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      11-13-2014, 08:18 AM   #1
dgmanny
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Wind deflector - Acrylic or Mesh Version

I just purchased a 2008 Z4M roadster and I am looking to buy a wind deflector. There appear to be two types. Acrylic (my car doesnt have leather on the roll bars) or the mesh type. The acrylic is about $100 less than the mesh. I would appreciate any recommendations pros/cons, e.g. storage (can the acrylic be stored in the car), noise, durability.

Thanks.
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      11-13-2014, 08:39 AM   #2
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I have had both and the acrylic was slightly more effective in blocking wind. However, be sure to use rubber washers between the deflector and roll bars, as otherwise it can rub the paint off the roll bars.
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      11-13-2014, 08:59 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgmanny View Post
I just purchased a 2008 Z4M roadster and I am looking to buy a wind deflector. There appear to be two types. Acrylic (my car doesnt have leather on the roll bars) or the mesh type. The acrylic is about $100 less than the mesh. I would appreciate any recommendations pros/cons, e.g. storage (can the acrylic be stored in the car), noise, durability.

Thanks.
Not sure which acrylic you are looking at (however I do recall that there were several cheap and dubious versions online and on eBay), but I'm surprised to hear that they are less expensive than the mesh.

I have the Roadster Solutions version - not cheap, but highly effective, minimally invasive, and unobtrusive to the look of the car. For what it's worth, I put the deflector in 4 years ago and have never removed it, nor have I ever felt a need to. It would not be as easy to do so as removing the mesh, but in my opinion the mesh looks like an add-on afterthought.

http://www.roadstersolutions.com/page69.html
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      11-13-2014, 02:08 PM   #4
dgmanny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimo View Post
Not sure which acrylic you are looking at (however I do recall that there were several cheap and dubious versions online and on eBay), but I'm surprised to hear that they are less expensive than the mesh.

I have the Roadster Solutions version - not cheap, but highly effective, minimally invasive, and unobtrusive to the look of the car. For what it's worth, I put the deflector in 4 years ago and have never removed it, nor have I ever felt a need to. It would not be as easy to do so as removing the mesh, but in my opinion the mesh looks like an add-on afterthought.

http://www.roadstersolutions.com/page69.html

The unit I am looking at is from bavarian autosport.
01D0031 Convertible Wind-blocker - Acrylic $ 244.95

The BMW OEM mesh is $340, which I agree looks like an afterthought.

I guess if you keep it mounted all the time you dont need to store it in the car.

thanks,
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      11-13-2014, 02:10 PM   #5
dgmanny
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Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
I have had both and the acrylic was slightly more effective in blocking wind. However, be sure to use rubber washers between the deflector and roll bars, as otherwise it can rub the paint off the roll bars.
Thanks. is there a place to store the acrylic deflector it in the vehicle?
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      11-14-2014, 08:36 AM   #6
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I've had the Roadster Solutions acryllic installed for 3+ years now and have never removed it except so I could clean the areas around it. The only possible annoyance (that I quickly got used to) is during the night time there is some additional glare when looking through the rearview mirror. Other than that, whether top down or up it is great. Allows me to run top down in temps down to about 32deg F (love those seat heaters!).
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      11-14-2014, 09:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgmanny View Post
Thanks. is there a place to store the acrylic deflector it in the vehicle?
I usually put it in the trunk. The smaller designs that fit in between the roll bars may fit behind the seats though.
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      11-14-2014, 09:21 AM   #8
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when I had my roadster i had both.
I found that the mesh reduced visibility considerably (especially with top up)
I much preferred the acrylic.
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      11-14-2014, 11:31 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r View Post
when I had my roadster i had both.
I found that the mesh reduced visibility considerably (especially with top up)
I much preferred the acrylic.
Thanks for the feedback.
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      11-14-2014, 12:31 PM   #10
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have you considered the BMW hard wind deflector?

Like this one on my car:



It does not block the view through the mirror too badly although I grant you, they are pricey (around $500 or more maybe these days) and getting hard to find. the kit comes with new roll bar covers, the center mesh panel, two inserts for the space in the roll bars, mounting rails for the roll bars and a set of trunk lid mounts so you can remove the mesh center panel and stow it on the underside of the trunk lid.
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BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.

Last edited by Huz-Z; 11-14-2014 at 12:37 PM..
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      11-14-2014, 04:00 PM   #11
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^ that's what I had.
I used the frame and converted it to Lexan.
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