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MG MGF Technical - Windstop

I'm thinking of getting a windstop, is it designed to be used with windows up or down?

Any good deals?

How does it work...............questions questions!
Paul Sherrard

I had a windstop fitted to my MGF. The main dealer was charging Ģ211 including tax and fitting but it was thrown in as part of the deal when I purchsed the car, well worth having.

It can be used with the windows up or down and it folds back out of the way when not in use.

As far as good deals are concerned, I haven't seen any, but then I'm not looking!

Angela
Angela Hartnup

Hi Paul,

A large number of people swear by the Mike Satur windstop. Take a look at his web site for more details.

At the COLPUC last month, Rob mentioned to me that he had done some testing on the effectiveness of the various windstops, and the standard Rover design stopped the most wind (for want of a better phrase!). It depends if looks are a more important factor.

As for good deals, you could take a look at the 2nd hand section on Martin Woods web site:

http://freespace.virgin.net/martin.woods/index.htm

Cheers,

Daniel.
Daniel Ginger

Paul,

I fitted the Rover windstop last year.
It works with windows up or down but it's more efficient with windows up at high speed (really amazing)
It's not so difficult to install yourself (less than 1 hour job)

Moreover (even with the soft top in place) you can use the windstop at night to blind the headlights of the vehicles following you.

It's indispensable IMO, go for it.

Jerome
121 CCK 92
Jerome

The Newton Comemrcial Windstop is the cheapest at Ģ159 and is dead easy to DIY fit. Requires no drilling and could easily be sold on if you sell the car.

Its also more effective than the Mike Satur and Rover ones.

Paul
P9 VLS
Paul

Paul

I went for the Mike Satur windstop because it was much better made than the standard MG one. Can't speak for any other make.

Now that Summer's come I don't bother except with fussy passengers.

Somewhere in the archive is a thread about avoiding draughts. The consensus was that by winding the driver's window down, you suffer less buffeting than your passenger and they won't suspect a thing.

Chris
BRG VVC R 456 FGS
Chris

I am a happy owner of a ChromDesign windstop, which I bought off our esteemed FAQ maintainer when he parted with his F.

Its similar in design to the Rover one, but doesn't involve drilling the T-Bar.

I don't know who distributes their product in the UK, but I'm sure someone else will :-)

see http://www.chromdesign.de/

Neil
Neil

>>I don't know who distributes their product in the UK, but I'm sure someone else will :-)<<

Downton Engineering- can't recall the number/ contact details, but it's on my web site in the clubs and traders section under 'Interior design'. (http://go.to/mgfgallery)

The driver's wind wound down works remarkably well as Chris says- at the passenger's expense. Done some testing to prove the point too... Definatey the cheapest option for the lone MG Jockey!

Rob
N7 RMB
BRG 1.8i with satin black MS W/S!
Rob Bell

Hi all,

What about Donīs Foxter roll windstop. It sure looks good, easy install and most effective. Also at illegal speeds *LOL*
http://www.artra.com.tw/MGF/ENGLISH/E_main.htm

Cheers,
David (noticing much more looks of envy in the rear view mirror)
David

As David says, this is a mighty fine looking windstop. There is a prototype going reasonably cheaply here in the UK. Contact either myself or Don for details...

Remeber though, that this windstop is a little bit more involved to fit than the others (although still reasonably straightforward)- see Dieter's fitting instructions for more info.

Rob
Rob Bell

The Chrom Design/Downton Engineering windstop looks exactly the same as the Newton Commercial one - even the instructions are remarkably similar.

Paul
P9 VLS
Paul

I have been looking at the Newton Commercial windstop, after hearing about it on this thread. I am on the point of ordering in from the web site, but am puzzled by one comment on the page where the fitting is described (http://newtoncomm.co.uk/cgi-bin/newton_shop?fitting=VT8015). It states "Note that the 'T' has been removed."

What is the 'T'? It looks like it might be the plastic bit behind the seats, at head level (which is, I suppose, vaguely T-shaped). Does this have to be removed forever if the windstop is fitted, or does it have to be removed during windstop fitting and then can be mounted again, or was it just removed for clarity for the photograph?

