ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-15-2021, 11:26 AM   #1
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

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/
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2021, 08:33 AM   #2
F360C
Major
United_States
366
Rep
1,373
Posts

Drives: E86 S54
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Hoboken, NJ

iTrader: (2)

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.
__________________

07 Z4 M Coupe AW/IR

Last edited by F360C; 09-22-2021 at 08:51 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2021, 07:22 AM   #3
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F360C View Post
Would these require center supports or would it mount like OEM?
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…
Appreciate 0
      09-24-2021, 06:35 AM   #4
F360C
Major
United_States
366
Rep
1,373
Posts

Drives: E86 S54
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Hoboken, NJ

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael9218 View Post
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…
I'll try and hit up Peggy today and see what she says on the subject. If I can get away with out a support I am totally in for this. I figure about 10 pounds can be saved with the screen and another 7 with the carbon roof. 17 pounds off the top of the car is not too bad!
__________________

07 Z4 M Coupe AW/IR
Appreciate 0
      09-24-2021, 09:38 PM   #5
Vanne
Down Under!!
Vanne's Avatar
United Arab Emirates
1593
Rep
4,293
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (4)

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.
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2021, 09:36 AM   #6
dre99gsx
Captain
498
Rep
903
Posts

Drives: 1994 Toyota Supra
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (2)

It's a maybe for me, but interested. I may be looking for Lexan on rear and side eventually.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2021, 05:43 PM   #7
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2021, 05:56 PM   #8
dre99gsx
Captain
498
Rep
903
Posts

Drives: 1994 Toyota Supra
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (2)

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?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2021, 06:32 AM   #9
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

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
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2021, 02:13 AM   #10
AriuSen
Lieutenant Colonel
AriuSen's Avatar
United_States
777
Rep
1,923
Posts

Drives: Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (9)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael9218 View Post
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
Oh that's a nice film.
Did you put a window tint film in the rear lexan too? It looked darker than normal.
__________________
Instagram: ariusen26
Youtube: Track vids
Appreciate 0
      12-11-2021, 07:12 AM   #11
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)



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.
Appreciate 1
3002 tii2272.00
      03-10-2022, 07:23 PM   #12
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 1
Vanne1593.00
      07-13-2023, 07:33 AM   #13
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
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?
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      07-14-2023, 12:42 PM   #14
dre99gsx
Captain
498
Rep
903
Posts

Drives: 1994 Toyota Supra
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (2)

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?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-14-2023, 01:08 PM   #15
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by dre99gsx View Post
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?
I emailed P4P but they said no discounts other than combined shipping if going to a single location.

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.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2023, 02:30 PM   #16
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

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.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2023, 12:52 PM   #17
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael9218 View Post
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.
I know this is track only car but do you ever have issues with fog or condensation making rear visibility difficult? Also I don’t recall but did you install yourself or have a glass guy remove the oe glass for you?
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2023, 06:09 PM   #18
Michael9218
Lieutenant
Michael9218's Avatar
593
Rep
482
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Woodstock, GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
I know this is track only car but do you ever have issues with fog or condensation making rear visibility difficult? Also I don’t recall but did you install yourself or have a glass guy remove the oe glass for you?
Not really. A thin film of Dawn dish soap prevents fogging on the inside. On the outside I use rainx on the front windshield film and car wax on the lexan rear window. I also cover the car (California poptop, look it up) in the paddock over night if it’s going to be cold. Don’t remove the cover until the sun is up.

I removed both. Bought a windshield removal tool. Youtube…
Appreciate 1
3002 tii2272.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:06 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST