Sun visor extenders
Sun visor extenders
Has any one tried extending their sun visors to act as a wind deflector to push the air up and over the occupants?
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
You would need a well engineered "wing" to do that... If you have noticed, the predominant airflow in the cockpit is from behind with the roof down... To generate a smooth airflow over the top of the windscreen to fully eliminate the wind blast requires a plane which will not disrupt the air into a turbulence once it clears the windscreen. That is why fitting the OEM or other wind deflector to the roll hoops cuts out 80% of the wind issue. and if you have one and drive with the windows up it is reduced even more. Extending the sun visors won't do much to reduce wind blast and may add to general wind noise.
Re: Sun visor extenders
Thanks for the reply.I did drive a z3 with a deflector in place and I still got wind blasted . I've fitted after market roll hoops to my car so no chance of a deflector .I just wondered if anyone had tried it.
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- Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
- Posts: 683
Re: Sun visor extenders
its part of the fun of driving topless
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
- Posts: 2093
- Location: Daglan, France
Re: Sun visor extenders
The OEM mesh wind blocker is very good, and gives a large reduction in buffeting. Being mesh, it allows a proportion of air to pass throughit, so 'filling' the cockpit area and increasing tis effect. You could get a nice lady to make one to fit your after-market bars.
Of course, if you have shiny bars you prbably do not want to cover them up, but a perspex wind blocker is better than nothing. It depends on whether you prefer fashion or function. After a 600 mile run I know which I prefer . . .
Of course, if you have shiny bars you prbably do not want to cover them up, but a perspex wind blocker is better than nothing. It depends on whether you prefer fashion or function. After a 600 mile run I know which I prefer . . .
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: Sun visor extenders
I can sympathise with this although I use the OEM mesh blocker I still get a lot of buffeting on my forehead which can lead to headaches after longer journeys. I was thinking about his after driving back from Somerset on Saturday had a nice drive back but with a headache by the time I got back and was thinking of some kind of front deflector to divert the wind over my head.
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Re: Sun visor extenders
I took swmbo on a 100 mile first run out In my z3 yesterday, I have a plastic rear deflector behind the roll bars the only draft she unnoticed was on the top of her head but she said a hat would stop that
peter2b
peter2b
Re: Sun visor extenders
It would mess my hair up a hat I suppose I'll ask my mother if she has a head scarf spare
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
doesn't your seat motor lowering mechanism work.....
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sun visor extenders
It's his head that's too high, not his backside!Southernboy wrote:doesn't your seat motor lowering mechanism work.....
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
one of those "detached" sorts is he....
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- Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
- Posts: 1733
- Location: Manchester
Re: Sun visor extenders
Would be nice if the seat did go lower lower but still gives me a good feeling every time the suns out, top down and some country lanes to cruise can't beat it.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
Re: Sun visor extenders
If you don't have a passenger, dropping just the passenger side window removes the draught from the driver. Sounds weird but it works.
Dave.
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
Re: Sun visor extenders
my smart roadster had some small plastic aerofoils just above the windscreen which helped to move the swirling air over your head, from memory they were pretty small & discreet.;
regards
regards
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sun visor extenders
Indeed - my friend has one, and I was looking at them recently. They're very similar in profile to the small stick-on boot spoilers that some of us have on the Z3 (this sort of thing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-SPOILE ... 20b7d4c93a) but only a few inches wide. I had wondered about trying a bit of plastic with a similar profile just above the windscreen, just as an experiment. And yes, I realise that the aerofoils on the Smart would have been developed in a wind tunnel rather than just stuck on by someone, but I'm up for a non-scientific experiment.Smartbear wrote:my smart roadster had some small plastic aerofoils just above the windscreen which helped to move the swirling air over your head, from memory they were pretty small & discreet.;
regards
Re: Sun visor extenders
they seem to work well. i got a shotgun ride in a smart roadster with my work mate at a track day and at 80mph it had very little buffeting.Smartbear wrote:my smart roadster had some small plastic aerofoils just above the windscreen which helped to move the swirling air over your head, from memory they were pretty small & discreet.;
regards
i did, however, feel the front end was starting to lift a bit more than i was comfortable with and he joked that the little aerofoils were to stop the car from taking off
i love the sound of the turbo flutter you get with those when you let off. sort of reminds me of the sound a skyline makes on let off.
Re: Sun visor extenders
A wing at the top of the windscreen does work, if you can't use the mesh rear deflector.
