European Blind Spot Side Mirrors - Worth It?

[samthejam]

Pleased so far, should make hoping between cars a lot easier for me as the mirror is what I am used to from my E28.

For $20, I am not complaining. Installed like the original, no issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WJRLTNF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/3340-replacing-e46-sideview-mirror-glass

[PSUEng]

After a year of having my blindspot mirrors on, I really like them. Just need to be careful on the driver side because objects really are closer than they appear. I put a set on my Tacoma (from a Rav4) and really enjoy the added visibility.

[mpower22]

absolutely love them. Once I converted, I was able to stop looking over my shoulder. The difference is significant; not just slight.

[PSUEng]

absolutely love them. Once I converted, I was able to stop looking over my shoulder. The difference is significant; not just slight.

This. I want to add that, with these mirrors--especially the driver side--if another vehicle is next to you, you will see it. In fact, on a three lane highway, I find them helpful to see two lanes over. Something a "flat" mirror absolutely will not do, and something that most vehicle electronic blind spot monitors won't indicate.

[SurgeSi]

really makes that much of a difference?

[PetrolM3]

Yes, they make a huge difference - especially driver side. Since I did this mod on my E46 M3, I struggle driving cars without them. I got them for my non-M and now the new GTI too.

Driver side is way more important because NAR glass is flat and has a huge blindspot. US/Canada passenger glass is already convex overall where as EU version is extra convex on the outer 1/3.

[akamin68]

Yup. Worth it

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

[mpower22]

really makes that much of a difference?

There's no doubt. PSUEng and I have been in the E46 game a LOOONG time - like back in the old days when M3forum.net was still a thing. No way either of us would recommend something unverified or post info here to jeopardize a long standing reputation in the M3 community.

Spot on with PetrolM3; I was about to say the same - if you're going to do one, at least just do the driver's side. Euro passenger still makes a big difference, but the driver's side is much more drastic of an improvement.

[PetrolM3]

Interesting fact - all cars (all brands including entry level models) in EU must come with these mirrors from factory for safety reasons. I have no idea how US/Canada doesn't see the value here and make these mandatory on our cars rather than people having no clue that this is even an option though an expensive one.

[old///MFanatic]

Interesting fact - all cars (all brands including entry level models) in EU must come with these mirrors from factory for safety reasons. I have no idea how US/Canada doesn't see the value here and make these mandatory on our cars rather than people having no clue that this is even an option though an expensive one.

They are worried the Objects Are Closer Than They Appear” issue will cause accidents. We have a type of these on our passenger side. But not the drivers side.
As for US DOT laws and regulations we are very antiquated on stuff. Seems they play it safe and make things to the lowest denominator, the idiot drivers.

[theOracle]

Where can these be ordered from? The real ones, not eBay

[samthejam]

Where can these be ordered from? The real ones, not eBay

Like stated earlier in thread the OE ones are on backordered from BMW. I was gonna source used ones, but the tariff thing made this too much of a hassle. Happy with the Amazon ones, installed easily and have been a vast improvement. Used them on track and for daily use already and ordered another set as a spare, in case something happens. It was that much of an improvement.

[davidinnyc]

I’ve had them on before and have taken them off, and have owned a few new sets that I just bought as backups but have since sold. I can see all areas of a freeway just fine with US standard mirrors. YMMV