Perspex vs Mesh Deflector ?

M

mzedbriz

Member
Hi

I've had a look at some threads from a few years ago but most seem to be about having a Wind deflector or not. (apologies if this subject has been done to death) IMHO, it's a must - especially if the GF is in the car, who moans that her carefully straightened barnet looks like she's just been dragged through a hedge backwards after just 10 mins of roof down driving....

So, looking at the options i am toying with the OEM Mesh/rubber over hoops at £220 or something like the Perspex windblox solution http://www.windblox.com/styles/bmw_z4_windblocker.htm which is about £90 or so.

Does anyone have any experience of the perspex vs mesh ?. My thinking is that BMW would have developed a perspex solution if it was better in wind tunnel tests or suchlike?

My head is veering towards OEM and my wallet to Perspex !!

Any opinions/thoughts or references to previous topics gratefully received

Cheers

Martin
 
IF you have the budget, try retro fitting the original mesh wind deflector. Looks great, and is easy to add/remove whenever you need to.

The leather "gimp mask" option, which it has affectionately been named on the forum is very good, and probably your next best bet.

Hope you get one sorted. They do work rather well.....
 
I have the OEM version and to be honest I barely notice any difference with the deflector in place or not unless travelling at motorway speeds. That said I do usually drive with the windows up and the roof down, and the small deflectors in the roll hoops are always in place regardless.
 
I saw some BMW wind tunnel graphics that showed the mesh deflector was 'better'. I found 50 and below the deflector doesn't make much diff. Above 60 it makes the cabin much quieter.

Even with the deflector in place, if you hit 60 your GF's hair is gonna go crazy. Have a hair scrunchie in the glove box for when you have the roof down.
 
The only thing that I don't like about the mesh deflector is that it does affect your rearward vision, especially when the top is up. I can't be bothered to remove the deflector every time that I put the roof up.

My Mazda MX-5 has quite a neat hinged deflector that you can very easily have up or down.
 
Adamski said:
IF you have the budget, try retro fitting the original mesh wind deflector. Looks great, and is easy to add/remove whenever you need to.

The leather "gimp mask" option, which it has affectionately been named on the forum is very good, and probably your next best bet.

Hope you get one sorted. They do work rather well.....
Click to expand...

Thanks - budget wont quite stretch to the £450 mark unfortunately, and the DIY option is a no no with my skills ! ..so looking like a visit to the local and aptly named Dick Lovett BMW dealership :D

Cheers

M
 
Boogle said:
I saw some BMW wind tunnel graphics that showed the mesh deflector was 'better'. I found 50 and below the deflector doesn't make much diff. Above 60 it makes the cabin much quieter.

Even with the deflector in place, if you hit 60 your GF's hair is gonna go crazy. Have a hair scrunchie in the glove box for when you have the roof down.
Click to expand...

Yes i saw that one just now ! Had a mesh one in my Z3 and found it worked well, was just wondering if the Perspex one was any good...intuitevley i think i would be noiser... as for the scrunchie...sound idea...or maybe persuaude her to get a No.1 ;-)
 
The mesh definitely stops a fair bit of the wind buffeting, though do like the Perspex job, however agree at night that whilst the mesh works well with the auto dimming mirror, the real issue is it's much more difficult to spot the Rozzers :@(
 
jamesgarbett said:
I have the OEM version and to be honest I barely notice any difference with the deflector in place or not unless travelling at motorway speeds. That said I do usually drive with the windows up and the roof down, and the small deflectors in the roll hoops are always in place regardless.
Click to expand...
+1 I've never really noticed much difference and usually only use it to keep SWMBO happy.
 
Adamski said:
IF you have the budget, try retro fitting the original mesh wind deflector. Looks great, and is easy to add/remove whenever you need to.

The leather "gimp mask" option, which it has affectionately been named on the forum is very good, and probably your next best bet.

Hope you get one sorted. They do work rather well.....
Click to expand...

I second this.

I have the original BMW mesh wind deflector. I have long hair and petite in height. Definitely find it makes a difference if driving on country roads about 50mph. Always try to put it in on motorway too.
 
The big problem is the gap between the rear edge of the windows and roll hoops.

That said it's a lot less breezy than the back seat of most 4-seat convertibles that I've been in
 
The best photo shots of air movement are in one of the BMW design books. They worked really hard to create the mesh set-up couple with windows up and filled hoops, as it slows down the air speed in the cabin by allowing some to penetrate it. The solid perspex causes air to roll over the screen and create turbulence in the cabin.

Similar to the concept that if you want to protect plants from wind you put up a mesh fence. If you put a solid fence in the wind rolls over the fence in a swirl and blows the plants over. Hope that makes sense.
 
I have the Mesh deflector in place all the time. :thumbsup:

Only time It was not there was when I first bought the car. The day I fitted it I was so imprest with the difference that it has stayed there ever since.

Agree it does make rear vision, at night, with the roof up, rather rubbish, :thumbsdown: however I seldom drive the car with the roof up, or at night, so not a problem. :D
 
i have the oem mesh unit, i think it makes a noticeable difference, and it looks asthetically pleasing for a wind deflector, i love the way it clips in and out and can be stored under the boot lid, Great piece imo, defo wouldnt be without mine.... mine stays in all the time unless hardtops on.
 
Beedub said:
i have the oem mesh unit, i think it makes a noticeable difference, and it looks asthetically pleasing for a wind deflector, i love the way it clips in and out and can be stored under the boot lid, Great piece imo, defo wouldnt be without mine.... mine stays in all the time unless hardtops on.
Click to expand...

+1 - except in the dark it has to come out else visibility is a bit crap out the back... But I use my car every day.
 
I have a roadster solution one fitted and is really good the misses never complains about wild hair just the bloody cold .

http://www.roadstersolutions.com

I think its about $250 not to sure what the delivery cost would be though.
 
Beedub said:
can be stored under the boot lid,
Click to expand...

Store in the boot for a reason, it's FUGLY.
Looks like Everest have made a UPVC framed flyscreen for it,
"Now, be honest, you didn't expect Everest to be doing that today, did you?" :rofl:
 
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