Scot
Scot

Yes. The T-Bar is the black plastic cover behind the seats. The seatbelts run through it at the top.

Assuming that the Newton is indeed the same as the ChromDesign and it does indeed look as though it is....

You have to undo a few screws and pull the cover off. Its held in other places with those push-fit clips into holes.

You then bolt the WS mountings onto existing bolts underneath it and refit the T-Bar (that's the tricky bit: getting the push-fit clips back into their holes!).

It took me < 1 hour to get mine fitted

I think the bit on the Newton page is making the point about where you attach it to, and that the picture is before the T-Bar is refitted to show that. (As someone else has pointed out, you actually have to drill holes in the T-Bar to fit the Rover offering)
In fact in the top picture on the page you can see the (leather covered !) T-Bar refitted.
Neil

Whilst it is true that you have to drill through the 'T'bar to fit the Rover windstop it does mean you do not have to remove the 'T'bar and from experience the removal and refitting of the 'T'bar is tricky and if not done with due care and attention can result in broken clips or even worse a broken 'T'bar.

The Rover windstop comes complete with international fitting instructions and templates for the drilling and the whole job took me just over half an hour.

Ted
Ted Newman

Thanks Neil and Ted.

Scot
Scot

Actually, if you follow the Newton instructions, the T-bar is remarkably tough- it isn't very likely that you'll break it.

Trim clips are unusually resilient too- the only problem you might have is where they fall out of their retainers on the body work/ T-bar.

The only hint on reassembly of the T-bar is to ensure that the plastic 'T-pieces' are put back into the T-bar before pushing it back onto place, and then it is a doddle. :o)

Good luck!

Rob
Rob Bell

Thanks to all, especially Angela and Rob.

Now, I've come to the independent conclusion that it is pretty OK with drivers window down, will windstop much improve draughts in that scenario?

Test results, please!
Paul Sherrard

Paul,

Having bought a windstop last summer, I can confirm that it does reduce the draft even with the windows down at moderate speeds. But if you plan on going highway speeds, you're better off putting the windows up, otherwise you'll lose the effectiveness of the windstop, especially if you come across crosswinds.

I find I only put up the windstop when heading out on extended highway drives. Forgot how bad it is without the windstop up until last week. I had to head out of town and forgot to put the windstop up. After 40min of 150+kph driving, my ears were ringing (even with the driver-side window down method) from being boxed by the draft. I pulled into a rest area and put the windstop and windows up. Just the top of my head would get ruffled by the wind and a major relief on your ears!!! I'm also a heavy smoker so the added benefit of the windstop is that my cigarette ashes are not flying all over the interior!!

Best benefit of having the windstop is in winter, where it will keep you nice and toasty inside as the warm air tends to stay in the car longer. Last Autumn, I drove my F up along Mt Fuji with the top down. Forget what the highest elevation was where the road ends, but the meter was showing minus zero (celcius) tempuratures compared to 20degrees down below!! but honestly, we didn't even notice how cold it was until we stopped and stepped outside!

cheers,

Mike
Mike

Mike

Thanks for reply but I gave up smoking last year............still miss them every day!

Did you export your MG from UK?

Rover windstop??
Paul Sherrard

Paul,

Glad to hear you've successfully dropped that nasty habit. Been contemplating it myself, but its a bit hard to do in a country with one of the highest smoking rates...

Rover has a number of dealerships and service centers out here in Japan. Sounds like there are a number of reverse exports of Japanese market MGF's in the UK and NZ as the prices are pretty cheap relative to what you folks have had to pay in the UK for an F. Also helped that I got a pretty good deal through a good friend of mine who used to work for Rover Japan

My windstop is made by a local Japanese company that specializes in MG/land rovers. But for all purposes looks like the standard Rover product and the ones sold by Moss, Brown & Gammons, and Newton. But consider yourselves fortunately you have so many options and competitive prices. I had to pay twice the amount than the UK market price!!! In hindsite if I had know about the above MGF suppliers, I would have shipped it directly from the UK instead.

