Clear Windblocker

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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risquenun
Joined: Thu 16 Jun, 2005 22:06
Posts: 576

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: gloucester

Clear Windblocker

Post by risquenun »

I recently sold my BMW wind deflector as I didn't like the lack of rearward visibiltiy when it was installed.
I have just purchased a clear windblocker from America via Ebay.
I looked at several different patterns before deciding on one that just went between the roll hoops.
It arrived thismorning and appears to be of good quality.
It is made of Makralon (which is the same material used on police riot van windows).
Interestingly the unit was sold under one ebay id but is supplied by Windblox who advertise a wider unit on Ebay.
I pais $58 for the windblocker and $14 carriage. The actual postal charge was $25 so I am well pleased. :lol:

I will report on its effictiveness in the future.
This is the link to the unit I bought.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWN%3AIT
This Orinoco doesn't Womble.
derek
Joined: Tue 31 May, 2005 08:50
Posts: 96

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Glasgow, scotland

Post by derek »

looks good and almost invisible in those photos. one of the main reasons i've not purchased a wind deflector is because i think they look terrible.

so i'd be keen to know how effective this product is. keep us posted :wink:
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calbens
Joined: Mon 12 Dec, 2005 23:21
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Appley Bridge
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Post by calbens »

Hurry up and get it fitted, take it for a spin and let us know how effective it is :mrgreen:
I really fancy a clear one as opposed to the standard BMW black one I have. I'm not keen on the lack of rear visibility you get with it.
Did you have to pay any customs duty on it via the post office?
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BimBeema
Joined: Sun 16 Oct, 2005 22:55
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: London

Post by BimBeema »

It sort of looks good, but at the sametime looks like a piece of perspex taped to the roll hoops!

I also think you will still get fair bit of wind through as it doesn't block the wind coming through the back of the roll hoops whereas BMW's mesh one does. Anyway let us know how you get on with it.
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calbens
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
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Post by calbens »

I thought the same as you BimBeema, I'm sure I've seen some that actually cover the roll hoop area. Need to have a search to see if i can find it.
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tags
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Location: Manchester

Post by tags »

I have the same one fitted. I bought it to replace the standard mesh. Overall all it is a good little deflector. It can flex back/forwards a little a speed. The main benefit to the clear deflector is the visibility. I think the mesh is slightly better at bocking wind though, imho.



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John Boy
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Benson

Post by John Boy »

Just a thought. This sounds good for cars with electric roofs, but for those with manual roofs, can you still reach back and lift the roof, without getting out of the seat?
John Boy
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John Boy
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Location: Benson

Post by John Boy »

calbens wrote:I thought the same as you BimBeema, I'm sure I've seen some that actually cover the roll hoop area. Need to have a search to see if i can find it.
There is one HERE. It is more expensive, but does cover the roll hoops too.
John Boy
2.8 Z3
estocks
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 23:36
Posts: 2866

  Not specified

Post by estocks »

Bah, found this one at $99 weeks ago and the chap only ships to the USA. Looks a sturdy design too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Z3-C ... dZViewItem
Last edited by estocks on Wed 05 Apr, 2006 11:42, edited 3 times in total.
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estocks
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  Not specified

Post by estocks »

Oops DP
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calbens
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
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Post by calbens »

John Boy wrote:Just a thought. This sounds good for cars with electric roofs, but for those with manual roofs, can you still reach back and lift the roof, without getting out of the seat?
Good Point John Boy, you'd have to have the arms off an ape to be able to reach over to lift the roof :lol:
Saying that though the standard cloth ones are a pain to unzip and it's probably quicker getting out and lifting it, well for me it is anyway cos I don't have the strength to lift it from sitting in the car, well not without looking like I'm having some kind of fit......Not a very elegant look :roflmao:
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calbens
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Post by calbens »

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Best-BMW ... enameZWD2V

Looks pretty similar to this one on ebay at the mo. Theres a few more pictures of this one which covers the hoops but not quite as much as the one John Boys seen, saying that I'm not so sure I like the folding part on that and it seems to extend further than the others. :?
estocks
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  Not specified

Post by estocks »

I think they all might scratch something with their edges.
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Alfie
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Location: Broadchurch....

