread.
The dealer has been amazing so far, now we are waiting to hear from MINI as we have not been happy with the service we received from MINI assist to get this rectified.
It all happened on her Birthday, so as you can imagine it has been most upsetting :(
It's happened before, to a Motoring Advisor in Pittsburgh, PA:
http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7650&highlight=back+window
My questions are: how long to get a new top from Mini? And once it comes it, will the dealer know how to install it??
My local dealership knows how to fit them …
Is that why they made me sign that dumb “Open 90%” contract? I guess they weren't kidding!!
I realize that these convertibles are the very first “prototypes” for the MINI as a convertible and that odd and unforeseen problems are to be expected, especially in the first year of production, but I'm beginning to become concerned.
My convertible has spent an accumulation of 21 days in service over 5 separately opened repair orders. I have a terrible 'creak' sound that comes from the rear-passenger quarter window. This is a constant and very audible creak that is always present from the beginning of my drive until I reach my destination and park. MotorCity MINI cannot seem to fix it after having their lead tech, a BMW Engineer and a Market Manager attempt to diagnose and fix the problem. They have tried adjusting the window regulator, replaced all the seals and even ordered and applied a special graphite lubricant from Germany. At best it will go away for a few days then it comes right back, sometimes creaking louder after their attempt to fix it than it was creaking when I brought it in. The only time this creak is not present is when the top is soaking wet from a lot of rain. Other than that, it is always present, is quite loud and drives me crazy.
It is my understanding that the same supply company that provides the seals for the MINI convertible also created the seals for the BMW X3 and X5. According to my dealerships Service Manager and BMW's Engineer a very similar creak was present in one of these models (I forget which one) and was just as difficult to repair.
I am going to be bringing my car back to the dealer for a 6th visit - a 6th opened repair order. Has anyone else out there experienced this problem with the rear-passenger quarter window and/or it's seals? Has anyone or their dealership had any success in silencing this awful creaking sound?
Aren't British-built cars great? So much character!
British built? This car is assembled in one of the most advanced and up-to-date factories in Europe, using German BMW manufacturing techniques and processes.
These problems appear to be, then again, lack of even more stringent quality control and not enough durability testing of components during the development stage.
This reaffirms my thinking on that 1st year BMW products are bound to have more than thier fair share of glitches.
The fabric roof system in the MINI Convertible is manufactured by Webasto, a German company that also supplies the Panorama sunroof on the hardtop MINIs.
I think you should say…”Aren't German-built cars great? So much character!”
So after reading the MM2 thread…. Shattered rear glass window in MINI Convertible = New roof replacement!
That is terrible!!
“I think you should say…”Aren't German-built cars great? So much character!”"
Nope, sorry. These babies are assembled in the UK by the indigenous (and bibulous) people. I have found German-built cars to be, generally speaking, nearly flawless and completely soulless.
My wifes $50K Audi A4 convertible also has squeaks where the windows meet the roof; personally I think there are compromises when you buy a soft top - you just have to accept them.
A noise is something you accept; but a shattering rear window is not acceptable.
I'm very sorry. I know that this is not the right forum for this. I have an 05 MCS. I called MINI of SF about the rear fog light kit and I was told by the parts guy that the kit will cost $200 plus around $200 for installation. I feel that that's a rip-off considering the option now only cost $100. Has anybody done their own retrofit? If so, can you share “how to do” it. Is the 05 MCS pre-wired for the rear fogs? Thank you.
GW, the '05s (unlike previous model years) do not have wiring or bulbs so it is expected that the cost of both parts & labor will be higher.
I expect the labor charge is too high, but I think that is common for west coast dealerships.
Ian: This is not my first convertible, I've owned a Mustang convertible, S2000, DelSol and inherited a Jaguar XJS12. I also have friends who have had other types of convertibles and I have rented several different types of convertibles while on vacations. Yes, certain sounds are inevitable with a convertible, especially on convertibles that are not well insulated or lined. However, constant creaks and squeeks are not normal and should be resolved.
