Right side mirror glass replacement

Coldstream69 · 8th May 2011, 12:41

Hi,
I did try the search option honest! I have got a replacement door mirror for my E39 1999 but want to sure about removal and replacement of the glass (mine has badly discoloured and is difficult to see with) One thread mentioned a tab at the bottom of the glass needing to be moved. Can someone confirm this and is the tab to be moved (right) away from the body? I have also heard a rumour that you should angle the glass before removal. Again could someone confirm.

Many thanks

Marc

M5 Russ · 8th May 2011, 12:53

Hi Mate. This is a job that I have to do on mine bu I have put it off due to the eye watering price of the glass.

Have you sourced a cheaper price in the UK ?

Coldstream69 · 8th May 2011, 13:06

Hi, I can confirm the eye watering price! I was quoted £315 per glass (not complete mirror). You can get blue tinted glass as a replacement for not much money, this might help and give you time to save. I have purchased mine from Ebay although you will need to be patient, they are snapped up very quickly. Keep an eye on the board as some owners have spares that they sell from time to time (upgrading from E39 - E60)

Good luck

Marc

jgfabs · 8th May 2011, 22:44

God!!! Is that really the price of the lens!!!!

Coldstream69 · 9th May 2011, 19:48

I don't think the guy at BMW realised how much they were, he said they are the most expensive that he has on the system. it pays to look around for spares, if you do manage to get a spare its as good as money in the bank. This is also the reason I want to get the lens change right, otherwise it could get very expensive.

ger · 14th May 2011, 00:32

I think it's :
Tilt glass as far up as possible
Shift the little tab to the 'other' side (so if it's at the inside, you slide it outside - or vice versa). Use a thin screwdriver to get at it.
Work the mirror glass off its mountings (ideally pull off squarely). It will have heater wires (black iirc) and the photochromatic wires too, which have an 'awkward to reach' connector towards the outside front of the casing.

Here's a picture of the glass carrier back:
Note that the lockring works on four tabs on the tilting mechanism in the mirror housing. These locate in the four apertures shown by the four small red arrows. When open, the tabs can come out.
Lock ring in locked position

Lock ring in open position:

Please note that the plastic is broken at the bottom of the carrier, near where the locking tab is located.

HTH.

Coldstream69 · 16th May 2011, 09:49

Cheers Ger, just the advice I needed for the job. All the best, Marc

RedP85 · 28th February 2013, 05:32

Mee too !
I managed to remove the whole assembly from the car, but could't
find how to release the mirror glass. Mine has backing issue (ugly look)
and I intend to go at a mirror shop to "possibly" get a 'normal' glass mirror.
The current price for an OE glass at tomkinsonbmwparts.com is 273U$ !!

reds2 · 28th February 2013, 06:29

Just replaced my right side mirror too. Just tilt up and release the tab

RedP85 · 28th February 2013, 18:25

Thanks, finally found a thread that said to move the horeshoe towards the center of the car to release the glass from motor.