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      02-02-2015, 06:22 PM   #67
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I bought the ~$110 replacement CF mirror caps for my F32 off Ebay. I'm going to attempt to do the installation tonight, any tips/tricks on removing the existing mirror caps without damaging them?
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      02-02-2015, 06:31 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keylime503 View Post
I bought the ~$110 replacement CF mirror caps for my F32 off Ebay. I'm going to attempt to do the installation tonight, any tips/tricks on removing the existing mirror caps without damaging them?
From the instructions I have read, just pull on the caps. Check out this thread:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=708155
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      02-02-2015, 07:43 PM   #69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
From the instructions I have read, just pull on the caps. Check out this thread:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=708155
That's what I keep reading but I've tried several times and the mirror caps seem way too secure. I know I probably just have to pull even hard but I'm really afraid to break it.
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      02-03-2015, 02:03 AM   #70
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Here is how I proceeded to remove the caps:
Basically it is lower part of the cap first and then the upper part.
  1. Start to lift and pull the lower green part of the cap (on the picture).
    To do so, I used a thin tool to lift that side until the orange part popped out a bit (on the second picture)
  2. now use your fingers: grab the part you lifted with both hands one hand on each side (vertical and horizontal) of the caps
  3. Pull straight and a bit upward: the lower hooks need to be lift up when the hooks on the top of the cap need to go out straight
    The entire cap should go out in one second. Otherwise try to gently (with your fingers still) lift more of he green part of the cap.
    The first time, it took me 15 minutes to find the right way to do it, for the second cap I did it in 2 min (replacement included).

To install the replacement caps:
  1. Place the new cap aligned with the side mirror.
  2. The trick to do it is to align the top center hook into its hole (blue on the picture). It is easy to do since its hole is a wide cylinder that will guide the hook in place. You will feel the hook sliding against this cylinder.
  3. Then just push strongly every thing back in place. Starting from the top hooks to the bottom ones.

(Please apologize for crappy draw on pictures, I did it with an iPad)
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Last edited by SchweiZ4; 02-03-2015 at 07:47 AM..
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      02-03-2015, 07:42 AM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SchweiZ4 View Post
Here is how I proceeded to remove the caps:
Basically it is lower part of the cap first and then the upper part.[LIST=1][*]Start to lift and pull the lower green part of the cap (on the picture).
To do so, I used a thin tool to lift that side until the orange part popped out a bit (on the second picture)[*]now use your finger: grab the part you lifted with both hands one hand on each side (vertical and horizontal) of the caps[*]Pull straight and a bit upward: the lower hooks need to be lift up when the hooks on the top of the cap need to go out straight
The entire cap should go out in one piece. Otherwise try to gently (with your fingers still) lift more of he green part of the cap.
The first time, it took me 15 minutes to find the right way to do it, for the second cap I did it in 2 min (replacement included).
[/LI

To install the replacement caps:
  1. Place the new cap aligned with the side mirror.
  2. The trick to do it is to align the top center hook into its hole. It is easy to do since its hole is a wide cylinder that will guide the hook in place. You will feel the hook sliding against this cylinder.
  3. Then just push strongly every thing back in place. Starting from the top hooks to the bottom ones.

(Please apologize for crappy draw on pictures, I did it with an iPad)
Was wondering if it was that easy to take off wouldn't the carbon covers be prone to be ripped off by thieves?

Reason BMW carbon covers uses screws so it's secured, cover using 3m tape is also secured but the fit might not be 100%. Replacement covers seems the easiest to install but the least secure.

Want to see more detailed pics of covers using 3m tape.
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      02-03-2015, 07:52 AM   #72
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This is the same issue with the stock ones.
Now that I have done it (twice), I can now remove stock side mirror caps in 1 min on a 3/4 series.
So I would say they are as protected as the stock one - but at least cheaper.

If you want to secure them, I think you can still remove the mirror and glue the hooks to the side mirror body.
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      02-03-2015, 09:04 AM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SchweiZ4 View Post
This is the same issue with the stock ones.
Now that I have done it (twice), I can now remove stock side mirror caps in 1 min on a 3/4 series.
So I would say they are as protected as the stock one - but at least cheaper.

If you want to secure them, I think you can still remove the mirror and glue the hooks to the side mirror body.
Thank you for the detailed instructions and great pics!!!! I am still debating either going with the carbon fiber or some other color on my apline white 428...decisions decisions.
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      02-03-2015, 09:04 AM   #74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overkill1125 View Post
Reason BMW carbon covers uses screws so it's secured
Stealing any caps is a question of time:
- screwed up caps : 5 min (remove the glass and use a screwdriver)
- stock one with hooks: 2 min
- 3M ..not sure I would like to steal that, but I would say few minutes too

Quote:
Originally Posted by overkill1125 View Post
Want to see more detailed pics of covers using 3m tape.
For me 3M tape is cheap.