Post by Alfie »

BimBeema wrote:You could probably make this yourself at a fraction of the cost.
Yep, been there before.
Design done, redesign done, materials bought.

Problem?
Couldn't cut the plastic without it melting and sealing up behind the tool.
The resulting edge was rough, bubbly and discoloured.
It seems to require specialist tools to cut this stuff neatly, especially around curves, so unless you're going into it as a business, it's probably not worth it.

After months of planning and several attempts at cutting, I ended up buying one the same as the one at the top of this thread. :(

A.
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BimBeema
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: London

Post by BimBeema »

They all look like a piece of perspex cut to shape and taped to the roll hoops. You could probably make this yourself at a fraction of the cost, but if I had to choose one, I'd go for one that covers the back of the roll hoops.
estocks
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  Not specified

Post by estocks »

Alfie wrote:Couldn't cut the plastic without it melting and sealing up behind the tool..
Putting masking tape along the back side of cut allededly dissipates enough heat to prevent that, IIRC doing this once before.
Alfie wrote:The resulting edge was rough, bubbly and discoloured.
Definatly, especially when using power tools but it can be done if you have the patience of a Primary School teaher.

Looks great when fitted to chrome hoops.
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calbens
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Post by calbens »

Alfie wrote:
After months of planning and several attempts at cutting, I ended up buying one the same as the one at the top of this thread. :(

A.
So Alfieis how do you rate it?
I didn't notice it on your car at Gaydon, if you had it on then it's aesthetically great but does it function properly?
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Post by Guest »

Alfie wrote:
BimBeema wrote:You could probably make this yourself at a fraction of the cost.
Yep, been there before.
Design done, redesign done, materials bought.

Problem?
Couldn't cut the plastic without it melting and sealing up behind the tool.
The resulting edge was rough, bubbly and discoloured.
It seems to require specialist tools to cut this stuff neatly, especially around curves, so unless you're going into it as a business, it's probably not worth it.

After months of planning and several attempts at cutting, I ended up buying one the same as the one at the top of this thread. :(

A.
I bet you were using a jig saw ?

Its down to cutting too fast and melting the material. When I have had to cut acrylic sheet in the past I used a thing called an abra file.

Just as a weird aside. If you google for "purspex" zroadster.net comes up as the first link. :shock: famous eh!
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risquenun
Joined: Thu 16 Jun, 2005 22:06
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: gloucester

Post by risquenun »

I quickly fitted it this afternoon and went for a spin.
Definately better than not having one fitted and the rear visibility is so much better. I thought about the larger version but wanted to have a happy balance between style and practicality. My wife's MX5 wind deflector just comes up beween the seats and is much smaller but still effective so I thought I would go for the smaller version. It also in muy opinion is easier to pack away and more stylish.
Here are some pics. Please excuse the fact that I didn't tie the straps too neatly, but i was in a rush to get to a meeting.
Image

Image

Image
This Orinoco doesn't Womble.
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johnn
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Joined: Tue 19 Apr, 2005 19:28
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: West Bromwich

Clear Windbreaker

Post by johnn »

Hi I fitted a clear windbreaker to my car and the difference is amazing. There is much less wind and noise in the car even at speed. The screen was bought from e-bay and they are about £90. if you check the following link you will see the screen being fitted to my car.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Z3-Rear-Wind-Scre ... dZViewItem
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Alfie
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  M roadster S54
Location: Broadchurch....

Post by Alfie »

calbens wrote:So Alfie how do you rate it?
I didn't notice it on your car at Gaydon, if you had it on then it's aesthetically great but does it function properly?
Hi Becky.

