BMW E46 European Aspherical Mirror doityourself

[slater]

I've been doing this method since I started driving...works so great I never saw the need for altering/additions to the mirrors.

+1... safety first!

[Hermes]

Still need to install my E46 ones, but have it on the E21 (fits E28/30 also)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/87E9602E-5EB1-41AB-9C45-F43A57A2DDB5.jpg

[ELCID86]

I have them on 3 of my 5 cars.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[johnrando]

The B pillars on a vert with the top up are HUGE. It's a big blind spot area so that's why I'd like whatever extra help I can get when the top is up.

[terraphantm]

They take some getting used to, but I love them. Only downside is once you get used to them, it's a bit difficult to change lanes in a "regular" car

[derbo]

They take some getting used to, but I love them. Only downside is once you get used to them, it's a bit difficult to change lanes in a "regular" car

Not to mention if the passenger looks at the mirror they will get nauseous too.


Sent from iPad Mini

[ikeupinya]

Price drop alert: Now $100+shipping for a pair!!! Bought them last week & they quickly reminded me when I lived in Germany for 6 years.

[ELCID86]

I like mine.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[rguti153]

Price drop alert: Now $100+shipping for a pair!!! Bought them last week & they quickly reminded me when I lived in Germany for 6 years.
Where ?

[Vas]

Where from

[ikeupinya]

Bimmian

[BMWCurves]

This one?

https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Lifestyle-and-Convenience/Functionality/Euro-Mirror-Glass-Upgrade/

[ikeupinya]

That one

[BMWCurves]

Hmm...given the $11 shipping, maybe now is the time to get their phone mount as well.

[anandoc]

I bought these from a eBay seller 'dubstopimports' and I am very impressed by the quality. At $49.99 and free shipping, they are much cheaper than Bimmian.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1999-2005-BMW-E46-BLIND-SPOT-MIRROR-MIRRORS-GLASS-PAIR-323-325-328-330-/201461391260

[ikeupinya]

I bought these from a eBay seller 'dubstopimports' and I am very impressed by the quality. At $49.99 and free shipping, they are much cheaper than Bimmian.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1999-2005-BMW-E46-BLIND-SPOT-MIRROR-MIRRORS-GLASS-PAIR-323-325-328-330-/201461391260

Dang, I should've looked in eBay first, you win with the price drop!!!

[ELCID86]

I have dubstopimports also. Been good so far.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[BMWCurves]

I bought these from a eBay seller 'dubstopimports' and I am very impressed by the quality. At $49.99 and free shipping, they are much cheaper than Bimmian.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1999-2005-BMW-E46-BLIND-SPOT-MIRROR-MIRRORS-GLASS-PAIR-323-325-328-330-/201461391260

Good spot, maybe I'll take the plunge on these instead!

[WOLFN8TR]

I have the Khoalty ones. They were $100 and very happy with them.

[BMWCurves]

I have the Khoalty ones. They were $100 and very happy with them.

I'm guessing they're the M3-only ones (http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-m3-mirror-glass-replacement.html)?

[WOLFN8TR]

Yes.

[Aamerh90]

I ordered the set from bimman and just got them in. Has anyone else noticed that the new mirrors are seemingly darker than the stock set?

[az3579]

I ordered the set from bimman and just got them in. Has anyone else noticed that the new mirrors are seemingly darker than the stock set?

That's because they're aftermarket. The OE ones are exactly the same tint as the stock mirrors.

[Dual]

Bumping here, for an update from March 2017-

I'm driving a 2006 ZHP Coupe, and read this thread with great interest if limited budget. After writing off OEM as too expensive (roughly $220/pair shipped from ECS now and backordered until early June), it seemed to come down to a choice between the Bimmian (https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Lifestyle-and-Convenience/Functionality/Euro-Mirror-Glass-Upgrade/) product and the wide range of budget aftermarket products; most sold on eBay. I chose cheap.

After some searching I found a USA-based vendor ( (https://originaleuro.com/collections/bmw-3-series-e46/products/bmw-euro-mirror-glasses-blue-heated-aspheric-convex-2)originaleuro.com (https://originaleuro.com/collections/bmw-3-series-e46/products/bmw-e46-2d-euro-mirror-glasses-blue-heated-aspheric-convex)) with free shipping on a set of two coupe/cab mirrors for $47.95. Here's my report: they're OK, but I kinda wish I'd scrimped, saved and waited to buy the Bimmian product.

For one thing, although these mirrors have a vertical line at the point where an OEM mirror gives you a wide-angle view, the line means nothing. The entire glass surface has the same aspherical curvature. The tint is, as discussed above, a bit darker than factory product. Also, the glass is a bit distorted with slight ripples and other minor deformations: hard to see in use; not an annoyance (yet), but not OEM quality for sure.

