Folding Mirror, play in the mirror base.
 

My 2003 X5 with folding mirrors, has a bit of play in the driver mirror. By play I mean torsional rotation (along the plane the mirrors move when folding in.) approx. 10 degrees. I inspected the folding motor and the microswitch inside the mirror, all seem to be functioning normally. Any one have any ideas what could be the source of the movement?? motor functions well, and the mirrors stay rotated inward once they are activated to do so. When I unfold them (with the button) they move as they should, the driver one moves fine, and when it comes to a stop, it has a bit of play, as though it were loose.
I have double checked all the fasteners for the motor, and they are torqued as they should be.
Thanx :dunno:

There's a round cap on the underside of the mirror base approx 50mm across remove this and you will find 4 small headed Torx screws tighten these up and it will cure the movement.

Funnily enough I retro fitted a set of power fold mirrors to my X 2 days ago and had to do this to the drivers side because when the mirror came to rest either folded in or out it wiggled slightly and by doing up those 4 screws it completely cured it.

thanx i will tackle this in the morning! as always this place is a great place to find this kind of info!!!! Ill try posting a couple pics, in case anyone else has the same problem!!

:iagree:

I have the exact same problem with the drivers side folding mirror on our '03 - it won't stay in the fully "unfolded" position because there's a lot of play in its swivel mechanism. I checked the torx screws under the plastic cover on the bottom of the mirror, and they're all tight. Any other ideas? Thanks.

update
 

I took the mirror assembly apart, and discovered that the movement is coming from the motor assembly. The part that the outer mirror assembly bolts to on the top, it is loose inside. I watched a video on Youtube regarding the mirror motor replacement. and discovered that i have a similar issue. I am going to attempt to pull the entire thing apart and see if its a matter or a broken part or a worn out one! I will probably end up ordering the two pieces surrounding the 'folding motor' and see if that makes a difference.
I was hoping to be able to pull it apart without removing the door card, and the pillar speaker! looks like thats not going to be the case!!
Ill keep everyone posted!