Rear View Mirror Options

[Newjack]

So after getting my tints on the car, I start driving down the road only to notice that my rear view mirror has a massive air bubble in it. I can't imagine that the tint shop had anything to do with it, more or less just bad luck and horrible timing.

Right now it looks like this.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45065965/Car/0507121252.jpg

It's a little hard to see but the air bubble is almost covering the top portion of the mirror.

So now what should I do? Do I just get another mirror? Can I fix the one I have now?

Also, I'm not to sure the autodimming feature was working properly before, because I never noticed the mirror dim at all. I'm sure if it was working properly I would have noticed it dimming, but to me it always seemed the same.

[danewilson77]

If that's an auto-dimming mirror...that's not a bubble. That's the auto-dim fluid leaking out....and if it gets on your interior, it's ruined (stuff is caustic). Put a bag around it asap.

[Meric]

Why did you tint your mirror? They should dim at night not sure i never see it dimmed in daylight.

[danewilson77]

They didn't tint his mirror Meric.

[Whitexi]

Ugh, that sucks. I always keep an eye on mine for this. I'd take it out tho so it won't leak. It's easy to remove.

[Newjack]

I've checked the interior for leaks and felt around the mirror itself. I can't find any fluid leaking out and I don't see anything stained (thank God). Were some of the mirror not autodimming ones?

[danewilson77]

Yes. My does not auto-dim. I have to turn the clown nose for night driving.

[Newjack]

Oh ok. Let me go twist my clown nose and see what happens. Never done it before.

[danewilson77]

That may not be the tell though. I think even the auto dim mirrors, ccan be manually dimmed. I think you have the auto dim mirror.

[johnrando]

Do all ZHPs come with auto-dim mirrors standard?

[Newjack]

My clown nose does not twist clockwise or counterclockwise. I just wrapped it up in a plastic bag. I can't find any spilled fluid though, so I'm nervous that I will find it later...

[cakM3]

Rob,

I have an extra BMW Assist (w/SOS button) auto dim mirror in my closet. Do you want me to bring it down with me when I come down for the meet? Mirror is brand new - never been used part I got from BMW to replace my original mirror. I got an Oval mirror for my ///M instead :)

[Newjack]

I don't know if this is completely separate or not, but I also have the windshield wiper sensor.

Charlie, that would be great. Chances are I will have to take care of this pretty soon. I don't want to drive around with the mirror still hanging so it can leak fluid everywhere, but I also don't want to drive around without a mirror. If I haven't taken care of it before the SIGfest, it would help a lot.

[terraphantm]

Mirror and rain sensor are completely separate.

[danewilson77]

Do all ZHPs come with auto-dim mirrors standard?

I dont think so...

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[zj96sc]

I believe it came with the premium package.

[johnrando]

Don't want to get to far OT but I thought ZHPs didn't have a premium package as much of it was incorporated into the car.

[Newjack]

ZHP - Performance Package
The performance package was available on 2003-2005 330 sedans (330i) and 2004-2006 330 coupes and convertibles (330Ci/330Cic). In 2003, it was only available with the 6-speed manual transmission and WITHOUT the premium package. In 2004, all performance package cars were also available with the automatic (steptronic) transmission as well as the premium package.
Obviously, the Performance Package is an inclusive optional package incorporating all of the features of the Sport Package, so they're not available together.

ZPP - Premium Package
The premium package has been available on all 3-series cars. It typically included:
Different wheels/tires [if ordered with the sport package, the sport package wheels/tires superseed]
A multifunction steering wheel [IF it was not already standard on the vehicle]
Wood grain interior trim [if ordered with the sport package, the premium package wood is typically installed, unless specifically requested otherwise]
Rain-sensing windshield wipers (became standard equipment in 2004)
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Power seats
Lumbar Support (not available on the 325)
Moonroof (note: moonroof can also be ordered separately)

While not a guarantee, if you have rain sensing wipers and power seats, there is a good chance you also have the auto dimming mirror.

Right now I'm looking into radar mirror (http://www.radar-mirror.com/) to get my rear view mirror fixed.

[cakM3]

I don't know if this is completely separate or not, but I also have the windshield wiper sensor.

Charlie, that would be great. Chances are I will have to take care of this pretty soon. I don't want to drive around with the mirror still hanging so it can leak fluid everywhere, but I also don't want to drive around without a mirror. If I haven't taken care of it before the SIGfest, it would help a lot.

Rob,
Just texted you :thumbsup

[Hochspannung]

If you hold your two fingers over the right side of the back of the mirror it will 'trick' it into thinking it is dark out and it will dim in the daylight. Try that out to see if it is working properly or not.

