Can mirror covers be removed?

[uk525td]

mine are really battered, one is cracked and generally the lacquer is peeling and there are loads of paint chips.
If i can take the covers off ill repaint them on the balcony of my flat in a semi sheltered environment, anyone know how they come off?

[Qsilver7]

Online part database's diagrams are invaluable...they can be used for more than looking up part nbrs and prices...but work well for deconstructing and reconstructing parts and knowing where and how many screws, bolts, nutc, clamps, etc are holding stuff together. You can click the following link to get an idea of what all the stuff is in the diagram..but you may want to click the link to "select another car" and enter your car's VIN or click the tabs that relate to your car. I may not have the correct diagram for you car...I entered info for a 94 525i (right hand drive/UK): http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD52&mospid=47375&btnr=51_2054&hg=51&fg=10&hl=6

http://static.bmwfans.info/images/epc/NjYxMF9w.png

[uk525td]

hmm, looks like hte bit i want to paint is held on by magic!!!! :P

[ladiesman217]

yep... probably the same magic smoke that makes other electrical bits work.

[Qsilver7]

hmm, looks like hte bit i want to paint is held on by magic!!!! :P

Hmmm, I went back to check some of my pics of the mirror housing when I replaced the mirror glass...and I can see some screws that look like they're threaded toward the back cover.

I'm assuming that you want to remove #10 in the diagram above. The mirror glass just pops off easily if you have the later style "wing" mirrors...just move the bottom of the mirror glass outward...then place your fingers below the glass and pull outward. There are 4 clips on the back of the mirror glass that hold it to the motor that moves the glass.

(note the tiny screws in the mirror housing that you can see once the mirror glass is removed)

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/E34%20Heated%20Mirror%20Wire%20Close%20UP.JPG

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/E34%20Heated%20Mirror%20Wiring.jpg

[budget76]

i know, old post, but I have to say thanks for the pics. Got to put my new mirror cover on, and was trying to figure out how to get the glass off. Was afraid of breaking it.

[Grush]

Question:

Why would the mirror have wires conected to it?

Right now both side mirrors of the BMW that i'll hopefully buy on this Sat have the reflexion part really dirt, by the inside. It seems that the reflexion material deteriorated with time, and there is a lot of "grayish fog spots" on the image you see. So that's something I'll replace.

I was thinking to replace it with some normal mirror, cutted on a 'glassworker'. But now that I saw those wires, i'm reluctant. Is it possible to replace only the mirror material, and "glue" it to the plastic frame again?

[MacR]

Question:

Why would the mirror have wires conected to it?

Right now both side mirrors of the BMW that i'll hopefully buy on this Sat have the reflexion part really dirt, by the inside. It seems that the reflexion material deteriorated with time, and there is a lot of "grayish fog spots" on the image you see. So that's something I'll replace.

I was thinking to replace it with some normal mirror, cutted on a 'glassworker'. But now that I saw those wires, i'm reluctant. Is it possible to replace only the mirror material, and "glue" it to the plastic frame again?

The side mirrors are heated, thus requiring the wires.

[Grush]

Realy? Never saw that before.

I don't think heating is something we need in sidemirrors at Brazil. That's why I never saw that before. hehe.

Sorry for noobish question.

[HE53]

Do you think You could get the mirror glasses out without breaking them or the clips that hold them?

What'd you use to pry them out?

[Grush]

No Idea.

Vodka, maybe?

I don't have the car yet. Will buy it on Sat. ;)

[bmwpower]

Do you think You could get the mirror glasses out without breaking them or the clips that hold them?

What'd you use to pry them out?

You use a flatbed screwdriver from underneath to "turn" the white plastic circle and disengage the clips....it doesn't turn that much. Mirror pops out after that.