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      01-13-2018, 07:05 AM   #1
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Guide to retrofitting the 'missing' dimming mirror.

With the build changes that removed the dimming function of the passenger side mirror quite a few have shown a desire to retrofit the dimming function.

I've done a bit of research on this and have performed the retrofit myself using donor parts sourced from a breakers in Germany.

This is a guide on how to perform the retrofit yourself.

In short there are two components that need replacing to get the dimming function and there is no coding required.

The first component is the mirror glass itself. The part number for this is 51167285005. This can be sourced quite easily on ebay (at the time of writing I have a spare as I was unsure if I would be getting the glass from the donor car - yours for £75 delivered).

The second part required is the mirror electronics. This is a small sealed computer unit with a number of wires and connectors. There is a power cable and databus cable which go to the mirror/door interface. There is a cable that goes to the indicator repeater, a cable that goes to the mirror fold motor, a cable that goes to the mirror adjust motors, two wires that go to the mirror heat connectors and finally a cable that plugs into the dimming circuit on the mirror. The part number from the donor car is 67137286049 this appears to cost about £30 direct from BMW (however we need a Guinea Pig to try it).

As for tooling you will need the following:

A trim removal kit to remove the door card and mirror glass. I used this kit from Amazon

A Torx T25 screwdriver bit.

A Torx T9 screwdriver to dismantle the mirror assembly.

A pair of needle nose pliers.

A pair of circlip pliers (not essential though - just makes lie easier removing a dust cap).

14mm socket and ratchet.

What to do:

Firstly remove the door card. I followed an excellent video from our friends at BavSound. You can view it here.

Next is to remove the mirror assembly. To do this first release the connectors onto the mirror. These will vary depending on whether or not you have surround view and blind spot detection. These are keyed connectors so you don't need to label them.

Next you need to undo the 3 nuts that hold the wing mirror in place using a 14mm socket. Be careful to support the mirror as you do this - it will drop off if you're not careful.

Once you have the mirror off you need to remove the glass. The way to do this is to gently prise it using the widest trim removal tool from the centre of the lower edge (ignore any video that suggests doing it from the side with a knife). The glass is very securely clipped in but will come away eventually. Next disconnect the two spade connectors from the heating circuits. Use needle nose pliers so to avoid damaging them.

The next step is to dismantle the mirror housing. Please follow the attached pdf file for this. You will need the needle nose pliers and the T9 screwdriver for this. Label up each screw you remove - as there are several different threads / lengths used within the mirror and you'll end up with quite a few at the end.

Next remove the mirror electronics again following the pdf attachment. This is a bit fiddly. You should take great care not to damage the exposed pins on the connectors. Wrapping them in masking tape can make it a little easier.

Next with the replacement mirror electronics just reverse everything you've done.

When putting the mirror back on the car be careful about the weather seal around the mirror so as not to pinch it.

I've attached a photo of the mirror electronics that I used showing the part number. I've also attached a copy of the wiring diagram for the mirror electronics for those that are interested.
Attached Images
 
Attached Images
File Type: pdf Dismantle Mirror Housing.pdf (181.9 KB, 601 views)
File Type: pdf Replace Mirror Electronics.pdf (524.4 KB, 688 views)
File Type: pdf Mirror Wiring Diagram.pdf (177.0 KB, 716 views)
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      01-13-2018, 07:07 AM   #2
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Wow good guide!
Far too much of a ball ache for me though!
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      01-13-2018, 07:15 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 225 View Post
Wow good guide!
Far too much of a ball ache for me though!
If anyone is near me I'm more than happy to guide them through it - once I'd worked everything out it only takes about an hour (if that).
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      01-13-2018, 01:59 PM   #4
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Great how-to! Thank you very much! I just stripped my donor mirror last night and planned to start my research how to do it tonight, you saved me a lot of heartache!

One question, is the door card removal on the F36 identical to the F30/F80 in the video linked above?
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      01-13-2018, 02:12 PM   #5
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Bloody ridiculous that BMW removed this, that is penny pinching to the Nth degree!
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      01-13-2018, 02:18 PM   #6
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Bloody marvellous thank you
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      01-13-2018, 02:54 PM   #7
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Is this an anti dazzle mirror, or the dip in reverse feature?
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      01-13-2018, 04:17 PM   #8
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I ha e been in a brand new uk spec S class merc all week. Top of the range and all the bells and whistles. That to does not have a dimming passenger wing mirror. Is this a safety issue.
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      01-13-2018, 05:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinm03 View Post
Great how-to! Thank you very much! I just stripped my donor mirror last night and planned to start my research how to do it tonight, you saved me a lot of heartache!