I had it in the boot but like everything else, I didn't get time to fit it!

I had it on Topaz for a while and it deffo makes a worthwhile difference, especially for long periods at speed.

It does restrict access to the roof space which you would use for storage when the roof is up, and opening the upper centre box is difficult. And with a manual roof, you're completely stuffed!

And of course there's the old problem that the straps look rubbish on polished steel ACS hoops! I've got some silvery grey webbing which blends better, but still not invisible.

The one on eBay mentioned by Johnn is very similar to the one I designed last year, although those pics are surprisingly uninformative. I was stupid enough to 'exchange' my ideas with someone in the Midlands without any form of copyright. My fault, so I'll say no more....
I like the clear straps though.

Si, yes, it was just an ordinary jigsaw which was way too fast.
A very experienced woodworking colleague managed to get a reasonably smooth straight edge, but even he couldn't work out how to cut a smooth curve. Any suggestions welcome coz I've still got the materials.

A.
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risquenun
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Post by risquenun »

The one on eBay mentioned by Johnn is very similar to the one I designed last year, although those pics are surprisingly uninformative. I was stupid enough to 'exchange' my ideas with someone in the Midlands without any form of copyright. My fault, so I'll say no more....
Having had experience in owning a company that made small marquees there is no economical way of patenting ideas. Everyone in that business copied- I lost some good ideas to some very large companies :bawl:
The only thing that was financially worth doing was trademark registration ...and grabbing the best customers. :lol:
This Orinoco doesn't Womble.
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Alfie
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Post by Alfie »

calbens wrote:Alfie did you source yours from abroad or the UK?
I got mine second hand from someone on this forum. Can't rerember who now. But he bought it from the States.
calbens wrote:I know the problems with cutting perspex. I tried modifying a perspex shelf on a tv stand, the heat generated from the jigsaw melted the perspex and resealed it into a bubbly mess where I had already cut
Exactly. Better description than mine!

A.
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calbens
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Post by calbens »

Alfie did you source yours from abroad or the UK?

I know the problems with cutting perspex. I tried modifying a perspex shelf on a tv stand, the heat generated from the jigsaw melted the perspex and resealed it into a bubbly mess where I had already cut (not a technical description I know :dunce: )
Saying that, I can't remember if I had the correct blade to start and the jigsaw I used at the time wasn't the variable speed type like I have now. It probably wouldn't make any difference anyway. :roll:
It's probably easier just to buy one.

Johnn, I like the clear straps on yours, what are they made of and do they have velcro on them thats hidden behind the seat?
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Daneborough
Joined: Wed 04 Aug, 2004 05:49
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  Z4 M roadster
Location: Highgate Hill

Post by Daneborough »

I have the mesh blocker (original BMW) on my Z3 and clear blocker (RoadsterSolutions) on my Z4 - like the "look" of the clear blocker better and visibility is improved - neither of them stop wind intrusion entirely
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John Boy
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Post by John Boy »

It might be just be me but, I found that in the Z4 with the windblocker fitted, the wind intrusion was higher that the Z3 with the mesh fitted!

Does anyone else have this experience?
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John Boy
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Post by John Boy »

Ther are some Clear blockers for the Z3 available HERE which look well finished, better than the other ones. They also appear to cover the roll hoop area, but due to the black straps, they might not be too good for people with the Polished roll hoops.
John Boy
2.8 Z3
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johnn
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Clear Windblocker

Post by johnn »

Johnn, I like the clear straps on yours, what are they made of and do they have velcro on them thats hidden behind the seat?

hi calbens
The straps are a soft clear plastic material with Velcro pieces stitched and glued to the ends. They came with the screen but I am sure Paul said he coulkd obtain spare straps. you can try contacting him from the e-bay link.
I also obtained some small self adhesive clear silicon rubber pads from Focus DIY and applied these to the Roll Bars to prevent any scuffing from possible vibration.
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