M3 or M5 oval interior mirror in X5.

[Kev]

Despite all the claims that an M3/M5 mirror can fit straight into an X5, I have to say to the contrary - after having bought two - that they don't !

Yes they physically fit. It's a 3 minute (literally) job to fit the M3/M5 mirror. But I've just spent over an hour trying to get the remote function of the two keys to work properly and have given up.

With the original X5 mirror in place both keys behave properly (ie. open/close the doors, change the seat position, mirrors etc.) first push of the button.

With the M3 mirror in place you need to push the lock or unlock button between 4-10 times before it will work. Very frustrating

Trying a few of the reprogramming techniques on X5 world I managed to render both keys useless for a while, but thanks to this resource

http://www.programyourkeys.com/BMW_X...ogramming.html

I got them back to their lazy 4-10 button method of operation (using option 3). None of the other techniques works.

Stuck the old mirror back on just to make sure that all was well - and it was, first push of the button.

So this is TWO mirrors I've bought. Both from reliable sources (forum members), so I'm sure they're not duff. Just not compatible with the X5.

Even so, I love the look of the mirror especially with my brand new M3 steering wheel so it's staying, and I'l just have to develop a new level of patience when locking/unlocking the car. Problem is comvincing the wife to do the same.

I assume I'm not the first with this problem but maybe just the first to admit its not a perfect fit. Or did the others have to get the car reprogrammed by the dealer (or indy with Autologic system) ?

I also tried the battery off, etc. etc. but no difference, and I can't extract the receiver parts from my old mirror to fit into the new as they are sealed units.

So a word of warning for anyone thinking of doing this mod. There is a downside and only you can decide if its worth it. I'll post some pics tomorrow of the end result so you can judge if you think its worth it.

Cheers lads. Kev

[jmh]

Hmm , worked fine for me . I swapped out my OEM rear view mirror with a M5 one and had no problems at all. Everything still works as expected (clown nose , dimming, remote etc..)




- Jan

[Kev]

Hmmm, that's strange. Since your post I went out to see how bad it really was and it seems to have fixed itself. I'll give you a proper verdict and some pics tomorrow but it looks good.

Very wierd. But I'm definately not complaining. I started to imagine some kind of explanation like the car needing to update the components in the mirror with the latest lock/unlock sequences (theres also a receiver in the rear window) but I was in serious bu11sh1t territory so I'll put this one out for a vote. Maybe someone a bit more clued up can explain it.

At least this post may be useful for anyone else contemplating this mod.

Hope it's still working in the morning ....

Cheers. Kev

[Islands52]

Be careful, the oval mirrors are known to leak toxic nasty fluid that will eat away your dash finish.

[Kev]

Damn ! was pointing the key to the rear window from behind the car last night. Thats the only way it works. If I sit in the car, stand to the side, or to the front of the car. Even with the key an inch from the windshield where the mirror is, it's 5+ clicks before it locks or unlocks. I'm wondering if the receiver in there is working at all or if it's just jamming the signal to the rear receiver somehow.

And this surely can't be a faulty mirror. Not twice in a row !

To be honest, the colour coding of the wires is different even though they come from more or less the same build date (2002 M3 and 2003 X5). Even so, the autodim works, so does the clowns nose, and with some persistance even the lock/unlock, although as I said, I have some concerns that its actually picking up from the rear window.

Anyway, here's what all the fuss is about.





I think it goes really nicely with the M3 wheel and chrome dials IMO of course

Any ideas guys (and gals)? I really don't want to even think about opening up either mirror - especially after that last post Can you think of anything else I could try ?

Cheers. Kev