WTB: M3 side mirrors for Sedan

[UdubBadger]

Anyone have any already modified? If not where do people get um? I don't want too much work getting them on the car.

Thanks

[cakM3]

I hate to say this but this is a tall order....usually you acquire OEM M3 side mirrors any way you can....some go to eBay to get them and then there's the classified section on various forums... M3Forum.net, Bimmerforum, and E46Fanatics. Once you get them you need to modify the baseplates on the mirror assemblies in order to properly fit our sedans. Rogue Engineering has a very good and detailed DIY which shows you what parts of the mirror baseplate to trim off so they will fit properly to the contour of our sedans. Then you have to drill two additional holes in your sedan doors from which to mount the modded mirror.

That's just the first part....then you have to mod the mirror housings so that you can reuse the mirror motors from your ZHP since they use ribbon cables. There is an additional mirror motor base plate you need to make (not hard to do) but required additional step to make the M3 mirrors work 100% with our cars.

All in all, it takes lots of work to get them to look good and work proper. In the end if this is what you really have to have, then it is well worth the effort to get them mounted :thumbsup

[UdubBadger]

nobody sells 3rd party reps that are PnP?

[cakM3]

You don't want 3rd party reps.....they are all M5 remanufactured mirrors. They look like this on our sedans.....

http://photos.performanceIX.com/viewPhoto.php?PhId=047543effbadc21276544aa4801b45f d
http://photos.performanceIX.com/viewPhoto.php?PhId=808f37dab042af5795ce90a6266d5a4 0
Not a fan of these on 3-series cars....I'd rather keep my original sedan mirrors over these.

Here are the OEM M3 side mirrors installed......see the difference?
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/IMG_3447-1.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ZHP1.jpg

In my opinion, if you are going to do this then it is worth all the extra effort to do it right...hope this helps :thumbsup

[UdubBadger]

dumbo eh?

how much you think a full refit on the M3 ones would cost (ballpark)?

[az3579]

nobody sells 3rd party reps that are PnP?

Nope. As Charlie said, the only ones are M5 reps, and they do not look right on the E46 IMO. But, some people like the style, so if you don't mind what Charlie posted above, then that might be your best bet.

Otherwise, finding a pre-modified set is a once in a solar eclipse (instead of blue moon) event.

[UdubBadger]

:rofl

yeah I figured once someone goes through all the effort they don't soon take them off.


I don't like the M5's, make the car look like
http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/2519566.jpg

[terraphantm]

I wonder if the actual m3 mirror would fit on the M5 base

[cakM3]

Good question terra! Not sure. I don't think anyone has done that yet....

as BP stated in his post above..."Otherwise, finding a pre-modified set is a once in a solar eclipse (instead of blue moon) event."

Well said BP! :thumbsup

A Udub....that's why I posted pics between both sedans....my first BMW and my current ZHP. When I did my ZHP I wanted to do it right this time. It cost me some money compared to the "M3 Reps" but I'm so much happier with the final results. They look spot on like they came from the factory that way...

[UdubBadger]

good point... do it right or do it twice.


so what kind of cost should I expect to incur?

[cakM3]

That depends on where you get your OEM M3 side mirrors. Usually somewhere around $300 - $400 for a set of used M3 side mirrors in good condition....be picky here....no damaged used mirrors. You will regret that in the long run with additional costs to make them right if any noted deficiencies can be corrected.

More money for brand new OEM M3 new ones.

Once you get that, then there's additional costs for materials you will need for mirror motor baseplates. Then go to this thread: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3096-ZHP-ESS-TS2-Project-(PICS)/page11 (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3096-ZHP-ESS-TS2-Project-(PICS)/page11)

to post #107 to get the details on how to make the mirror motor baseplates. This is how Jon came up with the solution to mount ribbon cable motors into the OEM M3 mirror housings. It works perfectly. :thumbsup

After modding the mirror baseplates using Rogue Engineering's DIY (found here) http://www.rogueengineering.com/bmw/E46M3MIR.html (http://www.rogueengineering.com/bmw/E46M3MIR.html)

you then make up the mirror motor base plates as outlined in Jon's project build

Then you need to drill additional holes in your door to mount the mirrors like this:
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Drill.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Drill01.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Drill02.jpg

As I said, its a lot of work but the end result provides you a mirror that should have come with all ZHP's from the factory in my opinion :thumbsup

[UdubBadger]

ehh... I'll either make Ryan do it all or I'll just live with what I have right now.

