Purchased homelink/ugdo mirror separately

[chiefneil]

I posted a few months back to see if anybody had done this. For 2012 BMW removed the standalone option for the homelink/universal garage door option, which is integrated into the rearview mirror.

Previously it was around $500, now it's part of the $3500 convenience package. I had no particular interest in the other components of the convenience package (nav, comfort access, cameras w/overhead view primarily), so I really didn't want to pay for the whole package.

A new homelink mirror was $850 from my local dealer, so I set out to buy a used one on eBay. It looks like all the homelink mirrors for all the BMWs made in the past 6-8 years or so are all the same, the only significant difference being a big or small clown nose. I found one with a small clown nose on eBay for $300 + $20 shipping. I think it was taken off an older 7-series, circa 2008 if I recall correctly.

I didn't feel like messing with installation, mainly because I was worried about some of the pre-wiring being tucked up by the sunroor and having to fish it out. So I paid the dealer $55 for installation. Just got the homelink programmed today and I'm happy to report that everything works just fine. FYI if it helps anybody, holding the remote 1-3" away for programming as described in the instructions didn't work. Actually touching the remote to the mirror did the trick though. So I ended up spending close to what BMW used to charge for the option, but managed to save myself about $3000 in unwanted options. Hope this helps somebody else in the same boat I was in.

[AzNMpower32]

Yeah, I hate the bundling that BMW NA does but they do it in order to help out the dealers. The Homelink mirror is one of the easier items to retrofit singly; things like the 4-way adjustable lumbar are much harder and sport seats are expensive but BMW continues to offer them only in bundles.

Think about it from the dealer's point of view: they want to sell their inventory, and if there are 16542 option and colour permutations for a single model, how likely is there's going to be a customer that finds the in-stock vehicle "just perfect" and buys it on the spot.

[tooslo]

I am in the same situation. I didn't want to pay $3k+ for the homelink mirror. I have been looking on eBay and have found several that say they will fit the E70, but they don't list a part number and the mirrors have come from different models (i.e. from a 3 series or 5 series).

Do you think that either of these would work:

Factory OEM 06 07 08 09 10 BMW Auto Dim Rear View Mirror M3 M5 3 5 6 7 HOMELINK | eBay
BMW X5 Rear View Mirror with Home Link | eBay

Thanks

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I posted a few months back to see if anybody had done this. For 2012 BMW removed the standalone option for the homelink/universal garage door option, which is integrated into the rearview mirror.

Previously it was around $500, now it's part of the $3500 convenience package. I had no particular interest in the other components of the convenience package (nav, comfort access, cameras w/overhead view primarily), so I really didn't want to pay for the whole package.

A new homelink mirror was $850 from my local dealer, so I set out to buy a used one on eBay. It looks like all the homelink mirrors for all the BMWs made in the past 6-8 years or so are all the same, the only significant difference being a big or small clown nose. I found one with a small clown nose on eBay for $300 + $20 shipping. I think it was taken off an older 7-series, circa 2008 if I recall correctly.

I didn't feel like messing with installation, mainly because I was worried about some of the pre-wiring being tucked up by the sunroor and having to fish it out. So I paid the dealer $55 for installation. Just got the homelink programmed today and I'm happy to report that everything works just fine. FYI if it helps anybody, holding the remote 1-3" away for programming as described in the instructions didn't work. Actually touching the remote to the mirror did the trick though. So I ended up spending close to what BMW used to charge for the option, but managed to save myself about $3000 in unwanted options. Hope this helps somebody else in the same boat I was in.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by tooslo

I am in the same situation. I didn't want to pay $3k+ for the homelink mirror. I have been looking on eBay and have found several that say they will fit the E70, but they don't list a part number and the mirrors have come from different models (i.e. from a 3 series or 5 series).

Do you think that either of these would work:

Factory OEM 06 07 08 09 10 BMW Auto Dim Rear View Mirror M3 M5 3 5 6 7 HOMELINK | eBay
BMW X5 Rear View Mirror with Home Link | eBay

Thanks

The first one looks like it would work. The second one looks like it's missing the rain sensor.

[ard]

The option costs, what, 3150 at invoice, with a 1730 rebate for nav. So cash out is ~1400.

Still a lot to pay for a transmitter, but they throw in nav and cameras for free.



But yes, I hate bundling and must be the only person that hates comfort access!

A

[cravin]

Originally Posted by ard

The option costs, what, 3150 at invoice, with a 1730 rebate for nav. So cash out is ~1400.

Still a lot to pay for a transmitter, but they throw in nav and cameras for free.



But yes, I hate bundling and must be the only person that hates comfort access!

A

How can you hate comfort access? Just quickly getting into the car when it's raining is worth the money alone

[ard]

Originally Posted by cravin

How can you hate comfort access? Just quickly getting into the car when it's raining is worth the money alone

When I wash the car it goes nuts..open, close, beep, open, close... windows roll down. Having to walk into the house and safely position the fob far enough away to avoid operation....then having to go back and get it...is as annoying as the incredible hassle of reaching in your pocket and pressing the button.

Also I like the doors open when I get there, and do not like having to futz with the handles....I like the confirmation of press the button, lock the car, walk away.

I have 4 other cars and rent cars twice a month...none of them have comfort access... it does not simplify my life, it is just a glitchy bauble to deal with.

Just me.

A

[cravin]

I hear you. For the first example though, you could just put the key in the car. It's supposed to turn off comfort access controls when the key is inside the vehicle.

For me, one of the main things that drives me nuts is not being able to unlock all doors without pushing the button on center console. I simply forget too often, and once im outside of the vehicle and trying to get the kids out of the back, it's nice to have comfort access that unlocks it for me when I touch the rear handles.