E38 side mirrors

[blu89]

Hello all, wondering if anyone knows where to get the side mirrors only for a 2000 E38 (not housing, just mirror itself). They should be non-heated, non-dimming. I found the following non-oem mirrors on ebay. What do you guys think? http://www.ebay.com/itm/110819642413?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_4205wt_955

[phase888]

Procedure to replace just the mirror itself doesn't look too complicated or different from any other model I've done. I've replaced several mirrors with similar ebay parts on various cars.

I'm guessing by using mirrors you plan on doing both. That's the only thing I've noticed with doing a single replacement is that there are subtle differences. That may have been because I now have a new mirror and a 20 year old mirror though. I typically replace both.

That being said, the ebay one is $26 plus shipping. Check for pricing on OEM, I did a quick search and found some new for in the $50-80 range. Given that kind of margin I personally would prefer the OEM replacement over ebay.

[blu89]

Procedure to replace just the mirror itself doesn't look too complicated or different from any other model I've done. I've replaced several mirrors with similar ebay parts on various cars.

I'm guessing by using mirrors you plan on doing both. That's the only thing I've noticed with doing a single replacement is that there are subtle differences. That may have been because I now have a new mirror and a 20 year old mirror though. I typically replace both.

That being said, the ebay one is $26 plus shipping. Check for pricing on OEM, I did a quick search and found some new for in the $50-80 range. Given that kind of margin I personally would prefer the OEM replacement over ebay.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find them? All I keep coming up with is the heated/auto-dimming version of the mirrors. Thanks

Nando

[phase888]

Just did a google search, I didn't save it since I was just curious what was out there. Without specific info on the car it's hard to really track stuff down. Either that or I pulled the PN off realoem and searched on that. I can't really recall.

this (http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/productSearch.aspx?searchTerm=mirror&ukey_make=976&ukey_model=13478&modelYear=2000&ukey_category=0) might help get you started at least:

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...the best way to find vendors that are selling the mirror glass for the e38...is to look up the 11 digit BMW part nbr for the type of mirror glass you want (not sure why you'd want a NON-heated mirror...then do a google search typing "BMW xx xx x xxx xxx" into the google search box. You may even get more results by choosing the "shopping" link on the google search page.

You have the choice of plain mirror glass (#4), wide angle/aspheric mirror glass (#1), or convex mirror glass (#3)...and you can get them in electrochromatic (auto dimming) or regular:

Electrochromatic (auto dimming) mirror glass part nbrs: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GJ01&mospid=48542&btnr=51_3890&hg=51&fg=10&hl=16
Regular mirror glass part nbrs: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GH83&mospid=47531&btnr=51_3891&hg=51&fg=10&hl=1
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/p/i/33.png

[blu89]

Ditto...the best way to find vendors that are selling the mirror glass for the e38...is to look up the 11 digit BMW part nbr for the type of mirror glass you want (not sure why you'd want a NON-heated mirror...then do a google search typing "BMW xx xx x xxx xxx" into the google search box. You may even get more results by choosing the "shopping" link on the google search page.


I'm not getting heated because 1) I don't currently have heated 2) too expensive 3) I don't drive the bimmer dying the cold months so I really can't justify purchasing them. Thanks for the info though.

Nando

[S.Hafsmo]

The heated mirrors also keep the mirrors from dewing/misting (?) if you drive into a warm/damp garage. The heating in my drivers side mirror doesn't work, and every time I drive into the underground garage or some tunnels, the drivers side mirror always become misty. Annoying..

[kooljess]

This maybe a stupid question so please excuse my ignorance. How does one tell if I have a heated mirror or not? Is there a switch of somekind? And if I do have one, where is the switch? And how do they turn on?

[blu89]

This maybe a stupid question so please excuse my ignorance. How does one tell if I have a heated mirror or not? Is there a switch of somekind? And if I do have one, where is the switch? And how do they turn on?

I believe heated mirrors have some type of rubber/plastic around the border of the mirror.

[psjr]

I believe heated mirrors have some type of rubber/plastic around the border of the mirror.

You're thinking of auto-dimming.

To check for heated mirrors I would either pull the build sheet or pull the glass and look for wires.

[Retaks04]

pm'd

[S.Hafsmo]

Or just touch the mirror. If it's hot, you've got heated mirrors.
I think they're always on.

[Qsilver7]

...How does one tell if I have a heated mirror or not? Is there a switch of somekind? And if I do have one, where is the switch? And how do they turn on?
Ditto the reply above...the heated mirrors are more than just for winter...they prevent condensation from forming on the mirror glass which can occur in many different situations at almost anytime of the year. Fog, fall, spring, summer rain storms, etc...can all produce enough moisture in the atmosphere along with a temperature change that can cause fogging/condensation to build up on the mirror glass...and by them being heated (standard equipment)...this prevents the glass from fogging.

Heated side mirrors came as standard equipment on ALL e38s imported to the USA...regardless if you have the optional folding mirrors or the optional EC (auto-dim) mirrors (with the large black band around them) or the regular non-dimming side mirrors. They are also automatic and come on for varying lengths of time depending on the ambient temperature. So if you ambient temp sensor is registering -40 all the time...the heating element in the mirrors are constantly on...this is one of the ways the element burns out in the mirrors.

The windshield washer jets and the base of the windshield (where the wiper arms park) are also heated...and this is controlled automatically.


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Heated%20Mirror%20Operation.jpg

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Heated%20Mirror%20On%20Off%20Cycle.jpg

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Windshield%20Base%20-%20Washer%20Jet%20Heaters%20E38%202.jpg
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Windshield%20Base%20-%20Washer%20Jet%20Heaters%20E38%201.jpg

(you can see the 2 wires that connect to the heating elements on the rear of the mirror glass in the pic below)

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/E38%20Sideview%20Mirror%20Rear.jpg

[S.Hafsmo]

That's allot of good info.
The front windshield heated field, is that standard, or just a Cold weather package option? Same for the heated nozzles, standard or option?

Based on the temp sheet, I still think mine are always on. :)

[triplethrees]

Or just touch the mirror. If it's hot, you've got heated mirrors.
I think they're always on.

Good one!

[kooljess]

Thanks Q. I do have heated mirrors.....yay!!!

[Qsilver7]

That's allot of good info.
The front windshield heated field, is that standard, or just a Cold weather package option? Same for the heated nozzles, standard or option?

Based on the temp sheet, I still think mine are always on. :)

I'm going to say that all e38s have the heated wiper arm park section & heated spray jets based on the way the information is worded (doesn't say offered on "some" or "optional")...but infers the discussed features are on all E38 (models). Plus if you read the CWP option...it usually only lists heated seats w/ski-bag and/or head lamp washers. (remembering that heated seats and heated steering wheel were offered as stand-alone-options). And when you look up windshields in the part database...there isn't a selection for a windshield that indicates that there's an option for with/without heating element for wiper park area. There are the various windshield options that indicated rain sesor, IR (climate comfort), green band, and protective glazing...but none that indicate there is a choice for heated or non-heated wiper park area. :)