US vs EU mirrors

TINY BMW · 07-05-2018, 05:34 PM

Hello,

Can someone shed some light on the following mirrors:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51167230979/

This is the US version, currently in my car.

I found this mirrors:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...167158309~oee/

Even though their spec says it doesn't fit, it does according to realoem.

The one thing I don't understand is why the US version has the plastic surrounding it. Why is that?

Josh (PA) · 07-05-2018, 09:52 PM

The EU mirrors are not DOT legal as I understand it. They have a curved outer section to provide better blind spot visibility, but it may look like the cars in that section are further away than they actually are. I ordered a set for my e46 wagon that my daughters drive and they are far better than the US mirrors as far as field of view is concerned.

zx10guy · 07-05-2018, 10:14 PM

I was thinking about doing this mod to my car.

Don't understand why these would not be DOT approved. My wife's RDX has this feature as standard on her US spec car.

JayPichardo · 07-06-2018, 08:03 AM

The DOT has stupid rules

jkoral · 07-06-2018, 08:27 AM

I changed my mirrors to the euro-spec wide angle. A great improvement. And not DOT approved is irrelevant, except you can't buy them from your local BMW dealers. I bought mine from ECS in 2013:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824933

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367545

TINY BMW · 07-06-2018, 10:51 AM

Well I already ordered them, I am from Europe, so I miss good mirrors, and my wife was complaining as well (not just about the mirrors, but that would be a different forum)!

But I am just wondering why the US version has that plastic surrounding them?

07-05-2018, 05:34 PM	#1
TINY BMW Private 18 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i xDrive Convertible Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	US vs EU mirrors Hello, Can someone shed some light on the following mirrors: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51167230979/ This is the US version, currently in my car. I found this mirrors: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...167158309~oee/ Even though their spec says it doesn't fit, it does according to realoem. The one thing I don't understand is why the US version has the plastic surrounding it. Why is that?
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07-05-2018, 09:52 PM	#2
Josh (PA) Banned 230 Rep 265 Posts Drives: '11 135 vert, '13 x5, '03 e46 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Downingtown, PA iTrader: (0)	The EU mirrors are not DOT legal as I understand it. They have a curved outer section to provide better blind spot visibility, but it may look like the cars in that section are further away than they actually are. I ordered a set for my e46 wagon that my daughters drive and they are far better than the US mirrors as far as field of view is concerned.
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07-06-2018, 08:03 AM	#4
JayPichardo BMW Client Advisor 3452 Rep 2,504 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: May 2017 Location: Tulley BMW Nashua, NH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	The DOT has stupid rules __________________ Contact me for all your BMW needs in the New England area. jpichardo@tulley.com Top M Client Advisor in New England.
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07-06-2018, 08:27 AM	#5
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1023 Rep 1,968 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	I changed my mirrors to the euro-spec wide angle. A great improvement. And not DOT approved is irrelevant, except you can't buy them from your local BMW dealers. I bought mine from ECS in 2013: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824933 http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367545
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07-06-2018, 10:51 AM	#6
TINY BMW Private 18 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i xDrive Convertible Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Well I already ordered them, I am from Europe, so I miss good mirrors, and my wife was complaining as well (not just about the mirrors, but that would be a different forum)! But I am just wondering why the US version has that plastic surrounding them?
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