My M3 Sedan Mirror project (retrofit services)

[nextelbuddy]

so since i guess i like doing this mod and have an odd infatuation with folding motors etc... i've become quite intimate with ribbon cable mirrors and retrofitting them into m3 housings.

i started going on a buying spree looking for good deals on parts.

ideal id love to offer 2 services:

1. when you have purchased your own M3 mirrors, looked and read through the DIY threads and still just dont feel comfortable doing it on your own with the currently available DIYs and info (which in their own right are great and very informative) and you just want to hand everything to someone and have them do it for you and ship back a complete sedan M3 mirror set ready to bolt on.

2. the ability to offer a complete set of M3 mirrors already retrofitted with ribbon cable motors and modified door base plates ready to bolt on. (this one is obviously more expensive.)


Considering M3 mirrors average $350-$500 for decent sets then ribbon cable motors average $75 a side or $140-200 for a pair.. you are looking at close to $600 in parts alone yuck not including power fold motors. calculate power fold motors and you are looking ar another $200 on top in parts alone.




clearly this is a niche product and you have to really want this to spend the coin on it. i dont predict there being a big market for this but at least its something I can do that expands my knowledge, lets me recoupe some small costs for things and keeps my hands busy for now.

either that or i will have a stock pile of m3 mirrors for ribbon sedans stashed in my closet for 30 years later LOL

power fold motors arent sold on their own so i have to purchased damaged ones from M5s then refurbish them with repair kits available online and even then not ALL parts are available which stinks. ive even reached out to people online wholesalers and no one can tell me where they get specific parts im looking for.


anyways i have quite a few pictures from my recent adventure with this :lol

i've also purchased a complete 2005 ZHP GM5 module with plugs and wires, mirror switch and wiring and will be using WDS for wiring pinouts so that I can power up the GM5 standalone and wire in the mirror switch and a custom harness that will let me plug in both mirrors outside of a car to be able to test functionality. currently i have to plug them into my car which is cumbersome. this step should help immensely.

First me scavenging and hoarding mirror motors from salvage yards when possible. sometimes they are damaged in the ribbon part and I have to fix them. #savetheribbons

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4232/34479964444_b3c823e78d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UwSQaA)IMG_20170614_165318 (https://flic.kr/p/UwSQaA) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr
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hoarding motors for future projects and my living room is my work bench lol

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4287/34479967364_308e4fa88e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UwSR2W)IMG_20170615_021102 (https://flic.kr/p/UwSR2W) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4250/34936410410_3262bfe225_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VedeDC)IMG_20170613_221025 (https://flic.kr/p/VedeDC) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4236/34513663033_dba3cf575a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UzRxzK)IMG_20170613_212751 (https://flic.kr/p/UzRxzK) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr


completing a set for someone else with power fold motors

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4259/34480251394_8ab9a6f144_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UwUit1)IMG_20170602_020001 (https://flic.kr/p/UwUit1) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4220/34936409580_4e7c602558_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Vedepj)IMG_20170602_015956 (https://flic.kr/p/Vedepj) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4218/34513662223_b2fa61326f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UzRxkM)IMG_20170602_015943-01 (https://flic.kr/p/UzRxkM) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr
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[anandoc]

Holy crap - thats awesome! I will be following this thread quite closely.

[slater]

very, very cool - i love seeing this type of ingenuity.

also loved the 'maybe i'll end up with a closet full of parts for 30 years' comment - i can appreciate that. ;)

:cheers

[PdZHP]

Subscribed!

[rguti153]

I contact you on Facebook , so I'll hit up in about a week

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[ZHP_Brandon]

Yup, I'm in for a pair of Black mirror bases with an Imola Housing, idc so much for the glass to be installed since I'll be buying the euro blind spot mirrors for my housings.

I'd be interested in how much you'll be doing everything for, and obvs I guess (i'm just assuming), maybe we can differ on prices if we mail you our original mirrors (kindve like a core charge), in exchange for fully functional, power fold, bolt on mirrors [emoji1360][emoji1360][emoji1360]


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[KTS317]

In for pricing on option 1. I have everything ready except for the glass. Painting should happen before or after sending them to you?


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[nextelbuddy]

well i dont paint (yet lol) i did purchase a sprayer and some supplies and plan on getting some auto paint, clear coat and primer so I can start practicing auto painting, still need a small air compressor.

for now the mirrors will need to be painted or vinyl wrapped which is also a good option too.

power fold option is limited right now. i dont have a large assortment of parts to put together several sets and most people wont want to pay the cost of the mirrors with power fold as its obnoxiously expensive.

heres a comparison.

