Indentations in the dash reflect onto the windscreen

BJB · 02-10-2013, 03:13 AM

I have taken a few 3 series cars for a test drive, and I keep getting put off by the same thing. There are two indentations on top of the dash. The one in front of the driver is for the HUD console, and the one in the middle is for the center speaker for those who opt for the HK system. The problem is that when I drove during the day, the indentations reflected onto the windscreen. The one for the HUD console in particular reflected onto the windscreen directly in line with my field of vision. I have driven cars both without HUD and the HK system, and with HUD and the HK system, and I have found the reflections annoying on both. Is it just me? Perhaps we just get too much sun in South Africa.

In a way I am glad that I held off my purchase because I really like the new GT, and I look forward to test driving it later in the year.

vern · 02-10-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJB

I have taken a few 3 series cars for a test drive, and I keep getting put off by the same thing. There are two indentations on top of the dash. The one in front of the driver is for the HUD console, and the one in the middle is for the center speaker for those who opt for the HK system. The problem is that when I drove during the day, the indentations reflected onto the windscreen. The one for the HUD console in particular reflected onto the windscreen directly in line with my field of vision. I have driven cars both without HUD and the HK system, and with HUD and the HK system, and I have found the reflections annoying on both. Is it just me? Perhaps we just get too much sun in South Africa.

In a way I am glad that I held off my purchase because I really like the new GT, and I look forward to test driving it later in the year.

And to add to the reflection if you get brushed aluminum trim at times its a PITA. When the sun hits it just right it reflects on the display screen and on the windshield.Good luck
cheers
vern

Tsuyoi · 02-10-2013, 09:43 AM

Hmmm drove 800 miles now and haven't noticed any annoying reflections. I do have the HUD, so maybe I don't notice the reflection of the actual housing? But even then never noticed any annoying reflection from the center speaker part either. Maybe we have different focal points while driving, shrug.

Nikor · 02-10-2013, 10:35 AM

BJB

I know what you mean, i see it too, hope ill get use to it.

tony20009 · 02-10-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJB

I have taken a few 3 series cars for a test drive, and I keep getting put off by the same thing. There are two indentations on top of the dash. The one in front of the driver is for the HUD console, and the one in the middle is for the center speaker for those who opt for the HK system. The problem is that when I drove during the day, the indentations reflected onto the windscreen. The one for the HUD console in particular reflected onto the windscreen directly in line with my field of vision. I have driven cars both without HUD and the HK system, and with HUD and the HK system, and I have found the reflections annoying on both. Is it just me? Perhaps we just get too much sun in South Africa.

In a way I am glad that I held off my purchase because I really like the new GT, and I look forward to test driving it later in the year.

Annoying as they may be, and I do sympathize, but I wondered something when I read this. Does BMW charge extra for the reflections?

OK, jokes aside, have you tried making a minor seating shift to see what happens re: your comfort and the reflections? I had a similar issue with some of my E92's dashboard lights reflecting into the driver's side mirror at night. It was a little annoying, but when I see it and move either my seat or the mirror just a bit, it goes away.

BTW, good thread. This is the kind of things prospective buyers might not be aware of, so it's worth pointing out. TY

Good luck.

Chris@codemybimmer · 02-10-2013, 11:51 AM

i felt the same in my E90 but i bought this which made it go away:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E90-M-M-...-/170862453394
The shinnier the material is the worse you will see the reflection, so just cover it with something non reflective

BJB · 02-10-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony20009

Annoying as they may be, and I do sympathize, but I wondered something when I read this. Does BMW charge extra for the reflections?

OK, jokes aside, have you tried making a minor seating shift to see what happens re: your comfort and the reflections? I had a similar issue with some of my E92's dashboard lights reflecting into the driver's side mirror at night. It was a little annoying, but when I see it and move either my seat or the mirror just a bit, it goes away.

BTW, good thread. This is the kind of things prospective buyers might not be aware of, so it's worth pointing out. TY

Good luck.

Thanks for your feedback, Tony. Next time I take a 3 series for a drive, I'll try make a few adjustments to my seating position. I reckon sun glasses might also do the trick. If I have any success, I'll report back. However, as mentioned, I'm probably going to wait for the GT before I test drive another 3 series.

