2007 Mini Cooper S: What Caused the Crack in the Windshield?

Looks like a classic defective windshield crack from temperature changes. We get them a lot in Florida. I don't think it was a rock. The dealer should replace it under warranty.

C'mon now, my Mini isn't cute, its gruff and manly.
 
Or so I tell people...

No sign of any chip? Then karjunkie's right, stress crack. I forget, does this have a sunroof?

This is not uncommon. The angle and curve of this windshield makes cracks likely. There was even a recall on the original, 2002 model where Mini updated the gasket to try and reduce the problem. Looks like it didn't fully work...

Taking the MCS to a MINI dealership should do the trick. The service department should have methods to determine whether the cause is a stress or temperature crack. An issue like this was common enough that the BMW dealership I used to work at replaced a good number of E60 5 Series windshields.

My 9-year old windshield finally cracked in a similar fashion after I moved from California to the Pacific NW. I wonder if the stresses caused by temperature combined with age were the culprits. Still, a new windshield is a special treat after all those miles! On a new car, different story - that's just disheartening.

Did you have an impact under the wiper blade? I had what seemed like a minor impact at that point in my R53, which resulted in a growing crack that led to the windsheild having to be replaced.

If it didn't appear to propagate from a particular chip, then I'd be asking about a new windshield. And for the record, a Mini is about as gruff and manly as an old Beetle. Sure, you can tell yourself that the Mini is really a BMW, but image-wise, it's as close to the M3 as the old Beetle was to the Porsche 911.

I had the exact same type of crack on my -now long gone- 02 TDI Golf. No sign of any impact and suddenly there was a crack under the wiper!!! and it kept growing and growing. Took it to the dealr and of course they denied any responsibility!! Luckyly here in MA the insurance has to pay for glass damage with no deductable.

Canadaphant,
 
I'd say you are right except the performance of an R53 JCW (like mine) is much closer to a previous generation M3 than an old Beetle was to the Porche 911. Were you speaking from actual experience?

I speak from my hindquarters, as always.

FYI: A Similar “S type” windshield crack from lower right all the way through to upper left occurred on my 2007 Mini Cooper S this weekend. It happened when washing the car, starting with a cold rinse and then washing with warm soap and water from a bucket; the outside temp was about 60 F. Living in Colorado where cracked windshields are a yearly event, I was confused about what appeared to be an unprovoked crack (i.e., no rock chip). I think the information in this blog may be a possible explanation. Thanks!

I have a 2008 Mini. While driving on the freeway, I heard a pop and saw a small crack develop on the driver side below the windshield wiper. I didn't notice any rock hitting the car. The crack has since spread across the windshield about 3 to 4 inches from the bottom and is not about 12 inches long. Yesterday, I took my car in for repairs and got a loaner with the identical crack. This can't be a coincidence.

Hey spottdoggAuthor:
The same thing JUST happened to me yesterday and now the crack is continuing to grow!

No not a coincidence at all!

By spotttdoggAuthor Profile Page on May 5, 2009 2:32 PM

I have a 2008 Mini. While driving on the freeway, I heard a pop and saw a small crack develop on the driver side below the windshield wiper. I didn't notice any rock hitting the car. The crack has since spread across the windshield about 3 to 4 inches from the bottom and is not about 12 inches long. Yesterday, I took my car in for repairs and got a loaner with the identical crack. This can't be a coincidence.

This just happened to my '07 Mini S. I was driving to work on a road that is half-resurfaced, with sticky debris on it. Small projectiles were hitting everywhere and then thwack something larger hit the windshield. There was no sign of damage at first, and then a crack just like yours appeared within minutes. This is my second cracked windshield in two years. First one happened while stuck behind a horse trailer on 290 just east of Fredricksburg, TX. Same story. In that instance the crack didn't appear for days.

Mini needs to manufacture harder and/or more economical windshields for the US market. Until that happens mini drivers need to be extremely careful when driving near other vehicles on surfaces with gravel or other debris.