Thoughts on auto-dimming mirror

BMW Maniac · 01-30-2009, 08:41 PM

I must admit, I had this feature in my 06 F150 and I loved it. Once it went dark, the mirror dimmed and stayed that way....

In the Z4m....not soo much. It takes a second to dim when someone is behind me, but then go back to normal! So, then I have to wait until someone is behind me (usually tailgating me) for a bit before the auto dim kicks in.....

So, is this normal?

Still love the car, just thought it was odd that the autodimming mirror in my Ford outperforms my mirror in my BMW

M_Six · 01-30-2009, 09:16 PM

I had them in my E38 and I loved it. When someone came up behind me with brights, I didn't even really notice. The switch was instant. My X5 doesn't have it and it sucks when someone comes up with brights or sits out in the left lane pacing me with their lights blinding me. I can switch the RVM to dark, but all I can do with the side views is shift them out. The Z4 has self-dimming mirrors, so I'm looking forward to having them again.

I never noticed them shifting back to normal or darkened in the E38. Maybe you have a defective sensor?

thekurgan · 01-30-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Maniac

I must admit, I had this feature in my 06 F150 and I loved it. Once it went dark, the mirror dimmed and stayed that way....

In the Z4m....not soo much. It takes a second to dim when someone is behind me, but then go back to normal! So, then I have to wait until someone is behind me (usually tailgating me) for a bit before the auto dim kicks in.....

So, is this normal?

Still love the car, just thought it was odd that the autodimming mirror in my Ford outperforms my mirror in my BMW

I wound up placing a small piece of electrical tape on the sensor on the front of the mirror, facing the windshield. I'm not sure if that sensor is too sensitive but if you have lights from behind and light in front, maybe from other cars or street lights, the mirror releases the darkness, maybe fooled that it is daylight.

jragan · 01-31-2009, 08:34 AM

Solution - Drive faster

I'd be curious to hear from those with a 2008 model, since they have a redesigned mirror.

thekurgan · 01-31-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragan

Solution - Drive faster

I'd be curious to hear from those with a 2008 model, since they have a redesigned mirror.

2008 model is no different, it still doesn't stay dark for a long period of time unless you block the sensor.

jragan · 01-31-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

2008 model is no different, it still doesn't stay dark for a long period of time unless you block the sensor.

On bimmerfest, it was decided the limited visibility through the rear negatively affects the dimming operation of the mirror...

thekurgan · 01-31-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragan

On bimmerfest, it was decided the limited visibility through the rear negatively affects the dimming operation of the mirror...

Not that I doubt bimmerfest, but tape up the sensor on the front of the mirror and give it a shot.

Ron Stygar · 01-31-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Not that I doubt bimmerfest, but tape up the sensor on the front of the mirror and give it a shot.

You don't have the oval one.

thekurgan · 01-31-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

You don't have the oval one.

No front sensor on the older model?

Ron Stygar · 01-31-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

No front sensor on the older model?

It has a front sensor.
The back sensor is on the bottom.
On yours the back sensor is on the top.
Someone moved your style to the bottom to get it to work.

BMWI6 · 01-31-2009, 09:13 PM

I hate this feature in my car, it works like shit

koala · 02-01-2009, 01:02 AM

I can't even notice if it's doing its job or not... the previous owner tinted the windows and that does a good enough job for me.

Leonardo629 · 02-01-2009, 01:15 AM

I was about to post the same question when I see this.

My auto dimming feature only works sometimes when I drive my '08 Z4MC at night...I thought my mirror is broken or something..

thekurgan · 02-01-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

It has a front sensor.
The back sensor is on the bottom.
On yours the back sensor is on the top.
Someone moved your style to the bottom to get it to work.

Ah, I see, because of the small hatch. I do notice I have to tilt the mirror as to get maybe a half-picture out of the back and that does help to align that sensor with the window. Covering the front sensor does help keep the mirrors dark, at least for the newer model mirrors.

Hawkeye · 02-01-2009, 11:12 PM

I love this feature, it works all the time for me... ?

01-30-2009, 08:41 PM	#1
BMW Maniac Lieutenant 22 Rep 428 Posts Drives: Former Z4M coupe owner Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (1)	Thoughts on auto-dimming mirror I must admit, I had this feature in my 06 F150 and I loved it. Once it went dark, the mirror dimmed and stayed that way.... In the Z4m....not soo much. It takes a second to dim when someone is behind me, but then go back to normal! So, then I have to wait until someone is behind me (usually tailgating me) for a bit before the auto dim kicks in..... So, is this normal? Still love the car, just thought it was odd that the autodimming mirror in my Ford outperforms my mirror in my BMW __________________ 1997 /// M3 Coupe Arctic Silver CES STAGE IV (651rwhp/615rwtq) 1999 /// M3 Convertible Techno Violet
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01-30-2009, 09:16 PM	#2
M_Six Free Thinker 16890 Rep 7,454 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	I had them in my E38 and I loved it. When someone came up behind me with brights, I didn't even really notice. The switch was instant. My X5 doesn't have it and it sucks when someone comes up with brights or sits out in the left lane pacing me with their lights blinding me. I can switch the RVM to dark, but all I can do with the side views is shift them out. The Z4 has self-dimming mirrors, so I'm looking forward to having them again. I never noticed them shifting back to normal or darkened in the E38. Maybe you have a defective sensor?
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01-31-2009, 08:34 AM	#4
jragan Imola Lover 26 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2007 Imola Red M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas iTrader: (0)	Solution - Drive faster I'd be curious to hear from those with a 2008 model, since they have a redesigned mirror. __________________ His: RIP-"Ruby" *E86 ///M Coupe: Pics Track Pics Short Vids Long Vids Hers: 997-1 C4S*: Pics
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01-31-2009, 09:13 PM	#11
BMWI6 Major 96 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	I hate this feature in my car, it works like shit __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
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02-01-2009, 01:02 AM	#12
koala Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 06 BMW M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB CA iTrader: (0)	I can't even notice if it's doing its job or not... the previous owner tinted the windows and that does a good enough job for me. __________________ 2006 M Coupe \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Interior.
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02-01-2009, 01:15 AM	#13
Leonardo629 Lieutenant Colonel 168 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (10)	I was about to post the same question when I see this. My auto dimming feature only works sometimes when I drive my '08 Z4MC at night...I thought my mirror is broken or something..
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02-01-2009, 11:12 PM	#15
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	I love this feature, it works all the time for me... ? __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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