Replacing Interior Rearview Mirror

AlexTheMan · 08-25-2011, 01:01 PM

I have a 2005 Z4 2.5i with Premium and Sport packages. The interior auto dimming mirror is leaking inside. I considered sending it to http://www.radar-mirror.com/ to have it fixed ($89) and may be add also homelink module ($199). I took off the mirror already.

However, I am also considering buying a mirror from eBay or any of the forums that includes homelink and compass. Based on some reading, I believe I don't need a retrofit harness since my mirror already has auto dimming. Is this correct? Would the homelink work without additional wiring?

My second question is which other mirrors would fit in my car? Based on some reading I believe any mirror with alarm led and taken from a convertible should be OK. Can anyone confirm? Is a mirror from an E46 330 convertible OK?

The Z4 has the key fob receiver in the mirror so I believe but I am not sure that it's the same way with 3-series convertibles.

Thanks in advance.

SCHMOUPE · 08-25-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTheMan

I have a 2005 Z4 2.5i with Premium and Sport packages. The interior auto dimming mirror is leaking inside. I considered sending it to http://www.radar-mirror.com/ to have it fixed ($89) and may be add also homelink module ($199). I took off the mirror already.

However, I am also considering buying a mirror from eBay or any of the forums that includes homelink and compass. Based on some reading, I believe I don't need a retrofit harness since my mirror already has auto dimming. Is this correct? Would the homelink work without additional wiring?

My second question is which other mirrors would fit in my car? Based on some reading I believe any mirror with alarm led and taken from a convertible should be OK. Can anyone confirm? Is a mirror from an E46 330 convertible OK?

The Z4 has the key fob receiver in the mirror so I believe but I am not sure that it's the same way with 3-series convertibles.

Thanks in advance.

I dont know where you land with your research but I do have an extra M mirror in mint/new condition willing to sell. PM me with an offer if interested

AlexTheMan · 08-25-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakib

I dont know where you land with your research but I do have an extra M mirror in mint/new condition willing to sell. PM me with an offer if interested

Shakib, as a newbie to this forum I still don't have access to PM. I should have that access in 24hrs or so. I assume that the mirror you have is auto dimming without homelink or compass, right?

Finnegan · 08-25-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTheMan

Shakib, as a newbie to this forum I still don't have access to PM. I should have that access in 24hrs or so. I assume that the mirror you have is auto dimming without homelink or compass, right?

Correct, that's what comes with an M mirror.

inTgr8r · 08-25-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Correct, that's what comes with an M mirror.

Not all Ms have autodimming.
Mine is maual; twist the clown nose

Finnegan · 08-25-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Not all Ms have autodimming.
Mine is maual; twist the clown nose

Wow, thanks, bad assumption on my part!

"Twist the clown nose"

inTgr8r · 08-25-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Wow, thanks, bad assumption on my part!

"Twist the clown nose"

I think my car must have been a factory order.
I don't think any dealer would put anything into inventory like mine.
It's stripped pretty clean, which suits me just fine, the lighter the better.

CFoote · 08-27-2011, 09:06 AM

You have to becareful about switching mirrors due to the Keyless entry receiver being built into the mirror housing as you mentioned. I have never tried a 3 series conv. mirror -- if the frequency of the receiver is the same it should work OK (you could check that by going into REALOEM.COM and look up the mirrors, I believe it lists the frequency of the receiver).

Their Homelink retrofit looks very sharp! Our mirrors are very small so I'm not sure if they could do it or not, but that's a very nice place to put it if they can do it. Sounds like a reputable place.

Chris

krusty · 08-27-2011, 10:59 AM

There are actually two types of rear view mirror in the Z4 coupe:

* Ellipsoidal type (on the left). My Z4 coupe originally came with this as new ... I then had some problems with the remote control unlocking the doors ... and they replaced the rear-view mirror under warranty ... with ...

* Angular type (on the right) ... which I think I prefer because it matches the shape of the rear view window on the coupe better.

AlexTheMan · 09-01-2011, 11:19 PM

An update for anyone that may be in the same situation. I bought a mirror from eBay taken out of a 2002 330CI convertible. It plugged and installed fine and works great. Homelink worked. BTW, I verified on RealOEM.com before ordering the mirror that it uses the same frequency as my 05 Z4.

KevinC · 09-05-2011, 11:29 AM

After reading this thread, I contacted radar-mirror.com on Saturday and sent my mirror in (I have the oval-shaped one) to have Homelink added. This is an awesome find, I've been wanting to get the ugly visor-wart out of my car for years. Will post pics of the finished product later in the week when it comes back.

KevinC · 09-14-2011, 10:35 PM

I've done the Homelink mirror into my stock oval mirror from radar-mirror.com, check it out... AWESOME mod!

http://************/42h4blg

cdjones · 01-08-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakib

I dont know where you land with your research but I do have an extra M mirror in mint/new condition willing to sell. PM me with an offer if interested

Do you still have this mirror? I was unable to send you a PM?

SCHMOUPE · 01-08-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdjones

Do you still have this mirror? I was unable to send you a PM?

was sold a couple days ago

GP20 · 01-09-2012, 01:38 AM

I had the manual-dimming mirror in my '06 Z4MR. When my current auto-dimming mirror breaks, I'll replace it with a manual one. The auto-dimming mirror works too inconsistently, which I know is by-design but too often it works inadequately and I get blinded by the head-lights behind me. Never had any issue with the manual mirror.

