Auto Folding Mirrors Retrofit

dronell19 · #1 07-28-2005, 08:55 AM

Hi guys -

I'm new here, thought I'd introduce myself first. Not new to the entire BMW world (owned an E46, driving another E46 now), but I am new to the E53 world. I am hopefully picking up my used E53 in a couple of days. It's a MY2003, 3.0L.

I do have a question thought. Is it possible to do an auto-folding mirror retrofit? This is possible in an e46. When I was gonna make this purchase I test drove a few E53s and one of them had autofolding mirrors.

Then I came across this site, found the link, but it doesn't work. Anyone wanna shed some light here? TIA

dronell19 · #2 07-30-2005, 07:29 AM

No one?

LeMansX5 · #3 07-30-2005, 08:14 AM

The link on main articles page for retrofit is your answer, but that is not working. Post on Feedback forum for the broken link and admins should fix it.

dronell19 · #4 08-03-2005, 01:32 PM

Thank you

dronell19 · #5 08-03-2005, 02:10 PM

I got the part number off realoem.com
I guess that's a start

UCrewX5 · #6 08-03-2005, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dronell19

I got the part number off realoem.com
I guess that's a start

Check your PM for some information that may be helpful.

UncleTito · #7 08-03-2005, 02:33 PM

It's possible. TripleX5 had done it. In addition to that new door switch, you will also need two new mirror assemblies (not the mirror glass or cover - you re-use the existing) with motors to auto-fold. The wiring should already be there. What you will need to do is remove the door panel, remove the exising mirror, remove the color-keyed mirror cover, and mirror glass. Put in the new mirror assembly (with the motor), and reverse the process to put everything back together.

UncleTito · #8 08-04-2005, 01:39 PM

1. Electrochrome is the one for auto-dimming mirrors, with shiny black plastic housing.
2. Bright black is same as electrochrome, but without the auto-dimming. The black plastic housing is of shiny material (used to come on X5's with Sport Package only).
3. This one is the one with auto-dimming but not for vehicles with Sport Package.
4. This one is no auto-dimming, non-shiny black plastic housing.

You will need to find out whether you have the shiny black plastic mirror housing and if your X5 has auto-dimming mirrors. Then order the appropriate parts. The rule of thumb is if you have Sport Package, you have the high glossy window and mirror housing trims. Otherwise, you don't.

dronell19 · #9 08-04-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleTito

1. Electrochrome is the one for auto-dimming mirrors, with shiny black plastic housing.
2. Bright black is same as electrochrome, but without the auto-dimming. The black plastic housing is of shiny material (used to come on X5's with Sport Package only).
3. This one is the one with auto-dimming but not for vehicles with Sport Package.
4. This one is no auto-dimming, non-shiny black plastic housing.

Right right. Thanks. But why do we need the Electrochromatic Bright Black? And why are they the most expensive? I'm assuming that the difference lies only within the physical appearance (color, finish) of the mirrors and the auto-dimming function.

Wouldn't the motor be the same for all of them? Cuz that's pretty much what I need to get this to work. All I need is to get the switch.

TIA

UncleTito · #10 08-05-2005, 11:16 AM

The motor is in the mirror housing. Your original mirrors do not have the motors if they are not auto-fold. Replacing the switch alone will not make it work. Though they were made available in MY03, yours do not have the motors if you didn't order the Premium Package.