OEM EURO M3 Folding mirrors are $740 EACH with NO GLASS and primered. so thats $1480 for jst folding mirrors, THEN you gut the mirror motors out so thats a waste of money, and pay or retrofit ribbon motors in THEN add glass for $200 then Paint. you are looking at close to $2000 for silly folding mirrors that were modified lol.

my mirrors will probably hover around the $750-800 mark for BOTH with glass and ribbon motors retrofitted in ready to go and bolt on but you still need paint or vinyl.

its still ridiculously expensive BUT over 60% cheaper than the alternative.

none the less, its an option for those people that really want this setup BUT just dojnt want to do the work them selves. very Niche.


so in summary here is the price list most likely:

$250 - straight up retrofit service - you supply M3 mirrors and ribbon motors and ship them to me. I cobble them together and send back complete ready to bolt on mirrors WITH a template for your door that shows where to drill the proper two M3 base plate holes in your door.
(for this service if you dont want to be with out mirrors on your daily driver for a week or 2, there is a $200 core charge so $450 total and when i get back your functioning ribbon motors i refund $200)

$450 - Retrofit service with you supplying M3 mirrors only and I supply Ribbon motors WITH a template for your door that shows where to drill the proper two M3 base plate holes in your door.

$750 - Complete Pair of M3 mirrors retrofitted with Sedan motors ready to bolt on WITH a template for your door that shows where to drill the proper two M3 base plate holes in your door.

$850 - Power Folding Pair of M3 mirrors retrofitted with Sedan motors ready to bolt on WITH a template for your door that shows where to drill the proper two M3 base plate holes in your door.



looking at those last prices, doesnt that seem obnoxious? who would pay that? well i did but i'm weird. there are literally no alternatives for Ribbon cable sedan cars.

not even the ebay sedan power fold mirrors are good, they look odd shaped, over sized more like M5 mirrors and the components are low quality AND they still arent ribbon cable so you have to retrofit those still.


power fold parts suck since I have to buy damaged m5 folding motors for $50-70 a piece then repair kits for $25 a piece, thats $190 for parts alone for folding motors lol. i wish i could buy stuff at wholesale that would be so awesome.

in the end ill probably have a bunch of part in my closet for years lol

[nextelbuddy]

In for pricing on option 1. I have everything ready except for the glass. Painting should happen before or after sending them to you?


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you can get the SHELL housing painted yes but not the base plate for the door. it gets cut and sanded on one edge and a few inside corners and i would need t tape it off to make sure it doesnt get marred up. if you have to get them​ painted, then wrap them nicely so they dont get dinged and scratched on shipping.

[Cadeez]

Even though my mirrors are still in transit and won't be delivering to you until Monday, I'm getting pretty excited! Happy to be one of the first (I assume) test mules for your new business venture haha :roundel But honestly more happy that I don't have to do this DIY on my own, and that the couple hundred bucks I spent on M3 mirrors that would probably live in a box in my garage for years wasn't all for nothing...

[johnrando]

Awesome

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[RUS_ZHP]

That is a great service you offering. It's time for me to gather some and calling you for the service-:)

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[webster]

This is awesome. If I pick up a sedan I will definitely be using your services!

[joeybananaz18]

Need a ZHP first, but once i get it i'm definitely taking advantage of this. And I think as time goes on, you'll be able to find ways of bringing costs down.

[nextelbuddy]

got 5 sets mirrors lined up. 1 set from Cadeez that he sent me and the other 4 are ones ill do to have stock on hand.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4207/34573177674_f0eb866f2f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/UF7zdf)IMG_20170619_193801 (https://flic.kr/p/UF7zdf) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr

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[704sw]

If you happen to stumble upon a clean jet black pair which you just can't bring yourself to work on, you be sure to let me know. I'll be happy to take them off your hands.

[nextelbuddy]

If you happen to stumble upon a clean jet black pair which you just can't bring yourself to work on, you be sure to let me know. I'll be happy to take them off your hands.

you want Jetblack M3 mirrors? vs estoril mirror shells and black bases?

[704sw]

you want Jetblack M3 mirrors? vs estoril mirror shells and black bases?

No I definitely want black bases and Estoril shells. But buying jet black mirrors means I only have to repaint the covers and not the bases [emoji1303]

[az3579]

No I definitely want black bases and Estoril shells. But buying jet black mirrors means I only have to repaint the covers and not the bases [emoji1303]


Jet black M3's are pretty rare with regards to partouts. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen a Jet Black one in person.
Not worth waiting for one, IMO

[nextelbuddy]

No I definitely want black bases and Estoril shells. But buying jet black mirrors means I only have to repaint the covers and not the bases [emoji1303]


Jet black M3's are pretty rare with regards to partouts. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen a Jet Black one in person.
Not worth waiting for one, IMO

yea hes right, it may be a while waiting. you can look for a set ot Estorial M3 mirrors but even then thats still an individual color lol and you know how rare that is......

you arent saving muhc money at all between painting bases and shells. my body shop charged me $150 to paint my mirrors black bases (plain ole gloss black) and imola shells.


you might as well just look for carbon black or schwartz black mirrors and get shells painted estoril.

i have 1 set of black mirrors but one mirror is carbon and the other is schwartz. i need to look at them in the sun to see the difference but I assume that one will have more flak in it and the other.

[az3579]

You're definitely not saving any considerable amount of money by only painting the shell, so I recommend just buying any set and painting to match. :thumbsup

Carbon and Jet Black are pretty different. Carbon is more like a very dark blue in certain lights. Even when it's darker out (overcast) I can still tell a difference between the two colors.