[Newjack]

If you hold your two fingers over the right side of the back of the mirror it will 'trick' it into thinking it is dark out and it will dim in the daylight. Try that out to see if it is working properly or not.

Yeah it definitely wasn't doing that.

[danewilson77]

I have PS, and HLS... W/ no auto dim. I guess maybe mine could have been swapped.

Rob.... So you're saying it's never autodimmed? I have no idea then.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[cakM3]

Rob,

Will send out my spare BMW assist auto dim mirror to you tomorrow :thumbsup

[danewilson77]

Rob,

Will send out my spare BMW assist auto dim mirror to you tomorrow :thumbsup

Nice!

Hey Chuck... Mine (non-auto dim) just developed a huge crack in it!

And.... My strut bar just broke as well.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[cakM3]

Nice!

Hey Chuck... Mine (non-auto dim) just developed a huge crack in it!

And.... My strut bar just broke as well.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

Nice Dane :p

Just helping a fellow forum member out :) As they say..... pay it forward :thumbsup

[Newjack]

Rob,

Will send out my spare BMW assist auto dim mirror to you tomorrow :thumbsup

:praise

[kayger12]

Don't want to get to far OT but I thought ZHPs didn't have a premium package as much of it was incorporated into the car.

My understanding:

Premium package wasn't available with 2003 ZHPs and was incorporated into the standard package on 2006 ZHPs (and hence, wasn't available as an option).

ZPP was available on 2004 and 2005 ZHPs.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?4962-Does-the-Performance-Package-over-ride-the-Premium-Package

[Oli77]

And.... My strut bar just broke as well.



What?

[johnrando]

I have an '06, with the Cold Package including heated seats, HL washers... either my auto dim mirror doesn't work or it was swapped. I'll try it later to with that trick to verify.

2nd, what happened to your strut bar Dane?

[danewilson77]

What?

Yeah..... Shhhh..... Just trying to get one outta Charlie. Probably has a oem cf one with a speck on it... That wasn't good enough for his zhp.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[cakM3]

No, that one is mounted on my wall above the TV :)

[danewilson77]

No, that one is mounted on my wall above the TV :)

Lol. Love you bro.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[cakM3]

lol :grouphug

[Oli77]

Yeah..... Shhhh..... Just trying to get one outta Charlie. Probably has a oem cf one with a speck on it... That wasn't good enough for his zhp.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

You' z funny and mischievous tonight Dr. Wilson!

[terraphantm]

While not a guarantee, if you have rain sensing wipers and power seats, there is a good chance you also have the auto dimming mirror.

Right now I'm looking into radar mirror (http://www.radar-mirror.com/) to get my rear view mirror fixed.

Not necessarily. I'm pretty sure power seats were standard on 330s (definitely was from 04 onward), and the rain sensor was also standard on all E46s from MY2004 onward. So every ZHP 2004 and newer will have power seats and the rain sensor without having to have the autodimming mirror. No 2003 ZHP will have it either since the premium package wasn't available in combination with the performance package in 2003.

If you have bluetooth or BMW assist, then you most likely have the auto dimming mirror.

[kayger12]

^ I have bluetooth and BMW Assist and no auto-dimming mirror.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

[WOLFN8TR]

Yes. My does not auto-dim. I have to turn the clown nose for night driving.

Same here, it does the trick.


Sent from my 1982 Commodore 64.

[cakM3]

Sent out Rob's replacement mirror today. Enjoy Rob! :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34bd-6cbf.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34cd-b21b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34dc-a27b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34ea-8661.jpg

TT + iPhone4

[Ryans323i]

Super awesomeness. So much love in the Mafia. :grouphug

[johnrando]

Super awesomeness. So much love in the Mafia. :grouphug

+1. Very cool Charlie!

[cakM3]

Thanks Ryan and John :) Yeah, everyone I have met here on this forum have been awesome :thumbsup Just wanted to do my part :)

@ John, found out this morning that there is a good chance that I will be in the San Diego area sometime in June. When I get confirmation I will let you know when :thumbsup

[NorCalZman]

ick, I am hoping I do not have a auto dimming mirror. I am going to check for a little electronic eye on the back of it when I get the car back from the body shop.

[terraphantm]

ick, I am hoping I do not have a auto dimming mirror. I am going to check for a little electronic eye on the back of it when I get the car back from the body shop.

If your clown nose doesn't twist, it's autodinning. If it does, it's manual dimming

[NorCalZman]

Got it.

