Is There a NON-Folding Mirror Option?

[tempest411]

Hello,


The folding mechanism on the outside mirrors seems to have been made utilizing leftover toy parts made by the Chinese back in the 1970s, and I'd like to get rid of them in favor of a fixed mirror, and preferably also without the reverse dip feature as well. Was there a factory option mirror that had just the basic mirror controls and heated defrosting? I'm not even sure I care about the defrost feature as I live in the S.F. Bay Area, so it doesn't get that cold here. I have tried replacing the rotator mechanism on one side, along with the button/module in the driver's side armrest, and they don't work any better. The mirror housings flop all over the place and the mirror glass on both sides always seem to steer itself all the way in and up when shifted into reverse. They're still junk.



Thank you for your suggestions.

[andrewwynn]

You don't need to fold your mirrors. Also put your mirror adjust switch to passenger side and it won't do the "over dip" (points at whatever you just ran over rather than what you want to avoid running over)

I set my seat memory 3 to have both mirrors point down aiming at curb a few feet behind the car.

As far as folding; just don't use it. I'm pretty sure you could use a shim in just the right place to snug up any wobble and to keep anybody from accidentally using the feature unplug the button

[Bdc101]

You guys have folding mirrors? (My 2003 does not)

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

You guys have folding mirrors? (My 2003 does not)

I "technically" have folding mirrors...

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[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by EODguy

I "technically" have folding mirrors...

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I found out by literal accident at least my passenger mirror will fold and very very quickly if I pass too close to a parked minivan.

Luckily for the minivan it also folded forward. A few scuff marks nothing broken on either offense or defense.

[Dking078]

Yup, lower spec E53's had NON-folding mirrors without dimming (All came with heated glass & electric controls).

You can easily downgrade from Folding to non-folding if you are handy. But going from Heated/Dimming glass to just heated glass would require "new" mirror motors/mounts.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Dking078

You can easily downgrade from Folding to non-folding if you are handy. But going from Heated/Dimming glass to just heated glass would require "new" mirror motors/mounts.

Having added dimming mirrors to my e39 that did not come with them, I suggest that all you need to do to disable dimming mirrors is clip the same wires (2) that I installed and connected to the rear view mirror harness. It's where the side mirrors get the signal to dim. Though I cannot understand why anyone would want to disable dimming mirrors.

[andrewwynn]

Black tape over the sensor will disable the dimming but I think changing from dimming might be due to the current dimming mirrors aging out from the silver coming off the back and being much more expensive to replace with dimming vs. just heated. Just a wag


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[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Black tape over the sensor will disable the dimming but I think changing from dimming might be due to the current dimming mirrors aging out from the silver coming off the back and being much more expensive to replace with dimming vs. just heated. Just a wag

That's a fine guess. I have found plenty of functional mirror glass in the bone yards. Hell, I may even have a set extra- OP If you need some, I'll go look.

If you block the sensor, you also block diming for the rear view. Also- 90% certain I have a spare rearview mirror sitting around.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

That's a fine guess. I have found plenty of functional mirror glass in the bone yards. Hell, I may even have a set extra- OP If you need some, I'll go look.

The next step in this adventure has arrived! For just $160 on eBay, I sourced an auto-dimming, heated, unit with glass, cover, high gloss trim with puddle light. First impressions are that the gears in this unit are not stripped and that it will hold firm.

And now, I *do* have extra driver side mirror glass. Heated and dimming. OP. if your glass is delaminated (or whatever), let me know. $20 or actual shipping costs. I'm not doin anything with it.