Help changing external mirror cover...

[igosal]

I noticed this morning that my external cover for external mirror (right side) is cracked. Can i get this from a stealer and do it myself? Do they come in different colors or do they need to be painted. I have a Black metallic sapphire 4.4i.

[hayaku]

you can diy but its not very easy.

the mirror is in 3 pieces.
- the metal triangle that mounts to the door.
- the plastic housing that mounts to the triangle piece
- the motor and mirror inside the housing.

All you need to do is get the plastic housing piece replaced and it comes unpainted.

you will need some short torx drivers to remove it all. The procedure in how it comes apart and goes back together is tricky... just remember it well as you are removing it and it'll be fine. when in doubt, take pics of it when removing so you have a visual guide to reassemble it back. working the wiring harness in everything can be a pita too... but not all too difficult.

you start from the inside of the door. pop off the plastic triangle cover on the inside of the door and you will see the torx screws... remove those and it'll make sense as you go...

[UncleTito]

Actually, you don't have to remove any mirror housing or screws. The mirror cover is held in place by a number of catches. The way to remove the cover is as follows:

1. Locate the lower tip of the mirror cover (right below the mirror glass -- part #1 in the pic) on the far left, near the door window.
2. Put your thumb at the lower tip of the cover and push it away from the mirror housing, toward the front of the car
3. Once the 3 catches at the lower bottom of the cover is disengaged, carefully swing it upwards to disengage the rest of the catches.
4. You don't have to remove the shiny black plastic ring around the mirror glass (part #3)
5. To install the new cover, line up the catches inside the cover into the grooves (on part #3 in pic below) and push it down to lock them in.

You want to be very careful with the removal as the catches are very easy to break. The hardest part is to remove the cover from the housing. Reinstalling it is a very simple push-and-lock process.

See the attached bitmap and you'll know what I am talking about. The cover (part #4 or 5) is not attached to the housing with any screws at all.

I've done this three times already and trust me, the catches do break easily. But it is fairly doable. Just take your time and don't get cut while pushing the lower tip with your thumb (ask me how I know).

[Acezoned]

Having just shredded off my driver side one your looking at 200.00 at least at dealer for the cover. Like stated above they come unpainted. There are four main pieces (when you have to order them) the actual mirror, the housing and motor, the support ring and the cover you need. I had to replace mirror, support ring and cover and it was 550.00 w\out labor. Here is the link from Tito's thumbnail which helped me.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...47&hg=51&fg=10)

[igosal]

Thanks for all the info. It was very helpful. I asked stealer and they had the cover which after painting they will give me for $105.00. I'll try to follow the above instructions and do it myself. Thanks to all.

[kevrobin]

Were you successful in install it?