Convertible Wind Deflector Falls

[pedro2u]

Occasionally my wind deflector (which we love on the open road) will flop down - usually when you get hit with a cross wind. Not often, but still annoying. I've been reading about a hitch pin mod that fixes this, but all the threads I've found (so far) are 10 years old and have dead links to the fix and no images

Anyone have a link or images of this fix before I attempt to re-invent it? I'm close to breaking out my drill......

[pedro2u]

and JohnRando - you were in one of those threads in 2013!

[Oli77]

Ha, funny you ask that question, I was on a backwoods drive with 3 others, one had a 438 convertible with the wind deflector. Another had a 127? new FIAT spider with nice turbo and exhaust, and the other had a coupe 230? M. The owner of the 438i said he loved his wind deflector and was hitting over 100 mph and he was so happy that it was quiet and that he could "barely feel the wind".

I thought that was cool (cause I don't have one in my car) and we kept on driving. But soon my wife and I realized that's the part we liked, all that wind and hair flying around. So we decided against the wind deflector.

Perhaps time is a factor, we have only driven the vert together on weekends for ~2 months. Also, this was a spirited drive but on little roads, lots of braking, accelerating, braking etc.. and we were not doing 75 mph steady on the highway. I could see this perhaps being harsh. Note sure, but for now, we are a nogo on the wind deflector.

Sorry Pete, I did not answer your question.

[pedro2u]

appreciate that feedback, and know what you mean. But at 3 years in on the vert, my opinion has changed, and on the highway the deflector makes conversation easy, keeps my wife's hair from looking like she's sitting on a Van de Graaff generator, and my baseball cap stays on too (not much hair up there these days). And there's still plenty of wind to make this the coolest ride ever. Under about 45-50 mph, I'd probably never put it up

I've heard that the air in your face is more diminished if you put your windows up - but that will never be allowed in my convertible book of etiquette - just not cool

[Oli77]

Didn't know about vert etiquette! LOL

[pedro2u]

I align with 1 & 2 here:

http://www.fiveocd.com/?p=1412&cpage=1

there are other opinions and things that just don't fly with me since I was raised in the 60's with great rides in my Dad's TR3.

[Cabrio330]

Found this one via Google, haven't studied and make no recommendation. I remember seeing a different approach that involved drilled a cotter pin, will post that if I ever find it!

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1035619

Edit: this thread, post #12, shows cotter pin solution:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?670582-How-to-fix-floppy-wind-screen

[Oli77]

I align with 1 & 2 here:

http://www.fiveocd.com/?p=1412&cpage=1

there are other opinions and things that just don't fly with me since I was raised in the 60's with great rides in my Dad's TR3.

Wel I'll be! Didn't know! I have seen the light. Thanks.

[pedro2u]

this thread, post #12, shows cotter pin solution:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?670582-How-to-fix-floppy-wind-screen

Thanks for this one! Odd that mine doesn't quite look like that, but that gives me a different (and better) idea of where I'll drill and insert pins. Perfect!

I'll post pics sometime this week when I get it done

[johnrando]

and JohnRando - you were in one of those threads in 2013!Ha! I recall that discussion (not the details). Love my wind deflector, and fortunately it doesn't do that. What's really nice is that you can pick and choose when to use it.

I hope the pin trick works out for you. Keep us posted.

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[pedro2u]

I settled on these 1" pull pins instead of a cheap cotter pin, I think they're long enough, but won't get them until next week.. Stay tuned

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L9D75HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Oli77]

You boys have me curious...

[johnrando]

Re wind deflector? It's a must have. Put it up, calm, comfy ride, wife doesn't get hair blowing all over her face. Down - classic full wind blown vert experience. For street driving it helps, but for frwy, it REALLY helps. Plus, you can drive top down in 40 degrees, windows and deflector up, seat heat on, heater on (and a jacket). A blast.

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[Oli77]

Not helping my bank account Randeaux!

[pedro2u]

Not helping my bank account Randeaux!

I paid 2X the price for mine compared to this current ebay listing. Cheap money to enjoy those times as Rondo said.... This OEM deflector would be hard to pass up at this price:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-series-E93-Convertible-Windscreen-wind-deflector-07-13-OEM/124172900118?hash=item1ce9481716:g:U6oAAOSwI49erKD b

[Oli77]

Thanks for the link...

[johnrando]

Lol! Def find them 2nd hand, no need to buy new.

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[Oli77]

I bid on that thing. . .(thanks Pete :shifty)

[johnrando]

I bid on that thing. . .(thanks Pete :shifty)GL!

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[pedro2u]

*GL!

The great thing about these is that they lay flat and you pull it up went you want. You choose the environment.... your wife may just say "thank you"

[fredo]

LOL … that pic. Looks like 4 different persons are bidding so far, GL !

[Oli77]

Well, this was my first biding experience and I failed!
I thought I would be real sneaky sneaky and bid with 25 seconds to go! Ha, cluster eff.
6 more dudes outbid me in the next 20 or so seconds. Went for $265 + shipping.
How do people time this so perfectly?