One question, is the door card removal on the F36 identical to the F30/F80 in the video linked above?
The door card removal on my F36 was identical to the video.
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      01-13-2018, 05:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Derrymilk View Post
Is this an anti dazzle mirror, or the dip in reverse feature?
This is the anti dazzle feature - or as it should be the auto dimming glass.
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      04-20-2018, 04:03 AM   #11
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F80 / surround view

Great post!

I was gutted to discover my £60k car was missing this feature.

Will this module work with the surround view cameras or is that a seperate connection?

Also, I am considering changing both mirrors to F80 if I can get over the cost!

The fact that a module within the housing can just be added plug and play suggests to me that if I ordered a pre-LCI set of F80 mirrors then they would come with the correct electronics in anyway...

Any help/thoughts much appreciated.

Last edited by TufftyUK; 04-20-2018 at 04:09 AM.. Reason: Missing info
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      04-20-2018, 07:31 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TufftyUK View Post
Great post!

I was gutted to discover my £60k car was missing this feature.

Will this module work with the surround view cameras or is that a seperate connection?

Also, I am considering changing both mirrors to F80 if I can get over the cost!

The fact that a module within the housing can just be added plug and play suggests to me that if I ordered a pre-LCI set of F80 mirrors then they would come with the correct electronics in anyway...

Any help/thoughts much appreciated.

My F36 has surround view and it didn't affect the retrofit. The module has nothing to do with the camera. The camera has its own independent wire going to it.

I don't think the change had anything to do with the LCI change. My F36 is pre-LCI (July 2016 build) and it only had the driver's anti-dazzle glass. The change date was late Q1 or early Q2 2016.
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      04-20-2018, 12:05 PM   #13
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I might sound naive bug I thought dimming wing mirror is just mirror glass with some special coating and no electronics needed ?
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      04-20-2018, 02:42 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vadimo View Post
I might sound naive bug I thought dimming wing mirror is just mirror glass with some special coating and no electronics needed ?
No. The actual dimming wing mirrors have electrochromic glass.
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      04-21-2018, 07:44 AM   #15
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Is it really that noticeable not having this feature ?
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      04-21-2018, 12:56 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWChap View Post
Is it really that noticeable not having this feature ?
Yes!

Depends how much night driving you do I suppose but BMW’s anti-dazzle mirror is a joke.
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      04-21-2018, 12:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinm03 View Post
My F36 has surround view and it didn't affect the retrofit. The module has nothing to do with the camera. The camera has its own independent wire going to it.

I don't think the change had anything to do with the LCI change. My F36 is pre-LCI (July 2016 build) and it only had the driver's anti-dazzle glass. The change date was late Q1 or early Q2 2016.
Thanks 👍
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      09-16-2018, 07:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TufftyUK View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinm03 View Post
My F36 has surround view and it didn't affect the retrofit. The module has nothing to do with the camera. The camera has its own independent wire going to it.

I don't think the change had anything to do with the LCI change. My F36 is pre-LCI (July 2016 build) and it only had the driver's anti-dazzle glass. The change date was late Q1 or early Q2 2016.
Thanks
Just an FYI, I took a punt on some ebay mirrors and they swapped out no problem. Thanks for earlier help
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      12-13-2018, 08:24 PM   #19
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I did a search for the auto dimming mirror glass using the part number from BMW online parts.

Part # 51167285005

Came back £372.90 for one!
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      12-14-2018, 06:26 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingmonkey8 View Post
I did a search for the auto dimming mirror glass using the part number from BMW online parts.

Part # 51167285005

Came back £372.90 for one!
Yes! I almost fell off my chair when someone broke my wing mirror glass.

Source from Germany though at a fraction of the price!

Nick
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      12-15-2018, 05:08 AM   #21
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Tried to order the mirror internal cable set from a BMW dealer. Was told BMW are no longer supplying these parts.
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      12-15-2018, 06:17 AM   #22
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In reality the best way to get hold of the bits is either via a breaker or Ebay.

I bought a LHD driver's side mirror off of eBay when I did mine.
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