M3 mirrors sort of work... but mostly don't

[Marcus-SanDiego]

When I was on the prowl for M3 mirrors, I figured out something right away. The 2005+ ZHP has the ribbon style connectors. Therefore, we had to transplant my stock mirror motor into the M3 mirror housing. In other words, it was not plug and play.

I found a girl who was selling her M3 mirrors (she had them on a 2004 ZHP). When I asked her about them, she told me that her mirrors were not compatible with my car (something about 2004 ZHPs having 12 pin connectors!). My guess is that BMW changed our connectors between the 2004 and 2005 model years.

Anyhow, I eventually got it sorted out.

I had Shane, owner of Euro Auto Spot, make them work. He had the mirrors all day. He is not a hack, so he wanted to do these perfectly. After procuring the parts, he customized the interior of the mirrors. The result is that my mirrors work perfectly. Just like factory. They move up, down, side to side, and the reverse tilt works on them. Couldn't be more pleased with the work (shout out to Steve Yurkovic, a tech at Euro Auto Spot, who played point on the mirrors).

[az3579]

I found a girl who was selling her M3 mirrors (she had them on a 2004 ZHP). When I asked her about them, she told me that her mirrors were not compatible with my car (something about 2004 ZHPs having 12 pin connectors!). My guess is that BMW changed our connectors between the 2004 and 2005 model years.

That's the sort of info I needed to find out. So apparently the only motors I can use are stock sedan motors with the ribbon cable for 2005? That's an awfully limited selection...


It's not looking too good at this point. We'll have to see if I can find a motor that will work with what I have...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

BP, that's what I am thinking. I had my stock mirrors, so I could just move the motors to the M3 mirror housing. You have the previous owner's M3 mirrors with whatever he did to them. You don't have the luxury of moving the motors from your stock mirrors because you don't have them any longer. That's what sucks about the situation. Now you have to go out and find the style that is compatible with our wiring.

[az3579]

BP, that's what I am thinking. I had my stock mirrors, so I could just move the motors to the M3 mirror housing. You have the previous owner's M3 mirrors with whatever he did to them. You don't have the luxury of moving the motors from your stock mirrors because you don't have them any longer. That's what sucks about the situation. Now you have to go out and find the style that is compatible with our wiring.

Well, the thing is, I have a feeling that the motors that are in the housings are the stock motors swapped because the motor I received on eBay is an M3 motor and looks nothing like it. These look similar to a stock mirror motor, so I can only assume that they are swapped motors.

But, despite this, it doesn't answer why the left mirror won't move in a straight line instead of always diagonally. I figure if it was a stock motor, it would move normally....


Perhaps my switch is bad?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Hmmm. I don't know, BP. I don't know enough about the intricacies of our mirrors to tell you.

[kayger12]

Glad I like the stock mirrors...

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[danewilson77]

Glad I like the stock mirrors...

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Pretty happy with the functionality and looks of mine....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Believe me, there are people out there who can make M3 mirrors look and perform perfectly. Unfortunately, BP's previous owner wasn't the best at making sure that things were working flawlessly.

I think the M3 mirrors match the car great. I think it's about time some of you guys started liking the M3 look.

[Mtnman]

I like the m3 mirror look. If someone would give them to me for free, Id find a way to make them work. Until then, I just blew my grocery money on a set of springs, shocks, and struts....so no m3 mirror for me. keep at it Botond, you'll get it.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I was patient with my M3 mirrors. Guy wrecked his M3. He was parting out the car. Got them for $250. Score.