R56 Windscreen Replacement - Special Job?

R56 Windscreen Replacement - Special Job?

Author
Discussion

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Friday 2nd April 2021
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My 2013 R56 Cooper SD needs a replacement windscreen.

Got struck by a stone on during the week, sadly right in the driver's vision, so new screen it is. It was a big bang, leaving a big bit of damage!

Went through my insurance to Autoglass. Thought they'd be out to replace it on the drive.

Apparently not - the car is a specialised job, and as such, needs to be taken to one of their centres to have it done. Hour either way, 100 miles return trip.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is the Mini screen known as a hard screen to fit? Genuinely interested - and be nice to know if Autoglass are telling me the truth!

Maracus

4,476 posts

175 months

Friday 2nd April 2021
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I had mine done at work, no issues.

E-bmw

9,976 posts

159 months

Saturday 3rd April 2021
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Could be that it is a heated screen, not sure why that would make it harder, but can't think of anything else.

595Heaven

2,601 posts

85 months

Saturday 3rd April 2021
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Possibly due to the recalibration required for ADAS sensors that sit behind the screen (for autonomous emergency braking etc.).

This needs specialist kit which they probably only have at their specialist centres.

Was the same when I got a stonechip in my new Defender, but at that point it had to go back to a Retailer for calibration. I took it to the in house team at our Solihull plant to calibrate mine.

I managed to get another stoneschip requiring yet another windscreen and calibration not five minutes after leaving the plant...

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Monday 5th April 2021
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Thanks chaps, all appreciated.

I contacted them again, and was told it was indeed the spec (as was kindly mentioned) for the rain sensors, etc. Can't think of anything else it's got besides that!

All sounds ok anyway. Just the two hour wait in an industrial estate to look forward to....!

Glassman

23,121 posts

222 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
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The R56 windscreen does not have anything which might need recalibration.

Only the later 2014/on cars feature KAFAS cameras (option).



Glassman

23,121 posts

222 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
quotequote all
Glassman said:
The R56 windscreen does not have anything which might need recalibration.

Only the later 2014/on cars feature KAFAS cameras (option).
Also, it is not a specialist job in any way. There is nothing about it that would explain why you were asked to drive in other than them not having enough mobile fitters.

stevemcs

8,990 posts

100 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
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They changed the screen on our f57 on the drive and that has adaptive cruise, heated screen and hud so I see no reason why they cannot change the older cars screen on the drive.

My r55 needs one, I’ve lived with the stone chips for 5 years but this winter one turned into a crack. Just make sure you get a decent screen not one of the crappy Chinese ones.

Oh and our f57’s lasted 80 miles before it got another stone chip.

redguy

Original Poster:

132 posts

86 months

Friday 9th April 2021
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Fitted Wednesday at their depot, seems like a good job.

Only extra mine has is the rain sensors. So still no idea why they couldn't do it here and save me a 100-mile return trip!

The fitter did say that they get loads of Minis in - according to him, because the windscreen 'sticks out' a bit, given their shape, making them more prone to chips and cracks.

At lease that bit sounded believable!

sherman

13,837 posts

222 months

Friday 9th April 2021
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redguy said:
Fitted Wednesday at their depot, seems like a good job.

Only extra mine has is the rain sensors. So still no idea why they couldn't do it here and save me a 100-mile return trip!

The fitter did say that they get loads of Minis in - according to him, because the windscreen 'sticks out' a bit, given their shape, making them more prone to chips and cracks.

At lease that bit sounded believable!
You got a decent run out in your car during lockdown if nothing else.