clown nose transplant?

Sidewaze Samm

Sidewaze Samm

Senior member
Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border
So two days after driving home my new Zed, I noticed. There is nothing at the bottom of my rearview mirror - no flashing light and no dome-shaped thing.

So what's the best way to sort it? From what I've read I gather a 1 series uses the same mirror - should I contemplate replacing the whole mirror or just attempt a transplant of the clown nose.

If it makes any difference, the mirror is auto dipping and the car also has rain and light sensors. The photo shows what I have (haven't) got under my mirror.

Thanks
IMG_20190224_115219.jpg
 
Mine has a red cover, I thought it was for the blinking led for the alarm system. Isn't the dimming sensor housed just below the glass itself? That tiny hole?
 
Yep, I know what it should look like (that's how I noticed it was missing :poke: )
But what is missing besides the dome cover? Is a transplant feasible or even possible?

The dipping sensor is on the mirror housing itself, and I presume the light under the mirror sticks in the hole showing in my photo. Is that right and is it replaceable?
 
Im thought the glass dims itself (something to do with liquid inside it).

The dome underneath the mirror is simply the flashing red light for the alarm.
 
Well i think the mirror has electrics in for key fob reciever, but yes others have swapped everything over, or jus tthe red nose. Bit pricey for just that though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alarm-LED-Cover-clowns-nose-for-BMW-E46-M3-E39-M5-rearview-mirror/223141159329?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW&hash=item33f43fe1a1:g:EqAAAOSwa-dWqQAx:rk:13:pf:0

have a look for auto dimming glass replacement few have done it

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68814
 
cappo said:
Mine has a red cover, I thought it was for the blinking led for the alarm system. Isn't the dimming sensor housed just below the glass itself? That tiny hole?
Click to expand...

Well I had a quick look on Beemer posts. Options ranged from Alarm armed LED to passenger ejector button. :D :thumbsup:
 
OK - so understanding that a 1 series mirror is 'the same' as a mirror for E85, I bought one from ebay to be the donor for the clown nose transplant. But, after popping off the 'nose' (it just pulls off, thankfully) it was apparent that it would not be just a case of replacing a missing LED, as the pcb is not the same as in mine.

Could anyboby pop off their cover and post a photo of what's underneath, so I can see what I'm missing?

My first thought was to just swap the complete mirrors over, but I then notice that the 1 series mirror has a different radio frequency to the one in my car (868MHz instead of 434MHz). So the mirrors I have are the same in function and appearance, but it's no use to me (not used in E85 but realoem says it is used in E89 models with part no 51169134394, 51169125561, 51167118331, or 51169320281 - if anyone wants it...)

Further, I've now realised that the mirror in my car is in fact permanently slightly dimmed and have discovered that this is a precursor to a leak of the corrosive dimming liquid!

So, any helpful suggestions on how to proceed, without paying hundreds for a new mirror, would be gratefully received.

PS - if a complete new mirror is fitted, does it need to be coded?
 
OK so having got hold of a cheap used replacement mirror, I'll answer my own question: no, it doesn't need coding. Now fitted and everything working fine :)
 
Just a circuit board, that looked different in the first mirror I got from a 1 series (although the glass is indeed the same, so I'll keep it for possible future use), and the LED that was missing from the mirror in the car. Who knows why the LED and dome cover were missing, but at least I didn't need a brand new one at £400 or so!
 
Somebody no doubt decided they didn’t want a flashing led. God knows why but there’s “ nowt so queer as folk”
 
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but Ive noticed that my mirror looks exactly the same as the original post. I would post an image but it looks identical.

No clown nose, no led, maybe other parts missing. Was there ever an explanation as to why this would be the case? Do people hate the light so much they rip it out?
 
skmattwell said:
No clown nose, no led, maybe other parts missing. Was there ever an explanation as to why this would be the case? Do people hate the light so much they rip it out?
Click to expand...
Probably because some muppet thought it was draining the battery. Either that or the car was nicked and it was putting the thieves off when ragging it around the estate. :D
 
Mine had been de-nosed as well. I wonder if it was a trend among owners? Certainly the original red ones were objects of ridicule (hence clown-nose) on other models which is I supposed why they changed them to grey.

It is just a dome for the LED. The light sensors are above the glass and on the back. RF gubbins is inside. If you remove the mirror from the windscreen (carefully; breaking the mount off the glass is definintely a thing) the case can be split apart and a new LED soldered in. Needs to be a reasonably high brightness 3mm type. A standard output LED is a bit wimpy (ask me how I know.)

FWIW, as with most stuff, these things are modular. For my E46, I got hold of a Land Rover Discovery II mirror with a compass in the corner (same maker but no clown nose) and swapped bits about to get a fully functioned BMW version. Very pleased with it. Tempted to swap it into the Zed!
 
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