Why do cracks appear on the windscreen of my BMW 1 series?

In my years running UK car glass operations, I’ve seen the same damage patterns repeat across every region we serve.

Here’s what actually causes BMW 1 Series windscreen damage, based on data from our repair centers nationwide:

Road debris

The most typical reason a crack or dent might emerge on your BMW 1 Series’ windscreen. When riding along a freshly covered road, you can be expected to encounter small projectiles such as stones or pebbles.

The force from these missiles being flung up at certain angles and with the right speed can be effective enough to chip or crack your windscreen or other sections of car glass.

Extreme temperature shifts

Windscreen glass naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature due to its thermal expansion properties. While the laminated structure helps absorb impact and prevents the glass from shattering into dangerous shards, the outer layer remains rigid and brittle under normal conditions.

Sudden or uneven shifts in temperature – such as parking your BMW 1 Series in direct sunlight all day, then immediately cooling the cabin with air conditioning – can place the glass under stress.

Over time, this thermal strain contributes to the formation of stress fractures, even without any visible impact.

The weather

For us here in the UK, unfavourable weather is an affliction many of us have grown to burden with grace.

So much so, that we scarcely notice the consequences that a hail storm or flying tree branch might have on our vehicle as we drive.

But don’t be fooled – these seemingly minor instances can gradually combine to cause chips, cracks, and impact damage from falling objects across your windscreen.

Inferior glass, poorly-done installations and lack of recalibration

Here’s something most UK auto glass companies won’t tell you: the windscreen integration on the BMW 1 Series is significantly more advanced than that of older models.

Yet many budget replacement quotes fail to include the necessary recalibration, often because some experienced technicians still believe it isn’t required.

At UK Car Glass, we carefully assess local glass availability and quality, steering clear of manufacturers with known issues. The more features your windscreen has, such as built-in sensors or cameras, the more thoroughly we source the correct glass to help prevent problems later.

Your vehicle’s structural integrity relies on its glass in more ways than one. So when a replacement is needed, it’s vital the job is carried out by professionals who understand what’s at stake — ensuring your safety and your BMW’s performance.

Collisions

The harshest reason for needing a windscreen replacement is, unfortunately, a collision. Whether it’s another vehicle or an animal crossing at the worst possible moment, it’s every driver’s nightmare.

In most cases, the damage from such impacts is too extensive for a simple repair, meaning a full windscreen replacement is the only safe option.

Best ways to prevent car glass from cracking

Chips and cracks appearing from wear-and-tear is natural and something we can’t avoid forever. But there are safeguards we can put in place to delay the inevitable and buy ourselves some significant time before we have to make the dreaded call for repairing or replacing our BMW 1 Series’ car glass.

Drive carefully

The most reliable way to reduce the risk of accidents and minimise damage from road debris is to drive attentively and follow sensible safety measures. Always leave a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front, and avoid using your phone while driving.

Find proper shelter

Regardless whether it’s for a quick visit to the store or a stopover to work or parking at home; your car will last considerably longer if it possesses satisfactory refuge from fluctuating temperatures and bashing wind storms.

This diminishes the prospect of stress fractures and blizzard debris scraping your windscreen or other parts made of car glass.

Only have your windscreen replaced by professionals

When small cracks appear, they can be readily repaired, which is much more affordable than a full-blown windscreen replacement. However, if left neglected, they can morph into more notable cracks which require more care and work (and payment).

Suppose you proceed to an establishment with cheap rates and lousy professionalism levels. In that case, the sub-par glass procedures will result in more problems for you further down the road.

What features does the windscreen of a BMW 1 series have?

There are features that your BMW 1 Series could possess that would affect the cost of a front windscreen replacement quite dramatically.

This reason is that when you need the windscreen replaced, it isn’t as simple as just replacing the glass anymore.

Now you need to have a properly trained glass technician who knows how a BMW’s structure works regarding its windscreen to either replace the equipment in question or work around it without damaging the car’s features in the process.

These features are:

Green Tint or Grey sun strip

You might notice a green tint to your BMW 1 Series car glass if it’s an older model, or a grey sun strip near the top if it’s newer than most.

This is designed in mind to protect your eyes from sun exposure. This is predominantly for sunrise and sunset when the sun’s angle is at its most distracting level.

Camera in your windscreen

This helpful little triangular camera, positioned just above the rain sensor, supports the Lane Departure Warning system by monitoring road markings and contributing to safer driving.

It continuously gathers information while you’re on the move, helping you stay aware of your surroundings and react more quickly to potential hazards.

Rain Sensor

A rain sensor can be found in the car glass behind your windscreen and around the rearview mirror of your BMW 1 Series. It uses light sensor technology to determine moisture or rainfall levels that are coming into contact with your windscreen and will send a message to your windscreen wipers to adjust themselves automatically.

Windscreen with Noise reduction

Look for the words “Acoustic” or “SoundScreen” or an image of an ear in one of the four windscreen corners. If it’s there, you got yourself some acoustic glass.

This glass has been created with an extra layer of vinyl to provide sound-proofing qualities to your windscreen, thus gifting you and the other passengers some sweet relief from the droning sounds of the outside world. 

Heads-up display

Head-up displays beam a floating picture of some information you’d find beneficial when driving. It’s projected directly ahead of the windscreen.

Most head-up displays will exhibit everything from speed and cruise command settings to helpful directions and suggested speed limits.