Effectiveness of wind deflector for e88

JimD · 08-10-2009, 06:59 AM

I just got my wind deflector Saturday and drove to work with the top down (too hot here to go home that way comfortably). I go on the interstate for most of the way at speeds up to 65 or so. My first 7 miles is at a 45 mph speed limit, however.

My impression is that the wind deflector makes about the same difference in turbulence as rolling the windows up. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think anybody has characterized it this way. I go through my development with the windows down and then roll them up after accelerating to 45 mph. I noticed I left the windows down for a few miles at 45 mph and then I figured out why. I then rolled the windows up and could easily detect that the turbulence dropped again.

For anybody still thinking about the deflector, I thought I would pass that along. It's a lot for basically nicely formed plastic but it does make a difference and it seems like it will hold up. I got mine on ebay motors for $350 + $12 shipping for $362 total. The pivot arrangement on the drivers side is a bit of a concern but it works. Turbulence is not too bad to me without the deflector but definitely is reduced by the deflector. And it is easy to put in and out (it is spring loaded and you just put pins into the two holes on each side in the back that are in the sides for this purpose and then attach the hinge on the drivers side - the hardest part but not so hard once you get it).

Jim

BlackjackMulligan · 08-10-2009, 07:31 AM

Good review, thanks. It's something that I've been on the fence about for a while.

annsue · 08-10-2009, 11:49 AM

How do you lower it while it's still in place? Is that possible? It doesn't seem to want to do it willingly - I'm afraid I'll break something if I force it.

amybang · 08-10-2009, 12:43 PM

As a woman with shoulder-length hair, let me offer this assessment...

With the top down and no other accommodations, I have to wear a baseball cap to contain my hair while driving. Not to keep it nice or anything, but to keep it from dangerously whipping in my face.

With the top down and the windows up, I still need the baseball cap. Not as severely, but noticeably.

With the top down and the wind deflector up only, I need no baseball cap. I still have to run a brush through my hair when I'm done driving, but it's not that bad.

With the top down and the windows up and the wind deflector up, well, I should have bought the coupe with the sun roof!

I have a good friend who rides with me a lot and her hair is much longer than mine. She has the same findings.

I know you guys are mostly interested in the wind deflector for the benefit of your female passengers, so there you go.

amy!

amybang · 08-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annsue

How do you lower it while it's still in place? Is that possible? It doesn't seem to want to do it willingly - I'm afraid I'll break something if I force it.

You just push it slightly and it flips right down.

I usually keep it in place unless I'm driving people in the back seat. However, when the top is up, I don't want to have it interfering with the rear visibility so I push it down. When the top is up again, I just reach over my left shoulder and give it a small tug and it pulls right back up into place.

amy!

oneintheory · 08-10-2009, 12:46 PM

I used my wind deflector all winter at temperatures of down to 15ºF, and only my right ear got cold. thing works like a charm.

annsue · 08-10-2009, 02:23 PM

Thanks so much, Amy - it did go down when I gave it a firm little push. I was afraid to do that before, since it's made of plastic and I didn't want anything to snap off. I was getting really tired of looking through a "screen" out my back window when the top was up!

I have short hair and with the wind deflector combined with the Miracle of Hair Spray, you can't even tell I've been driving a convertible with the top down when I arrive at my destination.

JimD · 08-10-2009, 03:37 PM

I still get a bit of turbulence with the deflector and the windows up. My hair is far from shoulder length and can't get in my eyes but what I have left on top moves around some - but if it didn't it would be like a sunroof on a sedan. My hair ends up fluffed a bit more than normal by the time I get to work (no blowdryer or hairspray for me).

My head may be a little closer to the top of the windshield than some - I purposely place myself an inch or two off the top when it is up.

Jim

warmtoes · 08-10-2009, 04:39 PM

I find the deflector helps a lot during cold weather driving more than now in the summer. When you feel that cold air hitting the back of your neck you will be thankful you can flip up the deflector.

And, I can count on one hand the times I've driven with the top down and the windows up. It just looks goofy.

annsue · 08-10-2009, 05:20 PM

I should add that my hair blows around a whole lot more when I'm riding in my husband's Infiniti with the windows down and the sunroof open than when I'm in my convertible with the windows down and the wind deflector up. Go figure!

Jammer005 · 08-10-2009, 06:53 PM

So far I'm liking my new deflector I purchased this month but since it's summer time the real benefit is for my wife and daughters long hair. It's easy to see the difference because you can simply reach back and flip it down or up while you are driving.

But for myself, I am expecting that it will extend my early spring and late fall driving by a month on either end tied in with running the heater.

But, I will point out that I don't like looking out the mesh on the screen. Because I have a heavy foot, I'm always keeping my eyes out for police and I do find that I have to strain more and use my side mirrors to get a sharp image of what's behind me, especially in the evening.
Also, as I mentioned on an earlier thread - the screen does wobble/flex at higher speeds, which I find a bit distracting - but I'll get used to it.

singular · 08-10-2009, 07:48 PM

I see the wind deflector as a definite must-have.

