[Krill]

So this is what I´m forced to look through when facing the sun. Extremely annoying and not acceptable in "luxury" car. Dealers initial response was the standard BMW crap like "as designed" and "they all do that", as if that solves the problem.
Now to the (somewhat) interesting part. My car is a March 2011 build and my friend has a October 2010 build with pretty much zero reflections in the windscreen until now when his windscreen was replaced after getting a nasty stone chip causing the windscreen to crack. He now has the same awful reflections in the windscreen and is now as pissed off as me.
We both have the standard windscreen, no HUD, no "climate comfort windscreen." My theory is that from March production when the new HUD was introduced, BMW added some kind of metal layer to the glass so that the HUD graphics would project nicely onto the windscreen... I´m guessing that if I would have ordered the climate comfort windscreen (can´t be ordered with HUD) I wouldn´t have the awful reflections. Can anybody confirm this or have any other input? Thanks in advance guys!

[BimmerUKF10]

Nope! Mine is a November 2010 build and I get the reflections. Doesn't bother me too much, but then again the sun in the UK shines for about 4 hours per year...

There are numerous historical threads on this topic if you look for them. Interesting that you friend did not have the problem prior to having his windscreen replaced. Presumably a different brand.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by Krill

windscreen." My theory is that from March production when the new HUD was introduced, BMW added some kind of metal layer to the glass so that the HUD graphics would project nicely onto the windscreen.

No. They all do this at certain angles of daylight, you get used to it and just ignore it.

[Needsdecaf]

Mine is April 2010 build, no HUD, and I get the same reflection. Polarized sunglasses are the way to go.

[GordonGecko]

They all do that: it is the sunshine pack and comes as standard on all new 5 series.

[E90Fleet]

Often happens if the dealer or someone uses a shiny cleaning product on the dash.

If there is something on there, try lukewarm plain water to clean the dash ad see if it improves

[Krill]

Originally Posted by GordonGecko

They all do that: it is the sunshine pack and comes as standard on all new 5 series.

Hahahaha!! So if I added the "Visibility Pack" would that give me a windscreen I can see through?

So those with Climate Comfort Windscreen have the same reflections?
Is there a PUMA for these issues? I´m taking it in to the dealer soon but would appreciate all the info I can get beforehand, thanks!

[Krill]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Often happens if the dealer or someone uses a shiny cleaning product on the dash.

If there is something on there, try lukewarm plain water to clean the dash ad see if it improves

Really? Hmm maybe I should give that a go, has anyone on here tried this?

[pyramid]

Originally Posted by GordonGecko

They all do that: it is the sunshine pack and comes as standard on all new 5 series.

so you pretty much need to get the "Hot Climate Option" code, it comes with special DIY windows tint film to reduce the glare

[pyramid]

Originally Posted by Krill

Really? Hmm maybe I should give that a go, has anyone on here tried this?

Forget it, really. The only option to remove that reflection, filled in the area and reupholster with some leather... now we are talking 'luxury'.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Krill

Really? Hmm maybe I should give that a go, has anyone on here tried this?

Just try a clean cloth slightly wet with lukewarm water and see if it takes anything shiny off. It cant hurt the dash only clean it

I never let my dealer clean my cars because they always spary a dash cleaner on that is really shiny and creates or makes much worse the problem you showed

[Autojack]

Getting back to the original post topic ...

The windshield reflection of the top of the dashboard seems to occur with lower driver seat positions. If you raise your seated driving position and get your eye level well above the top of the steering wheel, there seems to be minimal or no reflections.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by Autojack

Getting back to the original post topic ...

The windshield reflection of the top of the dashboard seems to occur with lower driver seat positions. If you raise your seated driving position and get your eye level well above the top of the steering wheel, there seems to be minimal or no reflections.

also, HUD is much worse, the metal from the projector is more irritating when the light hits it than the reflections. honestly, its normal and all cars have it. the e46 330i i had, had a two tone great black dash that was MUCH more annoying than this reflection.

[joy5]

Mine is July 2010 but I don't see this sort of strong reflection.

My be because I wear glasses at all times, but I do not know if my glasses are polarised

[1HOT BMR]

I would not let the dealer try to "solve" the issue - it is what it is and you have to live with it. Setting the seat higher as someone suggested may work but then you cannot see the instrument cluster.

