Cracked Driver Side Mirror, Defect!
 

We left last night at about 10:30 to go get a bite to eat during the drive I watch as the dirver side mirror cracked and began to split right in the center, we we arrived at the resturant I checked to see if something hit the mirror, the mirror was very warm. (nothing did) My fiance went to BMW in the morning and there were 3 other X5's with the same issue? The dealer tell us that there are no mirrors in the US and it will be 2-3 weeks before we can get another one. We just picked the car up on Dec 10th.... I'm actually kind of pissed.

The mirror is heated, at certain times. It may have had a short, and mixed with a bit of dew or water, it could have cracked.

Parts are in short supply, across the board for the 35d. I seriously doubt BMW assumed that a $65k (well equipped) vehicle would be selling like hot cakes in this economy.

They're probably scratching their heads right now, that or rolling around in all their money.

Sorry to ask this, which package comes with heated side view mirrors?

I believe the manual says it's standard equipment on all X5 35d models.

There are quite a few features that are not advertised, that one needs to read the manual in order to discover. It's very extensive and informative, if not a bit awkwardly written.

Nonetheless, all mirrors are heated, and there's no notation next to the reference to suggest it's an option, as there is next to other optional items.

I'm sure others will chime in, but I'm 99.9% sure it's standard on all. I'll look at the manual when I get a chance or you can find it here on the website in PDF form.

ABMW, Thanks for the response.

Just looked. It's on page 52 of the 2010 manual and reads as follows: "Below a certain temperature both exterior mirrors are automatically heated when the motor is running or the ignition is switched on."

the mirrors heat up to heat up the gel which allows for the auto-dimming feature?

No they heat up to defrost / defog.

Ohhhhh ok, good to know

Hasn't happened to my X5, but my 2007 335ic had this happen about a month after purchase.

yea same thing happen to me but this was the passenger side i was driving one day and i just noticed it. I called the dealer and they told me that alot of people have been stealing them lately and that its not warranted. So i got a price on it which is in stock they told me i am looking about 411.xx with tax for just the glass part which really sucks so i am driving around with a cracked mirror on my 2010 e70 4.8i

luckily mine was cracked on the passenger side before I took delivery, and yes, I've been told several weeks. On the bright side, I didn't even notice it for 3 days, because I was having so much fun driving :)

ur lucky i bought my truck in novemb 09 and it was a 2010 model and this happen on new year i am going to pick the mirror up next week i just never have the time

If the heated mirrors, especially as a stock feature and with a clear consistent trend of incidence(s), are cracking mirrors - how is it possible that BMW does not warranty this? If they are charging almost $500 for replacements and they know they have a design defect that is causing the problem - how could this even be legal?

Called the dealer today and they told me 4 weeks until they can get a replacement part! If they know that is a problem why wouldn't they at least have them in stock I guess this is something else that need to be brought to BMWNA.

I waited 3 months on a part to fix a check engine light. BMWNA doesn't care. They already have your money. Until I called BMWNA, who knows when my part would have shown up at my dealer. I also waited 5 weeks for another part until I called BMW. Unacceptable in my opinion. I asked them to buy mine back. I'm still waiting on a small amount of compensation that's going to take 4-5 weeks for the check to arrive.

Craig

my drivers side looks like its starting to crack theres a burn mark showing up from behind the mirror drop dead middle too... i'm guessing that this will be something of a recall at some point

Happened within 1 week with my X5 M. Have been to the dealer, and there are no mirror in the US. It has been 2 weeks, and still no word on when one will be here.

Wicked_X5, do not pay out of pocket. There are several people on this board showing that this is a trend. I am happy to give you my SA phone number, and I am sure others here would to, so that you SA can see that this wasn't "someone trying to steal it". Your dealer is trying to get one over on you...

As a side note, I actually went to another, closer dealer first. Called 8 days in advance, and told them the details. Asked to have a replacement mirror ordered and I drove up a night early (because of a snow storm coming in the next morning, and the dealer is 2 hours away). Arrived at the dealer, and no mirror order or inquiry was placed. After giving me the run around, they told me that they needed to make sure I didn't break it and that warranty would cover.

