Rear View Mirror Swap Questions. SOS 05 330i --> Non_SOS

[derbo]

Once again, acronyms have made me feel like a fool... EC? GTO? Can someone explain?? I need to get my hands on the autodimming rearview mirror with the rain/light sensor housing so that I can slowly work toward retrofitting the auto lights and wipers (already have the LCM, will be getting the windshield eventually).

Would love to know more info here. I think the perfect mirror would be the one that Derek currently has... Autodimming, homelink, and flat clown nose. Compass isn't too important because I have compass on the Nav screen.

Jay got it right.

EC = Electrochromatic, which translates to autodimming
GTO = homelink garage opener.
FLA = high beam assistant.

There are numerous types of these mirrors. Some E60 and most of the F series cars have an option for high beam - assistant and that gets more complicated.




Jon, the one I have is exactly like this one. The one I have is from an E90 with premium package. I believe the only way to get a non compass one with the semi hidden auto-dim photo resistor is to get an E60 one. But be care that some have high beam assistant.. lol. Yea..its complicated. If you need any more help, always can shoot me a text/pm Jon

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-BMW-...25a061&vxp=mtr


The actual mirror I would've like to have is exactly mine, EC/GTO/Compass + thin clown nose but the clown nose is clear.

Another version:
The Electric 1 series has a blue LED inside the clear clown nose and similarly looks like a Z4 mirror. I believe these bolt up to our windows as well.

[derbo]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=975412


someone on e46F is selling a thin clown nose, homelink, autodim no compasss mirror

[trancenation]

He's got a hairline scratch on the mirror just an FYI. Good price for the mirror. So what MY cars do the slim clown nose mirrors come from?

[Hermes]

If somebody needs a mirror I might me willing to sell mine. Original one went bad and I replaced it with a new SOS mirror last year. I have an oval M3 mirror I need to install, so the SOS mirror will eventually just be spare

[derbo]

He's got a hairline scratch on the mirror just an FYI. Good price for the mirror. So what MY cars do the slim clown nose mirrors come from?

Jon,

Yea the minor caveat to that mirror but the price is good!

Slim clown nose come on 07+ cars. E7x E6x E9x E83 all come with the slim clown nose. I'm sure the newer ones will work but I no longer work there and can confrim wiring anymore

[JupiterBMW]

My next question is about the mounting section. I am looking to upgrade to a newer mirror with the wider mounting arm that will incorporate the rain/light sensor so that I can retrofit auto headlights.

[derbo]

My next question is about the mounting section. I am looking to upgrade to a newer mirror with the wider mounting arm that will incorporate the rain/light sensor so that I can retrofit auto headlights.

What exactly is the question Jon?

The rain light sensor is on the side and mounted on the windshield and separate to the mirror arm itself. I'll open my mirror and take pics for you if you like.

[JupiterBMW]

Yeah sorry, I realized afterward that I never really posted a question. I sort of figured the mirrors were different because the mounting is very different. The non RLS cars (my '03) have the skinny mirror mounting post, as where the RLS cars (my old '04) had a wider base for the mirror mounting that incorporated the housing of the RLS. I think it was just trim, but underneath, is the mirror mounting the same?

Pics would be awesome Derek. Thanks dood.

[derbo]

Jon I'm not 100% sure what you mean the mounting is skinner. Do you mean the plastic cover around the actual metal portion?

[cakM3]

Jon, the mirror neck is the same diameter between cars with or without the rain sensor. My ///M has rain sensor and the ZHP obviously not. I have the ///M Oval rear view mirror in the ///M with rain sensor and had the same type of mirror (same exact diameters) on my ZHP until recently. it's the plastic cover that goes around the neck that is different.