Annoying reflections from dashboard

Jon D · 09-16-2010, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

BTW, I just went out and checked the 3-series this morning and to my surprise, if I really look, there is a reflection of the top vents in the screen.

I've been driving the car for 4-years. Now I'll have to do something about it.

HighlandPete

I've just done the same in my E92 and guess what, sodding reflections all over the place - vents, dash texture, etc., etc.
It's never really bothered me before, but now I'll either have to live with it or punch out the windscreen and get some goggles and a flying helmet - a thousand curses on the OP

OK, now we've done this to death, lets find something else to get our knickers in a twist about.
Perhaps there should be a section devoted to trivia

rka · 09-16-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Is this really a big issue with the F10? Don't a lot of cars have reflections if the sun is a certain brightness, angle, etc.?

The F10 like ohter cars have at lots og relections - this is no problem. The special problem with the F10 is the box from the cutouts where the HUD is surpossed to be (in cars without HUD). You have to look through this refelction box on the windsheild when driving. This is where annoying and distracting!

I do not know if it is to save money that they do not make two models. One for HUD and one without cutouts for HUD.

Today I bought some polarized sunglasses. And it actually helped a lot - but this is still an fatal design error in mine opinion.

nosnoop · 09-16-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

Today I bought some polarized sunglasses. And it actually helped a lot - but this is still an fatal design error in mine opinion.

Fatal design error?
OK, some may find it an annoyance.... but fatal design error? Seriously....

rka · 09-16-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosnoop

Fatal design error?
OK, some may find it an annoyance.... but fatal design error? Seriously....

If you sell products to your customers that annoys them, it could and should be fatal for your business = fatal design error...Seriously...

nosnoop · 09-16-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

If you sell products to your customers that annoys them, it could and should be fatal for your business = fatal design error...Seriously...

Only if it annoys you to the point of selling the car...
And if it can be fixed easily with a mat from a dollar store, it doesn't sound that "fatal" to me.

fireman550 · 09-17-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

If you sell products to your customers that annoys them, it could and should be fatal for your business = fatal design error...Seriously...

Dude just sell the car if you are that annoyed. Im sure there are alot f people that would gladly take it of ur hands.....

rka · 09-17-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman550

Dude just sell the car if you are that annoyed.

What a great adwise

I waited 9 week for this car and just picked it up from the dealer 3 weeks ago...Because of the danish tax-system this car costs over $200.000 in Denmark. Selling it now after 3 weeks will give me a loss of $20.000. Why? because BMW made a terrible design error.

If you ask me this design is so terrible that BMW will change it at some point (perhaps already from the september production). I just hope that I can retrofit there changes in the dashboard.

But if all there customers just live with whatever mistakes BMW makes, just loving the brand - well perhaps it won't ever be fixed.

As mentioned I got an adwise about polarized sunglasses and that actually works for me for now

Jon D · 09-17-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

If you ask me this design is so terrible that BMW will change it at some point (perhaps already from the september production). I just hope that I can retrofit there changes in the dashboard.

Until, and if, that ever happens you have three choices:
1. Remove the windshield and get some goggles.
2. As already suggested, change the car.
3. Learn to live with it.
As I've previously mentioned, your earlier posts prompted me to check my E92 and I found loads of reflections, but it would appear that I subconsciously chose option 3, as it's never bothered me that much.
No matter how good, I can't imagine there's any such thing as 'the perfect car' and we either have to accept perceived defects and move on or change the situation.
I can't comment on the F10 yet, but I'm expecting my new 535 soon, at which point I'll check and let you know what I find. However, you might have to wait some time, by the time I get the car, sunshine in Bonny Scotland will be at a premium. I'll certainly be able to report on how a blanket of sea-fog affects visibility

rka · 10-01-2010, 09:01 AM

A picture says more than thousand words

tadtaggert · 10-01-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

A picture says more than thousand words

Don't know if it's just noise from the photo, but your windshield looks filthy. Apart from that, if you have an wax/polymer protectant on the glass, that can 'enhance' reflections.

I keep seeing all these reflection pictures and quite frankly am at a loss, while I have some, it's only in certain (and relatively rare) situations, and never to the extent that I see in photos.

pyramid · 10-01-2010, 10:25 AM

it is exactly as bad as in the photo above when driving under/facing the sun.

bm323 · 10-01-2010, 11:16 AM

Funny, it's sun from all directions here but I don't have any problem. Can it be that reflection is expected for any car with the sun at a certain angle (different for different cars)?

rka · 10-01-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bm323

Funny, it's sun from all directions here but I don't have any problem. Can it be that reflection is expected for any car with the sun at a certain angle (different for different cars)?

Sounds strange - its so annoying that you wouldn´t miss it!

1) There are 3 different windshield do you know which one you have?

Windshield types in F10/F11

--- Standard windshield
3AP Gray Band Windshield (not with 610 Head up display)
358 Climate Comfort Windshield

2) Do you have the 610 Head up display?

Raptor04 · 10-01-2010, 12:50 PM

You may want to try some interior cleaner that is non reflective. I have some, but haven't tried it yet. I'll let you know if it helped when I try it. I did notice the reflection, but it's rare. If it really bothers you, you could always try a clear tint inside the windshield. This might cut down the reflection. It won't keep out the heat. I didn't think twice about this reflection until this thread. I don't think it's that big of a deal. It's definitely not fatal...unless people start having accidents because of it, which I don't see happening.