You need to take your wife's Audi back to the dealer. With technology and engineering being so advanced here in the 21st century loud and consistant noises are never “acceptable” — at least not to the average car owner. And certainly not acceptable to any car owner who expects a reasonable level of quality from their new vehicle.
I remember going to test drive a used Mustang GT convertible years back (sorry, I was young and naive). The salesman happened to be a jerk I went to school with. When he put the top down for me, it came to a point where the electric motor started to whine, obviously stressed. Then the window shattered into a million pieces. I made a hasty and awkward exit.
Now I'm really worried (I haven't ordered my car yet). $4000 to fix a problem like this? I couldn't swallow that. Perhaps I should hold off on my order until more information is available.
My Miata window, though a manual zip-out window, and vinyl (now hazed and browning), never presented me with this kind of worry.
Let's not be too rash at this point. I personally wouldn't cancel orders based in the info above… we simply don't know enough about the issue.
Multiple cases of shattering rear windows on a NEW car, resulting in major component replacement? That would motivate me to wait on a purchase.
A handful of cases out of 20,000 sold so far would not concern me in the grand scheme of things.
I broke the window on my former mustang gt convertible. I didn't have to replaced the entire top because the piece with the rear window zipped out. The cost was around $200.00. I did the labor myself. I have not seen the mini vert rear window so I don't know if it's the same.
Yes, Gabe, but the convertible hasn't been out long, and this is the first of the really cold months (for those of us in cold regions), so a potential buyer (me) has reason to be wary. This is the first winter for the model after all.
If there was news that transmissions were failing, I'd be less concerned. Why? Because I'd be reasonably confident of warranty coverage. But with a rear window that shatters? What if MINI refuses to repair it under warranty? Blaming user error or vandalism instead? I'd have a hard (impossible?) time proving otherwise. And what if my insurance company balks at replacing an entire roof? Can I really afford to be stuck with the $3k tab? No.
It alarms me that a shattered (or merely cracked) piece of glass would require replacing the entire roof. That's an awfully expensive window. You bet I'm hesitant about placing my order now.
That about sums up my opinion, Chris W. The fact that this person was told “it doesn't happen and that (it) must have done something so it may not be possible to replace under warranty.”, would imply that there is a serious policy shift going on.
I rode my noisy sunroof through 16 dealer visits before it was replaced entirely. That was just less than $3k. I would not expect MINI to willingly cover this defect.
I second what ChrisW posted.
None of us knowing every detail of exactly what happened nor about the conversation that took place, I don't put too much weight on this whole thing yet…
Trying to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt, they simply may have only said what they said to protect themselves and avoid making a promise they cannot commit to later. We all know there are people out there that will say “this happened” when in reality “that happened”. I'm not saying the owner of this convertible is saying anything other than the truth. I'm quite sure they are being honest in the details of how the window shattered. However, the dealership has to be careful. I assume until they at least can investigate and see if either MINIUSA will cover the cost of replacement or if their insurance company will.
There are so many variables we are unaware of that judging at this point seems unfair. Cancelling or deciding against an order for a convertible seems unfair and premature as well, in my opinion.
Finally, don't forget how motivating bad press is to a company. If there is indeed a model-wide defect with the rear windows (instead of a few cars with a defect)and MINI is ignoring it, I am sure all the blog's and everywhere else will give MINI anough bad press that they would quickly change their tune too.
