Anyone else experiencing slight imperfections/ripples in front windscreen?

Hub Dub · 05-30-2011, 01:31 AM

I've recently acquired a 520d Touring (F11), and am on the whole absolutely delighted - once I get round to taking some pictures I will write up a mini review.

The only thing that is bothering me with the car so far is that there appear to be slight "ripples" in areas of the glass of the front windscreen, notably one immediately in front of me at driver-to-road eye level, and some more if I am looking directly at any objects situated to the front right of the car.

I have satisfied myself that it is not reflections from the the top of the dashboard roof (where the HUD fitting is based - I don't have HUD btw), and am starting to conclude that it is perhaps a poor quality windscreen. It is bad enough that I can't quite relax my vision when driving as I would with any other cars

I would be interested to hear of any fellow F10/F11 owners that might have experienced anything similiar before taking it into a BMW dealership.

Carbonschwartz · 05-30-2011, 02:17 AM

I took delivery of my F11 520d SE about 2 weeks ago. I have the same ripples in some of my side windows, though not the windscreen thankfully (that would be horrible...you have my sympathy). The effect is quite unusual - i only see the ripples when i look through the glass at an angle. In fact, its so rippled (read: distorted) at about 40-45 degrees that you can barely see anything through the glass! A rear passenger sitting behind me driving first noticed it stating that they couldnt make out a thing through the window. Im quite unhappy about my side window. Id be seething about a windscreen. This is a manufacturing quality issue, and is fully controllable by BMW and their supplier. The problem i suspect is that 'off axis' optical effects are unlikely to be part part of the specification which BMW places on its supplier, and as such, effects like this get in 'under the radar'. I would definately be back to the dealer to have it replaced. Its not going to stop bothering you otherwise.

okram · 05-30-2011, 05:10 AM

I have the same on my left side driver window. Now I see i'm not the only one. This is the first car where I experience such a thing. :-(

pyramid · 05-30-2011, 07:02 AM

I haven't notice anything in my windows. The windows in F10 considered large and curvy, it should takes higher manufacturing standard. As with the engine hood, I'm amazed how they line up with both fenders. Never seen a perfect one, but all acceptable.

krackers · 05-30-2011, 09:28 AM

I have it on my driver side window and it pisses me off often!

bobblehead · 05-30-2011, 10:11 AM

Yep! Passenger side. It's a bit distorted when I glanced over ... but not to the extent that it's dangerous which has hindered my vision. But this also happened to my Lexus GS too.

Autojack · 05-30-2011, 11:03 AM

The F10 front windshield is also very susceptible to pits and chips from road debris, much more so than previous 5 and 6 series BMWs.

MarcJ · 05-30-2011, 01:45 PM

Have the same problem with front screen and side windows.

radarguy · 05-30-2011, 05:02 PM

Slight imperfection on the windscreen. Not much distortion, but it can get annoying.

LuvMyE92 · 05-31-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid

I haven't notice anything in my windows. The windows in F10 considered large and curvy, it should takes higher manufacturing standard. As with the engine hood, I'm amazed how they line up with both fenders. Never seen a perfect one, but all acceptable.

Author "pyramid" is from "INA" - what is that supposed to be? Russia?

But the post is meaningless. Ford can put together a $12,000 car where all of the body panels fit perfectly, so why can't BMW at five times the cost? Size has nothing to do with it.

My windscreen glass is not as bad as the OP, but it is poorly made and has defects in it. I agree that these are unacceptable defects, and if it were in my line of sight, I'd have it replaced. Since mine is not in my LOS and I'm more afraid of the quality of the aftermarket glass than I am of the OE, I'm leaving it alone. I've got enough problems with this damn car that I don't need to add more to it.

ghueser · 05-31-2011, 07:19 AM

I also have some ripples on the passenger side....at least when looking over from the drivers side.

pyramid · 05-31-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Author "pyramid" is from "INA" - what is that supposed to be? Russia?

Does it matter?

The hood on F10 is made from metal stamping process. Flat metal being punch/pressed to form what we have now in F10, very curvy, many different contours. From industrial point of view, this is a very challenging process.
To get it line up as near perfect as it is, that's what I meant by acceptable.

pyramid · 05-31-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radarguy

Slight imperfection on the windscreen. Not much distortion, but it can get annoying.

The white line as if cracked glass? is this the imperfection you talking about?
It looks manufacturing defect to me.

