Side Window Deflectors?

[Motivology]

Looking for a high quality, durable side window deflectors for F06. Anybody know of a reputable source?

I used to think these look odd on the cars / trucks but now I see the practicality side of it. Extreme summer heat is around the corner and I’d like to crack my windows to let out the interior heat.

-DK

[D'Mann]

With no upper door frame I don't think you can use them on the 6's.

[Qsilver7]

Plus the owners manual warns not to use them because they can impeded the anti-trap- function…plus our windows are always moving up/down as the door is opened/closed.

If you’re still inclined, don’t let us discourage you…give them a try to see if they work without any issues. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Motivology]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Plus the owners manual warns not to use them because they can impeded the anti-trap- function…plus our windows are always moving up/down as the door is opened/closed.

If you’re still inclined, don’t let us discourage you…give them a try to see if they work without any issues. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Interesting. I wish they designed it a little better to allow wind deflectors and still have pinch protection. Just seems odd that other BMW models can have them, but not the 6 series.

[LA640WS]

Vehicle makers especially BMW strive to design their vehicles with optimal aerodynamics, and the addition of third-party gadgets is often detrimental in many ways. not just with wind deflectors, but a plethora of other additions.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Motivology

Interesting. I wish they designed it a little better to allow wind deflectors and still have pinch protection. Just seems odd that other BMW models can have them, but not the 6 series.

Do the other BMWs you're thinking of have door frames? If yes, then that is probably why the market provides deflectors for those models.

As mentioned by D'Mann...the f06/f12/f13 six series has frameless doors...which closes onto a gasket...there's nothing to attach the deflectors to on these models. The windows are designed to drop down a smidge when the door is opened, then raises back up into the gasket when closed...this creates a better seal against wind noise, dust, & water infiltration. A car door that has a frame, has a rubber gasket that easily protects both sides of the glass...a frameless door does not...thus this design that lowers/raises the glass adds this sealing feature.

This makes an add-on window deflector not very compatible with the door's operational design...regardless of the pinch-protection. The only place to mount the deflector is on the gasket around the door....unless you attach the deflector to the drip rail. You'd also have to figure out if the window drops down far enough to clear the deflector when the door is opened and closed.

Some pics of the frameless door and the gasket around the door's opening as examples of why deflectors probably won't work well on this model:

[Nickers001]

do these gaskets weaken over time and allow more noise into the cabin?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Nickers001

do these gaskets weaken over time and allow more noise into the cabin?

I’m not sure you’re going to get a good answer to your question because there wasn’t that many f06/f12/f13 models built prior to your 2015 model year.

Do you feel that your door gaskets are weak? You may have to answer your own question based on how your 6 series is aging.

I had a 2013 and sold it in 2020…and still have a 2015 and I don’t hear any wind noise or see degradation of the gasket.

As far as wind noise from the windows…the purpose for the drop action when the door is opened is that the window lowers when the door is opened, then rises back up and is sandwiched on both sides by the gasket. If your window fails to stay in its upmost position, this will allow wind noise if not sandwiched between the gasket.

You can see a production chart below up to the 2017 model year to get an idea of how few examples you have to gather door gasket life cycle information from…and remember the f06 debuted in the 2013 model year:

[Nickers001]

Thanks bud, yeah at times it feels really loud then at other timesits fine.

might just be a mix of Akra exhaust and different road surfaces here