New dimming side mirror

[Lucky1]

Anyone ever seen this happen? I have heated auto dimming mirrors. Had to replace the driver side mirror for the second time in the car's 14 year history due to browning and visual distortion. This was done in December.

Few weeks ago I noticed these patterns in the glass showing up. The surface is smooth and you cannot put a finger nail in them.

My mechanic is pushing back on this being a warranty-able defect. I don't do anything to this mirror other than touchless car washes and automotive windex or armor all window cleaner and microfibre cloth wiping.

Not happy as its ugly and these parts are expensive.

[fotontom]

Bought my car at 89K, 13 yrs old and it had the browning issue on the passenger (auto-dimming / heated) mirror. I replaced it, and when I removed the old mirror, it appeared as though there was some sort of issue with a liquid substance that was in the mirror. Some of the browning cleared up from the stress on the mirror as I was removing it. I did not break it, but it did not clear entirely. Don't know what the technology might be to explain it, however.

[blue135]

Had the problem with my mirrors. Was not keen on auto dimming, so, from a link in a thread on here I found some regular, self adhesive mirror faces. Cost me about $30 total and work well for me.

[jwolf]

I have those mirrors on my 2005 Z4. I think they must start failing 12-16 years depending on the garage time. I think heat is the killer. The fluid in them can damage your paint. So, what to do? I would not buy used ones, just going to fail again in a few years. News ones are very expensive. On the Z4 you can access a tinted euro mirror. Not sure about the 1ers. My 135i does not have the option, and I am glad for it. On the Z4 they are really nice in such a low car. Good luck.

[Lucky1]

I hate paying for it also but hard to go backwards. BTW if I had the Dumbo ears mirrors in later 1 series it would be a no brainer to me; a truck behind you will shine light in your face all night due to increased amount of reflection surface.

In any case my problem now is not that the last two mirrors failed but that I bought a new one and these deformations have show up (circled in red in this image). Has anyone experienced this and know the cause? Another mechanic suggested it was deformed or cracked on the other side.

[XAMI]

Originally Posted by blue135

Had the problem with my mirrors. Was not keen on auto dimming, so, from a link in a thread on here I found some regular, self adhesive mirror faces. Cost me about $30 total and work well for me.

Could you please share the link to the self adhesive mirror faces? Have searched and searched but can't find the thread on here.

[GoRomeo]

Yeah me too. When I bought my e88 it had the passenger mirror with a big purpleish color stain. Replaced it with a new one off ebay I think? . Plug and play mirror. Make sure its the right part#. You just push towards the inside and pop it out from the outside. Be gentle. Disconnect wire and pop it back in.

[JustAnotherSportsCar]

New replacements are getting expensive for heated dimming glass. I found decent used ones for $85 for the set and put them in last month.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherSportsCar

New replacements are getting expensive for heated dimming glass. I found decent used ones for $85 for the set and put them in last month.

Lucky for me a had a set I bought for my E90 a few yrs back. I replaced the 2 whole mirrors with used folding ones. So I had a spare set and fitted my E88 just removed the glass unplugged and plug it back in. Still have 1 more. 😌