Snapping the mirrors in was more difficult than snapping them out. I'm not 100% confident that the passenger side is fully engaged yet: time will tell. The installed mirrors are not centered in the housing: both cheat inwards perhaps 1/4" towards the center of the car.

The driver's side mirror has a greatly increased viewing angle now and I don't have to rely on the tiny stick-on mirrors I used before this. But as stated above, I think I should have gone with Bimmian.

That's what I have for now...

[derbo]

Bumping here, for an update from March 2017-

I'm driving a 2006 ZHP Coupe, and read this thread with great interest if limited budget. After writing off OEM as too expensive (roughly $220/pair shipped from ECS now and backordered until early June), it seemed to come down to a choice between the Bimmian (https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Lifestyle-and-Convenience/Functionality/Euro-Mirror-Glass-Upgrade/) product and the wide range of budget aftermarket products; most sold on eBay. I chose cheap.

After some searching I found a USA-based vendor ( (https://originaleuro.com/collections/bmw-3-series-e46/products/bmw-euro-mirror-glasses-blue-heated-aspheric-convex-2)originaleuro.com (https://originaleuro.com/collections/bmw-3-series-e46/products/bmw-e46-2d-euro-mirror-glasses-blue-heated-aspheric-convex)) with free shipping on a set of two coupe/cab mirrors for $47.95. Here's my report: they're OK, but I kinda wish I'd scrimped, saved and waited to buy the Bimmian product.

For one thing, although these mirrors have a vertical line at the point where an OEM mirror gives you a wide-angle view, the line means nothing. The entire glass surface has the same aspherical curvature. The tint is, as discussed above, a bit darker than factory product. Also, the glass is a bit distorted with slight ripples and other minor deformations: hard to see in use; not an annoyance (yet), but not OEM quality for sure.

Snapping the mirrors in was more difficult than snapping them out. I'm not 100% confident that the passenger side is fully engaged yet: time will tell. The installed mirrors are not centered in the housing: both cheat inwards perhaps 1/4" towards the center of the car.

The driver's side mirror has a greatly increased viewing angle now and I don't have to rely on the tiny stick-on mirrors I used before this. But as stated above, I think I should have gone with Bimmian.

That's what I have for now...

Hopefully the price justified the issues you are experiencing. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dual]

Nope: I like this kind of thing clean and elegant. :)

[Dual]

Update- yeah, so there actually is a bit of a difference on the lined-off outer section of the mirrors, but it's hard to perceive. I really like having the entire mirror surface more convex than stock: I would hate to have to rely on the small section for that kind of view. But the mirrors are bumpy, for lack of a better word: very minor distortions are visible across the glass surface. Over and out...

[anandoc]

I'd be interested in a longer term review. I bought a pair from ebay in 2015. Similar characteristics as you described above - darker than OEM and the entire mirror is convex rather than just the part beyond the line. However I really liked it and it made lane changes so much easier.

However, after using them for about 1.5 years, the passenger side mirror has developed huge brown spots...likely due to condensation within the glass. The driver side is fine. The heating element also seems to work fine on both sides.

[Dual]

Definitely; if I see failure of the mirrored coating I will post here.

[E_Rak]

Just woke up from the dead -

Wanted to give an update on a pair of mirrors I purchased from Dubstop Imports (one of the sellers recommended earlier in this thread). I bought my pair in June. By October they started dicoloring, as you can see here.

29411

By January, they were completely rusted, and this month the driver's side failed as well. I bought mine through eBay, so I used the contact seller function. I received a reply from Rus within the hour and he processed an exchange almost immediately. Their warehouse is in Newton, MA so I drove down to pick up the new set. I talked with Rus for a little while and checked out the warehouse. He explained that they received a bad batch (the mirrors are sourced from Taiwan) and anyone who has an issue can pickup (or be delivered) a new set. I can happily recommend Dubstop after this experience. Hopefully this batch holds up!

http://www.dubstopimports.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=617215173001

Or if you can find them posted on their eBay page, they go for a little cheaper (~$50):

http://stores.ebay.com/DUBSTOP-INTERNATIONAL/BMW-/_i.html?rt=nc&_fsub=12&_sid=15956211&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1

[BMWCurves]

Thanks for the follow up. Glad to hear they were very accommodating.

[az3579]

As a point of reference, my OE aspherical mirrors are just starting to get splotches of this rusty colored discoloration. I bought them in 2012, so they made it 5 years before noticeable discoloration appeared.

Wish BMW would make the mirror heating switch controlled instead of always being on below a certain temp. Ugh.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Johnmadd]

As a point of reference, my OE aspherical mirrors are just starting to get splotches of this rusty colored discoloration. I bought them in 2012, so they made it 5 years before noticeable discoloration appeared.

Wish BMW would make the mirror heating switch controlled instead of always being on below a certain temp. Ugh.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Ahhhh, so that's why that happens.

[az3579]

Ahhhh, so that's why that happens.