[704sw]

Carbon and Jet Black are pretty different. Carbon is more like a very dark blue in certain lights. Even when it's darker out (overcast) I can still tell a difference between the two colors.

I know a lot of people like it, but I've personally never seen the appeal in Carbon.

[webster]

I pulled my M3 mirrors off my coupe before it was taken away. They are silver grey so I will need to get them painted Oxford green. I guess the order doesn't really matter as far as retrofit > paint vs paint > retrofit huh?

[rguti153]

I pulled my M3 mirrors off my coupe before it was taken away. They are silver grey so I will need to get them painted Oxford green. I guess the order doesn't really matter as far as retrofit > paint vs paint > retrofit huh?
You sold ur coupe ? N bought a sedan ?

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[webster]

Look on the main forum

[nextelbuddy]

I pulled my M3 mirrors off my coupe before it was taken away. They are silver grey so I will need to get them painted Oxford green. I guess the order doesn't really matter as far as retrofit > paint vs paint > retrofit huh?


Look on the main forum


if it was going on a coupe it wouldnt matter but if its going on a sedan and you plan on getting paint work done. I highly suggest getting the mirrors done first as the base plates get sanded and cut and its nice to smooth down the edges which if you plan on painting gives you some flexibility. with paint already done, even if you are careful, there sill be some chipping on the paint edge where you cut which can be unavoidable sometimes.


just finished a set for Cadeez

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4286/35554685516_3232d60894_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WaR4if)IMG_20170628_002548 (https://flic.kr/p/WaR4if) by Shawn Robertson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nextelbuddy/), on Flickr

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[BMWCurves]

Looks good!

I have never found a definitive answer, and you might not be the guy to ask since you have a sedan, but what differences are there between a sedan and coupe in terms of making the baseplate, mounting, etc?

[rguti153]

Looks good!

I have never found a definitive answer, and you might not be the guy to ask since you have a sedan, but what differences are there between a sedan and coupe in terms of making the baseplate, mounting, etc?
I think is a direct swap except for the motors

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[nextelbuddy]

Looks good!

I have never found a definitive answer, and you might not be the guy to ask since you have a sedan, but what differences are there between a sedan and coupe in terms of making the baseplate, mounting, etc?

correct. coupes are direct bolt on to the door so I dont have to modify the door base plate. only modify the innards bracketry with a new motor baseplate.

if you wanted a set for coupe only which I happen to have a few sets unmodified. I can put together a set for you and all you have to do is paint an install or get a shop to wrap it and the install.

it would be $550 + shipping for a set of M3 mirrors with ribbon cable motors retrofitted into it ready to bolt on.

[BMWCurves]

Very tempting...I'll keep that all in mind.

[joeybananaz18]

any chance you have a set of either oxford green or jet black?

[az3579]

any chance you have a set of either oxford green or jet black?
Oxford Green M3's are INSANELY rare...

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[joeybananaz18]

Oxford Green M3's are INSANELY rare...

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[emoji20][emoji20][emoji20] I know. Can't a guy wish?


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[Rovert]

In reverse my passenger mirror only comes in on the X axis but never goes down on the Y. Yet when I use the side mirror directional buttons, the mirror moves in all ways. Is that a ribbon cable issue?

[san]

In reverse my passenger mirror only comes in on the X axis but never goes down on the Y. Yet when I use the side mirror directional buttons, the mirror moves in all ways. Is that a ribbon cable issue?

If you can move the mirrors using the side mirror buttons then I don't think it's a ribbon cable issue.


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[ZHP_Brandon]

[emoji20][emoji20][emoji20] I know. Can't a guy wish?


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Best course of action would be to source Oxford Green housings from the UK on ebay.co.uk

Then have him make you a baseplate in black with all necessary wiring handy, and fit your self!


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[joeybananaz18]

Best course of action would be to source Oxford Green housings from the UK on ebay.co.uk

Then have him make you a baseplate in black with all necessary wiring handy, and fit your self!


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Out of curiosity, why do you suggest eBay UK?


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[704sw]

Out of curiosity, why do you suggest eBay UK?


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Total guess here, but maybe it was a more standard color overseas? For example, Estoril was an individual color here, but a standard option on the M Clubsport in Europe.

[ZHP_Brandon]

Total guess here, but maybe it was a more standard color overseas? For example, Estoril was an individual color here, but a standard option on the M Clubsport in Europe.

Precisely why ^, I've seen more Oxford Green M3's over sea's than any here, I only know of 1 with notoriety here in the states, and another that my buddy owns as a daily and is fabricating his own turbo kit for...

I say try your luck, maybe you can get in contact with a seller on ebay that can get a hold of a clean set of housings.

Best of luck!


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[az3579]

It'll be a lot easier to just paint whatever M3 mirrors you get in the right color.

[nextelbuddy]

I only have 1 white pair left that needs to be repainted anyways, 1 black pair that is mixed between schwartz and carbon aka it needs t obe repainted one single black color.. and finally 1 steel grey pair that is perfect but no NON M came in steel grey i dont believe so someone will have to repaint or i may sell these to an M3 person that needs new mirrors.