I've had my convertible for a couple of months now. The top has gone up and down in all kinds of temperatures. No problems and I don't expect any. The car is a blast. I am wondering what the position was on the back shelf. If that is not installed properly then it can crack the rear window when the top is dropped.
ouch@entire roof replaced for shattered glass…
what if a rock/hail/acorn hits the glass and cracks it? what if the neighborhood kids hit a baseball into the rear window? u gonna take that $3k out of their allowance??
whether or not these incidents are MINIs faults, it does give one pause when they hear that a shattered rear window costs $3k to fix, as shit happens and u don't wanna have that big of a bill for something as small as cracked glass…
I applaud you Gabe for posting this information on your site. I know you never want to “bite the hand that feeds you (information)”, but credibility in a news site depends on posting both positive and negative news. You state that you wouldn't make decisions based on a handful of cases, but the information reported both here on this site and on other Mini enthusiast sites represents just a handful of total Mini owners. We'll never know how widespread this issue has become.
Ryan - true - we probably won't really know how widespread this issue is. I guess my biggest concern in regard to jumping to any conclusions is that we just don't know enough at this point. We don't know how MINI will eventually handle these cases and we don't know how widespread they really are.
That being said it's important info to be aware of if you're a MINI convertible owner.
As far as biting the hand that feeds me… I try to be as open as possible on this site about the MINI world in general… but I can't take the credit for this one. Ian is the one who actually posted it.
An additional side note: I talked with Gary at MINI Peabody about this issue yesterday - he has no experience of similar failures.
OK, only one dealership out of 75(?) but I totally trust him and that dealership.
I do not believe that rear window failures are or will become common, but if I am wrong, we need the power of the MINI community to ensure this does not become an issue!
No one knew about the windshield problem either when it first came out. MiniUSA never heard anyone complain and your car was always the only one the District Manager had ever seen.
Ah the memories. I've had four of them. Funny though… I don't hear too much about windshields these days.
Gabe, I was just thinking the same thing. I had a few of them in my '03 and that only had 30K miles on it. My '05 has about 5K and no problems yet. Cross my fingersX It was such a pain to get those replaced.
…If I were the Owner of that MINI in the picture,and the dealership stated to me that,”…it may not be possible to replace under warranty…” I would then DEMAND to speak with the dealership's owner;or,get the address to the head of of MINI. That's the kind of remark that helps kill a product's image. Oh…by the way,Happy New Year to all reading this…
Wonder if MINI would replace my entire top four times if the rear window issue unfolded like the windshield issue…
Don't worry, in a few years they will get it right, with a zip out window you can replace in about 10 minutes. Until then, remember that it is easy to recognize a Pioneer - he's the one with all the arrows sticking out of his body!
Right Update on my GF's car, as I have posted on MINI2.
The car arrived at the dealers on Wednesday, she picked it back up this morning all repaired with a new hood under warranty.
So yes a problem and a bag of hassle, but all dealt with shiftly and the car all put back to as good as new.
As for some of the posts on here, well I am still going ahead with my delivery of a MCSC for the end of Jan. It had nothing to do with the parcel shelf position, as it shattered in the up position, while the car was stationary and not in use. Not sure what caused it but when speaking with my dealer today where I am ordering from, the same happened to her mothers MCC.
If it happens to you (and I hope it doesn't), take photo's, and notify your dealer it is a warranty repair, go armed with evidence and details of other cases, stay calm and then ask the dealer to prove it is not a manufacturing fault if they want you to pay for the fix.
There is a switch that depresses when the shelf in the boot is all the way down and in proper position. If the shelf is not down correctly and doesn't depress the switch then the top will not fold up and go down. You can see the switch if you stick your head into the boot, I think it's on the left-hand side.
I hope they do replace the entire roof for their sake. I would reflect so much on the quality of their car.
The windshields on the convert aren't any better. Had three different windscreens on my MC, and now have 3 star chips on the windshield of my MCSC. I can see how maybe the glass was strengthened, as non of the chips have resulted in a full blown crack yet, but I would expect they eventually will. The problem may be with whatever material, or manufacturer MINI/BMW is using to get the glass made. I will watch this topic closely as I don't want to have to lay out $3k for a new roof if/when my rear window breaks!
