Identify Side View Mirror Type

[Bluemach1]

2006 X5 3.0i
Sport Package (P330A)
Seat Adjuster With Memory (P459A)

I am going to retrofit to add the auto-dimming / folding mirrors side mirrors and interior mirror with dimming and compass.

Interior is easy to identify.

On the side mirrors, I see these advertised to fit 2000-2006 and then I'll see 2000-2003 or 2004-2006 (pre and post LCI). RealOem just shows the two P/N's (left and right side) that seem to cover all years. Is this correct?

Also, is it safe to assume that if the mirror has the sensor on it for dimming that it also has folding?

[Qsilver7]

The mirror glass and its options (dimming & heat) are separate from the mirror housing which has its own list of options. You have to select the part nbrs that are correct for the options listed and the correct answer is yes or no:

• S330a (sport pkg) yes or no
• S330a (auto dimming int/ext) yes or no
• S459a (seat memory) yes or no
• S760a (folding option) yes or no

Then there's heated/dimming mirror glass but non folding mirrors. You need to search & select appropriately for all possible configurations.

If the parts database does NOT list a build date range then that part can be used throughout the production run.

[Bluemach1]

Right. Thank you. I guess I need to change my question.

Since I will be buying used parts that have been pulled off of the car already (dismantlers, ebay, craigslist), how can I identify that the part I am looking at has folding, dimming and heating? (heating was standard on all models in 2006 but I don't know about any other years).

Is there a wire count, plug count or anything else that will identify definitively?

Thanks,
Ted

[jsoto]

Back or mirror. Either it will have or have not the connectors for them respective
IMO if you want working heated or working auto dimm....I would rather just buy new
ROI on a used might be more expensive but YMMV

[Bluemach1]

No way I would buy new. Way too expensive for this project. There must be a way to tell what is what with out having to pop off the mirror. Remember, I might be buying these online. It is easy to get someone to snap a picture or verify connectors or how many wires are running to a plug. I doubt many would be willing to pop the mirror out. Likewise, if I go to a private party or dismantler....

[Qsilver7]

I'm not sure how to tell if a mirror has ALL of the options/features you desire without looking at the BMW 11 or 7 digit part number.

But some things can be identified visually...like dimming mirrors. If a mirror assembly has dimming mirror glass...then it will no doubt have heating, too. The EC (electro-chromatic) auto dimming mirror glass has a larger black band around the glass (see pic below)...this is a way to tell the difference between auto dimming and non auto dimming mirrors:

{auto dimming mirror glass has a thick black band around the circumference of the glass}





{below is regular mirror glass - no thick band around the circumference}

[jsoto]

it's like rolling the dice then...right.
Mirrors may have have heat and self dimming, but there's always the possibility one or the other or both either work or don't work, irrelevant if it has the plugs on them. Why buy a old used mirror with X age - when you can source either OE or 3rd party...