But it looks a bit silly. Have you seen the Mercedes convertibles with the wing fitted? Sunny day, driver and passenger with a coat on, windows up, wing deflector extended above windscreen, rear deflector fitted behind seats.....why bother, just leave the hardtop on lol
But it looks a bit silly. Have you seen the Mercedes convertibles with the wing fitted? Sunny day, driver and passenger with a coat on, windows up, wing deflector extended above windscreen, rear deflector fitted behind seats.....why bother, just leave the hardtop on lol
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- Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
- Posts: 683
Re: Sun visor extenders
exactly, its called wind in your hair for a reason (if you still have some). I fully understand if your on a long drive it might get abit much, just pull over and put the roof up. there that's better, then after a while you can stop again and put it back down
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
The main discomfort is the wind in one's ears... and a simple remedy is to use ear plugs if you're doing a long trip and want the roof down. Yes, you won't hear the music as clearly, or the terrified screams from the passenger seat, but you will be a lot more comfortable...
Re: Sun visor extenders
It's just the discomfort after a distance on my forehead and the following headaches that get me that any long distances I have to do in stages with the top up and down which I hate doing.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
.........did you ever wear a sweat band in the 70's.......
Re: Sun visor extenders
Take a couple of headache pills before starting off
I always have both windows down. try experimenting with the windows at different heights.
I always have both windows down. try experimenting with the windows at different heights.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
Re: Sun visor extenders
Proberly just need to slow down a bit, only problem being in a hurry to commute home from North Somerset to North Oxfordshire and taking the A303 and A34 can tax my licence at times.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
Re: Sun visor extenders
I found if im only doing about 50mph no problem but at 70+ i get a lot of buffing and noise ( not swmbo)to over come these i turn up the voluum on the cd player and wear a hat
Peter2b
Peter2b
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
If you are determined to have a wind deflector at the top of the windscreen, PM me...I have the solution to your requirement....
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sun visor extenders
Do share!!Southernboy wrote:If you are determined to have a wind deflector at the top of the windscreen, PM me...I have the solution to your requirement....
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
I have a very simple design solution for a fitting which will be removable, but when fitted will provide a deflector. Very cheap and easy to fabricate... in fact, shouldn't take more than an hour to knock out...
if you want the recipe... PM me..I'll give it to you.
if you want the recipe... PM me..I'll give it to you.
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- Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
- Posts: 683
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- Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
- Posts: 683
Re: Sun visor extenders
tried this last night, though mine were a little larger, I must admit I was sceptical that these would make any difference at all. I tried the photo one first, then I elongated it and tried again, the result - flipinek it does actually work (though only directly on top of the head) elongated it on next run and yes it extended it to my whole head but still getting reduced buffeting around the ears. I now have a plastcine stain on my new windscreen but for the interests of z evolution it was ok. must have looked real odd as I drove along making adjustments to it, but even with just your hand over the top you can feel that having something there does change the amount of wind in the cockpit.
- Southernboy
- Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
- Posts: 6436
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: Sun visor extenders
I assume from the picture, you don't have a mesh or other wind deflector at the back, which would reduce the wind further.
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- Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
- Posts: 683
Re: Sun visor extenders
no I haven't, I like the windy bit
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- Joined: Thu 29 May, 2014 08:49
- Posts: 349
- Location: Lancashire
Re: Sun visor extenders
Hi littlegella. My 1960's DA (Ducks Arse) rear hair style gets to look more like a pair of busted seagulls wings even with my mesh deflector in position and the windows up.littlefeller wrote:its part of the fun of driving topless
That said - at regular road speeds of up-to about 50mph I can drive with the windows down with little or no displacement of my ageing/greying hair.
I have taken to wearing a Leather Australian Bushman's/Cowboy Hat whilst driving with the hood down. Even on the motorway and at slightly OTT speeds it is not an issue with "Lift-Off" albeit I have made and fitted a lanyard with a sliding lock as a "Belt & Braces" job for those really heavy and blustery crosswind days.
Happiness is a well kept Z3 and preferably running with the hood down - weather permitting.
Re: Sun visor extenders
I love those bushman styled hats but alas I look a right tit in hats.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Sun visor extenders
What about a hair net?Althulas wrote:I love those bushman styled hats but alas I look a right tit in hats.
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- Joined: Thu 29 May, 2014 08:49
- Posts: 349
- Location: Lancashire
Re: Sun visor extenders
Hi BladeRunner. I didn't nor suggest that I had enough hair for a hair net . I am beginning to feel and see the effects of being nearly 70 yrs young and have more hair on my face and the back of my head than on the top.BladeRunner919 wrote:What about a hair net?Althulas wrote:I love those bushman styled hats but alas I look a right tit in hats.
That said - I have contemplated growing a Willie Nelson and hanging it out of the back of my BMW baseball cap and driving with gay abandon and no back-draught protection so that it flows in the air like a real ponies tail.
I tried driving with my head/hair shoved into the rear wind deflector net but driving whilst looking at the clouds is not a way of encouraging pensioner premiums on my motor car policy.
Happiness is a well kept Z3 and preferably running with the hood down - weather permitting.