Help with mirror needed Z3

[Kai]

Hi,

i need little bit of help! My driver side wing mirror is not in a best condition and previous owner used a bit of a metal to hold the housing with a cover together. I have ordered housing with a gasket hoping that I will manage to “transplant “ mechanism and the mirror. Problem started before I even started as I have wrongly read the diagram and ordered housing with gasket but without the base part. After speaking with BMW they can’t sell base itself, you need to order whole lot for a whopping £430. So I am left with 3 parts but missing the crucial one. Is there anyone that know where I can get the housing? Or any recommendations?In the last picture I marked in green what I have and in red what I am missing.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

You'd never guess what comes up if you google "bmw z3 mirror base".

For BMW Z3 E36 Outside Wing Door Mirror Spindle Repair Fix RHD Passenger N S 701851614490 | eBay

For BMW Z3 E36 Outside Wing Door Mirror Spindle Repair Fix RHD Passenger N S BMW Z3 E36 Outside Wing Door Mirror Spindle Repair Fix RHD Passenger N S. It is a very common fault with Z3 models for the wing mirror base to corrode and spoil the appearance of the mirror.

www.ebay.co.uk

Or you may get really lucky and find a second-hand one that hasn't died yet. Unlikely, but possible.
I've got one of the above X8R ones on mine and it's still there after many years. They also do Vanos seals and cam-cover gaskets, 'cos you're bound to need them at some point.
Go on, ask me how I know. Behold the Z3, the car that keeps on taking.

 

[Ianmc]

I've got one of the above X8R ones

Me to, think it's the best solution.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Just a shame they cost quite so much, but it is a permanent answer. And there must be at least a quids worth of paint needed, too.

 

[Kai]

Just a shame they cost quite so much, but it is a permanent answer. And there must be at least a quids worth of paint needed, too.

I have been quoted £85 for the whole mirror painted. Need to find the housing part then and get over it then...

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Is that really £85 to paint a mirror?

400ML Car Paint Aerosol Mixed From Car Code Custom Car Spray Paint FREE LACQUER | eBay

This is for 1 x 400 ml colour aerosol and 1 x Lacquer aerosol. Jumbo 400 ML Aerosol of Car Colour and 400 ml Lacquer. aerosol cans. All colours will be produced in basecoat, which will require the lacquer over the top.

www.ebay.co.uk

And plenty left over for the other side when that falls off.

Should have said, I've used these people before, the paint did indeed match the rest of the car. Apart from that they're nothing to do with me, just a satisfied customer.

 

[Jam03]

If you need to paint anything, it’s probably worth getting the x8R kit. Depending what’s actually broken on yours, @AntStark managed to find a very affordable repair kit that might help.

 

[Jam03]

Also, always check whether @spurs fan in a coupe or @Andyboy and maybe others have any good used ones for sale before shelling out that kind of cash at BMW.

 

[Kai]

If you need to paint anything, it’s probably worth getting the x8R kit. Depending what’s actually broken on yours, @AntStark managed to find a very affordable repair kit that might help.

I just had a read through the X8R kit and it says it can be repainted to match the vehicle colour so it is fine as need the whole cover and rest painted.

 

[Jam03]

I just had a read through the X8R kit and it says it can be repainted to match the vehicle colour so it is fine as need the whole cover and rest painted.

Since I had a mirror fall off a while ago I’ve noticed a lot of Z3’s with black mirror bases where the kit’s been used and they haven’t bothered painting it. Doesn’t look too bad to be fair.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

There's plenty of cars around that come from the factory with non-colour-matched mirrors and suchlike bits, I prefer mine all the same but others may disagree. They'll be wrong, of course.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

I have lots of z3 wing mirrors, what colour are you after? I also have one or two which are the X8R replacement ones - without the base painted usually.

 

[Kai]

I have lots of z3 wing mirrors, what colour are you after? I also have one or two which are the X8R replacement ones - without the base painted usually.

montreal-blau Offside

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Annoyingly I have a lovely near side in Montreal blue!

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Only drivers side I have at the moment

 

[Kai]

Annoyingly I have a lovely near side in Montreal blue!

View attachment 303325View attachment 303327

That would be a nice catch! Shame it is other side.