well, got to back to work so I can finance more goodies for my F... Beautiful day this morning, was almost tempted to call in sick as I was driving top down to the office...

cheers,

Mike
Tokyo

Just waiting to pick up my new MGF 18i BRG 9 with the new silver gear change and surround). Cant work out if I should buy the wind sheild thingy!!! What is it supposed to do and does it work. Comments please.
lewis

I don't have one but the idea is they stop (or reduce) the amount of back draft you get with the roof down. From all the comments I've read here the windstop does do a good job, although I've never really felt the need to get one myself but I have noticed a cold draft on some days so I certainly won't rule it out.
Paul Lathwell

another opinion.. last winter I bought a Rover windstop, and I was suprise with the reduce of back air in your neck, and it improves in your F style, but it was two defects, one is that you have to step out of the car to put the hood up, and the other is in nasty roads with the hood down the hood structure hit windstop supports make an incredible noise...
Last weak I removed it...until next winter when it is really necessary
bye
Joao
Joao Gomes

>>but it was two defects, one is that you have to step out of the car to put the hood up,<<

I can put the hood up while staying on my seat.
Well, it's a bit more difficult than without windstop, but still feasible.


>> and the other is in nasty roads with the hood down the hood structure hit windstop supports make an incredible noise... <<

I've never had such a problem. Maybe your windstop is badly fitted ?

On the other hand, when I fold the windstop down while the hood is up, it rubs against the rear plastic window, unless I put my 2 hands between the windstop and the window. If the windstop was 5mm less high, this wouldn't occur.
Now, I leave the windstop up all the time, except in winter when I remove it (the Belgian weather during winter isn't as friendly as in Portugal :((

Re efficiency : it works very well. The only thing that could be improved is filling the small gap between the bottom of the windstop and the top of the T-bar ; that gap causes a slight air flow ...
Moss claims that their windstop is better designed than Rover's one as that gap is filled.
I discovered the influence of that gap when I switched the 2 mounting block in order to put the windstop more forward to avoid the above rubbing : that worked very well, no more rubbing when operating the windstop, but the gap was considerably widened and the efficiency of the windstop deteriorated. So I reversed to original setup.

Conclusion : that's some cash well spend IMO.

Fabrice
Fabrice

Hi Fabrice
without the windstop, when you are normally sited in your car, using your right arm you can pull the hood up, is just a strong pull in the beginning but next is easy.
Maybe my windstop is badly fitted ?!.. You could be right, but in fact, if the winter's are much smoother in Portugal, the roads don't, here or you take the highways or in the secondary roads the most off all are like the surface of the moon :), and any MG will notice. with my F the worse parts is when you roll with hood up (structure noise) or when I have my windstop, in fact the hood of my MGB is much more stable that the one that I have in my F.

Cheers (sorry about my english)

Joao
Joao Gomes

Joao,

I forgot to say I'm left handed : so, I catch to hood (in its middle) with my left hand : I'm a bit twisted on my seat ...
A RHD car would have been perfect for me :oP

Unfortunately, I've never driven in Portugal. But I can say the roads in Belgium are incredibly bad too ; compared to France or Germany, it's also the moon surface !

Fabrice
Fabrice

Just to even the score a little, It took under 5 minutes to install the Mike Satur Windstop.

3 bolts to fit the mounting bar to the ali angle beneath the T bar (note you do not have to remove the T bar to do this), 2 turnscrews to secure the windstop to the mounting bar. Cut 2 slits in the parcel shelf lining - job done!

As i said, there is no removal of any of the interior trim. 3 bolts, 2 turnscrews, job done!

SF (MS windstop = work of genius!)
Scarlet Fever

Andrew,
... but you have no roll bar :))
:-D

I'm still very satisfied with my ARTRA installation. The windmeshes and transparent screen works well.
Tried it last week at 6100 revs (5th gear, MPI) ;-) on motorway.
Whow, quite noisy all around but no rattles or moves of the windstop and the wind to the neck is not there.

http://ganz.dufte.de/mgf/roll_windstop/full_rear_1710.jpg
http://ganz.dufte.de/mgf/roll_windstop/

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2000 and 31/05/2000

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.