Power fold mirrors- retro fit a motor

[bigwinn]

Hi all

I've been searching for a couple of months for a powerfold drivers mirror- no joy

My car has all the necessary fitments for a powerfold, so my question is- can I use a similar BMW set of internals (from say an E89) to make a non powerfold mirror powered?

Anyone...?

Cheers

Stuart

 

[poss]

This is exactly what I did on my E46 M3. I bought aftermarket motorised side mirrors and swapped over the motors only + added the mirror control with autofold switch.

I wouldn't mind betting the auto fold motor in the zed is the same as in the E46 M3 given the design is very similar

 

[Zulu4]

That sounds like an interesting project Stuart :wink:

Having had a cursory look at the pictures in this thread, the internals look a bit different to how I remember the zed's mirror looking.
https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads...ng-mirros-into-power-folding-mirrors.1227048/

But anything is possible with enough effort.

 

[bigwinn]

Going to drop a note to bmw to see if they can tell if any other model motors are the same and can be swapped over

IIRC the e46 ones were different as they pivot up?

 

[beanie]

Given the nav unit was the same as the X3 of that era, it might be worth a look at those. It seems unlikely bmw would produce/commission a new motor for an optional extra on a low volume model but you never know!

 

[bigwinn]

Given the nav unit was the same as the X3 of that era, it might be worth a look at those. It seems unlikely bmw would produce/commission a new motor for an optional extra on a low volume model but you never know!

That’s a good shout- the retrofit seat heating looms are the same…

 

[enuff_zed]

Go for it!
I'll have a fiver on a powerfold one appearing on Ebay the day before you finish your conversion.

 

[bigwinn]

Go for it!
I'll have a fiver on a powerfold one appearing on Ebay the day before you finish your conversion.

That afternoon

 

[Wassup]

Guys I can confirm the E46 m3 mirrors have a very different powerfold mechanism to the E85 mirrors. I've pulled them both apart to see what would be compatible and the motor housings are very different.

E83 X3 is a good shout, there one at a local breakers yard and I may ask if I can borrow it to check compatibility. I'll keep you posted.

 

[bigwinn]

Guys I can confirm the E46 m3 mirrors have a very different powerfold mechanism to the E85 mirrors. I've pulled them both apart to see what would be compatible and the motor housings are very different.

E83 X3 is a good shout, there one at a local breakers yard and I may ask if I can borrow it to check compatibility. I'll keep you posted.

Good man- keep me posted!

I’m right that the e46 standard won’t work as they folded straight back

X3 deffo don’t look compatible as they are ribbon type

E46 coupe/convertible I’m still hoping as they have the same action

 

[kis]

I’ve had an e46. One of my mirrors didn’t work and when I took it all apart it was ribbon, but the working side was a normal cable!

So I think they ribbon’d the mirrors in the facelift? Not too sure, but there are defo two different types. So worth investigating further if you’re writing it off just for the fact it’s ribbon.

Where the hell is the motor in the e85?! I’ve taken the cover off mine and never saw it?

 

[bigwinn]

I’ve had an e46. One of my mirrors didn’t work and when I took it all apart it was ribbon, but the working side was a normal cable!

So I think they ribbon’d the mirrors in the facelift? Not too sure, but there are defo two different types. So worth investigating further if you’re writing it off just for the fact it’s ribbon.

Where the hell is the motor in the e85?! I’ve taken the cover off mine and never saw it?

I’m the same- I keep looking at the enclosure thinking where the f does it fit!!

It’s deffo in there

 

[kis]

I’m the same- I keep looking at the enclosure thinking where the f does it fit!!

It’s deffo in there

Yeah mine are powerfold too. Just no idea where the motor is, it's not big... must be embedded in the hinge mechanism somewhere?
I guess when you take a look at how tiny the roof motor is (hydraulics excluded)... could easily be hidden anywhere!

 

[bigwinn]

Clearly a lot of step up gears in there

 

[Umfaan]

Stuart there is a drivers side heated and electric mirror on German EBay

 

[bigwinn]

Cheers bud will have a look

 

[Vanne]

I have both sides available from my coupe.

 

[bigwinn]

I have both sides available from my coupe.

PM’d bud