Side mirror talk

unluky · 03-27-2014, 09:13 PM

Ok, so a deer hit me and broke my d side mirror, but just the untainted parts. Got all that replaced and the lens replaced and the mirror is so much cleared it makes the p side one look black.

Few questions:

Are the side mirrors getting dark due to the heated mirrors being on all the time, or from the auto dim getting old??? I left my heater unhooked on the d side to keep this from happening again, but that might not be what caused it? Opinions?

Now I want to replace the p side and I remember reading that if you get a German one or European one, they have much better visibility or something? I can't seem to find that again, so maybe I dreamed it?

psygnosis · 03-28-2014, 08:29 AM

Getting dark would be the auto dimming failing.

Walkurie · 03-28-2014, 08:42 AM

You are correct about the Euro mirrors. They are designed to provide an expanded field of view. Maybe as much as another 10-15 feet. I went with them after experiencing some near-misses due to the rather bad visibility. The only downside is slight distortion to the perceived size of the objects. Maybe that is why they are not put on U.S,-spec cars. I still regard them as an improvement.

unluky · 03-28-2014, 01:59 PM

That is what I was thinking I read. No warning label at the bottom and a larger field of view, but a little distortion as a trade off. Seeing it distorted beats not seeing it at all in my book.

Glad the darkening is from the auto dim, I will hook the heater back up on the other side then if that is not what was causing it.

Thanks for the replies!

beta · 03-28-2014, 03:10 PM

I have one I haven't installed, impulse buy from seeing it show up here.

You can see pictures here.

psygnosis · 03-29-2014, 02:34 AM

Are the e46 M3 mirrors the same shape as the ones for the Z4?

03-27-2014, 09:13 PM	#1
unluky Major 7528 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	Side mirror talk Ok, so a deer hit me and broke my d side mirror, but just the untainted parts. Got all that replaced and the lens replaced and the mirror is so much cleared it makes the p side one look black. Few questions: Are the side mirrors getting dark due to the heated mirrors being on all the time, or from the auto dim getting old??? I left my heater unhooked on the d side to keep this from happening again, but that might not be what caused it? Opinions? Now I want to replace the p side and I remember reading that if you get a German one or European one, they have much better visibility or something? I can't seem to find that again, so maybe I dreamed it?
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03-28-2014, 08:29 AM	#2
psygnosis Major 23 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Getting dark would be the auto dimming failing. __________________ Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.
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03-28-2014, 08:42 AM	#3
Walkurie Lieutenant 9 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster / 99 Jaguar XK8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surf City, CA iTrader: (2)	You are correct about the Euro mirrors. They are designed to provide an expanded field of view. Maybe as much as another 10-15 feet. I went with them after experiencing some near-misses due to the rather bad visibility. The only downside is slight distortion to the perceived size of the objects. Maybe that is why they are not put on U.S,-spec cars. I still regard them as an improvement. __________________ Vibra Technics engine mounts / Rogue trans mounts / Stoptech brakes / original owner
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03-28-2014, 01:59 PM	#4
unluky Major 7528 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	That is what I was thinking I read. No warning label at the bottom and a larger field of view, but a little distortion as a trade off. Seeing it distorted beats not seeing it at all in my book. Glad the darkening is from the auto dim, I will hook the heater back up on the other side then if that is not what was causing it. Thanks for the replies!
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03-28-2014, 03:10 PM	#5
beta Lieutenant Colonel 80 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	I have one I haven't installed, impulse buy from seeing it show up here. You can see pictures here. __________________ modification journal
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03-29-2014, 02:34 AM	#6
psygnosis Major 23 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Are the e46 M3 mirrors the same shape as the ones for the Z4? __________________ Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.
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