I am looking at this site because I am interested in the general cost of keeping a Mini in good repair. Why is everyone so worried about a cracked rear window? Don't you have comprehensive insurance on your car? This convers, among other things, cracked or otherwise damaged windows. If you're really worried about this problem, get zero deductable comprehensive insurance on your Mini convertable. If the window shatters, let the insurance company and the dealer battle for who pays the bill. I am not an insurance agent, so please check with yours to make sure what I am telling your is true. This is based on my experience only. Good luck with your glass problems. Hopefully, if it is a design glitch, they'll work it out.
Comprehensive glass coverage has probably saved me over $1000 in windshields over the course of the past 3 years. I can't imagine not having it.
Most automobile windows and windshields are any where from a hundred dollars to a few hundred dollars. If an insurance company has to fork out about $3000 to replace a small rear window on a MINI convertible, well, I wouldn't be surprised if rates increase or policies get cancelled. This design of the windshield being permanently integrated into the top is not good. BMW is going to have to seriously consider redesigning this part of the vehicle. $3000… That's just CRAZY!
On my way to school this morning my my back electric window shattered. I have a honda del sol. The window itself is still in place though. I don't know if it was hit with something or shattered on its own. There is an actual open crack at the bottom right side. I just don't understand how this could happen. This is an electric window. Also, would it not be safe to drive with a shattered window still in place??
My mini is great looking in the Thunders parking lot. I love it. Lets motor!
Jenny: I used to drive a Honda delSol — I loved it. I'm sorry to hear that your window shattered. Doesn't that car have the best design?! The top removes and the rear window goes down. I had so much fun with that car. Good luck with your repair. BTW… What color is yours? Mine was black.
I am sure that MINI will probably have a rear window retrofit that can be sewn in place like many other manufacturers tops. This should solve the 3K replacement problem. By the way… i am sure the glass didn't just shatter its self… it probably had some assitance… Some people are just jealous :)
ISellem - you are saying that Carol, the owner of the car pictured, lied about her window? She says it shattered as she started opening the top.
On a happier note, I had confirmation from Carol today that her rear window will be covered under warranty.
And on a less happier note, here is another thread on NAM about a failing rear window.
My Mini Convertible rear window
shattered as I was driving home tonight. Yikes!!!
Sorry to hear that Robert - but glad at least that this discussion exists, so you have a point of reference when you contact your dealership.
Yea, I am bummed out. I had the car for only 8 days. I hope to get this resolved soon.
At MINI Peabody today, they were replacing the roof due to a rear window that blew out while driving - this is the first I have seen and it looked like a major PITA to replace the roof!
Got my mini back, it took two weeks total to get it turned around (they had to order the top from Germany.) I’m very happy with the work. Wouldnt you know it 4 days later (after some snow), I get in a fender bender… more repair work.. I might be cursed. :-)
Just thought I would add my twopennies worth!
My rear screen shattered today too, I’ll find out tomorrow what the Dealership will do for me. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has submitted to this forum as at least I know I’m not alone, thank goodness for the web!
Happened to me too. This morning. I thought it was vandalism and filed a police report, but couldn’t find a motive or any other signs vandalism (including an instrument with which the glass was broken).
I came home and googled MINI rear window because I recently read something about the whole top having to be replaced and, lo and behold, MINI has a terrible secret . . .
I’m not very happy right now.
MINI’s covering it . . . I’ll post again when this is over. Expecting parts in by Monday and will get right on the install.
cheers
Xan
Unfortunately, I too, have experienced the breakage of my back window on my new car. For no apparent reason, other than a gust of wind, my rear window shattered into a million pieces. Luckily, the car was parked and no-one was hurt.
I will now have to see what my dealership, and manufacturer has to say in response to this problem. As you have read before my comments, I have been told the whole convertible top will need replacing.
I love my car and have no other complaints at this time, however I will now constantly be concerned about this being a reoccuring problem.
