more questions about the wind deflector

[Pablito]

Hey SoCal....I understand your concern, the wind deflector is a good idea, Bose audio system , definitely yes, dealer installs (of these types of attachments) usually are of very high quality. When I got my 98' there was no deflector and I added it and don't regret it at all, as far as the mesh grilles for the hoops they just pop in place and unless you have a 987 (I don't know if the design changed) they fit any year from 97 to 2004...The ones that I have were from a wrecked 2000s. The reason the plastic deflector I believe it's because dealing with a plastic piece on a day to day basis is less cumbersome than if it were glass or tempered glass, also probably weight savings.

[98Boxster98]

If you really wanted tempered glass on a 986...

http://www.designevolutionllc.com/

[Brucelee]

Simply from a resale perspective, the WD is a good idea.

[RandallNeighbour]

Do you all feel boxster owners would buy aftermarket windscreens and roll bar inserts that were just as good as factory and half the price or less?

I'm thinking of paying the big bucks to have molds created with new compatible designs. I think I could cover my investment costs inside a calendar year and have enough product made to make a little side money.

Everyone here would get a discount, of course! What do you think? Is there a need in the marketplace?

[Ronzi]

If I were you, I'd do a pretty careful survey to identify your potential market size.
I don't have any numbers, but from what I have seen looking at used Boxsters, almost all of them had the wind stop as OE.
I have a hard time imagining that somebody would spring for $50 - $60k for a new Boxster and not get the sport pkg or the touring pkg or whatever it is that has the wind stop included.
But then again I thought mood rings and pet rocks would never fly, either.

[deliriousga]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Do you all feel boxster owners would buy aftermarket windscreens and roll bar inserts that were just as good as factory and half the price or less?

Oh yeah. They're available at places other than the dealer, but they're still Porsche so they are $400+ for a piece of plastic.

I'm sure others have done like us and pulled it out over the winter then it gets scratched, but it's not even close to being worth $400 to replace it for a scratch. Half of that is even ridiculous considering the material it's made of and how easy it is to scratch, break or lose it. If someone could get one done for around $50-80 it would probably do quite well, especially as the Boxsters age.

With the roll bar inserts, they sound cheap clacking around. We took ours out, but I'm thinking about inserting a felt pad where they clip in so they don't shift around and make that cheap plastic sound. I would only replace them if I could get them for around $30-40.

[SD987]

I’ll relate my experiences with the wind deflector that may answer some of your questions. If I repeat what others have said, my apologies.

My 987 base, was not equipped with the windstop on date of purchase, but having driven a BMW convertible with a windscreen for some time, I realized that not having some sort of shield is tantamount to committing wind-tunnel seppuku. (It amazes me how many domestic convertibles don’t have any wind protection available.)

During the purchase haggling phase (the point during the transaction where you think you're getting concessions but the dealer is only guiding the transaction on its inevitable course toward their “secret price point”) I managed to get the dealer to "due bill" the windstop and colored wheel crests on top of his $2000 discount. However, I had to wait for the windstop for two weeks as they seemed to have the plastic stop in place, but no brackets were anywhere to be found on the premises (an emotional roller coaster of false hopes and dealer screw-ups that may be related in a different post).

Anyway, I appreciated the "clean" look of the seating area without the windstop during this waiting period ( I did not see any visible holes or attachment points during this time, as I can recollect). However, as I suspected, living without the windstop even for this short time was untenable. At 40 mph + the wind starts to pick up, hitting it's apex at about 80. At these speeds, without a windstop, your coif is obviously history and gets bad enough to where you will definitely lose a ball-cap unless it's secured to your head with a chinstrap (not a good look). North of 80 it doesn't get any worse, but at this point you're already in the "eye of the storm".

I’ll reiterate that this is in a 987, which I understand to have improved cockpit wind buffering compared to the 986. It’s also important to note that I’ve driven with the plastic insert out…and you need it, as that center gap between the seats seems to act as a natural wind tunnel.

To some of your other questions:

I don’t think you can factory order the black inserts without the windstop, but they are clipped on from three points and may be easy to find aftermarket. A dealer I’m guessing would be reluctant to break up the windstop kit, but I might be wrong.

I don’t think rear storage is affected by separate purchase of the Bose system, but I think when Bose is purchased with Preferred package or Preferred package plus you get the enhanced storage pullout in the back and cd inserts in the center control. No storage space is designed especially for the unused windstop, but it comes with a bag and fits handily if not elegantly in the back seat map holder.

It looks like the roll clips could be removed quite easily from their three attachments leaving no mark, however, the center clip assemblies look drilled in.

Post-purchase install of the windstop by the dealer was a two hour job (or whatever amount of time will discourage the customer from saying “OK, I’ll just wait over here until you guys are done”.)

I’ve had no issues with rattling at any speed but it does smudge rather easy. But there’s really no reason to touch it after getting over the initial paranoia that it’s going to pop out.

Relative to BMW (e36 – e46) windstops I’d say that Porsche’s is slicker, better integrated, less of an eyesore, of higher workmanship (has a sturdy heft – definitely not flimsy), slightly less effective but harder to remove cleanly (BMW’s just lifts out of the car leaving no trace, except for an extremely dirty back seat).

However, to summarize previous posters, the windstop purchase issue is a non-starter, you need this.

[SoCal]

Originally Posted by SD987

I’ll relate my experiences with the wind deflector that may answer some of your questions. If I repeat what others have said, my apologies.

. . .

However, to summarize previous posters, the windstop purchase issue is a non-starter, you need this.

Thanks for the info.

OK, I'm beaten into submission and accept my fate. I'll go peaceably, and order the wind deflector for my own good.

Anyone know where I can get a checkered flag embossed on a 987 deflector?