I've driven almost exclusively top-down since the rains in northern California stopped in March, soon after I got my 135.

With the deflector up, I can drive with the windows down at higher speeds. I pretty much only put the windows up when I'm on the highway doing 65+. And that's mostly to cut road noise so I can hear my tunes or talk.

Yeah, it's pretty expensive for what you get. But, IMO, it's worth it. I might feel different if I lived elsewhere where I can't go top-down as much, but, in that case, I might have gotten a coupe!

Zuzu · 08-10-2009, 10:25 PM

The wind deflector is an absolute must on a cold chilly day..

I dont understand how the OP could find any difference with the deflector in place. My wife like Amybang has long hair where I have chosen the shaven head look and like Amy said it does make a huge difference.

During the warmer days in summer the deflector doesnt see daylight..

But it is a must to keep that chilly breeze from hitting the back of your head/neck. I have driven in 5 Deg Celuis temp with the roof down and deflector and windows up with the heated seats on...BLISS....

BrokenVert · 08-10-2009, 11:44 PM

I never really cared enough about the wind in the cockpit to buy the wind deflector. Although I did borrow one and I was impressed at how still the air was. That being said I have gone top down and windows down on 15 degree days and loved it. I had a hat, jackets, and gloves. I was fine.

That being said, it would make my gf very happy. She doesnt let me put the top down b/c of her hair.

Zuzu · 08-11-2009, 12:58 AM

If it wasnt for the missus I would rather just rug up in a warm coat and hat, than have the deflector up in the rear..

Dont really care for the look of it...

I think it could have been about 4-6 inches lower..have looked at modding it up..

BrokenVert · 08-11-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

I think it could have been about 4-6 inches lower..have looked at modding it up..

It always did seem like a great place to put a trunk monkey

TagMan · 08-11-2009, 10:07 AM

The wind deflector increases the choices of conditions inside the cockpit. There are occassions when turbulence needs to be contained, and instead of having to close the top, the windscreen allows the top to remain open and still provide a calm environment.

As far as the windscreen's appearance goes, I think it looks cool, although it is most often folded down or stowed away.

Also, since I seldom wear a coat or jacket, once in a while those early mornings and evenings can get chilly outside. Instead of putting on any warmer clothes, I can still keep the top open and use the windscreen and windows with the heater turned on.

When using the climate control, the vehicle's interior heat is far better contained with the use of the windscreen than without.

