Glare from interior trim

John_01 · 02-05-2012, 04:01 AM

I've just taken delivery of a 1er coupe. The car is good except for the brushed aluminum trim. When the sun is at a certain angle the reflection shines in my eyes - Very annoying. That trim has got to go!

I want to replace the brushed Aluminum with either 1) Gray Poplar trim, or 2) BMW performance CF trim. I'd like some opinions about which the most effective in reducing the glare problem.

EINSER M · 02-05-2012, 05:06 AM

the glacier trim in the 2012 135 is the same. it must not be sunny enough in munich for those engineers to notice the obvious downfall of these trims

Harlequin · 02-05-2012, 05:37 AM

Do a CF wrap. No shiny - No glare.

Problem solved.

Dackelone · 02-05-2012, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EINSER M

the glacier trim in the 2012 135 is the same. it must not be sunny enough in munich for those engineers to notice the obvious downfall of these trims

Sun, what sun? Germany is always overcast and raining - well most of the time.

Harlequin · 02-05-2012, 05:59 AM

panoz7 · 02-05-2012, 08:40 AM

I'd steer clear of the gray poplar as well. The finish is very reflective and i've been blinded by it a few times. I'm considering wrapping it in alcantara, since fake CF isn't really my thing.

Greenkirby21 · 02-05-2012, 09:57 AM

I think all the trims does that. I have the wood walnut trim and it does it as well.

Alcantera would look very pro

EINSER M · 02-05-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Sun, what sun? Germany is always overcast and raining - well most of the time.

and snow too! LOL

FazerBoy · 02-05-2012, 01:37 PM

My car came with the silver aluminium trim and I used to have problems with reflections in sunny weather.

I've now got the BMW Performance carbon fibre interior trim and can confirm I no longer have any issues with glare. I also love the look of the carbon fibre and as a bonus it is much more scratch resistant than the metallic trims.

Jack

2012_135i · 02-05-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_01

I want to replace the brushed Aluminum with either 1) Gray Poplar trim, or 2) BMW performance CF trim. I'd like some opinions about which the most effective in reducing the glare problem.

I have the GP and it is beautiful. No glare issue. Don't know about the CF.

Prof T · 02-05-2012, 07:26 PM

........remove and paint gun metal dark gray or flat black.

2012_135i · 02-05-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

I have the GP and it is beautiful. No glare issue. Don't know about the CF.

Actually, I may have given you bad advice here. The GP is very shiny, which I like, but I can see how some might think of it as glare, so be careful with this choice. The CF would probably be less shiny.

John_01 · 02-05-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FazerBoy

My car came with the silver aluminium trim and I used to have problems with reflections in sunny weather.

I've now got the BMW Performance carbon fibre interior trim and can confirm I no longer have any issues with glare. I also love the look of the carbon fibre and as a bonus it is much more scratch resistant than the metallic trims.

Jack, Thanks for your comment. I just noticed your post there. The CF seems like a practical choice and I'd be fine with the colour of it too.

TX78666 · 02-05-2012, 11:49 PM

+1 on the poplar being reflective. It hasn't bothered me yet, but I sure have noticed it.

FazerBoy · 02-06-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_01

Jack, Thanks for your comment. I just noticed your post there. The CF seems like a practical choice and I'd be fine with the colour of it too.

Yeah, it's not cheap though!

KingOfJericho · 02-06-2012, 01:31 PM

All of the trim choices are polished so I don't see them fixing your problem. It is a little strange that I've had my car through 2 bright summers and never had an issue.

MZWIE · 02-06-2012, 01:41 PM

I have the black trim and never had an issue.

John_01 · 02-07-2012, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

All of the trim choices are polished so I don't see them fixing your problem. It is a little strange that I've had my car through 2 bright summers and never had an issue.

Then I'm guessing you don't have aluminum trim. Is that right?

Focusedintntions · 02-07-2012, 06:40 AM

Never have had an issue with aluminum trim...never really seemed reflective to me..

TMR013 · 02-07-2012, 11:48 AM

Wear sunglasses.

Seriously, I cannot imagine this being that big of an issue. And I live in Phoenix.

KingOfJericho · 02-07-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_01

Then I'm guessing you don't have aluminum trim. Is that right?