RADRACR · 01-09-2012, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP20

I had the manual-dimming mirror in my '06 Z4MR. When my current auto-dimming mirror breaks, I'll replace it with a manual one. The auto-dimming mirror works too inconsistently, which I know is by-design but too often it works inadequately and I get blinded by the head-lights behind me. Never had any issue with the manual mirror.

Yeah the ones in our bimmers suck. The auto-dimming mirrors in my old VW GTI worked awesome and consistently every night. In fact the interior was superior to my Z4MC in every way

e85_ricky · 01-18-2012, 11:53 PM

Does anyone ever clip on those extra long broadway mirrors that are tinted on?

Ronnie Cavanagh · 04-05-2023, 06:26 AM

Hi I have done some research and I have talked apart my side mirrors previously.I was wondering if anyone has attempted to split the glass and remove the gel on the rear view mirror.?
My thought is if I replace the new one will eventually leak also as I live in a very hot climate so I just want a normal mirror without losing the alarm function etc

08-25-2011, 01:01 PM	#1
AlexTheMan New Member 12 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2019 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Replacing Interior Rearview Mirror I have a 2005 Z4 2.5i with Premium and Sport packages. The interior auto dimming mirror is leaking inside. I considered sending it to http://www.radar-mirror.com/ to have it fixed ($89) and may be add also homelink module ($199). I took off the mirror already. However, I am also considering buying a mirror from eBay or any of the forums that includes homelink and compass. Based on some reading, I believe I don't need a retrofit harness since my mirror already has auto dimming. Is this correct? Would the homelink work without additional wiring? My second question is which other mirrors would fit in my car? Based on some reading I believe any mirror with alarm led and taken from a convertible should be OK. Can anyone confirm? Is a mirror from an E46 330 convertible OK? The Z4 has the key fob receiver in the mirror so I believe but I am not sure that it's the same way with 3-series convertibles. Thanks in advance.
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08-27-2011, 09:06 AM	#8
CFoote Captain 180 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '22 M5CS, '00 M5, '06 Z4M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northeast iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 M5CS [0.00] 2001 BMW 740i [0.00] 2006 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2012 BMW X6 3.5i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00] 2017 BMW 540xi [0.00] 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 2001 BMW X5 4.4i [0.00]	You have to becareful about switching mirrors due to the Keyless entry receiver being built into the mirror housing as you mentioned. I have never tried a 3 series conv. mirror -- if the frequency of the receiver is the same it should work OK (you could check that by going into REALOEM.COM and look up the mirrors, I believe it lists the frequency of the receiver). Their Homelink retrofit looks very sharp! Our mirrors are very small so I'm not sure if they could do it or not, but that's a very nice place to put it if they can do it. Sounds like a reputable place. Chris __________________ '22 M5CS, '06 Z4M, '01 X5 4.4i, '00 M5, '05 Acura RL, '12 X6 3.5, '01 740, 08 335xi, '17 540xi (yes they all are still with me)
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08-27-2011, 10:59 AM	#9
krusty Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 coupé Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	There are actually two types of rear view mirror in the Z4 coupe: * Ellipsoidal type (on the left). My Z4 coupe originally came with this as new ... I then had some problems with the remote control unlocking the doors ... and they replaced the rear-view mirror under warranty ... with ... * Angular type (on the right) ... which I think I prefer because it matches the shape of the rear view window on the coupe better. Attached Images
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09-01-2011, 11:19 PM	#10
AlexTheMan New Member 12 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2019 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	An update for anyone that may be in the same situation. I bought a mirror from eBay taken out of a 2002 330CI convertible. It plugged and installed fine and works great. Homelink worked. BTW, I verified on RealOEM.com before ordering the mirror that it uses the same frequency as my 05 Z4.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-05-2011, 11:29 AM	#11
KevinC your average JAMF 3088 Rep 4,091 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	After reading this thread, I contacted radar-mirror.com on Saturday and sent my mirror in (I have the oval-shaped one) to have Homelink added. This is an awesome find, I've been wanting to get the ugly visor-wart out of my car for years. Will post pics of the finished product later in the week when it comes back. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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09-14-2011, 10:35 PM	#12
KevinC your average JAMF 3088 Rep 4,091 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	I've done the Homelink mirror into my stock oval mirror from radar-mirror.com, check it out... AWESOME mod! http://************/42h4blg __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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01-09-2012, 01:38 AM	#15
GP20 Major 95 Rep 1,269 Posts Drives: Z4M, F80 M3, 991.2 GTS Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	I had the manual-dimming mirror in my '06 Z4MR. When my current auto-dimming mirror breaks, I'll replace it with a manual one. The auto-dimming mirror works too inconsistently, which I know is by-design but too often it works inadequately and I get blinded by the head-lights behind me. Never had any issue with the manual mirror. __________________ 2019 Porsche 911 4 GTS 2016 BMW M3 2008 BMW Z4M coupe
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01-18-2012, 11:53 PM	#17
e85_ricky Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Silver E85 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monterey Park iTrader: (0)	Does anyone ever clip on those extra long broadway mirrors that are tinted on?
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04-05-2023, 06:26 AM	#18
Ronnie Cavanagh Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 2003 Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Darwin iTrader: (0)	BMW Z4 rear view mirror leaking Hi I have done some research and I have talked apart my side mirrors previously.I was wondering if anyone has attempted to split the glass and remove the gel on the rear view mirror.? My thought is if I replace the new one will eventually leak also as I live in a very hot climate so I just want a normal mirror without losing the alarm function etc
	Appreciate 0 Quote