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09-15-2021, 11:26 AM | #1 |
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E86 polycarbonate windshield
I want to gauge interest in buying a polycarbonate windshield from those of us in the US that track our Coupes.
I'm looking to replace my windshield with a lighter and stronger polycarbonate (aka Lexan) windshield. Mine is now pretty pitted and has a cateye. At the moment, the only source I can find is Plastics 4 Performance in the UK. I bought my rear window from them. They make good stuff, but their windshield is a bit pricey compared to US sources of polycarbonate windshields. Shipped, P4P wants $900 usd. For comparison, Racing Shields in Indiana charges about $550 for a hard coated windshield. They make a windshield for about every BMW that sees track use from E30 to E92, but not E86. I've had a conversation with Peggy at Racing Shields and she is willing to consider making them if there is interest. At this point, I'm not looking to put together a group buy, although I suppose that could happen. It would certainly be helpful if I could let her know how many she may be able to sell if they invest in the mold (basically they just buy a glass windshield and melt the polycarbonate onto it's shape). Or maybe better yet, if you have interest give them a call so she hears it first hand. For more info: https://www.shieldswindshields.store...te-windshield/ |
09-22-2021, 08:33 AM | #2 |
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Would these require center supports or would it mount like OEM? if it mounts like OEM I am 100% in. I like the idea of buying from the Racing shields because of that "supercoat" option they have.
Anyone know the weight of the stock windshield? Might have to do this and the carbon roof. EDIT... RealOEM says 22.1 pounds for the OEM screen. 11 pound weight savings would be pretty nice.
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07 Z4 M Coupe AW/IR Last edited by F360C; 09-22-2021 at 08:51 AM.. |
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09-23-2021, 07:22 AM | #3 |
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Not sure. At 1/4”, I believe it may not need support. A friend is running one in an E46 without support and reports a bit of wobble. But the E46 windshield is larger with less curvature. I’ll probably fabricate a center support out of carbon fiber just because. It’ll be a cool little project…
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09-24-2021, 06:35 AM | #4 | |
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07 Z4 M Coupe AW/IR |
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09-24-2021, 09:38 PM | #5 |
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I love the idea, but for me it's not feasible due to where I live. Keeping the glass front screen due to huge amounts of sand in the air. When I move back to Oz , I'll be all over this.
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11-17-2021, 09:36 AM | #6 |
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It's a maybe for me, but interested. I may be looking for Lexan on rear and side eventually.
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11-17-2021, 05:43 PM | #7 |
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Racing Shields never came through, so I gave up on them and ordered a windshield from Plastics 4 Performance in the UK. Received it today. I haven’t opened the box, but can say their rear window I got a few years ago was an excellent fit. They also make the side windows.
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11-17-2021, 05:56 PM | #8 |
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Curious on time for delivery, cost, and ease of installation (especially the side windows). PM if you like..
Also, how resilient is this for track use and/or some street use? Any issues with fogging or micro scratches, etc?
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11-18-2021, 06:32 AM | #9 |
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P4P is pretty quick to ship. I ordered it Oct 14. So 4 weeks. Cost was $1,023. The lexan has a hard coating (“Enduro”) that they say is scratch resistant, but I plan to use Protint protective film anyway. They offer an anti-fog coating but it’s nearly as much as the windshield. Dawn dish soap works just fine.
As for fitment, I won’t know for a few weeks as the car is loaded up in the trailer for the next event at the moment. Check your local laws for street use. Lexan will not be DOT approved. https://www.protint.com/collections/frontpage/ https://www.plastics4performance.com...ont-windscreen |
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11-20-2021, 02:13 AM | #10 | |
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Did you put a window tint film in the rear lexan too? It looked darker than normal.
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12-11-2021, 07:12 AM | #11 |
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Got the OEM windshield off yesterday and test fit the P4P Lexan windshield. Perfect fit (just like the rear window). The 1/4" Lexan weighs 16 lbs. The stock glass a bit over 22 lbs. Was hoping for more weight savings, but the 1/4" (6mm) Lexan is thick and doesn't feel like it needs a center support rod. A thinner 3/16" (5mm) would've weighed less, but according to Peggy at Raceshields would've required support. FWIW, the OEM glass windshield is 3/16" thick. Rear window is clear 4mm thick. Definitely too thin for a front windshield. |
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03-10-2022, 07:23 PM | #12 |
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Quick update:
Ran the car this weekend with the new polycarbonate windshield. Man was it nice having a clear windshield again! This 1/4" windshield requires no bracing. No visible movement other than the rear view mirror. I have a cheap universal fit suction cup mirror mounted about 6" down from the top. At about 110 mph the mirror gets really distorted from movement. I may try moving it up higher to be closer to the edge. Minor issue. Overall very happy with the windshield. |
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07-13-2023, 07:33 AM | #13 |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.56] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
Michael9218 - do you think HC option is necessary if tint to be applied?
dre99gsx F360C - did you ever order the rear lexan glass? if not do you want to see if plastics4performance may be willing to give us a discount for combined order, maybe save shipping cost at min? |
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07-14-2023, 12:42 PM | #14 |
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No, this fell off my radar...
I'm interested in both rear and front, even b-pillar option if available. Count me in obviously depending on price, but I'm still interested. Like I mentioned before, my car is street driven (no often, but test/tune or cars cofee). Assuming this is still safe for street use? @Michael9218 you mentioned no center support bar needed in front... can you confirm this or are you still testing this out?
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07-14-2023, 01:08 PM | #15 | |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.56] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
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I was only interested in 4mm rear without the hard coating. I asked could I get the anti fog on rear but was told only that is only available in 5-6mm with dual coating. |
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07-16-2023, 02:30 PM | #16 |
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Hard coat is probably not necessary if you put film over it. Just know that the shape of our windshield is really curved and is very difficult to lay the film down. I ended up cutting the film to 16” height and only covering my viewing area under my 11” banner. You also won’t find one pre-shaped to our windshield, so you need to keep the old glass and use it to form the film with heat.
As for the thickness and center support, no issue at all with the 6mm windshield without a center support. |
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07-19-2023, 12:52 PM | #17 | |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.56] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
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07-19-2023, 06:09 PM | #18 | |
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I removed both. Bought a windshield removal tool. Youtube… |
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06-16-2024, 01:31 PM | #19 |
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dre99gsx
F360C 3002 tii Have either of you gotten a lexan hatch replacement yet? I’m about to order one but that shipping stings a bit for a single order. Looks like ~$150 shipping for 1, or 4. Let me know as I’d like to place an order this month! |
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06-17-2024, 04:18 AM | #20 |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.56] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
Nope never placed, s/h also was reason I didn’t go through with it
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