I have the glacier aluminum.

TX78666 · 02-07-2012, 01:08 PM

I sometimes notice it reflecting in the windshield. It hasn't bothered me, but it sure seems like a design flaw.

02-05-2012, 04:01 AM	#1
John_01 Colonel 232 Rep 2,643 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Glare from interior trim - Help! I've just taken delivery of a 1er coupe. The car is good except for the brushed aluminum trim. When the sun is at a certain angle the reflection shines in my eyes - Very annoying. That trim has got to go! I want to replace the brushed Aluminum with either 1) Gray Poplar trim, or 2) BMW performance CF trim. I'd like some opinions about which the most effective in reducing the glare problem.
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02-05-2012, 05:06 AM	#2
EINSER M Major General 377 Rep 5,730 Posts Drives: BMW i3 rex Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (44) Garage List 2018 I01 i3s \| CURRENT [0.00] 2018 G01 X3 \| CURRENT [0.00] 2017 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F48 X1 \| SOLD ... [0.00] 2016 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F22 M240 \| SOLD [8.00] 2016 F25 X3 diesel ... [0.00] 2006 E60 550 \| SOLD [6.00] 2011 E90 335 \| SOLD [8.66] 2012 E82 135 \| SOLD [5.50] 2011 E82 1M \| SOLD [7.94] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [4.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [9.00] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [7.50] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [10.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	the glacier trim in the 2012 135 is the same. it must not be sunny enough in munich for those engineers to notice the obvious downfall of these trims
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02-05-2012, 05:37 AM	#3
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	Do a CF wrap. No shiny - No glare. Problem solved. __________________
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02-05-2012, 05:59 AM	#5
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	__________________
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02-05-2012, 08:40 AM	#6
panoz7 Private First Class 13 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Durham, NC iTrader: (0)	I'd steer clear of the gray poplar as well. The finish is very reflective and i've been blinded by it a few times. I'm considering wrapping it in alcantara, since fake CF isn't really my thing.
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02-05-2012, 09:57 AM	#7
Greenkirby21 Vrooom :) 314 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: C7 Stringray Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dream Land iTrader: (1)	I think all the trims does that. I have the wood walnut trim and it does it as well. Alcantera would look very pro __________________ 2014 C7 Corvette Stringray - Laguna Blue - NPP Exhaust - Competition Seats
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02-05-2012, 01:37 PM	#9
FazerBoy Lieutenant 49 Rep 511 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	My car came with the silver aluminium trim and I used to have problems with reflections in sunny weather. I've now got the BMW Performance carbon fibre interior trim and can confirm I no longer have any issues with glare. I also love the look of the carbon fibre and as a bonus it is much more scratch resistant than the metallic trims. Jack
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02-05-2012, 07:26 PM	#11
Prof T COACH 2 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 2010 135 conv, 2009 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: BMW iTrader: (0)	........remove and paint gun metal dark gray or flat black.
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02-05-2012, 11:49 PM	#14
TX78666 Lieutenant 7 Rep 443 Posts Drives: e46 330i ZHP, N55 135i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: 78666 iTrader: (0)	+1 on the poplar being reflective. It hasn't bothered me yet, but I sure have noticed it. __________________ Because... grocery getter.
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02-06-2012, 01:31 PM	#16
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	All of the trim choices are polished so I don't see them fixing your problem. It is a little strange that I've had my car through 2 bright summers and never had an issue. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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02-06-2012, 01:41 PM	#17
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	I have the black trim and never had an issue.
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02-07-2012, 06:40 AM	#19
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	Never have had an issue with aluminum trim...never really seemed reflective to me.. __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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02-07-2012, 11:48 AM	#20
TMR013 Opus Angelus 425 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2018 LBB M2 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Wear sunglasses. Seriously, I cannot imagine this being that big of an issue. And I live in Phoenix.
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02-07-2012, 01:08 PM	#22
TX78666 Lieutenant 7 Rep 443 Posts Drives: e46 330i ZHP, N55 135i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: 78666 iTrader: (0)	I sometimes notice it reflecting in the windshield. It hasn't bothered me, but it sure seems like a design flaw. __________________ Because... grocery getter.
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