Wing Mirror Glass Fell Off - Replacement Options..

[TrickyTris]

Hi all,

I was reversing off my driveway this morning and the glass in my wing mirror decided enough was enough, and threw itself towards the ground ultimately smashing into a zillion pieces..

Not overly bothered as these things are to be expected with a 10 year old car, though it is annoying!


(Looking at the pic, I think someone has knocked it at some point as I hadn't noticed that white mark top right before!)

Now I was just wondering the best route for replacing the glass & how to attach it?

BMW do a replacement but I hear its close to the £100 mark.
Halfords do a replacement for £13.99, Click here, though it will bug the hell out of me knowing something from Halfords is attached to my car.

Has anyone used the halfords glass as a replacement? Does it match the original BMW glass or does it have a different tint etc? Wondering if I should replace both so theres no differences between the two, if i do go that route.

That then leads me onto wondering what the smeg I attach the glass with. As you can see from the pics, it was just the glass. Does the glass itself have an adhesive sticky back?

Any pointers would be great!

 

[bluestreak56]

Couple of threads here:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=63171&hilit=mirror+glass

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=51457&hilit=mirror+glass

 

[TrickyTris]

Thanks for that blustereak!

I've bought the Halfords "el cheapo speciale" glass - looks better quality than the ones on eBay..

Now one question I can't find the answer to in any threads..

Do I peel off the black that has been left behind? Is that the old adhesive backing or do i just stick the new one on as is?

 

[Marlon]

I bought a cheap replacement mirror glass for my previous Zed, I stuck it straight on to the original black adhesive backing - it stayed put

 

[bluestreak56]

As above, I managed to catch my original glass before it fell off so put it straight back on the black backing (with lots and lots of high strength glue)

 

[curro]

As above, but I used the double sided sticky tape you use for Number plates, turned the mirror upwards made sure it was aligned properly, been on 2 years now with no problems.

 

[TrickyTris]

Well, it turns out that the Halfords glass is no good. Doesn't sit flush with the edges at all & has a blue tint all over it. :thumbsdown:

I've now ordered one off eBay complete with the heating backing for £3 less.

Word of advice for anyone else who gets in this situation..

DO NOT peel the black backing off the wing mirror. It is not the adhesive from the glass - it is the heating element!! Have just learnt that the hard way!

 

[Marlon]

didn't you read the replies ?

 

[Ant]

Well, it turns out that the Halfords glass is no good. Doesn't sit flush with the edges at all & has a blue tint all over it. :thumbsdown:

I've now ordered one off eBay complete with the heating backing for £3 less.

Word of advice for anyone else who gets in this situation..

DO NOT peel the black backing off the wing mirror. It is not the adhesive from the glass - it is the heating element!! Have just learnt that the hard way!

yup thats what i did, worked grand

 

[Yorkie Z]

Well, it turns out that the Halfords glass is no good. Doesn't sit flush with the edges at all & has a blue tint all over it. :thumbsdown:

I've now ordered one off eBay complete with the heating backing for £3 less.

Word of advice for anyone else who gets in this situation..

DO NOT peel the black backing off the wing mirror. It is not the adhesive from the glass - it is the heating element!! Have just learnt that the hard way!

 

[mj2k]

My wife's fell off a couple of weeks ago, replaced with one off ebay & ignoring the line being the wrong colour, something else just doesn't seem right. Hadn't even thought about blue tint - is this likely what I'm getting annoyed by when I'm driving? Can see a difference but just can't work out what it is - almost seems too 'bright' hence wondering about the tint. Amusingly the good lady can't see any difference

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Same thing happened to me!

I noticed it vibrating. I pushed the glass and it came off.

So this black stuff is heating?
I’m not sure I have heated mirrors.

And just use VHB foam to stick it back on?

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Ok, so for anyone coming across this.

I wiped down the mirror back and the black surface with alcohol.

Then I put on several beads of sticks like clear.
It’s decent adhesive for temperature and vibration.
Also it’s sort of a gel, so it stays put, rather than something runny like super glue.

Pressed the glass back on, you have about 10 - 20 seconds of adjusting it before it locks in place.

I added some masking tape as an attempt to hold it in place whilst it cures.

Will see how it holds up...