Wind Deflector Plans

[this.Rupe]

I'm looking to either build my own wind deflector from plexiglass or have a shop make it for me locally and was wondering if anyone has some plans drawn up already?

Attached is an image of what I would like to make.
- A pattern that fits the BMW Z3 1999
- Clear plexi glass
- Doesn't need the etched logo but it would be a plus
- holes cut to add the fastening straps

Does anyone have the pattern I could use to get this setup or point me in the direction that would help?

 

[Nodzed]

Hi. Plenty on here have had these made or purchased @Lee may be able to help with a template. FYI just a few points, the plexiglass ones are not as effective as the mesh ones (or at least that's my opinion having had both on a Z3 and Z4) and unless you modify the part above the top box you cant open the lid, but someone on here and I cant remember who made a version that didn't stop the lid opening. They may even pop on and advise.

 

[Iamjonw]

Some options on here, they may help?

Wind Deflectors for BMW Z3

If you have a BMW Z3 read this blog. For everything you need to know about wind deflectors, roll bars and fitting a wind deflector to your BMW Z3.

www.justroadster.com

Shows what is available already.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Hi. Plenty on here have had these made or purchased @Lee may be able to help with a template. FYI just a few points, the plexiglass ones are not as effective as the mesh ones (or at least that's my opinion having had both on a Z3 and Z4) and unless you modify the part above the top box you cant open the lid, but someone on here and I cant remember who made a version that didn't stop the lid opening. They may even pop on and advise.

There you go Nodzed.

How To Guide - Perspex wind deflector mod

As many of you are aware, if you have a standard Perspex wind deflector, access to the Z3 cubby box is impossible without removing it first. So I came up with this easy fix so that you can gain access to store your trinkets. 1. Enlarge the bottom inner cutouts by around 4mm. I used a fret...

zroadster.org

 

[Nodzed]

There you go Nodzed.

How To Guide - Perspex wind deflector mod

As many of you are aware, if you have a standard Perspex wind deflector, access to the Z3 cubby box is impossible without removing it first. So I came up with this easy fix so that you can gain access to store your trinkets. 1. Enlarge the bottom inner cutouts by around 4mm. I used a fret...

zroadster.org

Knew someone had done it

 

[this.Rupe]

Hi. Plenty on here have had these made or purchased @Lee may be able to help with a template. FYI just a few points, the plexiglass ones are not as effective as the mesh ones (or at least that's my opinion having had both on a Z3 and Z4) and unless you modify the part above the top box you cant open the lid, but someone on here and I cant remember who made a version that didn't stop the lid opening. They may even pop on and advise.

Appreciate the fast response with great suggestions!
My car has the subwoofer in the center storage area so I don't get to use that extra storage anyway.

When comparing the mesh and plexiglass, what makes the mesh better?

Is the mesh better at sealing against the roll bars because it is flexible?

@Lee do you have a template created or have suggestions on making my own?
I recognize I won't be able to print it out on my personal printer but perhaps I could draft a digital image to send and get cut with a cnc router.
Would I need to do that in a CAD program?

 

[Martin Sullivan]

Good morning,

Ive had a good meet with Lee a few weeks ago and I’ve taken over making the wind deflectors. The local firm he used are nice guys but they’re costs have rocketed. I’ve since found another firm and I’ve got a prototype made, I just need to confirm the batch run. It’s a minimum of 17 units at a time which is a not an insubstantial commitment.

Most Perspex companies won’t touch one offs as it’s too much work and will end up being cost prohibitive.

The wind deflector is made to be very close to Lee’s design.
It is 5mm clear Perspex and retained in place with Velcro straps.
I’m looking to sell them for £65 plus postage which I think is very close to Lee’s original price.

Ill get a few photos added shortly.

 

[Martin Sullivan]

Ignore any scratches as it’s still got it’s protective film over it

 

[Nodzed]

When comparing the mesh and plexiglass, what makes the mesh better?

The deflectors are there to stop air coming in from the rear of the car caused by a vortex created by fast air going over the windscreen and recirculating back into the car, the mesh ones allow a small amount of air to pass through to aid with buffeting, with the plexi ones this air just hits a solid wall, they work fine and certainly better than not having one at all, just not as smoothly as the mesh ones in my experience.

 

[JimS]

Mesh deflectors allow some slipstream air back into the cabin to fill the partial vacuum created by the air passing over the windscreen, which generally calms things down in the top half of the cabin, but still deflects the majority of the turbulent slipstream air.

Some cars, for example Boxster and later MX5, have solid deflector sheets fitted as standard between the headrests, but not behind them. Indeed, the latest Z4 has a mesh deflector that fits between the headrests but not behind them and that works pretty well even at high speeds.
That suggests with a solid sheet, less might be better than more. It may be worth experimenting with both height and width, to get best result.

 

[Sajk]

I have plexi one for my z3. You can use the storage box as long as you fix the deflector to the rear of the roll bars. I had my oem one repaired about 8 months ago and fitted that. It works much better than the plexi in my opinion but they are hard to find now. I never used to use it when the Z was my daily and I have no idea why as it's so much better with it than without.

 

[hard top]

This is a copy & paste of a photo from the WWW and is the wind deflector that I had and if I remember correctly, I think that it is called the type 2.

​

 

[MisterP007]

Hi there,

Easy to make and do not foul the storage bin if fitted to the rear of the roll-hoops:

1. Cardboard template.
2. 5 mm Plexiglass.
3. Jigsaw on slow speed with a fine metal blade attached.
4. Sand the edges with progressively increasing sandpaper grit 80, 120, 240, 400, 600, 1200, 2400.
5. Polish surfaces with Brasso (yes Brasso!) on a rotary foam buffer.
6. Polish off with microfibre cloth.
7. Holes for the velcro straps need opening out with a dremel.
8. Print the required logo/graphics on paper and tape in place.
9. Knife through the outline to scratch Plexi with the logo/graphics (carefully and lightly).
10. Remove paper and tape.
11. Use a Dremel to carefully engrave the logo/graphics.
12. You could paint fill the logo/graphics in any colour, I left mine in the raw engraving.
13. Strap to hoops and you are done.

Result: Working wind-break, no idea if it is better or worse than mesh as I have never had a mesh version. To my mind looks 1000 times better than mesh, but each to their own.