LuvMyE92 · 06-01-2011, 07:22 AM

I queried what "INA" stands for...

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid

Does it matter?

Ah... just common courtesy I guess. Tell people a little bit about yourself.

For instance, this is an international forum, but in the English language. If you are American or British or Australian and your grammar and spelling sucks, then I'll assume that you are uneducated, or a moron, or both. If you are from Bolivia, then I'll think you erudite and intelligent for your excellent grasp of a second language.

pyramid · 06-01-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I queried what "INA" stands for...

I assume you knew by now, you surely know how to post.
It is international forum in english spoken language, but I didn't see it only for Americans.

radarguy · 06-01-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid

The white line as if cracked glass? is this the imperfection you talking about?
It looks manufacturing defect to me.

Yes - cracked glass. It was replaced yesterday.

05-30-2011, 01:31 AM	#1
Hub Dub New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2011 520d Touring F11 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Anyone else experiencing slight imperfections/ripples in front windscreen? I've recently acquired a 520d Touring (F11), and am on the whole absolutely delighted - once I get round to taking some pictures I will write up a mini review. The only thing that is bothering me with the car so far is that there appear to be slight "ripples" in areas of the glass of the front windscreen, notably one immediately in front of me at driver-to-road eye level, and some more if I am looking directly at any objects situated to the front right of the car. I have satisfied myself that it is not reflections from the the top of the dashboard roof (where the HUD fitting is based - I don't have HUD btw), and am starting to conclude that it is perhaps a poor quality windscreen. It is bad enough that I can't quite relax my vision when driving as I would with any other cars I would be interested to hear of any fellow F10/F11 owners that might have experienced anything similiar before taking it into a BMW dealership.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-30-2011, 02:17 AM	#2
Carbonschwartz New Member 6 Rep 21 Posts Drives: F11 520d SE Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I took delivery of my F11 520d SE about 2 weeks ago. I have the same ripples in some of my side windows, though not the windscreen thankfully (that would be horrible...you have my sympathy). The effect is quite unusual - i only see the ripples when i look through the glass at an angle. In fact, its so rippled (read: distorted) at about 40-45 degrees that you can barely see anything through the glass! A rear passenger sitting behind me driving first noticed it stating that they couldnt make out a thing through the window. Im quite unhappy about my side window. Id be seething about a windscreen. This is a manufacturing quality issue, and is fully controllable by BMW and their supplier. The problem i suspect is that 'off axis' optical effects are unlikely to be part part of the specification which BMW places on its supplier, and as such, effects like this get in 'under the radar'. I would definately be back to the dealer to have it replaced. Its not going to stop bothering you otherwise.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 05:10 AM	#3
okram Enlisted Member 3 Rep 31 Posts Drives: f10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fin iTrader: (0)	I have the same on my left side driver window. Now I see i'm not the only one. This is the first car where I experience such a thing. :-(
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 07:02 AM	#4
pyramid Private First Class 4 Rep 164 Posts Drives: Serpent S966 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: INA iTrader: (0) Garage List Various Various [0.00]	I haven't notice anything in my windows. The windows in F10 considered large and curvy, it should takes higher manufacturing standard. As with the engine hood, I'm amazed how they line up with both fenders. Never seen a perfect one, but all acceptable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 09:28 AM	#5
krackers Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 M-Sport LoAdEd Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dirty Jerzey iTrader: (0)	I have it on my driver side window and it pisses me off often!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 10:11 AM	#6
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	Yep! Passenger side. It's a bit distorted when I glanced over ... but not to the extent that it's dangerous which has hindered my vision. But this also happened to my Lexus GS too.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 11:03 AM	#7
Autojack Private 2 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Carbon Black M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	The F10 front windshield is also very susceptible to pits and chips from road debris, much more so than previous 5 and 6 series BMWs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 01:45 PM	#8
MarcJ Private First Class 117 Rep 145 Posts Drives: F23 M240i LCI Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Have the same problem with front screen and side windows. Last edited by MarcJ; 06-01-2011 at 01:36 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2011, 05:02 PM	#9
radarguy Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2024 M440ix, 2023 X3 M40ix Join Date: May 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Slight imperfection on the windscreen. Not much distortion, but it can get annoying.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-31-2011, 07:19 AM	#11
ghueser Lieutenant 37 Rep 519 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	I also have some ripples on the passenger side....at least when looking over from the drivers side.
	Appreciate 0 Quote