Auto Dimming wing mirrors

mistry · 04-01-2009, 04:12 AM

Can these be retro fitted?

I have the auto fold wing mirrors but not the dimming function, I was just wondering how difficult it would be to retrofit. Any advice welcome.

E92Fan · 04-01-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistry

Can these be retro fitted?

I have the auto fold wing mirrors but not the dimming function, I was just wondering how difficult it would be to retrofit. Any advice welcome.

I believe that this should just be a straight mirror swap, as the electrics for the 'dimming' facility are housed within the glass assembly itself. The power for the mirror glass will already be within the mirror housing, as the multi-connector is used to supply the power to the motor...

Not 100% sure though - will check for you.

mistry · 04-01-2009, 05:19 AM

Thanks Tony,

I'm hoping it will be just a case of swapping the glass over.

xenon · 04-01-2009, 08:29 AM

I'll betcha it needs coding too. Since the photochromatic mirror glasses are nearly £200 each you have to really want them. I can't say I've ever been dazzled by the external mirrors.

E92Fan · 04-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

I'll betcha it needs coding too. Since the photochromatic mirror glasses are nearly £200 each you have to really want them. I can't say I've ever been dazzled by the external mirrors.

It might not need the coding fortunately, as all the electrics for the photochromatic system are housed within the mirror itself. As long as the mirror has power, it should work. The power will come from the same multi-connector block as the motor and the heating elements... take the interior rear-view mirror as an example - it is completely self-contained and doesn't require any coding to work...

xenon · 04-01-2009, 10:20 AM

You might be right but the interior mirror has a photocell in the mirrored surface and also one on the rear of the mirror to "look" through the windscreen. The amount of voltage applied to the photochromatic gel is dependent on the comparison of light shining into the mirror from the car behind and the ambient light from the front.

The exterior mirrors do not have the two photocells and I believed that they worked from the same signal from the interior mirror; i.e. when that dimmed so did the door mirrors. I don't think they're entirely self-contained. That's how the e39 ones work anyway.

E92Fan · 04-01-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

You might be right but the interior mirror has a photocell in the mirrored surface and also one on the rear of the mirror to "look" through the windscreen. The amount of voltage applied to the photochromatic gel is dependent on the comparison of light shining into the mirror from the car behind and the ambient light from the front.

The exterior mirrors do not have the two photocells and I believed that they worked from the same signal from the interior mirror; i.e. when that dimmed so did the door mirrors. I don't think they're entirely self-contained. That's how the e39 ones work anyway.

Ooooh, now that's food for thought.. hmm, I'll have to go through the TIS system and find out... be back in a bit!

mistry · 04-01-2009, 11:16 AM

£200 a mirror, thats shocking, not sure I want them that bad. Thought it might be a nice easy upgrade, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be.

04-01-2009, 04:12 AM	#1
mistry Captain 43 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	Auto Dimming wing mirrors Can these be retro fitted? I have the auto fold wing mirrors but not the dimming function, I was just wondering how difficult it would be to retrofit. Any advice welcome.
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04-01-2009, 05:19 AM	#3
mistry Captain 43 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	Thanks Tony, I'm hoping it will be just a case of swapping the glass over.
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04-01-2009, 08:29 AM	#4
xenon Major General 1422 Rep 8,114 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	I'll betcha it needs coding too. Since the photochromatic mirror glasses are nearly £200 each you have to really want them. I can't say I've ever been dazzled by the external mirrors. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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04-01-2009, 10:20 AM	#6
xenon Major General 1422 Rep 8,114 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	You might be right but the interior mirror has a photocell in the mirrored surface and also one on the rear of the mirror to "look" through the windscreen. The amount of voltage applied to the photochromatic gel is dependent on the comparison of light shining into the mirror from the car behind and the ambient light from the front. The exterior mirrors do not have the two photocells and I believed that they worked from the same signal from the interior mirror; i.e. when that dimmed so did the door mirrors. I don't think they're entirely self-contained. That's how the e39 ones work anyway. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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04-01-2009, 11:16 AM	#8
mistry Captain 43 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	£200 a mirror, thats shocking, not sure I want them that bad. Thought it might be a nice easy upgrade, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be.
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