E85 Wing Mirror Replacement

[Daniel J Flannery]

Hi,
Does anyone have any instructions on replacing the whole of my N/S Mirror, a cyclist and I had a slow collision on a very tight bend, snapped the mirror off at the joint, just had one delivered from ebay, any help would be gratefully received, is this something I could do...
Thanks

 

[mr wilks]

Hi,
Does anyone have any instructions on replacing the whole of my N/S Mirror, a cyclist and I had a slow collision on a very tight bend, snapped the mirror off at the joint, just had one delivered from ebay, any help would be gratefully received, is this something I could do...
Thanks

It's certainly diy do-able with a few basic tools & torx bits.
I recently replaced my own.
Complexity increases if you are swapping out any parts from one to the other , obviously a simpler task if you're fitting a complete item.
Once the speaker cover is removed you will see 3 fixings that secure the actual housing to the door , when they're out you are well on your way.

 

[kis]

I'm not sure there are many guides for these. But as above, it's fairly simple.

If you look on youtube and look for "e46 mirror replacement" you can't go far wrong (yes they are different but you should be able to transfer the same process to your e85 since the cars are very similar).

door card removal link

e46 mirror swap link

I've added some links to help (ignore the 1st video title - it is relevant)

 

[Z4_ATB]

I'm not sure there are many guides for these. But as above, it's fairly simple.

If you look on youtube and look for "e46 mirror replacement" you can't go far wrong (yes they are different but you should be able to transfer the same process to your e85 since the cars are very similar).

door card removal link

e46 mirror swap link

I've added some links to help (ignore the 1st video title - it is relevant)

I wanted to swap my silver mirror cover for black - assuming this can’t be done while the mirror remains in situ on the door?

If not - am I therefore right in thinking the door card has to come off just to get the mirror off?

If so I’ll just get a mirror cap

 

[Haro]

Mirror - https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/57-BODY-Exterior_Mirror_Replacement/57-BODY-Exterior_Mirror_Replacement.htm

Door card - https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/54-BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement/54-BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement.htm

 

[Z4_ATB]

Mirror - https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/57-BODY-Exterior_Mirror_Replacement/57-BODY-Exterior_Mirror_Replacement.htm

Door card - https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/54-BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement/54-BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement.htm

Thanks mate - very useful

I’ve got the monochromatic dimming mirrors so not sure if that makes a difference but clearly either way it’s a door card off to get the mirrors off job so I’ll just get some mirror caps instead

 

[kis]

Mirror cover can defo come off while still attached to the car, I've done it myself

 

[Z4_ATB]

Mirror cover can defo come off while still attached to the car, I've done it myself

I’ve just replied to your PM about the printed covers - please tell me more about how to get them off

 

[Ali0191]

Mirror cover can defo come off while still attached to the car, I've done it myself

I’ve just replied to your PM about the printed covers - please tell me more about how to get them off

Looking at doing the same as you, have you figured out how to remove the covers?

 

[bigwinn]

Mirror cover can defo come off while still attached to the car, I've done it myself

I’ve just replied to your PM about the printed covers - please tell me more about how to get them off

Looking at doing the same as you, have you figured out how to remove the covers?

Covers can be removed while on the car but fiddly-

Pop the mirror glass out by turning the holder ring behind the mirror glass, you can get a thin screwdriver in to get it to move

Undo the heated mirror loom and unclip the motorised loom clip

Once out you’ll see the T15 screws that hold the mirror cap in place
You’ll also need to remove the 3x T15 that hold the mirror ‘gimbal’ in place (the bit that allows the mirror to move)
Also there are 2 tabs top and bottom inside the mirror cap that need to be unclipped

Then it can be popped off

 

[Ali0191]

I’ve just replied to your PM about the printed covers - please tell me more about how to get them off

Looking at doing the same as you, have you figured out how to remove the covers?

Covers can be removed while on the car but fiddly-

Pop the mirror glass out by turning the holder ring behind the mirror glass, you can get a thin screwdriver in to get it to move

Undo the heated mirror loom and unclip the motorised loom clip

Once out you’ll see the T15 screws that hold the mirror cap in place
You’ll also need to remove the 3x T15 that hold the mirror ‘gimbal’ in place (the bit that allows the mirror to move)
Also there are 2 tabs top and bottom inside the mirror cap that need to be unclipped

Then it can be popped off

That’s awesome, cheers bigwinn!

 

[bigwinn]

Looking at doing the same as you, have you figured out how to remove the covers?

Covers can be removed while on the car but fiddly-

Pop the mirror glass out by turning the holder ring behind the mirror glass, you can get a thin screwdriver in to get it to move

Undo the heated mirror loom and unclip the motorised loom clip

Once out you’ll see the T15 screws that hold the mirror cap in place
You’ll also need to remove the 3x T15 that hold the mirror ‘gimbal’ in place (the bit that allows the mirror to move)
Also there are 2 tabs top and bottom inside the mirror cap that need to be unclipped

Then it can be popped off

That’s awesome, cheers bigwinn!

If you get stuck drop us a line

 

[Ali0191]

Finally got round to doing this, the above from bigwinn was very useful so thank you

Only thing that almost stumped me was that there is a screw from the outside underneath!

 

[bigwinn]

Finally got round to doing this, the above from bigwinn was very useful so thank you

Only thing that almost stumped me was that there is a screw from the outside underneath!

Well done bud!!

 

[mihai_stancu]

Hi,
Does anyone have any instructions on replacing the whole of my N/S Mirror, a cyclist and I had a slow collision on a very tight bend, snapped the mirror off at the joint, just had one delivered from ebay, any help would be gratefully received, is this something I could do...
Thanks

It's certainly diy do-able with a few basic tools & torx bits.
I recently replaced my own.
Complexity increases if you are swapping out any parts from one to the other , obviously a simpler task if you're fitting a complete item.
Once the speaker cover is removed you will see 3 fixings that secure the actual housing to the door , when they're out you are well on your way.

Hi!
I have a more complex approach that I'd like to take and I think maybe you have some insights? I'm trying to avoid spending a ton of money on an entirely new assembly and simply transplant the plastic part, folding motor included, to an intact metal part. So far, I couldn't find any way, it seems like there are some sort of rivets holding on around the wire harness, in the middle of the part. Do you have any ideas or insights about this operation? Thanks a lot!

 

[Usel]

Hi,
Does anyone have any instructions on replacing the whole of my N/S Mirror, a cyclist and I had a slow collision on a very tight bend, snapped the mirror off at the joint, just had one delivered from ebay, any help would be gratefully received, is this something I could do...
Thanks

It's certainly diy do-able with a few basic tools & torx bits.
I recently replaced my own.
Complexity increases if you are swapping out any parts from one to the other , obviously a simpler task if you're fitting a complete item.
Once the speaker cover is removed you will see 3 fixings that secure the actual housing to the door , when they're out you are well on your way.

Hi!
I have a more complex approach that I'd like to take and I think maybe you have some insights? I'm trying to avoid spending a ton of money on an entirely new assembly and simply transplant the plastic part, folding motor included, to an intact metal part. So far, I couldn't find any way, it seems like there are some sort of rivets holding on around the wire harness, in the middle of the part. Do you have any ideas or insights about this operation? Thanks a lot!

Not easy but possible:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=146438&hilit=Powerfold+repair