BJB · 02-10-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lyfe

i felt the same in my E90 but i bought this which made it go away:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E90-M-M-...-/170862453394
The shinnier the material is the worse you will see the reflection, so just cover it with something non reflective

Thanks for your recommendation. If all else fails, I'll certainly consider it. I prefer, if possible, to maintain the car as stock as possible.

From the relatively low number of responses, I can only assume that this is not an issue for most people, or it's something that you quickly get used to. I mentioned it to a number of BMW sales people and all of them told me that I was the first person to raise the reflection as an issue.

Elk · 02-10-2013, 01:04 PM

I find the amount reflections no different than any other car. My guess is your height is such that the incident angle of the windshield is perfect to direct the reflection to your eyes.

David328M-Sport · 02-10-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJB

Is it just me?

No. I have both and I have the same reflections. At times, I can even see 3 sets of reflections from the HUD. The main cut out, the inner cut out and the screen reflection.

Maybe when it's summer in the northern hemisphere, more people will understand what you posted.

SamS · 02-10-2013, 01:56 PM

On one occasion, I saw the cutout of the HUD reflected into the window. I think this was simply a rare combination of the angle of the sun, and the direction I was driving. It was annoying, but gone in minutes.

JonoNZ · 02-10-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

No. I have both and I have the same reflections. At times, I can even see 3 sets of reflections from the HUD. The main cut out, the inner cut out and the screen reflection.

Maybe when it's summer in the northern hemisphere, more people will understand what you posted.

Yeah, I see the reflections quite a bit, especially the HUD components reflecting back.

But then again I can see the dash reflecting on the windscreen of nearly every car I drive.

HighlandPete · 02-10-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elk

I find the amount reflections no different than any other car. My guess is your height is such that the incident angle of the windshield is perfect to direct the reflection to your eyes.

That is my feeling, but reflections do happen, get it in my F11, particularly from the HUD projector surround.

Plenty of discussion about reflections in the 5-series section of the forum. One of the best rants was on one of the UK motoring sites, Honest John.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/an...-in-windscreen

Quote:

I'm afraid that you ordered the car with this trim and what you are suffering is the consequence. You could have ordered a car with a black dash top, but you didn't. That said, most F10s and F30s suffer a reflection of the heads-up projector. If you persuade your brain to ignore the reflection it won't bother you. That's how everyone else copes.

Love the reply..... totally agree on the brain ignoring it, or we let it take over and it can become an obsession. Plus this issue is not a BMW only issue, just make a search and see how wide spead it is.

HighlandPete

Alpine F31 · 02-10-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

On one occasion, I saw the cutout of the HUD reflected into the window. I think this was simply a rare combination of the angle of the sun, and the direction I was driving. It was annoying, but gone in minutes.

+1
I'll take that over not have HUD at all. I love it!

vern · 02-10-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikor

BJB

I know what you mean, i see it too, hope ill get use to it.

I'm going to try a pair of sun glasses that are not polarized and see if that helps.
cheers
vern

mark.L · 02-10-2013, 06:17 PM

You get used to it.

vern · 02-10-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark.L

You get used to it.

I don't know about others but I'm not and I have my car for 9 months 8,700 + miles.
cheers
vern

David328M-Sport · 02-10-2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark.L

You get used to it.

You can always see it during the sunshine, which is annoying and distracting. I don't think you get used to it, but it gets put in the back of you mind when you have to focus on the road further ahead.

It's 90% HUD and 10% front speaker for me. Still loving the HUD and all what it offers.

tdizzle · 02-10-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

On one occasion, I saw the cutout of the HUD reflected into the window. I think this was simply a rare combination of the angle of the sun, and the direction I was driving. It was annoying, but gone in minutes.