I was never told that there were no mirrors at that dealer. They simply didn't want to order it when they thought I would have to pay. I am going to be ordering a 7 in the next year, and a X5d and will not be going back to that dealer.

Mine has done the same thing in the exact same spot. The 3 other X5's were the same thing...

jason thanks trust me i wont pay for i am waiting till they recall it that pic looks just like how mine started i thought it was like a spot from the sun and then within a week there was a crack we'll just all have to wait and see what happens good luck guys.

took mine into the dealer and they said they're going to order the part and give me a call when its in... my SA seems to think it should only take a few days... we'll see... lol

This clearly sounds like a defect. Are all of you, with this problem, paying or is BMW covering the replacements?

i make it a point to tip my service guy and built up a long relationship with him through all my BMW's... pretty much everything that goes wrong with the car in the first 4 years is "warranty" even stuff thats in the grey area...

but this one is pretty clear cut since i took it in before it cracked, its just burnt right now...

I just got the car 3 weeks ago. I'm sure not paying for it and if it happens again I will let them know I'm not paying for it then either...

I am not paying...It has been warrantied...

I really can't understand why you guys have to wait so long for parts. I have never waited more than two days for any BMW part here in the UK and most are in stock.

The factory is making these cars every day, they must have mirror glass, and some (all) X5s are even made in America aren't they ?

I drove around for 3 months with a check engine light waiting on an air temp sensor. 5 weeks on a heated fuel filter. Until I called BMWNA, who knows how long I would have been waiting. Totally unacceptable in my opnion.

Craig

Strange. I wonder if the 'deal' BMWNA have with BMW themselves is somehow a 'reduced' package? I really can't understand why you guys have that problem when we (UK) don't.

I also notice that your dealers seem reluctant to carry out warranty repairs whereas the dealers over here almost beg you for your warranty work.

Maybe the whole deal is different ?

Honestly I'm not really happy with BMW and this mirror situation. Its a $65k car and they can't keep parts for it? I think its BS!

I drove in the rain for about an hour yesterday and when I got to my destination, I touched the side mirror. It was very warm, bordering hot. This isn't right. Even when it's raining, you shouldn't need to heat the side mirror constantly. I am not surprised these problems exist. Is there a way to just turn the sucker off so it doesn't heat the mirror at all? They are heating the hell out of this car. The heated seats are just unbearable on the "three lights" setting. What's up with these Germans?

Try it at 3 below zero. It's quite nice.

The burn mark shown on my 2010 X5 35d driver's side mirror and let's see how long it will crack.

Cracked driver side mirror!
 

The same thing just happened to me! We had a big winter storm in DC last week and my one week old 2010 X5 35d split its driver side mirror down the middle when I turned on the defroster. It now has what look like burn marks along the crack in the mirror.

This has to be a defect! The dealer (Passport BMW in MD) told me to swing by and they will check it out. I hope they cover this, as I will be pissed if they say it was my fault.

The driver's side mirror was cracked after the dinner tonight.......

Here you go. SIB 510810.

My driver side mirror cracked last Saturday night. It rained that night and I know it was not cracked when I got home. In the morning, there it was. And at the top of the crack, it has a brownish color.

Went to the dealer and they ordered the part. Getting it replaced tomorrow. I will be sure to point out the burn mark. They are replacing it under warranty, but examined it like they've never seen this happen before.

To anyone that has gotten the mirror replaced: Does the new mirror have a black plastic border around it? Mine doesn't and the SA just explained that it came that way. The mirror has a line around the edge where it looks like a border is supposed to go. I'm wondering if the tech was just supposed to remove the old plastic border and put it around the new mirror?

Anyway it looks weird with L side not like the R side.

You want them to buy back your car because of a cracked mirror?:dunno:

It will be covered. Find a new SA or another dealer.

My driver side mirror cracked, 3 weeks after I got the car. Parked at Starbucks, came back out and saw it. My SA replaced it, we did have to wait for parts, BMW changed both mirrors so they match.

My problem now is I hate the new mirrors i got from them! It seems there was a part change. Now most of the mirror will darken, but the edges don't and its a PITA at night.

Hey gbogh, you're right, the edge does not darken like the rest of the mirror. So far it hasn't really bothered me at night. I wonder if there is another part number for the plastic trim around the edge. Would solve your problem too.