TM

08-10-2009, 06:59 AM	#1
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Effectiveness of wind deflector for e88 I just got my wind deflector Saturday and drove to work with the top down (too hot here to go home that way comfortably). I go on the interstate for most of the way at speeds up to 65 or so. My first 7 miles is at a 45 mph speed limit, however. My impression is that the wind deflector makes about the same difference in turbulence as rolling the windows up. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think anybody has characterized it this way. I go through my development with the windows down and then roll them up after accelerating to 45 mph. I noticed I left the windows down for a few miles at 45 mph and then I figured out why. I then rolled the windows up and could easily detect that the turbulence dropped again. For anybody still thinking about the deflector, I thought I would pass that along. It's a lot for basically nicely formed plastic but it does make a difference and it seems like it will hold up. I got mine on ebay motors for $350 + $12 shipping for $362 total. The pivot arrangement on the drivers side is a bit of a concern but it works. Turbulence is not too bad to me without the deflector but definitely is reduced by the deflector. And it is easy to put in and out (it is spring loaded and you just put pins into the two holes on each side in the back that are in the sides for this purpose and then attach the hinge on the drivers side - the hardest part but not so hard once you get it). Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-10-2009, 07:31 AM	#2
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	Good review, thanks. It's something that I've been on the fence about for a while. __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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08-10-2009, 11:49 AM	#3
annsue Private 0 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2008 135i convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	How do you lower it while it's still in place? Is that possible? It doesn't seem to want to do it willingly - I'm afraid I'll break something if I force it.
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08-10-2009, 12:43 PM	#4
amybang ... and Orca too! 29 Rep 845 Posts Drives: 128i Convertible (AW/CR) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Belmont, MA iTrader: (0)	As a woman with shoulder-length hair, let me offer this assessment... With the top down and no other accommodations, I have to wear a baseball cap to contain my hair while driving. Not to keep it nice or anything, but to keep it from dangerously whipping in my face. With the top down and the windows up, I still need the baseball cap. Not as severely, but noticeably. With the top down and the wind deflector up only, I need no baseball cap. I still have to run a brush through my hair when I'm done driving, but it's not that bad. With the top down and the windows up and the wind deflector up, well, I should have bought the coupe with the sun roof! I have a good friend who rides with me a lot and her hair is much longer than mine. She has the same findings. I know you guys are mostly interested in the wind deflector for the benefit of your female passengers, so there you go. amy!
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08-10-2009, 12:46 PM	#6
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	I used my wind deflector all winter at temperatures of down to 15ºF, and only my right ear got cold. thing works like a charm.
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08-10-2009, 02:23 PM	#7
annsue Private 0 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2008 135i convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	Thanks so much, Amy - it did go down when I gave it a firm little push. I was afraid to do that before, since it's made of plastic and I didn't want anything to snap off. I was getting really tired of looking through a "screen" out my back window when the top was up! I have short hair and with the wind deflector combined with the Miracle of Hair Spray, you can't even tell I've been driving a convertible with the top down when I arrive at my destination.
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08-10-2009, 03:37 PM	#8
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I still get a bit of turbulence with the deflector and the windows up. My hair is far from shoulder length and can't get in my eyes but what I have left on top moves around some - but if it didn't it would be like a sunroof on a sedan. My hair ends up fluffed a bit more than normal by the time I get to work (no blowdryer or hairspray for me). My head may be a little closer to the top of the windshield than some - I purposely place myself an inch or two off the top when it is up. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-10-2009, 04:39 PM	#9
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	I find the deflector helps a lot during cold weather driving more than now in the summer. When you feel that cold air hitting the back of your neck you will be thankful you can flip up the deflector. And, I can count on one hand the times I've driven with the top down and the windows up. It just looks goofy. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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08-10-2009, 05:20 PM	#10
annsue Private 0 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2008 135i convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	I should add that my hair blows around a whole lot more when I'm riding in my husband's Infiniti with the windows down and the sunroof open than when I'm in my convertible with the windows down and the wind deflector up. Go figure!
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08-10-2009, 06:53 PM	#11
Jammer005 Private 2 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Cab Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	So far I'm liking my new deflector I purchased this month but since it's summer time the real benefit is for my wife and daughters long hair. It's easy to see the difference because you can simply reach back and flip it down or up while you are driving. But for myself, I am expecting that it will extend my early spring and late fall driving by a month on either end tied in with running the heater. But, I will point out that I don't like looking out the mesh on the screen. Because I have a heavy foot, I'm always keeping my eyes out for police and I do find that I have to strain more and use my side mirrors to get a sharp image of what's behind me, especially in the evening. Also, as I mentioned on an earlier thread - the screen does wobble/flex at higher speeds, which I find a bit distracting - but I'll get used to it.
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08-10-2009, 07:48 PM	#12
singular Captain 20 Rep 935 Posts Drives: BSM 135i ppk cab Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I see the wind deflector as a definite must-have. I've driven almost exclusively top-down since the rains in northern California stopped in March, soon after I got my 135. With the deflector up, I can drive with the windows down at higher speeds. I pretty much only put the windows up when I'm on the highway doing 65+. And that's mostly to cut road noise so I can hear my tunes or talk. Yeah, it's pretty expensive for what you get. But, IMO, it's worth it. I might feel different if I lived elsewhere where I can't go top-down as much, but, in that case, I might have gotten a coupe!
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08-10-2009, 10:25 PM	#13
Zuzu Major General 2815 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	The wind deflector is an absolute must on a cold chilly day.. I dont understand how the OP could find any difference with the deflector in place. My wife like Amybang has long hair where I have chosen the shaven head look and like Amy said it does make a huge difference. During the warmer days in summer the deflector doesnt see daylight.. But it is a must to keep that chilly breeze from hitting the back of your head/neck. I have driven in 5 Deg Celuis temp with the roof down and deflector and windows up with the heated seats on...BLISS....
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08-10-2009, 11:44 PM	#14
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I never really cared enough about the wind in the cockpit to buy the wind deflector. Although I did borrow one and I was impressed at how still the air was. That being said I have gone top down and windows down on 15 degree days and loved it. I had a hat, jackets, and gloves. I was fine. That being said, it would make my gf very happy. She doesnt let me put the top down b/c of her hair. __________________
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08-11-2009, 12:58 AM	#15
Zuzu Major General 2815 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	If it wasnt for the missus I would rather just rug up in a warm coat and hat, than have the deflector up in the rear.. Dont really care for the look of it... I think it could have been about 4-6 inches lower..have looked at modding it up..
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08-11-2009, 10:07 AM	#17
TagMan Car Addict!! 60 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California iTrader: (0)	The wind deflector increases the choices of conditions inside the cockpit. There are occassions when turbulence needs to be contained, and instead of having to close the top, the windscreen allows the top to remain open and still provide a calm environment. As far as the windscreen's appearance goes, I think it looks cool, although it is most often folded down or stowed away. Also, since I seldom wear a coat or jacket, once in a while those early mornings and evenings can get chilly outside. Instead of putting on any warmer clothes, I can still keep the top open and use the windscreen and windows with the heater turned on. When using the climate control, the vehicle's interior heat is far better contained with the use of the windscreen than without. TM __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible
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