I use this stuff on my photography and it does not reflect anything:

http://www.photographicbackdrop.com/...ckgrounds.aspx

You could have a custom piece made for your dash, but use it only after you have tried to get used to the reflections and cannot stand it anymore. Polarized sunglasses work great too but if you have the HUD like I do then you have to move your head a bit to the left or the right to barely see the HUD display with polarized lenses - it's annoying, but it works.

[wang133ro]

I've been lucky enough: my polarizing sunglasses work with the HUD and the LCDs.

But even without glasses, the reflection doesn't seem that bad to me. I've only had a single sunny day since I've got the car though

[Glock 32]

I think the pic in the original pic is a gross exageration based on camera position, etc.

Yes there is a VERY FAINT reflection at the bottom of the screen that I never even notice, but, come on, the pic looks like you can't even see through the reflection and it is all the way near the top of the windsscreen (also seems to be reflecting the leather seats, and other unknown stuff in the car, etc.)

Nice trick photography to capture the issue and get the point across, but definately nowhere near as bad as that pic and camera position makes out (unless, maybe, one chews on the steering wheel or rests their chin on top of the steering wheel when they drive).

No way it is that bad and if it is, definately complain.

[Krill]

Originally Posted by Glock 32

I think the pic in the original pic is a gross exageration based on camera position, etc.

Yes there is a VERY FAINT reflection at the bottom of the screen that I never even notice, but, come on, the pic looks like you can't even see through the reflection and it is all the way near the top of the windsscreen (also seems to be reflecting the leather seats, and other unknown stuff in the car, etc.)

Nice trick photography to capture the issue and get the point across, but definately nowhere near as bad as that pic and camera position makes out (unless, maybe, one chews on the steering wheel or rests their chin on top of the steering wheel when they drive).

No way it is that bad and if it is, definately complain.

"Nice trick photography"!? Are you insane? It´s photo I took with my iPhone which captures how bad it is IN MY CAR. If you read the text again, you will see that I stated that my friend who has an early build F10 had a very faint reflection (before he got his windscreen replaced) much like yours I imagine. The reflection is really bad in mine, that´s why I´m getting my knickers in a twist about it.

[Glock 32]

Originally Posted by Krill

"Nice trick photography"!? Are you insane? It´s photo I took with my iPhone which captures how bad it is IN MY CAR. If you read the text again, you will see that I stated that my friend who has an early build F10 had a very faint reflection (before he got his windscreen replaced) much like yours I imagine. The reflection is really bad in mine, that´s why I´m getting my knickers in a twist about it.

Perhaps a bad choice or arrangment of words. Just saying and/or perhaps better stated as:

I would imagine it is "tricky" to snag a picture of the reflection in the first place and "nice photography" doing so. It also looked like in doing so it exagerated the effect; however, if it is indeed that bad, (I would) "definately complain".

Hope you get to the bottom of it and get it resolved to your satisfaction, either way.

Apologies, for how my last post came off. Even the rest of my post came off like I was telling you that you are full of crap (I see that now, LOL). Sheesh... I must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed (maybe that explains the rest of my day's interactions, haha)...

[sparoz]

You need to reduce the reflection on the glass, and not the dash! Sometimes a thin film will help. May be try some Rain X antifog and see how that goes?

[BestManWins]

Hi krill,

Yes, the reflections are a pain - can't imagine the irritation it would cause if the same happens in year-round sunny Singapore! I did not experience this as my ride's glazings are individual sunshade type (availabe as option on 523i or std on 535i). Besides the glass type used in the front windscreen, the angle of the sun's rays also come into play.

Looking at RealOEM, I could see some 17 types of front windscreen types for the F10 depending on whether you opted for HUD, lane departure warning, etc.

I would go for an after market tint (approved type) if I were you, they should be able to cut the glare to a large extent. Other suggestions to dull the dash might help too.

Please let us know what works for you.

[Sharbotcom]

I've recently noticed that my windshield reflection was getting worse. At first i thought it was due to to the changed angle of the sun. But what I discovered was due to increased intesity of the sun there is a lot more (and quicker) off-gasing that is occuring in the vehicle (due to the vinyls and plastic) and a fine scum is forming on the inside of the windshield. I cleaned the inside of the windscreen and the reflection diminished significantly. Within a week it was back. Cleaned the inside of the windshield again and down the reflection went.

The forming of the scum is very suptle and not really noticable, but none the less still there.

As a side note to this I picked up a natural window cleaner from Costco that works really well and so far the scumming is taking longer to reform on the windshield.