Coupe rear-view mirror height/angle

cahme · 03-27-2018, 01:26 PM

I've just got a Coupe and the one thing I cannot get over is the height/angle of the rear-view mirror. I'm 6'1" and when sitting normally and a car driving at normal spacing behind me, I can't see beyond it's headlights. I can slouch a bit and see more, but that's no fun.

I searched and didn't come up with much complaining, just a bunch of mirror swaps for the auto-adjust, but surely someone has done something about this? I'm thinking lowering the mirror a tad should give me a better line of sight out of the back window. An other option is to just keep alot of pressure on the skinny pedal and not worry about what's behind!

Mirko · 03-27-2018, 02:18 PM

I find putting a wing on the trunk helps

.. well with stability, not really with visibility though

before the wing I would almost tilt the mirror fully up and use just the bottom of it to see behind me. after wing .. I gave up and use side mirrors only.

wdb · 03-28-2018, 11:58 AM

Interesting observation. I have a 3.0si and an M coupe, and I can see much further behind me in the 3.0si. I'm pretty sure I have the seats at the same height, so I've been meaning to take some measurements of mirror location.

garz747 · 03-28-2018, 01:11 PM

The back window looks almost like a mailslot through the mirror. Im 5,11 and found using mirrors and shoulder checks when changing lanes makes it easier. U will get used to it.

cahme · 03-28-2018, 02:14 PM

I feel that the mirror would be much more useful to me if it were an inch lower then the angles would work better for me. It's acceptable to me if I slouch down a bit and I think my seat is as low as it will go.

I'm sure I'll get used to it; in fact I find myself not using it at all already. Maybe I need to get the wing!

pungo · 03-28-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdb

Interesting observation. I have a 3.0si and an M coupe, and I can see much further behind me in the 3.0si. I'm pretty sure I have the seats at the same height, so I've been meaning to take some measurements of mirror location.

Having driving both a Z4C and Z4MC a for a long time, I found them to be identical when looking out the rear view mirror.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cahme

I feel that the mirror would be much more useful to me if it were an inch lower then the angles would work better for me. It's acceptable to me if I slouch down a bit and I think my seat is as low as it will go.

I agree that if the mirror were an little lower, it would make it more usable, especially for taller people. At 6'1", I have mine set to only use the bottom half of the mirror.

I also have a pair of these to reduce blind spots, where the outer 1/4 is fisheyeish:

Name: miror front.jpg
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Name: miror front.jpg
Views: 211
Size: 800.9 KB

Asianoak · 04-01-2018, 02:01 PM

I have the same issue as OP. Being 6'2" getting the right angle on the mirror is impossible. I have a hard time with seeing the street lights too at some intersections, but that's a good thing. Now I slow down and try not to be the first to the light.

v3.2mc · 04-01-2018, 03:42 PM

I'm also 6'1" - I'd much rather have a non-functional rear view mirror than have reduced visibility out the windshield due to lowering the mirror any.

GyroF-16 · 04-01-2018, 08:47 PM

Another option, after lowering the seat, is to recline it a bit more.
I find this makes a significant difference in the height of my eyeballs.
I’m 6’ 0”

03-27-2018, 01:26 PM	#1
cahme Second Lieutenant 116 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '11 E90 335i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Coupe rear-view mirror height/angle I've just got a Coupe and the one thing I cannot get over is the height/angle of the rear-view mirror. I'm 6'1" and when sitting normally and a car driving at normal spacing behind me, I can't see beyond it's headlights. I can slouch a bit and see more, but that's no fun. I searched and didn't come up with much complaining, just a bunch of mirror swaps for the auto-adjust, but surely someone has done something about this? I'm thinking lowering the mirror a tad should give me a better line of sight out of the back window. An other option is to just keep alot of pressure on the skinny pedal and not worry about what's behind!
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03-27-2018, 02:18 PM	#2
Mirko Major 182 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	I find putting a wing on the trunk helps .. well with stability, not really with visibility though before the wing I would almost tilt the mirror fully up and use just the bottom of it to see behind me. after wing .. I gave up and use side mirrors only. __________________ 08 M Coupe • Ceramic Black Fabspeed Headers • MCS 1WNR • Poly FCAB • Stoptech BBK • Vibra-Tech • Epic Tune • Apex EC7 • RPI Scoop • Eventuri • Stromung • Rogue X Pipe • Varis Diffuser • CF E92 GTS Wing • CF Roof
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03-28-2018, 11:58 AM	#3
wdb dances with roads 4722 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	Interesting observation. I have a 3.0si and an M coupe, and I can see much further behind me in the 3.0si. I'm pretty sure I have the seats at the same height, so I've been meaning to take some measurements of mirror location.
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03-28-2018, 01:11 PM	#4
garz747 Captain 286 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC 01 330i 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	The back window looks almost like a mailslot through the mirror. Im 5,11 and found using mirrors and shoulder checks when changing lanes makes it easier. U will get used to it.
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03-28-2018, 02:14 PM	#5
cahme Second Lieutenant 116 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '11 E90 335i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I feel that the mirror would be much more useful to me if it were an inch lower then the angles would work better for me. It's acceptable to me if I slouch down a bit and I think my seat is as low as it will go. I'm sure I'll get used to it; in fact I find myself not using it at all already. Maybe I need to get the wing!
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04-01-2018, 02:01 PM	#7
Asianoak Lieutenant 143 Rep 451 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 & "11 X3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern Oregon iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [0.00]	I have the same issue as OP. Being 6'2" getting the right angle on the mirror is impossible. I have a hard time with seeing the street lights too at some intersections, but that's a good thing. Now I slow down and try not to be the first to the light. __________________ Instagram: @dasianoak
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04-01-2018, 03:42 PM	#8
v3.2mc Not a New Member 94 Rep 925 Posts Drives: with both hands and both feet Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: midwest iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 ///M Coupé [10.00]	I'm also 6'1" - I'd much rather have a non-functional rear view mirror than have reduced visibility out the windshield due to lowering the mirror any. __________________ #1498E86 \| Sepang Bronze \| Dark Sepang Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim
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04-01-2018, 08:47 PM	#9
GyroF-16 Private 15 Rep 71 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Front Range area, CO iTrader: (0)	Another option, after lowering the seat, is to recline it a bit more. I find this makes a significant difference in the height of my eyeballs. I’m 6’ 0”
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