Door Mirrors

RickyBobby

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Joined
May 9, 2020
Points
143
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4MR
Potentially looking to replace one or both of my mirrors and wondering if there is anything I need to consider when looking for a replacement.
Apart from the obvious difference in style of the ///M mirrors I was working on the assumption that all Z3 mirrors are the same style and electrically adjustable.
So really I guess I'm lookinh to confirm if there is a difference between the pre and post-facelift models and can I fit a heated mirror if my car doesn't have the heated mirrors option?
 

RickyBobby

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Joined
May 9, 2020
Points
143
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4MR
What's wrong with your mirrors? Deffo don't chuck em. Your inner failed or outer shells just tatty?
They still adjust electrically and the outer shells are fine - it's just the base of the drivers mirror that is a bit tatty. Think someone mentioned it's a common problem with them being aluminium but to be honest I could have just made that up.
 

Woodsta888

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 18, 2012
Points
74
Location
Exmouth, Devon
Model of Z
2.0
Oh right, yes it is a common area of corrosion as it is aluminum.

Removing those wing mirrors, rubbing down, priming and respraying the bases isn't too far past most peoples ability seeing as it's such a small area to get the paint right (acceptable as it's small).

Time, paper, primer, topcoat and lacquer. I'm sure there's a guide. Rarely see a 2nd hand mirror for <£100 unless it's rough. For the money of replacements in the same colour and decent condition will be pricey. Even 2nd hand the collets inside are prone to failure even if they look good on the outside. If you are practical then I'd DIY, otherwise good few hundred for someone else to do it. Some guides around on how to do it.
 

RickyBobby

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Joined
May 9, 2020
Points
143
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Model of Z
Z4MR
Oh right, yes it is a common area of corrosion as it is aluminum.

Removing those wing mirrors, rubbing down, priming and respraying the bases isn't too far past most peoples ability seeing as it's such a small area to get the paint right (acceptable as it's small).

Time, paper, primer, topcoat and lacquer. I'm sure there's a guide. Rarely see a 2nd hand mirror for <£100 unless it's rough. For the money of replacements in the same colour and decent condition will be pricey. Even 2nd hand the collets inside are prone to failure even if they look good on the outside. If you are practical then I'd DIY, otherwise good few hundred for someone else to do it. Some guides around on how to do it.
Thanks for the advice and its due in with my paint man shortly for a front bumper respray and general tidy up so might be worth asking him to have a go at it.:thumbsup:
 

DrWong

Zorg Guru (III)
Joined
May 8, 2017
Points
125
Model of Z
3.0i
A lot of members have replaced corroded bases with X8R plastic ones. The original shells and motor just attach to them. They need priming and painting but won’t corrode again once fitted.

Previous owner fitted one on the passenger side of my car. It’s unpainted black but looks fine against the Topaz and doesn’t bother me. I’ll prob just replace the driver side with a similarly unpainted one in due course!

 

brandond452

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Feb 9, 2021
Points
14
Model of Z
2.8
A lot of members have replaced corroded bases with X8R plastic ones. The original shells and motor just attach to them. They need priming and painting but won’t corrode again once fitted.

Previous owner fitted one on the passenger side of my car. It’s unpainted black but looks fine against the Topaz and doesn’t bother me. I’ll prob just replace the driver side with a similarly unpainted one in due course!

Aaaaaaaaaand.... there’s another project to add to the list! 😂
 

gottaz3

Newbie
Joined
Jul 17, 2022
Points
4
Potentially looking to replace one or both of my mirrors and wondering if there is anything I need to consider when looking for a replacement.
Apart from the obvious difference in style of the ///M mirrors I was working on the assumption that all Z3 mirrors are the same style and electrically adjustable.
So really I guess I'm lookinh to confirm if there is a difference between the pre and post-facelift models and can I fit a heated mirror if my car doesn't have the heated mirrors option?
Hiya. I've just had both my door mirrors off. The driver mirror's arm was completed busted, a PO had tried a fix with a bolt and loads of black silicon sealer. Therefore I had to buy the X8R GRP, which is perfectly Okay as a replacement. The passenger's mirror was fully restorable following
Potentially looking to replace one or both of my mirrors and wondering if there is anything I need to consider when looking for a replacement.
Apart from the obvious difference in style of the ///M mirrors I was working on the assumption that all Z3 mirrors are the same style and electrically adjustable.
So really I guess I'm lookinh to confirm if there is a difference between the pre and post-facelift models and can I fit a heated mirror if my car doesn't have the heated mirrors option?
Hiya. I've just had both my door mirrors off, as their arms were both "stuck" and would not rotate. The driver mirror's arm was completed busted, a PO had tried a fix with a bolt and loads of black silicon sealer. Therefore I had to buy the X8R GRP, which is perfectly okay as a replacement. The original passenger's mirror was fully restorable following MarkLG1973's excellent tutorial. I also wondered about heated mirrors and searched forums etc and discovered that if fitted, the heater element is wired from piggybacking the brown and blue wires at the mirror motor connections. I spliced in two wires, purchased a new glass with heater element, it works perfectly. But note that the heater is always on [there is no switch]. This seems commonplace on this era of car. Maybe later Z3's had a switch fitted. BTW - The passenger mirror already had the factory fitted wiring, piggybacked for a heated mirror.
 
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