THE CURE FOR THE OEM ELASTIC STRAP/CLIP

[Southernboy]

When I bought Scarab II, it came with an OEM wind deflector, but without the 2 elastic straps / hooks etc to fix it to the front side. Having had them on Scarab I in the past, I was aware of the elastic eventually stretching to the point where it was practically useless. I bought 2 "Lift the dot" fasteners off eBay, and fitted them to the front of the wind deflector, and having 2 spare OEM ball fasteners of the type used to hold the rear side of the deflector I fitted them into the front plastic trim (self tapping screw thread needs a 3mm bit to make the hole and a 9mm socket to screw the thing in).
Fitting the fasteners is easy and quick, and the entire task took no more than 20 minutes. It is neat and effective, and won't stretch anything again...
The line you see at the bottom of the fastener is the slot through which the elastic passed before. I didn't bother trying to hide it, but one could by fitting the fastener slightly lower....

 

[Boysie]

clever ole barry

 

[Brian4]

Just need some new Knicker elastic and all sorted.

 

[bonzo]

Just need some new Knicker elastic and all sorted.

You wear knickers?

 

[Boysie]

He'll get all uptight now

 

[bonzo]

I prefer a bit of movement!

 

[GazHyde]

Keep on topic please.

 

[Sailorbaz]

Have been looking for a thread showing exactly where the brackets for the 'snap clip' connectors fit onto behind the seats but can't find a diagram or indeed a photo. Maybe I'm missing something completely simple but they sort of slip under a piece of trim and come out very easily, surely this can't be BMW's quality workmanship.

It's a OEM deflector like the one in this image... and the part in question is number 2, surely this part must fit tightly in somewhere. Any photos would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Boysie]

I'll try and look on my original deflector, it's in a bag in the garage somewhere

 

[Southernboy]

I'll try and look on my original deflector, it's in a bag in the garage somewhere

You are absolutely correct about the "hooks" clipping under the plastic trim...It's really pathetic, and because the elastic straps eventually stretch, it makes those hooks even less useful because they tend to literally drop out from under the trim. That's why I fitted the "lift the dot " fasteners... It's a permanent ant neat option, and it's actually easier to fit and remove.

 

[Sailorbaz]

You are absolutely correct about the "hooks" clipping under the plastic trim...It's really pathetic, and because the elastic straps eventually stretch, it makes those hooks even less useful because they tend to literally drop out from under the trim. That's why I fitted the "lift the dot " fasteners... It's a permanent ant neat option, and it's actually easier to fit and remove.

That's a pish setup and disappointing it's not better from BMW. I may have to employ the 'lift-the-dot' method mention by Southernboy above there.

Cheers,
Guys.

 

[Southernboy]

That's a pish setup and disappointing it's not better from BMW. I may have to employ the 'lift-the-dot' method mention by Southernboy above there.

Cheers,
Guys.

Best move ! you just need 2 of the self tapping "ball" fittings like the ones it fits into at the back and 2 of those lift the dot clips available from eBay or from a camping / boating supplies store. They're commonly used for clipping down tents / tarpaulins etc etc... get the ones with the long tabs !! Also, there are cheap copies of the original, but the actual "Lift the Dot" brand are really good quality.

 

[amancuso]

Great idea!