I'm pretty sure ​that's why it happens...

[Johnmadd]

I'm pretty sure ​that's why it happens...

I can't argue with your statement at all, I don't have a clue. I always thought it was water that somehow got in the glass. :dunno

[ELCID86]

Just woke up from the dead -

Wanted to give an update on a pair of mirrors I purchased from Dubstop Imports (one of the sellers recommended earlier in this thread). I bought my pair in June. By October they started dicoloring, as you can see here.

29411

By January, they were completely rusted, and this month the driver's side failed as well. I bought mine through eBay, so I used the contact seller function. I received a reply from Rus within the hour and he processed an exchange almost immediately. Their warehouse is in Newton, MA so I drove down to pick up the new set. I talked with Rus for a little while and checked out the warehouse. He explained that they received a bad batch (the mirrors are sourced from Taiwan) and anyone who has an issue can pickup (or be delivered) a new set. I can happily recommend Dubstop after this experience. Hopefully this batch holds up!

http://www.dubstopimports.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=617215173001

Or if you can find them posted on their eBay page, they go for a little cheaper (~$50):

http://stores.ebay.com/DUBSTOP-INTERNATIONAL/BMW-/_i.html?rt=nc&_fsub=12&_sid=15956211&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1

Thanks for the update. Mine from same source seem to be holding up.

I like that theory Botond.

[danewilson77]

As a point of reference, my OE aspherical mirrors are just starting to get splotches of this rusty colored discoloration. I bought them in 2012, so they made it 5 years before noticeable discoloration appeared.

Wish BMW would make the mirror heating switch controlled instead of always being on below a certain temp. Ugh.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk



Ahhhh, so that's why that happens.

Yep. Mine are unplugged.... On purpose.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[az3579]

Yep. Mine are unplugged.... On purpose.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Damn, that is genius.

[ELCID86]

Duh. I shoulda thunk a dat.

[anandoc]

I bought my aspherical mirrors from the same guy on ebay in late summer of 2015 (BP helped me smuggle those in to winter wonderland during his visit).

The driver's side has held up no issues. The passenger side has developed large brown spots due to heat/moisture or whatever reason. It started from the sides and then spread towards the center of the mirror just like the picture posted here by another member. This led me to believe that it might be moisture seeping in...but it seems BP has a different (and probably correct) theory.

[E_Rak]

I bought my aspherical mirrors from the same guy on ebay in late summer of 2015 (BP helped me smuggle those in to winter wonderland during his visit).

The driver's side has held up no issues. The passenger side has developed large brown spots due to heat/moisture or whatever reason. It started from the sides and then spread towards the center of the mirror just like the picture posted here by another member. This led me to believe that it might be moisture seeping in...but it seems BP has a different (and probably correct) theory.

Rus mentioned most of them fail due to a bad seal between the glass itself and the reflective coating. Water seeps in and reacts with the blue tint, causing it to rust. In removing my old mirrors, one piece of glass came completely detached from its backing, and the other was starting to come up. He mentioned that heating had nothing to do with it - glass without the blue tint does not rust. I figure if this pair from the new batch goes bad, I can have them replace again, and this time they will not be heated!

[az3579]

Rus mentioned most of them fail due to a bad seal between the glass itself and the reflective coating. Water seeps in and reacts with the blue tint, causing it to rust. In removing my old mirrors, one piece of glass came completely detached from its backing, and the other was starting to come up. He mentioned that heating had nothing to do with it - glass without the blue tint does not rust. I figure if this pair from the new batch goes bad, I can have them replace again, and this time they will not be heated!

Interesting. The seal on my glass looks fine; I don't see how water is getting in there. I wonder how it happens...

Also, my rust spots are on the bottom, so if water was getting in, it would have to travel upwards to create those kinds of rust spots.

Here's a couple of pics:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170316/ad952174b726113e236902652b19c4aa.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170316/df9eb961e5d9f5aa927f05bc221152fa.jpg



You know, looking at these pics... I do realize that all that salt may be contributing to this. Salt seems to get EVERYWHERE, and with the water, it is helped with travel. Hmm...

[anandoc]

Also, my rust spots are on the bottom, so if water was getting in, it would have to travel upwards to create those kinds of rust spots.

You know, looking at these pics... I do realize that all that salt may be contributing to this. Salt seems to get EVERYWHERE, and with the water, it is helped with travel. Hmm...

Water is not 'travelling upwards' so to say. Moisture seems to be getting in between the glass and the reflective coating and the coating then starts to rust every which way possible, including upwards. Its akin to a metallic door panel starting to rust from the bottom and then the rust spreads upwards.

Yes, I think salt might also contribute to the rusting just like how it speeds up rusting metallic on parts in our cars.

[Sockethead]

The two I got from Charlie are doing the same thing but haven't gotten any since I rarely drive it in the rain and it hasn't been in snow since 2008