At the end, they all have different prices and little difference in rendering. You just need to figure out what price you are ready to spend for this part.
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      02-03-2015, 09:27 AM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
Thank you for the detailed instructions and great pics!!!! I am still debating either going with the carbon fiber or some other color on my apline white 428...decisions decisions.
I have Alpine white too (F30) and chose carbon fiber caps.
However, going further, I won't go with a carbon fiber trunk spoiler but a white one.
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      02-03-2015, 09:34 AM   #76
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I have to agree with you. I would also do a white spoiler. Now if I can only find someone that makes a nice subtle spoiler for the F36! What about the front spoiler? Would you consider adding that too? For our color cars I think it looks best to paint the parts that cover the fog light area while leaving the bottom portion of the spoiler black.
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      02-03-2015, 09:55 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keylime503 View Post
I bought the ~$110 replacement CF mirror caps for my F32 off Ebay. I'm going to attempt to do the installation tonight, any tips/tricks on removing the existing mirror caps without damaging them?
Did you manage to get them on? I'm looking for some for my car.
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      02-03-2015, 10:43 AM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
I have to agree with you. I would also do a white spoiler. Now if I can only find someone that makes a nice subtle spoiler for the F36! What about the front spoiler? Would you consider adding that too? For our color cars I think it looks best to paint the parts that cover the fog light area while leaving the bottom portion of the spoiler black.
I haven't found a front splitter or spoiler I like.
The one that is almost everywhere is the mat black front lip, but I don't want the car to look like it has an M Performance package (which is also not true), just more aggressiveness and style.
For now I will keep the front as is and you?

I would have loved to get an Akrapovic exhaust, but too expensive for me.
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      02-03-2015, 04:41 PM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
Did you manage to get them on? I'm looking for some for my car.
I didn't have time to do it yet, hopefully tonight.
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      03-23-2015, 05:50 PM   #80
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Update: I kept putting it off for awhile and finally got my carbon fiber mirror caps installed on my F32 (see attached photo).

For those wondering about install, I tried to follow the instructions in this thread and others but was not able to get the caps off on my own. So I went to a body shop and had them do it. They had to use a special locking tweezer with a 45 degree angle at the end to pinch and hold each clip holding the cap in before it would come loose. Then the new ones snapped right on. Took about 25 minutes and I paid him $40 for his trouble.

So $107 from ebay and $40 for install and it looks exactly the same as the $765 option on the BMW spec sheet...
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      04-19-2015, 08:44 AM   #81
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SCHWEIZ4, thank you so much for your pictures and directions. I just replaced my mirror caps in 5 minutes total! I think the key is pulling hard enough and not worrying about anything snapping. Could not have been easier, and saved me $$$! I am attaching a couple of pictures - I did the side skirt decals yesterday (again, saving $$$) and the CF spoiler is being installed by dealer on Wednesday. Not bad for a 50+ grandmother, huh? lol
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      04-19-2015, 04:13 PM   #82
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You are welcome. Nice car and mods Calql8r!
What is next on your car? Will you add a trunk spoiler?
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      05-16-2015, 09:09 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CALQL8R View Post
SCHWEIZ4, thank you so much for your pictures and directions. I just replaced my mirror caps in 5 minutes total! I think the key is pulling hard enough and not worrying about anything snapping. Could not have been easier, and saved me $$$! I am attaching a couple of pictures - I did the side skirt decals yesterday (again, saving $$$) and the CF spoiler is being installed by dealer on Wednesday. Not bad for a 50+ grandmother, huh? lol
That looks really good! How long did delivery take? And are they noticeably thicker than the normal mirror caps?
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      05-16-2015, 09:37 PM   #84
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I wrapped mine in black - didn't take any specific pictures of it, but looks like original glossy black ones. Cost around $20 and 30 minutes of my time.

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      05-29-2015, 04:50 AM   #85
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Bought the caps from the same seller of ebay. They arrived in 6th day and the fitment is great. Thanks to SchweiZ4 I fitted them in less than 5 mins both! Great write up, cheers



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      05-29-2015, 08:10 AM   #86
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Quote:
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Bought the caps from the same seller of ebay. They arrived in 6th day and the fitment is great.
Can you please provide a link to what you bought?
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      05-29-2015, 08:31 AM   #87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
Can you please provide a link to what you bought?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2215219584...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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      05-29-2015, 05:36 PM   #88
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There seems to be quite a few other sellers selling caps that look almost identical at a lower price point. Anyone try any of these other ebay vendors?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...0+f40&_sacat=0
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