My roof has been replaced under warranty. If you get a say request that the whole mechanism is replaced as mine was only recovered & now has wrinkles(which I’m releived to say are shrinking & should disappear) & an irritating wind whistle through the drivers side(needless to say it will be returned for further “adjustments” to be made).Lets hope they find the cause of this problem promptly & before too many of us have to go through the stress & worry of the “repair”, it seems that the MINI are assessing the claims on a case by case basis therefore go to your dealer armed with the details from this website to strengthen your claim.
My roof has been replaced under warranty. Dealership was very helpful, although claimed they were not aware of this problem until I brought this website to their attention. I did have the car picked up by roadside assistance program and it took approximately 7 days to fix. Not too bad considering I’m in Georgia,USA, and part had to be shipped.
I’m in 60-65* weather, so who knows what’s going on with these windows. I was also told BMW handling these claims on case by case. Keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn’t continue to happen.
The rear window of my Mini Convertible failed today 30/08/05,as it was being driven, with the roof up, along the A30. Autoglass cannot replace it: the whole roof has to be replaced by BMW. Zurich insurance won’t cover it out of the Windshield insurance and if I claim on the insurance therefore they say that it will be a “general claim” and I shall lose my no-claim bonus. The car is less than 12 months old and has done less than 5,000 miles. The BMW agent is going to submit digital photos and an account of what happened to BMW to see if they will pay for it.
A similar thing has happened to my boss’ car about 8-10 weeks ago. It is a May 04 build Cooper, hardtop. Her car was parked in work’s car park on a mild day (ie, no sudden changes in temperature), she went to go home, opened the passenger’s door to place her bag on the floor, closed the door to go around to the driver’s side, and on impact of closing the passenger’s door the rear window shattered. Similarly, there were no apparent faults with the rear glass, it just seemed to shatter for no reason.
The local dealer was bot much help, in the end they paid for the labour and my boss had to pay for the glass (the car is still under warranty). I’m not sure of the exact details, but I think she ended up being out of pocket around AU$500.
The day after this happened, I parked my Cooper S in the same spot and with some trepidation closed my door! Thankfully, my car is okay (fingers crossed).
Mini Cooper owner still in warranty luckily. Driving along happily in a heavy downpour after a very hot day and the rear window of my Mini Cooper exploded. Extremly shocked as the noise was undescribable. Luckily BMW Derby has picked up the cost under warrantly and a curtesy car. They have go to replace the whole roof. I couldn’t believe it either. Luckily for me sites like these made me equipt with the info to fire at them. It seems were only too aware, didn’t have to put up a fight to my amazement. My insurance has taken off the policy rear windows, now I know why. 6 hours labour plus the cost of the roof. Who said Mini’s are a nice car.
My wife was driving her 15-month-old, 05 hard-top Mini Cooper down the interstate last night with a couple of passengers. There was a sudden “boom” and the rear window shattered. It was fairly cold (20 degrees F - February in Michigan) and the car was washed earlier in the day. The dealer, of course, claims that it couldn’t possibly have happened on its own and since there were no other cars around and no overpass in the vicinity, he insists someone must have shot at her rear window with something like a pellet gun from the woods. The two teenage passengers were unhurt and saw no hole in the window - until the glass started to fall apart as my wife exited the interstate to get to a gas station. Aside from the problem with the rear windows in convertible Minis, I have seen posts for the same incident involving two hard-tops with virtually the identical circumstances. Fortunately I am an attorney. Although I prefer to try to reason with them, I will not hesitate to make the dealer’s world a living hell if they don’t change their tune quickly.
However, I hope other people don’t have to deal with a similar “smart mouth” service manager who is doing his ultimate to avoid having to incur the cost of a warranty repair
hey i have a mini and love it i have a blue roof with blue paintwork but i have noticed on the roof the colour on the roof seams be rubbing as in patiches it has lost its colour a bit and in the middle of the sides of the roof two small holes have formed ??? has any one else had this probblem?? its a 04 and a bit worried to enjoy the sun now as dont want too make it worse HELP PLEASE
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