Wind deflectors

[Connor]

Calling all Z4 wind deflector owners!

As some may be aware I'm in the last year of my engineering design degree at university and part of that is to design a product and do some 'engineering' so I've decided to design/test a wind deflector for my Z4.

I need to do some research as to what's currently on the market. I'll be creating some current models in CAD but to do that I need dimensions as I've not got one myself. would anyone with a wind deflector be so kind to get me some dimensions?

It'd be a great help and you'll also get a mention in my report

If anyone can help please let me know.

Thanks,

Connor.

 

[David]

@Connor, if I can remove mine without having to take the hardtop off I can draw you a template and post it up to you, if you like?

 

[GazHyde]

If you are looking to make a Perspex style you will need to look into the shape as the one I bought made air ingress in to the cabin worse. it forced the air down the back of the seats, underneath and straight in to the foot wells. I drove with it in for about 5 miles, removed it and got an immediate refund.

I think the problem lies that the Z4 roll hoops sit higher up, and more level with the windscreen (unlike the Z3). This makes the top sit in the airflow and catch it. It would also vibrate badly against the metal roll hoop covers.

I typed up some thoughts in another thread which I'll try and find and link here later. The mesh ones work best from my experience, but I'm sure there is a way to make it work better!

 

[Connor]

@Connor, if I can remove mine without having to take the hardtop off I can draw you a template and post it up to you, if you like?

Hi David, That would be excellent! Thanks.
Let me know if you can remove it and I'll PM you my address and sort the postage out.

If you are looking to make a Perspex style you will need to look into the shape as the one I bought made air ingress in to the cabin worse. it forced the air down the back of the seats, underneath and straight in to the foot wells. I drove with it in for about 5 miles, removed it and got an immediate refund.

I think the problem lies that the Z4 roll hoops sit higher up, and more level with the windscreen (unlike the Z3). This makes the top sit in the airflow and catch it. It would also vibrate badly against the metal roll hoop covers.

I typed up some thoughts in another thread which I'll try and find and link here later. The mesh ones work best from my experience, but I'm sure there is a way to make it work better!

Hi Gaz,
I have read that thread and it doesn't sound ideal! I will be carrying out CFD Analysis which will analyse the air flow over the vehicle. This will allow me to improve the design and hopefully come up with a decent deflector! I'll test the various types to see what effect the mesh one has compared to the Perspex one.

Connor

 

[5harp3y]

Hi David, That would be excellent! Thanks.
Let me know if you can remove it and I'll PM you my address and sort the postage out.


Hi Gaz,
I have read that thread and it doesn't sound ideal! I will be carrying out CFD Analysis which will analyse the air flow over the vehicle. This will allow me to improve the design and hopefully come up with a decent deflector! I'll test the various types to see what effect the mesh one has compared to the Perspex one.

Connor

defo think a mesh one is more effective as it allows a certain amount of air through

 

[t-tony]

I had a Perspex one made for my original mesh type, it fits behind the mesh and in all honesty it doesn't affect the turbulence in the cabin one way or the other I have found. No better - no worse.

Tony.

 

[billz]

I would say you definitely need some sort of mesh deflector as the air going over the top and swirling back is counter acted by the air flowing through the mesh

 

[ppavuk]

I had a Perspex one made for my original mesh type, it fits behind the mesh and in all honesty it doesn't affect the turbulence in the cabin one way or the other I have found. No better - no worse.
View attachment 44761

Tony.

Did you fit persplex to original frame? I have oem deflector, but it started to disintegrate, the mesh is coming out from the frame. would be nice to put plexiglas instead of mesh, must improve back visibility over winter time. Or else i perhaps try to fix oem.

 

[t-tony]

Did you fit persplex to original frame? I have oem deflector, but it started to disintegrate, the mesh is coming out from the frame. would be nice to put plexiglas instead of mesh, must improve back visibility over winter time. Or else i perhaps try to fix oem.

Hi Peter, the clear Perspex with the mesh behind it does improve the glare from headlights behind at this time of year. I may be getting some of these made early next year, but not if someone does them first.

Tony.