[cakM3]

just sayin'.... better provide you with all the answers so you are not left guessing like I was for a long time...

For me, it was well worth it to do this mod....on a difficulty level I would say that it was closer to a 7 out of 10 for me. I'm glad I did this. :)

[UdubBadger]

it looks great for sure and man if I had $1000 to throw at it and just buy all the stuff and let someone experienced do it then for sure... but I'm still ballin on a budget so probably not the best way to spend 1/3rd of a used AA twin screw S/C if you know what I mean.

[cakM3]

it looks great for sure and man if I had $1000 to throw at it and just buy all the stuff and let someone experienced do it then for sure... but I'm still ballin on a budget so probably not the best way to spend 1/3rd of a used AA twin screw S/C if you know what I mean.

I'm going to get an ESS Twin Screw eventually so it's all worth it if you ask me. Just getting everything done first so the last mod I will need to do is the ESS TS....:) I will even have LSD before putting in the twin screw...:thumbsup

I hear you though :)

[UdubBadger]

I'll just concentrate on headers for now

[Au2bahn]

You will love your car even more Charlie with an ESS Twin Screw. I can definitely assist you with the install for this project. :thumbsup


I'm going to get an ESS Twin Screw eventually so it's all worth it if you ask me. Just getting everything done first so the last mod I will need to do is the ESS TS....:) I will even have LSD before putting in the twin screw...:thumbsup

I hear you though :)

[cakM3]

You will love your car even more Charlie with an ESS Twin Screw. I can definitely assist you with the install for this project. :thumbsup

Jon,

It will be a few years before I get the twin screw for my ZHP (daughter's college)...but when I do I will be letting you know :thumbsup
I have been very fortunate to have Steve let me drive his twin screw ZHP.....very addicting, that's for sure...will give me lots of smiles when I surprise other ///M3 owners :biggrin

Can't wait to check out your twin screw during the meet Jon! :) :thumbsup

[Au2bahn]

I concur with Charlie. The cost and effort is totally worth it. The OEM M3 mirrors smooths out the lines of the ZHP. Mine was close to $1k all said and done. This includes the OEM mirror housing (used), paint and new glass mirrors. I did however buy a new mirror motor since my driver side was dead.


it looks great for sure and man if I had $1000 to throw at it and just buy all the stuff and let someone experienced do it then for sure... but I'm still ballin on a budget so probably not the best way to spend 1/3rd of a used AA twin screw S/C if you know what I mean.

[cakM3]

Jon,

You need to update your sig pic....still shows the square mirror...:p

Bad part is that when it came to these mirrors, I didn't flinch at the cost of doing this project. From past experience (323i), I realized that if I was going to replace my sedan mirrors this was the route I will be going no matter the cost. I would have to say that I shelled very close to what Jon did (@ $1k) but man am I glad I did this! I will be spending some more on these mirrors but replacing the mirror housings with full carbon fiber ones....since I have the carbon fiber Arquray lip, and soon carbon fiber rear diffuser, changing out my mirror housings to carbon fiber (summer use only) seems the logical path for my ZHP :thumbsup

[Au2bahn]

I know. I will take pics this weekend then update my sig.




Jon,

You need to update your sig pic....still shows the square mirror...:p

Bad part is that when it came to these mirrors, I didn't flinch at the cost of doing this project. From past experience (323i), I realized that if I was going to replace my sedan mirrors this was the route I will be going no matter the cost. I would have to say that I shelled very close to what Jon did (@ $1k) but man am I glad I did this! I will be spending some more on these mirrors but replacing the mirror housings with full carbon fiber ones....since I have the carbon fiber Arquray lip, and soon carbon fiber rear diffuser, changing out my mirror housings to carbon fiber (summer use only) seems the logical path for my ZHP :thumbsup



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