Will a Rear View mirror from a Z4 fit our M3?

[old///MFanatic]

The plastic housing on my original mirror cracked & split from age, and I previously repaired the failed mirror with radar mirror years ago. The current one I have now seems to have more of a durable plastic housing and from what I understand BMW used a different vendor on the glass with the later models.

Yeah it looks like a different model than mine I posted I installed years ago. Yours has the sensor on the bottom by clown nose while mine had the sensor at the top edge.
Nice swap, let me know if you agree that shape actually shows the rear window area better. And the smoked clown nose is cooler. So much so I removed my stock red one and spray painted it with modeling tint to achieve same look.

[CarbonBlkM3]

Yeah it looks like a different model than mine I posted I installed years ago. Yours has the sensor on the bottom by clown nose while mine had the sensor at the top edge.
Nice swap, let me know if you agree that shape actually shows the rear window area better. And the smoked clown nose is cooler. So much so I removed my stock red one and spray painted it with modeling tint to achieve same look.

So far I haven't noticed much of a difference driving, gives a good overall view while driving local but I still have yet to hit the highway to give a total assessment. I kind of liked the red clown nose, I thought the red housing distinguished the mirror. I just hope this mirror holds up and does the job for sometime. I couldn't take driving home at night from work and getting blinded from someone behind me with the bright aftermarket LED headlights.

[Avedis]

Thinking about doing this conversion and bumping this thread rather than create my own.

My current mirror is the rectangular E46 mirror with auto-dim and SOS. I want to convert to a Z4 mirror with no auto-dim / no SOS, etc. I just want a simpler mirror with a nicer shape.

Would this be the correct part number to purchase? What wiring would need to be done? Is there anything that HAS to be plugged in? What would happen if I just mounted it up and did not plug in anything?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-8...uine-bmw-part/

[nahvkolaj]

Thinking about doing this conversion and bumping this thread rather than create my own.

My current mirror mirror is the rectangular E46 mirror with auto-dim and SOS. I want to convert to a Z4 mirror with no auto-dim / no SOS, etc. I just want a simpler mirror with a nicer shape.

Would this be the correct part number to purchase? What wiring would need to be done? Is there anything that HAS to be plugged in? What would happen if I just mounted it up and did not plug in anything?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-8...uine-bmw-part/

That looks like the right part to me. I got the same manual Z4 mirror for my car. I can't remember…the central locking electronics were either already there or I transplanted them from the OE mirror.

[Avedis]

That looks like the right part to me. I got the same manual Z4 mirror for my car. I can't remember…the central locking electronics were either already there or I transplanted them from the OE mirror.

Thanks, I did a little more homework and it looks like the central locking receiver is in the c pillar, not the mirror (coupes).

If I plan on not utilizing the auto-dim, or SOS features, is it necessary to plug it in at all? Would it just for the LED blink? Would any issues arise by not plugging it in? I read about one of the members having their mirror retrofits explode on them due to SOS wiring being off. Freaks me out.

[9kracing]

FWIW I used 5116915185201 and it's totally Plug & Play, my compass, auto dim, and HomeLink all work.

[01SG]

Mirrors? Who needs mirrors?

[old///MFanatic]

Mirrors? Who needs mirrors?

Ah the Gumball Rally! Probably too many youngsters here to have seen this movie to enjoy your joke. 👍🏻

[01SG]

Ah the Gumball Rally! Probably too many youngsters here to have seen this movie to enjoy your joke. 👍🏻

I'm glad somebody got it! One of the best car movies ever, and of the type unlikely ever to be made again with the value of a real 427 Cobra and Daytona Spyder.

[bimmerfan08]

Yeah that’s looks like a Z4M mirror. The way I read your post it kinda sounded like you got an M3 one. In which case for $150 you’d be better off getting your oval M3 one repaired at Sybesma’sElectronics. But yeah this is Z4M with the smoked “clown nose”.

I sent my M3 mirror to Sysbesma’s Electronics when it developed a bubble in 2011. After 4ish years, the glass malfunctioned again. It developed a bunch of brown spots and is functionally crap. I reached out to Sysbesma’s Electronics regarding the issue, and they basically told me I was SOL because the mirror was outside the warranty period. Not sure I'd recommend them for a permanent fix. This thread is a reminder I still need to get the mirror corrected.

[Shonky]

I sent my M3 mirror to Sysbesma's Electronics when it developed a bubble in 2011. After 4ish years, the glass malfunctioned again. It developed a bunch of brown spots and is functionally crap. I reached out to Sysbesma's Electronics regarding the issue, and they basically told me I was SOL because the mirror was outside the warranty period. Not sure I'd recommend them for a permanent fix. This thread is a reminder I still need to get the mirror corrected.

Mine was done by them about 2010 or 2011 and has been fine to this day. Like all products occasionally you might get a failure.

[tlow98]

Fyi. The f10 mirror works great here, as well. Has the slimmer grey clown nose and the auto dim is superb. Really changes night driving to be incredibly more enjoyable. I hand thought about the 5 series auto dim side mirrors. Maybe a good idea for me to head in that direction with my 330i shaped wing mirrors. Hmmmmm

[Avedis]

Z4 mirror confirmed.

[maupineda]

My Z has the true oval mirror, but has auto dimming, and I liked that more than any other mirror design.

[old///MFanatic]

I sent my M3 mirror to Sysbesma’s Electronics when it developed a bubble in 2011. After 4ish years, the glass malfunctioned again. It developed a bunch of brown spots and is functionally crap. I reached out to Sysbesma’s Electronics regarding the issue, and they basically told me I was SOL because the mirror was outside the warranty period. Not sure I'd recommend them for a permanent fix.

Well I don’t think there is a “permanent fix”. These can go out on all E46s. Most reports I’ve seen have to do with direct heat. They don’t re-engineer afaik the mirror, but repair it to work as before.