[pedro2u]

they set a maximum bid amount, so if your current bid is outbid, it automatically bids for you to go the next bid increment. So sounds like a bunch of folks (6) had max bids and ratcheted up the price until the guy with the highest max bid won. I like how that works, since it lets you win at a lower price than your max bid if no one else bids

Bummer!

[Oli77]

Wait not sure I dig it. So I can put in MY maximum bid amount somewhere in there? But it's out of sight, and nobody knows about it?
Run that by me one more time please?

[pedro2u]

now you know what they sell for....

Next >>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Series-E93-Convertible-Windscreen-Wind-Deflector-2007-2013/254593503165?epid=1227547095&hash=item3b46f48fbd:g:RaUAAOSw5dVeuKqN

[t.er]

Wait not sure I dig it. So I can put in MY maximum bid amount somewhere in there? But it's out of sight, and nobody knows about it?
Run that by me one more time please?

LOL yup. Essentially, the computer bids on your behalf, so you don't have to sit there at 5AM right when the auction closes. When I was a kid I remember bidding against a guy for a model car. I'd put a bid in, and like clockwork he'd put a bid in a few seconds later. This kept going until we got slightly past a round number, and he didn't re-bid so I won the item.

[pedro2u]

if you look at completed items, 6 of them have sold on ebay in the last 6 days with prices from $279 to $370 including shipping

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=BMW+3+series+E93+Convertible+Windscreen+wind+ deflector+07-13+OEM&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Complete=1

[pedro2u]

Wait not sure I dig it. So I can put in MY maximum bid amount somewhere in there? But it's out of sight, and nobody knows about it?
Run that by me one more time please?

correct, no one can see your max and it automatically places a bid just above the other guys price (whatever the minimum bid increment is). So if he has one set, the 2 of you would ratchet up until one of you reaches the max you're willing to pay

If you've ever had auction fever where you get caught up in the bidding and bid more than you planned, this solves that. You decide the max you are willing to pay in advance, enter that, and it only bids just above the last guys bid

[John in VA]

There used to be free sniping programs that bid for you - could bid in the last few seconds, but you could be outbid if you didn't have a high enough top limit. Happy hunting!

[Oli77]

You guys are awesome, thanks for helping me with this. Jeesh, you know you're old when... You don't know how to bid on eBay!

[johnrando]

Lol!

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[pedro2u]

the pull pins from Amazon came today to invent my wind deflector fix https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L9D75HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Put a towel down to catch the filings...... The 1" long pins are 3/16" diameter with a ball locking feature on the end to keep them in place. A 3/16" hole was too tight for the ball, so I drilled a 1/4" hole on both the drivers and passengers side which was perfect for the ball to insert. Just have to make sure you're drilling in the center of the shaft. To minimize slop, I put the hole in the shaft as close as I could to the upper rotating part of the deflector and drilled thru the shaft and through the rotating part. In one of the pics you can see the how the ball protrudes from the hole and locks it in place. The deflector normally leans slightly forward towards the driver, and with this method there's enough play that the deflector can sway back 10 degrees or so to to about vertical which seems fine if that should happen. I think an 1/8" bimini pin might minimize the play if I were to do this again. I still need to get some small self tapping screws to secure the top loop of the cable to the upper side of the deflector, but you get the gist of my plan. That way, when you want to lay the deflector down, you just pull the pins and they stay attached. I may even put some heat shrink over the silver cable when I'm done so that it matches the defector. Here's the pics:

[johnrando]

Nice work! What is holding the top loop on right now?

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[pedro2u]

Nice work! What is holding the top loop on right now?

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nothing, need to get self tapping screws to attach the loop to the outside of the upper rail. But the pin won't come out without a tug since it's got the locking ball on the end.

Once I get the screws this week, I'll take a few more pics

[Cabrio330]

Nice job! I may have to do the same soon. My screen closed unexpectedly just the other day and though I know it can happen, it still scares the crap out of me!

[Oli77]

Excellent!
Thanks for allowing to thread jack your fix Pete!

[pedro2u]

As I mentioned in my summary, I think a 1/8" stainless bimini pin if you could find one may be an even better choice if it's sturdy enough. That would allow you to drill a smaller hole and eliminate a bit more of the play... Although the style of the 3/16" pin I chose has a more finished look than just a pin with a ring like this

I'm happy with my result!

[pedro2u]

Excellent!
Thanks for allowing to thread jack your fix Pete!

Its a drop top consortium!:thumbup

[pedro2u]

Here's the final result. Bought self tapping screws at HD, and used a 9/64" bit to drill a pilot hole in both side rails the depth of the screws with the cable positioned to give just enough slack to put the pin in (heads up, the side rail appears to be solid plastic not metal). I put some shrink tubing over the center portion of the pin's cable and painted the screw heads black to knock down the ugly factor....