I see it very rarely, usually when I'm not driving if you can believe that. Either I've blocked it out to where I don't notice it, or it's mostly due to seating position/sunlight (obviously) and the perfect storm doesn't happen often (for me at least).

shivaswrath · 02-10-2013, 11:05 PM

it's your height and the amount of Sun in SA....I rarely notice it.

inChargeOfIT · 02-10-2013, 11:28 PM

My glare is bad and very distracting at times.. this is more than a case of a simple dash reflection. Here is a shot taken with my iPhone.. but it gets worse than this too:

inChargeOfIT · 02-10-2013, 11:31 PM

The bright spot is caused from the sun reflecting off of the plastic housing surrounding the hud.. I was actually researching getting some alacantra type material and wrapping it myself (I have the m-perf interior so it may not look too bad). Basically, they need to cover the reflective plastic parts with non-reflective materials. I can deal with (but it still can be annoying) the center channel speaker reflection, but this has to be some kind of safety issue.

02-10-2013, 03:13 AM	#1
BJB Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: VW Jetta Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Indentations in the dash reflect onto the windscreen I have taken a few 3 series cars for a test drive, and I keep getting put off by the same thing. There are two indentations on top of the dash. The one in front of the driver is for the HUD console, and the one in the middle is for the center speaker for those who opt for the HK system. The problem is that when I drove during the day, the indentations reflected onto the windscreen. The one for the HUD console in particular reflected onto the windscreen directly in line with my field of vision. I have driven cars both without HUD and the HK system, and with HUD and the HK system, and I have found the reflections annoying on both. Is it just me? Perhaps we just get too much sun in South Africa. In a way I am glad that I held off my purchase because I really like the new GT, and I look forward to test driving it later in the year.
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02-10-2013, 09:43 AM	#3
Tsuyoi Lieutenant 34 Rep 568 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 328i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Hmmm drove 800 miles now and haven't noticed any annoying reflections. I do have the HUD, so maybe I don't notice the reflection of the actual housing? But even then never noticed any annoying reflection from the center speaker part either. Maybe we have different focal points while driving, shrug.
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02-10-2013, 10:35 AM	#4
Nikor New Member 0 Rep 21 Posts Drives: F30 320i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Israel iTrader: (0)	BJB I know what you mean, i see it too, hope ill get use to it.
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02-10-2013, 11:51 AM	#6
Chris@codemybimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 171 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: AW F30 328i Xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	i felt the same in my E90 but i bought this which made it go away: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E90-M-M-...-/170862453394 The shinnier the material is the worse you will see the reflection, so just cover it with something non reflective
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02-10-2013, 01:04 PM	#9
Elk Major 32 Rep 1,285 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: * iTrader: (0)	I find the amount reflections no different than any other car. My guess is your height is such that the incident angle of the windshield is perfect to direct the reflection to your eyes.
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02-10-2013, 01:56 PM	#11
SamS Banned 866 Rep 6,248 Posts Drives: Tesla M3 Perf + '18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	On one occasion, I saw the cutout of the HUD reflected into the window. I think this was simply a rare combination of the angle of the sun, and the direction I was driving. It was annoying, but gone in minutes.
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02-10-2013, 06:17 PM	#16
mark.L Lieutenant 12 Rep 455 Posts Drives: '13 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	You get used to it. __________________ 335i ///M-Sport Mineral Gray \| Black-kidney Grilles \| Performance Exhaust
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02-10-2013, 11:05 PM	#20
shivaswrath Brigadier General 649 Rep 4,323 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lost in NJ iTrader: (3)	it's your height and the amount of Sun in SA....I rarely notice it. __________________ CURRENT: 2017 RS3 (miss you guys) SOLD: 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Exhaust/Brakes/Suspension/LSD\|Bav Stage 1/AMP\|\|ER CP/IC/DP/OC \| Dinan CAI/N55 PWG BIG TURBO\|BMWF30.com
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02-10-2013, 11:28 PM	#21
inChargeOfIT First Lieutenant 17 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	bad glare sometimes My glare is bad and very distracting at times.. this is more than a case of a simple dash reflection. Here is a shot taken with my iPhone.. but it gets worse than this too:
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02-10-2013, 11:31 PM	#22
inChargeOfIT First Lieutenant 17 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	The bright spot is caused from the sun reflecting off of the plastic housing surrounding the hud.. I was actually researching getting some alacantra type material and wrapping it myself (I have the m-perf interior so it may not look too bad). Basically, they need to cover the reflective plastic parts with non-reflective materials. I can deal with (but it still can be annoying) the center channel speaker reflection, but this has to be some kind of safety issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote