Replace side mirror glass

[sjonbak]

Hi all,

I've been trying to replace my side mirrors, the glass is damaged. I looked online and found this guy removing it for an e39:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9iwRnAIsb4

Seems simple, but doesn't work for an e38. Anyone have tips?

I'd like to replace it with a cheaper option:
https://www.offenga.nl/bmw-onderdele...en-e39-type-ii

In stead of paying $150 x 2 for both mirrors here:
https://www.bmwpartsdeal.com/parts-l...ror_glass.html

Do you think this will work? Thnx!

[Mayorchuck]

If you don't have the auto dimming feature, then it should just pop off. Mine were stuck on pretty good from years of grit so took a bit of pressure. If you have the auto dim feature, I believe there is a tab below the clip that has to be released in order for it to release. The E38 and E39 have the same set up though. I can't say for sure the mirror itself is exactly the same size however.

[Btkeenan]

I agree with mayorchuck. If you tilt the mirror out and up you can see if there is the tab for powered mirrors on the bottom edge. IIRC if they have a black border around the mirror it’s powered with the electro chrome/heating function, and if no perimeter, they're the standard ones and just pop straight out.

I think I used this video as a reference

https://youtu.be/a_Ruqa_0qrg?si=s8a6UXBhT7eJWPw0

[sjonbak]

Thanks guys! It was indeed an auto-dimming mirror, it has the black border around it. I bought a non-dimming replacement. It indeed comes off with a switch at the bottom of the glass. I stuck a knife in there and flipped the switch in the direction away from the car. And it came loose easily, putting it back is aslo easy. I found a great video that shows how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkcxL8L4pDU

[BMW.SauberF1]

Thanks guys! It was indeed an auto-dimming mirror, it has the black border around it. I bought a non-dimming replacement. It indeed comes off with a switch at the bottom of the glass. I stuck a knife in there and flipped the switch in the direction away from the car. And it came loose easily, putting it back is aslo easy. I found a great video that shows how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkcxL8L4pDU

Sweet! Thanks for posting this I was lazy and didn't get around to finding a new (used) replacement or how to go about doing that. Found an '01 750 with a left in good condition and just swapped it out today. The driver's side bottom lever to unlock needs to be pushed toward the car (6 o'clock position lever and needs to move counter clockwise looking at the mirror).