I was also thinking of a way to clip the pin into a storage clip mounted higher on the side rail when the deflector is laying flat, so I ordered some 3/16" clips. This may or may not work, but not a big investment to give it a try for a final treatment

[Oli77]

Boom. That's great.

[johnrando]

Nice work. Glad that's set.

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[Oli77]

Biding secretly on the next one!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254593503165?autorefresh=true

[pedro2u]

Biding secretly on the next one!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254593503165?autorefresh=true

that one is really clean! But who saves the box to a 32" LG tv?:dunno

[pedro2u]

here's another one, ends in 1 day too but still at $200

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264725750404?hash=item3da2e26284:g:VZIAAOSwxZtetsj g

[Oli77]

Wait a minute, that second one you posted also has a 32 inch TV box it is sitting on!
Can you list it twice and see which one gets you more money?
Is this fishy?

[johnrando]

Hmm, I guess. Hope it works out.

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[pedro2u]

Wait a minute, that second one you posted also has a 32 inch TV box it is sitting on!
Can you list it twice and see which one gets you more money?
Is this fishy?

Where are you seeing it twice? They are 2 different listings, 1 in NY, and 1 in MA (i like that fox red interior in that one!)

[Oli77]

Both the one in NY and the one MA are displaying a picture of the deflector with a 32 inch TV box!

Look at third pic for the one in MA and 3rd pic for the one in NY. Coincidence? No way.

[pedro2u]

wow, good catch! Watching all those NCIS episodes during the pandemic have sharpened your observation skills!

Does seem to be the same model TV, only visible difference is the damage to the lower right corner of the box in Massachusetts doesn't seem to be on the box in NY.. Maybe you need to own a 32" LG TV to be an E93 convertible owner? You got one?

Interesting that neither seem to have sold much on ebay, but one joined ebay in 1998 the other in 99

[Oli77]

I don't have a 32 inch TV, should I get one?

But honestly, not fishy? It just cannot be the same guy?

[pedro2u]

pretty fishy...... but new twist.......... I was just laughing and explaining to my wife that you had spotted the TV box in the picture. She looked at the pictures and said

"you didn't even notice that they are 2 style different deflectors? The one from NY has a 2 piece base, and the one in MA is one solid piece. Which one is OEM?"

Gotta love this girl (but I still won't ask her for directions)

Too funny, I don't think the MA one is OEM......

[johnrando]

Good eye!

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[Oli77]

But they both fold!
Thanks to Pete's wife! putting my $ on the OEM (if I can afford it). Sneaky little dude that dude.

[pedro2u]

and if (when) you win it, sounds like the falling down issue is common with E93 too. You may want to explore if a hitch pin fix like I did could be adapted to work on the E93, but I see someone used velco as a fix here: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624852

[Oli77]

Will keep you guys updated.

[Oli77]

Got it!

[fredo]

Congrats, Oli ! Father's Day is next month, just saying.

[pedro2u]

Great! You'll be glad you did!

[pedro2u]

UPS delivered the long awaited clips - to the wrong house. But finally got em this afternoon. And the job is now officially done. I installed the clips above the mounting point for the hitch pin. Here's a few pics, first with the pin cliped in the clip for the "while it's laying flat" and second with the pin inserted to hold the deflector up - but gives you a look at the clip installed without the pin in it. The screws supplied with the clip are made for the clip but are small, so I drilled a 1/16" pilot hole as deep as the screw and it tightened down solid. Very happy with the result

I ended up paying $15.63 total for 6 clips (outrageous shipping of $12.74), so $2.60 each. Only used 2, so if anyone wants save that expense to do this mod, happy to donate 2 clips each to 2 people. PM me if you want em

[Oli77]

Nice touches!
Can't wait to try mine out.

[johnrando]

Really nice work re clips

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[pedro2u]

with all the hacking and lost threads, decided to put the fix in a PDF

[johnrando]

Good thinking

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[Oli77]

whootwhoot, the wind deflector arrived at home today. Came in the original bag. Sure smells OEM.
I was able to play with it, unfold it and understand the locking mechanism once unfolded. I messed around with it outside the car because the weather is crap in KY, top is up.

I will post a pick and describe my impressions shortly.

[johnrando]

Good news!

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[Oli77]

Too lazy to wash it and take a decent pic with my wind deflector.

This works very well, as much for the sound, the temperature and the wind. Nice indeed! Thanks for encouraging me to get it Pete and Randeaux.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XcGnlUdLMZjUHC5VqUiIzqvYv6_NVmmKHfnNgJ6gbtqNUg7iXI UM2rHak0GKr_AwlD61vnwpk1uYPo4CyVJBMtnwiojPDbEgEMbm suWJOC53OvcslzAiMP3CK8ZtgT1yEubpNt3DzQ=w1920-h1080

[pedro2u]

even more to enjoy now with your sweet new ride!

[johnrando]

Awesome, looks good and glad you like it.

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