My main question is what's the difference between the 2 windsheilds previously listed? Climate controlled vs. non-climate controlled? I thought all BMW windshields block UV rays...not heat, but at least the UV rays. Does the climate control windshield block heat as well?

rka · 10-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor001

It's definitely not fatal...unless people start having accidents because of it, which I don't see happening.

Sorry - The word "fatal" is because of my bad english, purhaps the right word is "terrible" design :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor001

you could always try a clear tint inside the windshield.ing.

This is a no go in Denmark (illegal)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor001

Does the climate control windshield block heat as well?.

Yes...there are some reflecting metal in the windshield

cidair · 10-01-2010, 02:54 PM

I agree with you that it is actually a design flaw.
They should have " filled " the " hole " with some kind of cover, flush with the rest of the dash.

I have HUD on my car, so it´s not that big an issue, but the reflection is still there.

pyramid · 10-02-2010, 05:53 AM

rka and to whom had F10 and annoyed by this reflection,

I think one of the 'acceptable' solution would be.... no, i'm not going to suggest you to sell the car, is to fill the HUD concave area with something suitable and reupholster the upper dashboard with leather.

Sure it will cost you nice amount of money, but the outcome should worth the extra (since you bought one already and assuming you love the rest of the car).

bm323 · 10-02-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rka

Sounds strange - its so annoying that you wouldn´t miss it!

1) There are 3 different windshield do you know which one you have?

Windshield types in F10/F11

--- Standard windshield
3AP Gray Band Windshield (not with 610 Head up display)
358 Climate Comfort Windshield

2) Do you have the 610 Head up display?

It's annoying because some people are focusing at the reflection, and not the road

I have the head up display but I do see the reflection when the sun is at a certain angle.

HighlandPete · 10-02-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bm323

It's annoying because some people are focusing at the reflection, and not the road

I have the head up display but I do see the reflection when the sun is at a certain angle.

That's how I'm understanding this issue. I've driven four different F10/11 cars without HUD and to be honest never noticed a thing. (The last two cars I was aware of this issue, still didn't notice any big problem). My own E91 has reflections if you look for them, but they never cause me any issues.

I remember a guy who was always on about dash reflections in his Citroen, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about, when I sat in it. I find most cars have a reflection problem when you get the wrong angles, eye height, sun height, etc., don't we normally just look through them and focus at the road?

Anyone tried adjusting their seating position and find it changes the situation?

HighlandPete

Jon D · 10-02-2010, 12:03 PM

I think, by now, we all know that there are those amongst us who find this annoying and others who aren't all that bothered, so why don't we just accept it and find something else to discuss?
After all, it's not as if there's very much that can be done about it

.

10-01-2010, 09:01 AM	#31
rka New Member 5 Rep 17 Posts Drives: F10 535i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	A picture says more than thousand words Attached Images
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10-01-2010, 10:25 AM	#33
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]	it is exactly as bad as in the photo above when driving under/facing the sun.
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10-01-2010, 11:16 AM	#34
bm323 Captain 194 Rep 850 Posts Drives: 12.2 E92 M3 ZCP; 12.7 C63 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sg iTrader: (0)	Funny, it's sun from all directions here but I don't have any problem. Can it be that reflection is expected for any car with the sun at a certain angle (different for different cars)?
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10-01-2010, 12:50 PM	#36
Raptor04 Major 89 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (7)	You may want to try some interior cleaner that is non reflective. I have some, but haven't tried it yet. I'll let you know if it helped when I try it. I did notice the reflection, but it's rare. If it really bothers you, you could always try a clear tint inside the windshield. This might cut down the reflection. It won't keep out the heat. I didn't think twice about this reflection until this thread. I don't think it's that big of a deal. It's definitely not fatal...unless people start having accidents because of it, which I don't see happening. My main question is what's the difference between the 2 windsheilds previously listed? Climate controlled vs. non-climate controlled? I thought all BMW windshields block UV rays...not heat, but at least the UV rays. Does the climate control windshield block heat as well?
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10-01-2010, 02:54 PM	#38
cidair cidair 83 Rep 516 Posts Drives: BMW 435d xDrive Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I agree with you that it is actually a design flaw. They should have " filled " the " hole " with some kind of cover, flush with the rest of the dash. I have HUD on my car, so it´s not that big an issue, but the reflection is still there. __________________ 2016 435d xDrive Previous:2019 M340i, 2014 335dx,2012 M5,2011 550ix,2008 M3,2007 330xd,2005 M5,2004 545iA,2000M5.
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10-02-2010, 05:53 AM	#39
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]	rka and to whom had F10 and annoyed by this reflection, I think one of the 'acceptable' solution would be.... no, i'm not going to suggest you to sell the car, is to fill the HUD concave area with something suitable and reupholster the upper dashboard with leather. Sure it will cost you nice amount of money, but the outcome should worth the extra (since you bought one already and assuming you love the rest of the car). Last edited by pyramid; 10-02-2010 at 06:21 AM..
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10-02-2010, 12:03 PM	#42
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I think, by now, we all know that there are those amongst us who find this annoying and others who aren't all that bothered, so why don't we just accept it and find something else to discuss? After all, it's not as if there's very much that can be done about it .
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