Road debris impact again!

sergeremi · 08-06-2012, 05:46 AM

Ok, so on the way to the airport this morning I hit a pretty bad chunk of debris. A car ahead of me had kicked up something that I thought was just some cardboard but the loud thunk I heard and felt when it struck the car certainly signified something different. Fortunately, I narrowly missed a head on collision, but my passenger side mirror wasn't so lucky. As I glanced over I could see the mirror dangling by a wire.*

As soon as I could, I pulled over to inspect the damage, though I didn't have much time since I had to catch a flight. The short of it is that the outer mirror housing popped off but the mirror glass was intact which I could pop back into place. There's a pretty nasty gash though on the black connector piece and it looks like the whole unit has been bent downwards a little. But the unit still seems to function normally (mirror adjustments and folding up when in parking mode). *It was dark so I couldn't do a thorough inspection for cracks or anything, but running my hands over things, it seemed like there weren't any cracks that might have developed from the impact.*

So the question is, can I just get a replacement cover and pop that into place or should I have the whole thing inspected to see if there is any underlying damage which might cause problems down the road? I assume I can just get the replacement cover without having to replace the whole unit?

sergeremi · 08-06-2012, 09:15 AM

Well, it looks like I can order the replacement cover but it needed to be painted. Any suggestions on that?

Do I just have any body shop paint the part? In the meantime, I wonder what I can use to protect the exposed mirror internals...

Lord Hemming · 08-06-2012, 10:05 AM

Buy a set of carbon mirror caps, sometimes things happen for a reason...

GodSpeed135 · 08-06-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Hemming

Buy a set of carbon mirror caps, sometimes things happen for a reason...

+1

///M1 · 08-06-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Hemming

Buy a set of carbon mirror caps, sometimes things happen for a reason...

+1, probably will cost the same than reordering new part and repainting.

sergeremi · 08-06-2012, 11:30 AM

Thanks guys, I guess I could go the carbon fiber route... but I would rather keep the stock look... I guess I'm really more concerned about the mirror not aligning properly. It still functions for the most part, I think but it's misaligned (i.e., when in normal drive position the top two pieces don't line up and seems like the whole unit is sort of bent downwards).

I wonder if I have to get a whole new mirror assembly to get it aligned correctly...

08-06-2012, 05:46 AM	#1
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Road debris impact again! Ok, so on the way to the airport this morning I hit a pretty bad chunk of debris. A car ahead of me had kicked up something that I thought was just some cardboard but the loud thunk I heard and felt when it struck the car certainly signified something different. Fortunately, I narrowly missed a head on collision, but my passenger side mirror wasn't so lucky. As I glanced over I could see the mirror dangling by a wire.* As soon as I could, I pulled over to inspect the damage, though I didn't have much time since I had to catch a flight. The short of it is that the outer mirror housing popped off but the mirror glass was intact which I could pop back into place. There's a pretty nasty gash though on the black connector piece and it looks like the whole unit has been bent downwards a little. But the unit still seems to function normally (mirror adjustments and folding up when in parking mode). It was dark so I couldn't do a thorough inspection for cracks or anything, but running my hands over things, it seemed like there weren't any cracks that might have developed from the impact. So the question is, can I just get a replacement cover and pop that into place or should I have the whole thing inspected to see if there is any underlying damage which might cause problems down the road? I assume I can just get the replacement cover without having to replace the whole unit? __________________ there is no effing automatic
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08-06-2012, 09:15 AM	#2
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Well, it looks like I can order the replacement cover but it needed to be painted. Any suggestions on that? Do I just have any body shop paint the part? In the meantime, I wonder what I can use to protect the exposed mirror internals... __________________ there is no effing automatic
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08-06-2012, 10:05 AM	#3
Lord Hemming Enlisted Member 5 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 1M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Buy a set of carbon mirror caps, sometimes things happen for a reason...
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08-06-2012, 11:30 AM	#6
sergeremi Lieutenant 41 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, I guess I could go the carbon fiber route... but I would rather keep the stock look... I guess I'm really more concerned about the mirror not aligning properly. It still functions for the most part, I think but it's misaligned (i.e., when in normal drive position the top two pieces don't line up and seems like the whole unit is sort of bent downwards). I wonder if I have to get a whole new mirror assembly to get it aligned correctly... Last edited by sergeremi; 08-06-2012 at 11:37 AM..
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