And props to the guy that helped out the OP. ...."the mafia takes care of their own..." *adjusts tie* :)

[terraphantm]

^ I have bluetooth and BMW Assist and no auto-dimming mirror.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

I said most likely, not definitely :P - most of the cars with bluetooth/assist have premium package. Though there are the occasional cars that didn't. (And with the E46's age, there's always a possibility that either bluetooth/assist or the manual mirror were retrofitted after the fact)

[kayger12]

^^Lol, roger that. Was just throwing it out there for information purposes.

[johnrando]

Verified I don't have the auto-dimming mirror but the clown nose doesn't twist, so I'm not sure what's going on.

[danewilson77]

Yeah....that's weird. I wonder if it's bound up.

[johnrando]

Update. Figured something's up so I thought I'd take another look, the mardi gras beads were blocking the "eye" in the back. Removed the beads. So, I do have auto-dimming but it doesn't work for some reason. Not that I need it, but I'm to anal about my car to have something not working. Ideas for fixes?

[Oli77]

^ Ahhh been there done that. Same story, my clown nose does not turn, I have sensors in the front and back of mirror and no auto-dimming.

Tried fuses and took the plugs apart (at mirror-PITA) to check voltage. Voltage gets to mirror but no dim. There is a thread here...
(http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?6852-Troubleshooting-rear-view-mirror&highlight=auto-dimming)
I moved on.

[johnrando]

I decided to check again under better lighting circumstances, and this time I flashed a light into the front sensor as per the thread you mentioned, and wa la, it works. The key was to block the back, and flash the light.

[Oli77]

John, John, John, its voila not wa la!

^ good news. So yours works. What you describe sounds weird, I always tried to replicate the way it would happen say if I were driving down a country road. Forward facing sensor is black and then a guy comes from behind me. So I shined the light on the rear-facing sensor.

Hmmm, I'll try your way and report back.

[johnrando]

LOL, yes, I know it's voila. I used wa la like we use dhu-ett or werd. Hope your mirror does work after all.

[danewilson77]

Werd.

[Oli77]

Not allowed to use wa la. I am your chief French resident and would like to see more accuracy please.

[Newjack]

Rear view mirror received and installed. Charlie, you sure do know how to wrap a package! Holy cow it took me almost 8 minutes to open that box!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45065965/Car/0510121524.jpg


Absolutely no smudges whatsoever. Looking mega clean. Thanks again Charlie! I owe you one!

[Oli77]

Win! Autodim mode is ON.

[cakM3]

Rear view mirror received and installed. Charlie, you sure do know how to wrap a package! Holy cow it took me almost 8 minutes to open that box!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45065965/Car/0510121524.jpg


Absolutely no smudges whatsoever. Looking mega clean. Thanks again Charlie! I owe you one!

Rob,

I knew my mirror would come to good use....looks great :thumbsup

Packaged that way to ensure your new mirror would arrive exactly in the same condition it left my house :) Glad to hear that it took you some time to unwrap the package....or was it that you were excited to get it? ;)

[sna77]

My car was a 2004 w/o Premium Package (but got leather) so I lost out on the autodim mirror and Bluetooth...

No matter, I retrofit them both. This is my favorite mirror BTW, the 2008+ BMW mirrors with hidden compass and homelink. Put them on both of my cars. The 2010+ ones even have a charcoal clown nose instead of red.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Auto-Dim-Rear-Mirror-M3-M5-3-5-6-7-HIDDEN-COMPASS-HOMELINK-/300705478599?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item46037177c7&vxp=mtr

[trancenation]

Charlie,

Would you happen to remember the part number for the mirror? I am in the process of dealing with a large deformity in my mirror as well. Thanks in advance!

Sent out Rob's replacement mirror today. Enjoy Rob! :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34bd-6cbf.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34cd-b21b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34dc-a27b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4e3c5-34ea-8661.jpg

TT + iPhone4

[cakM3]

Charlie,

Would you happen to remember the part number for the mirror? I am in the process of dealing with a large deformity in my mirror as well. Thanks in advance!

The p/n is listed in the 3rd pic. Starting with 7-126-522. From there the BMW parts guy should be able to identify the mirror. Just tell him this mirror comes from a 2004 M3.

[KevinC]

I have a BMW Assist mirror that also has Homelink built in. Found it on Ebay for a reasonable price. When I got it, I discovered why - the auto dim was knackered, with a small bubble already formed, that I couldn't see in the Ebay pics. I convinced the seller to rebate me $50, and then spent $99 getting it fixed at radar-mirror.com, who I'd previously used to add Homelink to my oval mirror in the M Coupe. Voila - perfect mirror now, and Homelink to boot.