best sunshade?

[crp]

Hello, new i3 owner here. I normally park in a garage, but for those times when I'm parked in the sun, does anyone have a recommendation for their favorite folding sunshade that fits the cavernous windshield of the i3?

 

[Fisher99]

I use this one. Very well made and comes in a size designed for the i3.

https://www.costco.com/coverking-custom-windshield-sunshade.product.100351558.html

 

[jadnashuanh]

If you don't mind taking a bit more time (it doesn't really take long!), consider the BMW i3 cover. It covers the windshield, the top 1/2 of the car (handier if you have the sunroof), and the two front windows. It really only takes a minute or so to put in place. It makes a significant difference in the interior temperature and blocks most of the UV that might get in those windows that might help preserve the seats and dash. My estimate is that in full sun, it keeps the interior temperature down by as much as 25-30-degrees. And, because it reflects a lot of that IR, the panels don't get as hot so they don't radiate on you once you do get started again. An interior one helps, but the heat already made it in. A lot is reflected back, but the shield eventually becomes hot and radiates some of that into the car...better to keep it out in the first place!

 

[alohart]

I like the 2 inexpensive extra large sunshades that I bought at a discount store in 2013 for our Mitsubishi i-MiEV which also had a very large windshield. They have a spring metal frame that folds into a circle small enough to fit under the driver's seat which I can reach through the space over the center armrest. They're quick and easy to access, install, uninstall, and store.

The only negative is the large rear-view mirror housing on the windshield that distorts the spring metal frame allowing inconsequential beams of sunlight to pass into the interior.

 

[frictioncircle]

Discussion from 2019:
https://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16232

Mine is from heatshieldstore.com and it works very well:
https://www.heatshieldstore.com/car-window-shades/2019-bmw-i3-hatchback-5d

 

[wa5vhu]

I was using a generic sunshade and found when I occasionally went out for lunch (without preconditioning), the BMW cruise control camera was overheated and wouldn't work (Texas heat!). I have since used the black side out instead of the shiny side and, as the sunshade is a two-piece, I pull them apart at the top center, in a effort to keep the temperature down at the camera. So far doing this has kept the camera from overheating.

 

[jadnashuanh]

I bought the BMW climate cover shortly after I bought my i3 way back when...it does not take much time to install it and it does a much better job of keeping the interior cooler in direct sun since it reflects most of the heat before it gets inside. An internal sunshade will let the glass get hot, and it will radiate into the vehicle. This covers the windshield, and from the front doors' windows across the roof. You can buy it for less if you shop around some. https://www.shopbmwusa.com/product/4656/BMW-I-CLIMATE-COVER The interior temperature is as much as 30-40 degrees cooler when installed versus not installed.

 

[tucrip]

Just purchased the headshield (https://www.heatshieldstore.com/). I will let you know how it fits. I have purchased these for other vehicles I have owned and they also fit well and insulate great. I live in AZ so it is a must.

 

[Pahaska]

I just bought a 2018 I3 2 weeks ago. Living in Texas, a sun shade is a necessity. I also bought a HeatShield because I have used them on everything from a smart to my Sprinter-based Airstream Interstate. It fits very well and rides rolled across the back seat.

 

[trumpetdoug]

As per usual great info here folks. My wife bought me a generic sunshade she thought would work. She did her best in the purchase, but didn't have this great board to look at. We both agreed that it (the shade) didn't fit very well, so I'm looking forward to trying some of these option.


Doug - out

 

[JOHNR75]

I bought the Intro Tech BM-71-P on Amazon, presently there for $39.95. A very reasonably priced unit that fits great. The only thing possibly negative is that it is about three feet long but it has to be as the windshield is so large. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

https://www.amazon.com/Intro-Tech-BM-71-P-Premium-Windshield-Sunshade/dp/B00X7U56RM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=introtech+bm-71-p&qid=1597370476&sr=8-1

 

[bocabimmer]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-i3-13-20-Custom-Made-Car-Heat-Shield-Windshield-Sun-Visor-SunShade/352641102200?fits=Model%3Ai3%7CMake%3ABMW&hash=item521b0c3178:g:Xy4AAOSwjCVcsUof:sc:FedEx2Day!75080!US!-1

sinshade.jpg

Note: It comes plain - I added the logo to it.

I just purchased this shade too from eBay and it fits pretty well. There's a bit of a larger gap where the mirror is, but nothing too bad. Seemed like one of the less expensive options so I am happy.