E85 Roadster windscreen / deflector

[RickS]

I have a 2006 roadster and thinking about buying a windscreen.

First do they make a big difference, worth the money?

If so, which style functions better mesh or solid deflector? Also which company would you recommend?

Thanks!

[antennahead]

I have this one from Roadster Solutions and it works great, fits great, and looks factory.

[schobyb]

Originally Posted by antennahead

I have this one from Roadster Solutions and it works great, fits great, and looks factory.

I have the same one, very happy with it and would buy it again.

[HoppysZ4]

I also have the Roadster Solutions for almost 3 years; no issues with it; easy to install.
I don't recall how much of a difference it made from not having it, but I do recall there was a reduced cabin air flow.

[Huz-Z]

I was lucky enough to get an OEM wind deflector for my car, pic below, before they became rare and stupid expensive. If I didn't have that, I absolutely would get one of the Roadster Solutions units without hesitation - very nice looking on the car.

[MinneapolisJeff]

I'm running the OEM soft air deflector now (the one you strap in); had a moderate cost compared to the crazy expensive OEM hard air deflector that Huz-Z mentioned.

I used to have a hard lexan deflector but over the years developed a hatred for it- the cabin would become insanely hot during some summer days due to the lack of airflow. The netting style deflects the air but still allows some movement. This is subjective of course, but I just couldn't deal with how hot the cabin would become when I would sit at stoplights etc.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jman1975

I'm running the OEM soft air deflector now (the one you strap in); had a moderate cost compared to the crazy expensive OEM hard air deflector that Huz-Z mentioned.

I used to have a hard lexan deflector but over the years developed a hatred for it- the cabin would become insanely hot during some summer days due to the lack of airflow. The netting style deflects the air but still allows some movement. This is subjective of course, but I just couldn't deal with how hot the cabin would become when I would sit at stoplights etc.

Wow I didn't know that. Is the center panel easily removable in the hard lexan type deflectors, like it is in the BMW hard deflector like my car has? (And by the way, although folks refer to the BMW deflector like mine as "hard", the center panel is actually a mesh, sorta like fine fly screen as opposed to a hard Lexan panel like is used by Roadster Solutions).

I've seen an OEM soft deflector for sale here a while back at a reasonable price but I think they are getting a bit rare - hopefully the price won't start to climb on those as it did on the OEM hard deflector.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Wow I didn't know that. Is the center panel easily removable in the hard lexan type deflectors, like it is in the BMW hard deflector like my car has? (And by the way, although folks refer to the BMW deflector like mine as "hard", the center panel is actually a mesh, sorta like fine fly screen as opposed to a hard Lexan panel like is used by Roadster Solutions).

I've seen an OEM soft deflector for sale here a while back at a reasonable price but I think they are getting a bit rare - hopefully the price won't start to climb on those as it did on the OEM hard deflector.

The lexan panel style I used to roll with was not removable, so I put it in and only removed it at the end of season when I was garaging the car for winter. It wasn't the Roadster Solutions brand, it was significantly cheaper (maybe cost me $110?) and velcro attached to headrests. Worked great, almost too great because it trapped so much air LOL.

I paid around $225 for the soft OEM deflector (part #54-70-0-150-671) @ebay which included a 10% coupon at that time.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jman1975

The lexan panel style I used to roll with was not removable, so I put it in and only removed it at the end of season when I was garaging the car for winter. It wasn't the Roadster Solutions brand, it was significantly cheaper (maybe cost me $110?) and velcro attached to headrests. Worked great, almost too great because it trapped so much air LOL.

I paid around $225 for the soft OEM deflector (part #54-70-0-150-671) @ebay which included a 10% coupon at that time.

There used to be one at Roadster Solutions where the center panel would illuminate with "Z4" or similar. It was pricey as I recall but it probably wasn't removable. I wonder if their current deflectors have a removable panel? If so, then they could be a good choice for RickS.

That's a decent price these days for the OEM soft deflector. They look good on the car too!

[RickS]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it. Thinking I'll look for the soft mesh style, I prefer air flow.

Thanks!

[Andyh1]

I have the OEM mesh style that go over the roll bars... I don't use it much anymore if you are interested.

[WAMz4]

DIY is the cheapest way to go if yo have the time and the tools -
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307269

[sirhodjibob]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I was lucky enough to get an OEM wind deflector for my car, pic below, before they became rare and stupid expensive. If I didn't have that, I absolutely would get one of the Roadster Solutions units without hesitation - very nice looking on the car.

I just installed this as well. It made a substantial difference in minimizing cabin turbulence. One of the best additions I've made to the car.

[bgeorge0049]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I was lucky enough to get an OEM wind deflector for my car, pic below, before they became rare and stupid expensive. If I didn't have that, I absolutely would get one of the Roadster Solutions units without hesitation - very nice looking on the car.

I had this one originally on my car and it broke at roughly 120 mph. I replaced it with one like the Roadster Solutions. I am much happier with it. Plus it makes a huge difference especially on extremely cold or hot days to keep the cabin the temperature we want it.

[city1991]

Originally Posted by RickS

I have a 2006 roadster and thinking about buying a windscreen.

First do they make a big difference, worth the money?

If so, which style functions better mesh or solid deflector? Also which company would you recommend?

Thanks!

When I had my 2003, it made a huge difference.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I was lucky enough to get an OEM wind deflector for my car, pic below, before they became rare and stupid expensive. If I didn't have that, I absolutely would get one of the Roadster Solutions units without hesitation - very nice looking on the car.

I’ve got same one but saved money by just going with the main center piece. Well worth it IMO.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by bgeorge0049

I had this one originally on my car and it broke at roughly 120 mph. I replaced it with one like the Roadster Solutions. I am much happier with it. Plus it makes a huge difference especially on extremely cold or hot days to keep the cabin the temperature we want it.

Not surprised that it failed at that high speed although a glass shop could likely repair the broken mesh with something like a fine screen mesh or lexan panel.

[bgeorge0049]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Not surprised that it failed at that high speed although a glass shop could likely repair the broken mesh with something like a fine screen mesh or lexan panel.

It was actually the plastic frame that broke. Split it towards the passenger side on the top frame piece.

[Huz-Z]

Now that is a surprise. I expected the screen would first tear near the frame. If I were designing the part, I would have selected a mesh that would fail first. That way the frame should remain intact and be able to be repaired with a new screen. Must have been another job by the engineering wunderkind who selected the roof motor location.

[udm88]

Hey guys, just bought a 2008 Z4 , which deflector will you recommend for me if my main goal is noise reduction. Someone mentioned it could get hot with less airflow so that is also a concern but mainly i'm going for less noise.

[Oldmcst]

Ya know folks, I don't think it would require rocket science to just make one. I'll just have to work on that and see what happens.

[Oldmcst]

Originally Posted by Oldmcst

Ya know folks, I don't think it would require rocket science to just make one. I'll just have to work on that and see what happens.

Well, DUH!!! I just saw the post by WAM-z4. Looks like i was a day late and mentally short. Anyway, I'm in the process of making one now.