exterior mirror compatibility: heated, auto-dim vs standard

[tom_h]

Passenger side mirror on wife's 2001 X5 was knocked off, literally hanging by the wire harness.
Also screws & plastic bits that attach the swiveling main housing to the immobile base are broken & corroded -- time for a complete mirror replacement..


Original mirror assembly was heated, auto-dimming, automatic tilt-down in reverse, but NOT auto-folding.


The BMW exact replacements are hideously expensive (# 51-16-8-267-192).


We are ok with installing a non-heated, non-autodim mirror (# 51-16-7-039-898)


> > are the wire harnesses on the less expensive mirror assemblies compatible & literally "plug and play" ?

TIA.

[timmyc]

Are you against using a used one? I have personally pulled and installed a mirror for my X from a pick and pull yard. $40. It was heated, dimming and self closing.

Or eBay? You can find a yard (store) that specializes in European cars and request a color that matches your vehicle. Just a thought.

[timmyc]

And to answer your question, I would suspect that it would be "plug and play". Your mirror assembly has all of the options. You would not be "adding" options, so I can't imagine it would not work. I, like many, have found that bimmers are typically wired for options that are not installed.

Good luck!

[tom_h]

Originally Posted by timmyc

Are you against using a used one? I have personally pulled and installed a mirror for my X from a pick and pull yard. $40. It was heated, dimming and self closing.
...

I'm personally not opposed to a used assembly. But this is my wife's car & so far, she is insisting on brand-new :-|

www.harouts.com has good reputation for used BMW & MBZ parts, according to our local independent BMW mechanic.

Most of Harout's products have photos, and since my original post this morning, I notice some mirrors have two connectors and some have just one connector. Possibly the extra connector is for the extra features like heating, autodim, etc.

[timmyc]

Ah, yes. "Her" car

I had that argument once with my wife. New VS. used. Then I showed her the two costs. No contest. Especially after she saw the finished product!

That extra connector is for the AutoDim function. I know because the PO of my X cheaped out and put aftermarket, heated, convex mirrors on mine. After I checked the cars option list, I found it should have the AutoDim glass. I found the whole passenger assembly for $40 and got the glass for the drivers side for $10. Win, Win!

Well, good luck with the replacement.