Rear view mirror - replace windshield?

[southflorida954]

My 2007 328i rear view mirror detached from the windshield. No damage to the windshield. We took to the BMW dealership who advised that BMW requires them to replace the windshield at a cost of $2200 which insurance will not cover because the glass isn't damaged. Even if it was covered it doesn't cover OEM replacement. Has anyone else experienced this and how to fix the mirror being successfully reattached?

[jmrob135]

This happened to me on my 2007 328i coupe. Save your cash. You can take the mount off the mirror and stick it back on the window. Pick the window glue up at auto zone. Less then 10 bucks. Once it's back on for like 24 hours then mount the mirror back on the bass. Simple. Song let them rip you off. It took me using pliers to twist the base of the stem of the mirror. This is the only way you can get it glue back on without holding it forever. Good luck.

[morzada]

I've had the windshield in my e91 replaced twice due to rock damage. Neither one came with the mirror attached :). Call safelight, abra, or any other independent glass company. For a small price they can reattach it.

[cochise325]

I've had the windshield in my e91 replaced twice due to rock damage. Neither one came with the mirror attached :). Call safelight, abra, or any other independent glass company. For a small price they can reattach it. +1, they can glue it in place......and we wonder how they earned the nick name of stealerships.

[jennkent5454]

I have a 2007 335i, I had the windshield replace through safelight, 2-3 months later the rearview mirror fell off. safelight came back out to look at it and said its not worth glueing back on because it will fall off again in a few months, so they replaced the whole windshield again. perhaps it was in efforts to get more commision- who knows. It was under warranty so I didnt care.

[bigdaddy63]

I recently had my mirror fall off of my 2007 335i. I went to O'reilly's Auto Parts and purchased the rear view mirror adhesive for approximately $5. I twisted out the metal base from the mirror and cleaned both the base and windshield contact surfaces well. I had to carefully scrape the old adhesive using a single edged razor blade. I followed the instructions included with the new adhesive and glued the base to the windshield. The next day I attached the mirror to the base (after I applied a dab of lubricant to the friction points. The base fit so tightly I was concerned I may break my windshield reattaching the mirror to the base). It has held now with no issues for a couple of months. Be careful to properly align the base when gluing to the windshield otherwise your mirror will not be straight.

[Critter7r]

I recently had my mirror fall off of my 2007 335i. I went to O'reilly's Auto Parts and purchased the rear view mirror adhesive for approximately $5. I twisted out the metal base from the mirror and cleaned both the base and windshield contact surfaces well. I had to carefully scrape the old adhesive using a single edged razor blade. I followed the instructions included with the new adhesive and glued the base to the windshield. The next day I attached the mirror to the base (after I applied a dab of lubricant to the friction points. The base fit so tightly I was concerned I may break my windshield reattaching the mirror to the base). It has held now with no issues for a couple of months. Be careful to properly align the base when gluing to the windshield otherwise your mirror will not be straight.

+1

If the surface is prepped correctly, the repair will likely last forever.

- Scrape off old glue.
- Prep surfaces with prep solution supplied with mirror adhesive.
- Position mirror base appropriately (check the 3 bars in the mirror to see how the base should be positioned).
- Let cure for a day or two.
- Install mirror.

[BMWtechATL]

The reason why BMW wants to replace the front windshield is because the rain/light sensor is installed in the base of the rear view mirror. The base cannot be removed (reasonably) without damage to the adhesive which will affect the sensors view of the windshield. Scraping it off can result in automatic wipers not working and/or automatic lights not functioning properly. Thats why we recommend the windshield because its the only way to be sure the rain/light sensor will still function 100%.

[Critter7r]

Scraping off the 1.5-inch circle where the mirror base mounts to the windshield without removing the rain sensor will not affect the rain sensor's performance.

But it's been awhile since I've seen a mirror removed from the windshield, so I'll withold judgement till I can take a look to refresh my memory.

[Mozella]

Don't be stupid............. like me. Years ago I had a mirror fall off one of my cars; I don't remember which. But rather than pay five bucks for "rear view mirror adhesive" I thought I'd be smart and use some ordinary "Crazy Glue" I already had open. It has to be the same stuff, right?.............. WRONG Cyanoacrylate breath.

Within a week I had cracks in the windshield emanating from where the steel mounting plate was glued on. BIG mistake. The windshield wasn't too expensive to replace, but it wasn't a BMW either.

Apparently the real mirror adhesive has some flex built in so that when the mount is heated by the sun it won't crack the glass. A word to the wise.

[lorenzo1963]

The reason why BMW wants to replace the front windshield is because the rain/light sensor is installed in the base of the rear view mirror. The base cannot be removed (reasonably) without damage to the adhesive which will affect the sensors view of the windshield. Scraping it off can result in automatic wipers not working and/or automatic lights not functioning properly. Thats why we recommend the windshield because its the only way to be sure the rain/light sensor will still function 100%.


Makes sense, however wouldn't any reasonable person, even BMW, try the glue first? Other than for the obvious reason that the dealership makes a significantly larger profit on a new windshield, versus a glue job.

When the rep at Crevier BMW told me I had to replace the windshield, for $2000 to $2500 I asked him if he was kidding. I really thought he was! I laughed, but he didn't. So I said... why stop there... why not just replace the car, since the mirror fell off. That's how ridiculous his comment sounded to me.

For $2200, I think I can live with the possibility of the rain sensor not working 100% (especially living in So. CA). At least it's worth a try for only $5. You can always still replace the windshield if necessary. Just my two cents.

I'm going through this process now and I will post my findings / results.