Windshield Sun Shade

[t3steve]

I am having trouble finding a sunshade to put in the windshield when I park the X, all the ones I found in autoparts stores are too short. Where are you guys buying them.

Steve

[Michelle]

From the dealer:

[Tomaz]

I use an expandable wire and fabric one I bought at Kragen for $10. It stores nicely under the driver seat and fits the windshield perfectly.

[dkl]

You need to get one that is made for large vehicles, such as those for a van.

[realchef]

Originally Posted by Michelle

From the dealer:

Got mine there too... fits perfect, 40 bucks.

[haigha]

I, too, have the BMW one for my E53 and recommend it

I had the BMW model for my 89 325i and it lasted for the fourteen years I owned that car. I reinforced it with two 2"x0.5" pieces of wood after about eight years, after it started to bow.

[PersonaNonGrata]

The BMW one pictured does fit perfectly but I got tired of it being so bulky and smacking front seat passengers when I would try to fold/unfold it. I got the biggest collapsible wire framed one and it works fine; not a pretty but it works.

[t3steve]

Thanks for all the advice, I will buy the BMW version.

Steve

[Quicksilver]

I went to buy one of those and it was stiff and heavy like wood. I choose not to get it and still haven't put a lot of effort in finding one that's large enough for the windshield

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

The BMW one pictured does fit perfectly but I got tired of it being so bulky and smacking front seat passengers when I would try to fold/unfold it. I got the biggest collapsible wire framed one and it works fine; not a pretty but it works.

[Islands52]

I 2nd the opinion that the BMW OE shade is too bulky. Especially with a front passenger it was just a pain to fold and wrestle with. I also had the fabric/wire ones, which work better.

The solution was, for me, to have the windshield tinted with a very light ceramic tint film. It takes the edge off glare and has awesome heat rejection. Now I can park the X in the sun and not put up a shade at all. The interior still warms up, but the dash and steering wheel never get hot and are protected from UV damage. The AC after 1-2 minutes is enough to coll the interior down.

Keep in mind it may be illegal, and if you need to replace the glass it will add to your costs, but my wife and I love it and it was our ideal solution.