Passenger Side Mirror Magnifying Effect?

[as400]

Just had new wing mirrors fitted by BMW to my Z.

The drivers side one is fine, but the passenger one makes the view look weird and magnified?....makes cars behind look much closer than they actually are....what's going on?....any idea what could cause this?

 

[andyglym]

Just had new wing mirrors fitted by BMW to my Z.

The drivers side one is fine, but the passenger one makes the view look weird and magnified?....makes cars behind look much closer than they actually are....what's going on?....any idea what could cause this?

Mine's the same but on the drivers side (RHD).

 

[as400]

OK this might be explained then by the fact I chose Z3M side mirrors to be fitted...ummm so the passenger mirror would in Germany be the drivers mirror?....

Do you find having this magnified effect useful?...would it not make sense to have both mirrors just err normal?

 

[andyglym]

OK this might be explained then by the fact I chose Z3M side mirrors to be fitted...ummm so the passenger mirror would in Germany be the drivers mirror?....

Do you find having this magnified effect useful?...would it not make sense to have both mirrors just err normal?

That's correct mate. I must admit, the first time I noticed it I was somewhat alarmed. Used to it now though.

 

[as400]

Hmmm yes looking at the invoice the two mirrors are different prices:

B51.16.2.492.929 143595/R £51.32
B51.16.2.492.932 143595/L £64.15

Looks like it is the more expensive "convex" which costs more that is the culprit!...I will ask them to replace it with part 929 if possible.

By the by...I asked them to supply a new key which they did but scratched their heads when it wouldn't fit. It seems they took the VIN from the V5 which on closer inspection did not match the VIN stamped on the frame in the engine bay! The first five letters on the V5 VIN read WBACH but on the car itself read WBACN. The car is a Japanese import so am guessing an error was made at point of registration upon completing the C384 form. Not sure how this is going to pan out either with BMW or DVLA!?

Actually thinking about it I think they have made a mistake no?....the convex mirror should have been installed on the drivers side to help eliminate the drivers 'blind spot' right?...some drivers even buy those little sticky on circle mirrors to enlarge their angle of view. These mirrors were ordered from Germany and I wonder if they were replacements for the left hand drive Z3M's. Do you think the right hand drive Z3M's had a different model wing mirror or did they just swap the glass mirrors around in the housing?

I will quiz with the parts department when I follow up on the VIN/Key issue.

 

[Nodzed]

Both mirror glasses are the same on my M. Or if not I've never noticed a difference.

 

[t-tony]

All rental cars in Florida have stickers on the door mirrors stating "Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are".
Meatloaf did a song with the same title back in the 80's.

Tony.

 

[Toby]

All rental cars in Florida have stickers on the door mirrors stating "Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are".
Meatloaf did a song with the same title back in the 80's.

Tony.

You're not that old Tony, was much later than that
Once you realise this though, its useful and allows for much more detail to be seen - did give SWMBO a shock when she used the mirrors

 

[t-tony]

It was a complete guess Toby, but maybe 90’s?

Tony.

ps. I listened to it once out of curiosity, and it’s a crap song.

 

[g8jka]

I bought new ///M mirrors many years ago and it was the same on my passenger side mirror (UK). I changed it for a flat style one and the problem went. It was only a cheap eBay one and took a bit of fitting from what I remember as I had to use the original mount as the one that came with the mirror wouldn't hold it in solid. It's since come a bit loose and needs some strong double sided tape to reposition it. The original one was so bad I was having trouble reversing the car straight into the garage.