Hey Folks ---- I bought & installed a basic windscreen on my Xfire convertible. We bought it hoping to reduce the back draft coming into the car when the lid was down. My wife & I both feel it wasn't worth the money because the wind reduction is negligible.

I'm just posting this as an advisory to others thinking about doing the same thing for wind reduction.

 

I must disagree... I purchased the mesh windScreen and find it to be quite effective. Take a 2 hour highway speed drive without the screen and the wind buffeting will wear u out, with the screen it's much less
Buffeting. If its still too much for you, maybe u should've bought a coupe!

 

Well gehoben ----- we were hoping to reduce the backdraft by apprrox. 50% & the plexiglas windscreen did not do that much. The mesh ones are too expensive for me. Also, I would have to get 1 from England -- I think.

Finally, I don't appreciate your comment regarding I should have gotten a coupe. If I had wanted a coupe I'd have bought one instead of getting a convertible. I think it's perfectly ok to give an opposing comment to a post, but don't try to tell me what I should do. So please keep those unsolicited comments to yourself!!

 

I've had the mesh type for years and found it to work great too. There is plenty of write-ups on both types here on the forum. The search feature can be your friend to research before buying.

 

I have had trouble getting the search to give what I'm looking for. I have a plexiglass windscreen. Yes, I finally found something on the forum regarding windscreens, but the postings were positive indicating about 50% reduction in backdraft buffeting. All I'm saying is that my plexiglass windscreen doesn't reduce buffeting by 50% ---- it's probably closer to a 25% reduction. Therefore, it wasn't worth the money we spent on it.

Does plexiglas vs a screen make a difference? I don't know. Of course, this is just our opinion & everyone has 1.

 

G~
I noted that the mesh type wind screen was a little more $ than you want to spend. However, my experience is that it is worth it. There are some variables that should also be taken into account such as the height of the people riding in the car. Some people are quite tall and no screen is ever satisfactory for them. Some drivers are short and barely need the screen unless they are sitting on an unabridged dictionary.. Correct mounting is also a factor as some have been installed as a DYI project and are not properly positioned.
Some Forum folks have remarked that the non-mesh, or hard plastic type, reflect the lights of on-coming traffic back into their rearview mirrors at night. Some who have the illumined type (a hard version of the screen) also claim to be distracted by the lit graphics shining brightly in their rearview at night.
At legal highway speeds, and at 6'2" tall, my experience with the screen type has been highly satisfactory. Many mods are things we have to save up for, perhaps this is one of those for you. We've all been there as we've pursued various toys. BTW: There may be someone on the forum that would buy the one you now have; you can use that $ for another. Just a thought.
Good luck in your pursuit of transportation perfection!
PACEMAKER

 

Thanks Pacemaker for a well written, concise reply. I'm just shy of 6'-5" tall & probably at the top end of a person who could fit into a Xfire. You are correct that height does play a part in this reduction.

This is a retirement toy for us. We worked hard during the working years & now we want to play. This is my 2ND retirement.

One thing for sure ---- the Crossfire is a sassy, classy ride that will turn heads. So in addition to the looks, it also has a fun performance factor. The wind buffeting is a minor distraction to us. We bought this for fun.

 

I owned a 99 500sl and it came with the mesh wind screen, so I was already familiar with the effect the mesh screen would have. I ordered mine from England, and yes it was costly, but I knew it worked so I bit the bullet. I might add I'm only 5'7" and it's a shoe horn fit for me to get into this thing. I don't know how a 6'5" guy/girl can do it but yes ican see where Thay would def have an effect on your results. My only real complaint on this roadster is with the top down the trunk only has room for my wallet!

 

I'll take the risk of offending you and tell you that you should have purchased a mesh type screen.

Anyway he said maybe you should have got a coupe, not that you should have, big difference.

 

Well onehundred 80 I'm not offended at your suggestion & thanks. Oh, by the way his suggestion did offend me. It was 100% unsolicited & totally out of context. If I had wanted a coupe ---- I'd have bought one, however We bought the car we wanted w/a special purpose in mind that isn't fulfilled by a coupe. I would never have stated that to someone else. I try to treat others the way I want to be treated. And this exchange wasn't real great.

My whole thing was to posting the plexiglas windscreen wasn't too effective. The post was strictly to advise anyone thinking of buying one of them. I was just trying to make a contribution to the forum. I don't intend to buy another windscreen so please quit telling me to get a mesh one. I'm so happy your English made mesh screen functions well for you.

I think this will be my first & last advisory post on this forum. To be quite honest, I just don't care for all the unsolicited comments.

Instead, I have been told I should have bought a coupe, to get a mesh windscreen & a 5'7" nut posted he didn't have room & couldn't understand how my frame fit. Quite honestly I fit although just barely. My wife is 5'7" & 130 pounds. She fits w/room to spare. Maybe the 5'7" person doesn't fit well not from height, but girth.

 

gbono - I've heard rave reviews for both plexiglass & mesh windscreens. I bought a mesh for my Xfire mainly for appearance, and my 200 'vert came with a mesh as standard equipment. They work well, but I really notice a difference in wind/noise reduction when I roll the windows up with the screen in place.

Not sure where you are located, but if you can attend a forum GTG, you may be able to drive a roadster with the mesh to see if the difference is significant. If so, watch the classified section of the forum, as mesh screens pop up occasionally in the +\-$100 range.

Either way, your post is helpful to other roadster driving forum members. What brand did you buy?

 

Sorry you got all hot and bothered by the comments, let it go, everyone has an opinion.

Would it have been better if everyone agreed with you? I think not.

 

Did the same thing, except I got the Lexan one ( don't ask me why, it just sounded better than plexiglass ), I found it only helps if you run with the windows up, and that makes you look stupid.
I left it on anyway, I think it improves the looks, if not the buffeting.

I did find one area it improved : before, the rear window would shake horribly if you drove with the top up and the windows all the way down, it has improved this condition quite a bit.

BTW: I learned early on to develop a thick skin if you intend to post on this forum

 

G~

Mine is also Lexan Like AlixFire's, that has an eching of the CrossFire Logo. It's out fitted with 7 RED LED lights that shine up from the bottom that makes the eching display much better for night time drives (which is 99% of my drive being 3rd shift worker). I can't say I'm overly impressed with the baffeting effect either. I too at high speeds (60 + mph) will roll up the windows and that seems to make the baffeting way more tollarable. I have a mesh type wind screen for my Siebring hard top convertable, but I can count on one hand how many times it 5 years it's actully been used !!! Car hardly ever gets driven (wife's car). So I don't think my comment on "mesh" is worth speaking about.

 

I recently bought a Lexan screen by Windblox. Significant reduction in buffeting up to about 80 mph. Can actually hear the radio at hwy speeds. Seems logical that a persons height would play a significant role. At 5'9 I'm quite satisfied with mine.

 

Eh, at 5'-7" a windscreen would only benefit me for phone calls. BUT, if I did get one, it'll be a mesh one...if I can find one.

BTW, 1 Ambien+3 beers=buzzed!

 

I have a plexiglass one. I only find it effective at highway speeds, and rarely do I put it on the car.

 

At 6'0 the WindBlox, Lexon works great for me and the wife. You can hear the radio and the phone...