No Auto Dimming Mirrors, 2012 135i with Premium 2

[Diver]

I just noticed my car lacks auto dimming mirrors. I can't find the original window sticker, but there is a post on this board that says a 135i with Premium Package 2 is supposed to have the auto dimming mirrors.

Does anyone else have this issue?

Does anyone else know what happened or if there is anything I can do about it?

[Tom K.]

The mirrors in both my ZPP equipped 128i and E91 dim automatically. If you have Premium and your mirrors do not auto dim, then either the sensor has been blocked or you have a warranty issue.

Tom

[Diver]

I don't think it the equipment is installed. The mirror has a spot for the sensor, but the dial is missing from the bottom of the mirror. I suspect BMW may have run out of the parts and built the cars anyway.

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by Diver

I don't think it the equipment is installed. The mirror has a spot for the sensor, but the dial is missing from the bottom of the mirror. I suspect BMW may have run out of the parts and built the cars anyway.

Huh? If the mirror has the sensor on the mirror face, then it is auto-dimming. And it doesn't really have a dial at the bottom, just the light.

[Diver]

There is a round thing at the bottom, but it is clear and not red. I think cars with an alarm system get the red thing.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Huh? If the mirror has the sensor on the mirror face, then it is auto-dimming. And it doesn't really have a dial at the bottom, just the light.

There is also the little white square sensor (on the back of the mirror) that you can see on the above pic that detects ambient lighting.

Originally Posted by Diver

I don't think it the equipment is installed. The mirror has a spot for the sensor, but the dial is missing from the bottom of the mirror. I suspect BMW may have run out of the parts and built the cars anyway.

The red clown nose is the indicator for the alarm IIRC. It does not adjust anything at least on my 2008. And I do not even have the alarm.

[Diver]

Clown nose, I love that. Time to call my SA. It's probably just broken and I never noticed it before.

[Rowdy]

my 2012 does not have the bulb at the bottom, but does have the openings as indicated for the light sensor. It functions fine. Someone else figured the side view mirrors were also auto dimming. They are not. Solely the rear view with the premium package

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

my 2012 does not have the bulb at the bottom, but does have the openings as indicated for the light sensor. It functions fine. Someone else figured the side view mirrors were also auto dimming. They are not. Solely the rear view with the premium package

Hmmm. For the US version (128 and 135) if you have folding mirrors, then S430A (auto-dip outside mirrors) is indeed an option.

[Rowdy]

Auto Dip with the folding mirrors is not to dim lights but to make it able to see the curb when you're reversing! Different!

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Auto Dip with the folding mirrors is not to dim lights but to make it able to see the curb when you're reversing! Different!

Nope. You're referring to Automatic Curb Monitor. Dipping is the term used to describe the manually operated rear view mirror. It is "dipped" by twisting the knob, which has the effect of dimming the light. It might be more commonly known as tilting, I dunno, maybe its a European thing (like boot/trunk). Anyway, the auto-dimming mirror is still referred to as "auto-dipped", even though it doesn't really dip at all.

Confusing, I know, but that is how the parts are described on realoem.

[Diver]

The dimmer started working again. It appears there are occasional situations when it gets fooled and does not dim, or does not dim enough. The device seems to work best on the freeway when there are lots of cars around.

[Section147]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Someone else figured the side view mirrors were also auto dimming. They are not. Solely the rear view with the premium package

Not so. Directly from the included items on the Premium Package spec sheet:

"Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors"

My outside mirrors (as well as my rearview) darken significantly in the evening most
noticeably on the interstates when headlight glare from the rear is at its peak.

[Rowdy]

Interesting! My external side mirrors do not dim. Nor is there anything that states they do. Perhaps a difference in the canadian premium package?

[Section147]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Perhaps a difference in the canadian premium package?

Ya never know, but I find it odd since you guys usually get the "safety" accoutrements automatically...
or at least before the U.S.

[mike the snake]

My 08 135 has a different "clown nose", smaller in diameter, and drops down further, and I felt the small light sensor square opening, but my mirrors definitely do not auto dim. There's also no lever to adjust between night and day like on every car I've owned that didn't have auto-dimming.

My auto dimming apparently doesn't work. My car's out of warranty so it's something I'm just going to have to live with.