[DonDraper]

So I specced my MC with this option... To be honest it's the one that I'm most unsure of (i might not be able to change it anymore - dealer's not being very communicative) but I was wondering if anyone has any pictures or comments about it.

It's really damp where I live and a fogged up windscreen is an everyday thing at night in winter/autumn... So I thought this would be great, as I hate having a fan blowing directly in my eyes to get rid of it (dry eyes and moves any dust taht may have accumulated in the car). However I wonder if the heated filaments are very noticeable... It seems to change between brands, some are really thin and u can't notice them and some you can really see. I'd hate to be able to see them and wouldn't like it if it was going to be bothering me whilst driving or at night (other car's lights showing them)

Any feedback will be appreciated!

 

[andyross37]

I have a heated windscreen in my current 2011 JCW & have had them in my previous 2 Mini's.

They take about 30 seconds to 1 minute to start clearing, but after that it's happens very quickly.

You really don't notice the filaments at all, and there's certainly no adverse affects at night.

I would assume the same applies to the F56

 

[DonDraper]

That's very useful andyross37. A lot of people have told me it's the typical thing you notice at first but then your brain completely 'erases' these filaments from your vision and you just don't really take any notice of them with time.

If you deliberately look at them, like i did last time I was in a Ford Tourneo that had them, I found them a little 'present' in my vision, that's why I was a bit wary. But then again they were probably thicker as it's a work van and more heavy duty you could say...

 

[olires]

I've also specced them and have the same concern, having been in my boss's Ford Mondeo recently. It took a while before I noticed the filaments, but once I did I couldn't not notice them.

 

[cosmic68]

Whats the rough cost to replace these if get damaged out of interest?

 

[Hat]

if the filaments get damaged, which is highly unlikely as they are embedded in the glass, then it's a new screen which will be covered on pretty much all insurance. chip repair is no different to a non-heated screen

 

[DonDraper]

Let's hope those filaments last for as long as the car does then!

Anyone kind enough to take some close-up pictures for us?

 

[Matt]

Ill take some pix and upload later... all my ford cars have had the heated screen!
believe me, once you dont have it, you really miss this feature if your car is not kept in a garage... the kuga i currently have, the ice was clear within 1min.. for general mist, no more than 30s and its all gone.

the heating element is no big deal, and in most instances you look right thru and not notice it... ok if you focus on it then you will notice it, but its very fine and doesnt distract in the main.

 

[MintMark]

I did ask my dealer the same question (are the filaments noticeable?) and he couldn't show me a car with a heated screen... so I'm just hoping it's OK.

 

[texy]

I have one fitted to my current Mini and wouldn't be without it as I start work early mornings and the car is not garaged. As others have stated, it takes around a 1 minute to start clearing, but once it starts, it is clearing within 30 seconds or so. I wouldn't be without it now, and it is one of the cheaper options to spec. As regard to the filaments, again you can notice them if you look, but they are not distracting for me and I soon forget they are there if I do happen to notice them.
Hope this helps,
Texy

 

[F56PWMCD]

I have had a few cars with heated screen and as others have said you get used to the view through the filaments and after a short time your mind ignores them. I wouldn't be without one now if a car was available with the option or standard as on certain specs of Fords.
I even went to the expense of speccing an Evoque with it, that as part of the pack includes a useless sat nav, because you can't get it separately!!

 

[MiloMini]

I had one in my first Ford car and have to say although you can see it it's not noticeable enough to distract.This will be the first time I've had a heated windscreen so looking forward to it.

 

[MaskedAnkle]

I had this on my R56 Cooper and my on my new F56 MCS.

It's a great feature in the winter, but also if the screen is fogged for other reasons, such as 3 damp children and a wet dog in the car.

I do think, sometimes when it's turned on, you see a slightly fuzzed view. Not significant - but I definitely detect something different - a bit like a heat haze on a road on a hot sunny day, but much less significant. Might just be me... but both my cars seem to exhibit this. I do wear glasses to drive, so maybe it's in combination?

I also think there is a flaw - if it's icy, the window will clear of frost very quickly. BUT the wipers can remain frozen. You can pick them off the screen, but the actual rubber remains frozen for a while. So when the wipers move, they are not making perfect contact with the window, and certain parts don't get cleanly wiped. You can soften the frozen wipers with your fingers... but then you will have dirty fingers!

On balance, however, I like the feature. For £95 (on top of Chili) it is a good option.

I've had two replaced after stone chips. You just tell the windscreen repair people it's heated. They know what to do.

 

[Hat]

For £95 its a bargain compared to other manufacturers. Its a no- brainer

 

[andyross37]

As others have said, if you sit and stare at the screen then you will notice them.

They are actually extremely fine, so you shouldn't notice them. I think it depends on the light levels as well.

Personally I don't notice them unless I am specifically looking for them....but that might just be my eyesight!

 

[patch]

Personally, I see the filaments and they bother me enough to not have spec'd them. It's not always that bad but under some lighting conditions it's too distracting.

I base my experience on my wife's R56 heated windscreen. Never seen a F56 with heated windscreen.

By the way, my wife hadn't seen the filaments until I really helped her find them So I guess experience varies from a person to another.

 

[DonDraper]

Useful info guys... I do feel more at ease about it, having said this, I'm sure when I get my car and for the first couple of weeks I'm in 'inspection mode' trying to take everything in and focusing on detail I'll probably notice the filaments. However, I'm pretty sure (or I hope) I'll end up getting used to them and forget they exist...

Maskedankle, it's interesting about the fuzzed effect, I'm pretty sure it's not your imagination. Luckily I live in a place where there might just be 2-3 days where your windscreen gets frosted... but i'm definitely looking forward to getting rid of the fogged up windows at night without blowing the aircon right in my face

Matt those pics would be great, would they be of the F56 or the Fords you mention?

Patch, I think I'm the kind of person that will get slightly bothered about them like yourself... but I hope not to the point I regret my choice. I'll have to wait and see I guess...

Great feedback so far... I'm sure many will appreciate.

 

[patch]

On the R56, you can install a replacement windscreen without heating filaments even if the car originally came with filaments. I expect you could do the same on the F56.

So if you come to a point where you *really* can't stand them anymore, you could always shed some $$ on a new windscreen without filaments. Of course that would not be your best investment ;-)

 

[DonDraper]

I get ya... I can't say I haven't thought about that hahaha. But I agree it doesn't sound like a great investment, I doubt Windscreens for the F56 are inexpensive, so i'll probably just have to convince myself to man-up and not be too nerdy and pay so much attention to detail haha.

 

[texy]

Its only £95 if you have opted for the Chilli pack - otherwise I think I am paying £185.
Texy