wind deflector cloth vs plexi - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

jamesbond007 · 03-10-2007, 07:07 AM

I have recently bought an SLK 350 after a CLK 430 Cab. I had the opportunity today for the first time to take my wife out with the top down (on the car, not the missus...). She found it very drafty (not happy....) compared to the CLK. On the CLK I had the standard wind deflector (windscreen for the US?...) in cloth. On the SLK, I have the plexiglass one (OEM). Is the draft reduced on the SLK when one uses the cloth wind deflector instead of the plexi?

The other difference is that on the CLK, we always had the rear side windows up, which is not (or is it?) possible on the SLK. We used to have a R170 and could not remember it being so drafty (with the cloth deflector).

Ynot · 03-10-2007, 07:58 AM

Can't really answer your question as I don't have the plexiglass one, the mesh one works just fine, but limits visibility, especially at night. I only used it for very very cold mornings as it does keep the wind out of the cabin.

Two small side windows stays down when the top is down, there's no way to bring it up, I don't think it matters all that much with the two tiny windows, it'll look odd with it up. IMO .

NewMB · 03-10-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesbond007

Is the draft reduced on the SLK when one uses the cloth wind deflector instead of the plexi?

I may be wrong, but I can't imagine that happening. Just the law of physics. The plastic windscreen cover covers more area than the fabric windscreen. Plus, the plastic blocks out the wind whereas the fabric allows some wind to flow through. I have the OEM windscreen and have never bothered to try out the fabric one, so this is just an "educated" guess. LOL.

jamesbond007 · 03-11-2007, 07:08 AM

I tested the mesh deflector this morning and I'd say it is about 20 % better than the plexi. What I am going to try is to put something in the openings at the bottom of the plexi. Some of the draft comes from there.

Shinigami · 03-11-2007, 08:22 AM

She found it drafty with the plexi? Is she very tall? Maybe try lowering the seat a bit.

I've only got the cloth, but I can say that when driving past 100kph, I can only feel a breeze on the very top of my head. The rest of the cabin is just fine.

bmwnomore · 03-11-2007, 08:34 AM

I have the plexi wind deflector and I'm always surprised how calm the cabin is when driving with the top down and side windows up. I'm not very tall, so maybe the wind just goes over the top of me. With the windows down, it does get pretty turbulent at higher speeds.

I only used the mesh one a couple of times. My opinion is that I think the two are doing pretty much the same thing. I didn't detect much of a difference one over the other. I just thought the mesh one was a little cheesy looking, so I got the plexi one mainly for looks. I tried to justify it by thinking it was better at quelling turbulence, but I really don't think there is a difference. But, it definitely looks better. I haven't removed it since I got it. It's just a part of the car now.

jamesbond007 · 03-11-2007, 09:01 AM

My conclusions: mesh works marginally better than plexi but looks less nice and reduces visibility. So I am going to continue to use plexi which I leave in place at all times. No my wife is not tall, she is rather petite, but it is just that the CLK with all windows up and the (mesh) wind deflector was incredibly quiet and there was no turbulence in the cabin whatsoever and no impact on her coiffure whatsoever either....

alroumi · 03-12-2007, 03:27 AM

I have the Plexiglass and I am very satisfied with it.

NickW1 · 03-12-2007, 06:16 AM

I too have the plexiglass and am pretty happy with it. That said, you can feel quite a bit of breeze coming through those holes along the bottom. Has anyone tried making a filler for these holes? Does anyone think that there would be any issues as far as filling them?

jbanks15 · 03-12-2007, 07:41 AM

Nothing beats the plexi!