#ZedShed Project Sasha - 2007 BMW 3.0si Sport Carbon Black

[Low Rider]

A small update tonight. Sasha was pretty well spec'd when purchased originally, but annoyingly the first owner skimped on basics like a wind deflector. Its a major annoyance as it gets as windy in the cabin as it does in the Z3 without any kind of deflector.

So I ordered one of these which arrived this afternoon. Quality wise it's as good as the batch we got laser cut earlier in the year. Can't be bothered with a test drive tonight, so will let you know tomorrow once I get to work!
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Gives me somewhere to put one sticker at least
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On the car...
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Looks great Gary even better with it's badge of honour

 

[Althulas]

Like the whole me deflector and the office chair too.

 

[GazHyde]

Huge thank you @David for my Ashbandicoot tribute sticker, fitted it the first thing I did when I got home! Never managed to get one sorted for Rosie, but Sasha will wear it with huge pride instead.

Wish you were still here Zedding with us mate!

 

[GazHyde]

Z4 Perspex Wind deflector update.

Didn't get chance to post this up before as I've been busy, but the deflector was removed after 5 miles and I'm arranging a refund. At motorway speeds it deflects more cold air in to the cabin than without one. Had to take it off as I was getting too cold - granted it was around 1-2 degrees, but once the deflector was off I quickly warmed up again. You could feel it pushing the hot air from the vents away from you.

It seems to channel the wind downwards and then forwards in to the cabin. Also because the perspex sits against metal roll hoops the wind makes it resonate and produces an annoying rattle. You can feel the perspex wobbling in the air flow whilst moving.

Rather disappointed as the perspex style works really well on the Z3, but not very well at all on the Z4. Back to the drawing board, but looks like I'll be looking for an OEM style and have to put up with the mesh.

 

[t-tony]

Z4 Perspex Wind deflector update.

Didn't get chance to post this up before as I've been busy, but the deflector was removed after 5 miles and I'm arranging a refund. At motorway speeds it deflects more cold air in to the cabin than without one. Had to take it off as I was getting too cold - granted it was around 1-2 degrees, but once the deflector was off I quickly warmed up again. You could feel it pushing the hot air from the vents away from you.

It seems to channel the wind downwards and then forwards in to the cabin. Also because the perspex sits against metal roll hoops the wind makes it resonate and produces an annoying rattle. You can feel the perspex wobbling in the air flow whilst moving.

Rather disappointed as the perspex style works really well on the Z3, but not very well at all on the Z4. Back to the drawing board, but looks like I'll be looking for an OEM style and have to put up with the mesh.

You don't have to put up with the mesh Gaz, you could remove it, or, put a Perspex panel into the frame "behind" the mesh. Shame that one doesn't work better, as you said it looks the part.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

put a Perspex panel into the frame "behind" the mesh.

You have to have one of those first though. I personally think the overall height is the issue and the OEM ones aren't particularly good by comparison anyway, learnt that with the 20k+ miles I did in my first one. Just need access to a wind tunnel to prove my hypothesis.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

The wind deflector on my E85 was badly fitted even though it was an original factory option. There was a gap between the air deflector and the top of the plastic trim which let in a draft. On anything other than the warmest day this was really annoying, I used to block it up with a scarf so that I didn't get a stiff neck. I notice your perspex one has the same problem, except yours has a larger gap than mine. This may be the cause of the problem.

Mike

 

[t-tony]

You have to have one of those first though. I personally think the overall height is the issue and the OEM ones aren't particularly good by comparison anyway, learnt that with the 20k+ miles I did in my first one. Just need access to a wind tunnel to prove my hypothesis.

Perhaps the way to go is like littlefeller and Sean d have made theirs then mate, gives room for trial ind error?

Tony.

 

[billz]

I used to have the perspex fitted to the Z3 and found that in summer it was great but in the winter because of the natural flow of the air it was too cold. I know this will be the same with the Z4 as the air has no where to go but rebound back off a perspex one the same as having no deflector as the wind will go over you and in turn is dragged back onto you, with the mesh it passes through and the return air going over the top is met by the air going through the mesh hence limiting the amount of air that is getting pulled back into the cabin. If i was you i would have a winter and summer set up, that is what i used to do and never had any issues

 

[Grumps]

Z4 Perspex Wind deflector update.

Didn't get chance to post this up before as I've been busy, but the deflector was removed after 5 miles and I'm arranging a refund. At motorway speeds it deflects more cold air in to the cabin than without one. Had to take it off as I was getting too cold - granted it was around 1-2 degrees, but once the deflector was off I quickly warmed up again. You could feel it pushing the hot air from the vents away from you.

It seems to channel the wind downwards and then forwards in to the cabin. Also because the perspex sits against metal roll hoops the wind makes it resonate and produces an annoying rattle. You can feel the perspex wobbling in the air flow whilst moving.

Rather disappointed as the perspex style works really well on the Z3, but not very well at all on the Z4. Back to the drawing board, but looks like I'll be looking for an OEM style and have to put up with the mesh.

What don't you like about the mesh ones Gaz? I get on with mine OK.

 

[GazHyde]

Thanks Billz, I get what you are saying. I don't think any of the available options have ever been properly tested. I'm tempted to knock up a crude test with an industrial fan and a smoke source. I'm really interested in how the air flows over the top of the hoops.

What don't you like about the mesh ones Gaz? I get on with mine OK.

I don't like the restricted vision, and the way headlights behind get blurred behind.

 

[GazHyde]

Brace yourselves for the latest update

Been looking on and off at strut braces and one came up on Z4 Forum as a bargain I couldn't resist. It's a Cosmo Racing 3 point strut brace, which provides the usual brace and also replaces the 2 standard firewall braces for the overall bling look. They are around $250 +shipping and import duty, so £100 was a bargain!

Also no worries about insurance, as I've already had it listed on my policy with our resident Zed insurance executive

It's in need of a lot of polishing as it's filthy and has a few nicks in it, but the plan will be to have it powder coated in the near future. Obligatory pics.

There is an issue with some of the Z4 strut braces covering the oil filler cap on the N52 engine making it really tricky to add oil, but this clears it just fine!

 

[billz]

That should look well smart when its all polished up Gaz

 

[5harp3y]

Powder coated satin black that wilk look really good

 

[Grumps]

Any obvious changes to the handling Gaz?

 

[t-tony]

Polished alloy would be my choice, but I'm more interested in if you feel any difference in the handling aspect Gaz, after you've fitted the Eibach springs. Certainly a good deal at £100 too.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Any obvious changes to the handling Gaz?

Not fitted it yet, it's just balanced on to check clearances. Will feed back when it is though!

 

[GazHyde]

Polished alloy would be my choice

Yeah, you like shiny though

I'm going to be doing something special under the bonnet later in the year, so it will be coloured to blend in with that

 

[Grumps]

Tony is a bit of a shiny fan lol! I bought my car with a strut and chassis brace on so don't know any different but it has been asked a lot on here how much difference they actually make. If none they do look good tho when you pop the bonnet.

 

[t-tony]

I think that they do Dave, but with the Z4 already having the two braces back to the bulkhead it's hard to get an honest opinion as to whether they do on a Z4. Most people I've asked have bought a car with it already fitted so can't really say what's it's like without. I'm pinning my hope on Gaz being able to tell me.

Tony.