UPDATE - Can you please help with some advice?

[Zooropa]

Hello everyone

The ongoing efforts to rescue my Z3 bring me here seeking advice once again.

I noticed that my driver's side wing mirror was a little bit loose and on further examination I can see that the internal aluminium frame has snapped near the base. Seems a previous owner has attempted to save it by injecting a whole lot of plastic type goo which has held it reasonable firm.

I am getting the Zed resprayed next month so I am on a crusade now to fix these issues as the finish line approaches. In doing so however, and to my horror, I have realised that the parts to fix the wing mirror are very expensive, whether using the repair frame made from plastic (advertised by xr8 website) or buying another wing mirror for a donor frame.

Does anyone know of any cheap wing mirrors for sale or know of an alternative fix?

Many thanks in advance...

 

[GazHyde]

There was a thread about the X8R wing mirror bases a few days ago, and seemed to get a positive response.

 

[Antm72]

The cheapest fix appears to be replacing the base. If the casing has snapped its really the only way.
Lots of owners find the mirrors bonded on due to the repair expense i suppose.
Good luck with the fix

 

[Cooper]

I used one similar to this and highly recommend them. Get the base sprayed with the rest of the car. These will never break so I believe.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-E36-...ase-Repair-Fix-LHD-Drivers-Side-/161867972266

Cheers,

 

[Zooropa]

So I called BMW today and spoke to the parts department about the problem and turns out they are selling replacement internal frames for £70 each. They come primed but that's not a problem as I am getting the car resprayed anyway. Result! And the best bit is...they are now plastic apparently! That saves £25 a side. I think I will just replace the passenger side too as some preventative medicine! @Cooper @GazHyde @Antm72 good deal I would have thought?

 

[Zooropa]

Also, it is only £7 for the replacement aerial grommet. But £60 for the new gear knob!

 

[BladeRunner919]

Would you post some pictures of the part when you get it?

 

[Zooropa]

Would you post some pictures of the part when you get it?

Yeah not a problem. If you can wait a while I will also post a pic of the Z3 when it's resprayed and back to something approaching its original beauty!

 

[BladeRunner919]

Great, thanks.

 

[mrscalex]

So I called BMW today and spoke to the parts department about the problem and turns out they are selling replacement internal frames for £70 each. They come primed but that's not a problem as I am getting the car resprayed anyway. Result! And the best bit is...they are now plastic apparently! That saves £25 a side. I think I will just replace the passenger side too as some preventative medicine! @Cooper @GazHyde @Antm72 good deal I would have thought?

Interesting. Does the £70 include VAT as they don't always include that.

Don't forget you may need these parts too. The 2 bolts are to hold the wing mirror on and may be nice to replace.

The 3 parts on the right are more critical and are what holds the frame to base. Also bear in mind you will need to dismantle the old pin/spring/starloc from the existing mirror. This can sometimes be a difficult job if it's corroded up. You may want a dremmel at the ready and to ask for instructions. A member identified an excellent method for parting a corroded up assembly fairly recently by making a strategic cut in the stem. Also I've had to drill the pin out before.

Yours may not be so corroded up! But if it is this is why we were directing you towards the Udo solution http://www.spiegel-z3.de/

 

[mrscalex]

So I called BMW today and spoke to the parts department about the problem and turns out they are selling replacement internal frames for £70 each. They come primed but that's not a problem as I am getting the car resprayed anyway. Result! And the best bit is...they are now plastic apparently! That saves £25 a side. I think I will just replace the passenger side too as some preventative medicine! @Cooper @GazHyde @Antm72 good deal I would have thought?

Is there any significance to the internal being primed if it's plastic? Or does it come with the base too which would need primer/colour.

 

[Zooropa]

Is there any significance to the internal being primed if it's plastic? Or does it come with the base too which would need primer/colour.

Yeah it comes with the base too as far as I know so that would be on show and would need to be primed for painting. Thanks for the above info, very helpful!

 

[Zooropa]

Is there any significance to the internal being primed if it's plastic? Or does it come with the base too which would need primer/colour.

I'm now wondering if the new part will have the spring etc included i.e. Already installed on the part as real oem don't seem to show these as separately available parts to purchase. That leads me to think the new frame will have them on it already.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Here is the one from X8R, all bits inclusive.

https://x8r.co.uk/products/bmw/bmw-z3-e36-outside-wing-door-mirror-spindle-repair-fix

 

[Antm72]

I would say it will be a complete part and the primed bit being the base be interesting to see the part when it arrives

 

[mrscalex]

Yeah it comes with the base too as far as I know so that would be on show and would need to be primed for painting. Thanks for the above info, very helpful!

That's what I was driving at. Great news if it includes the base too. And I would guess it will be pre-assembled.

Did they give you a part number for it yet?

 

[Zooropa]

I would say it will be a complete part and the primed bit being the base be interesting to see the part when it arrives

That's what I was driving at. Great news if it includes the base too. And I would guess it will be pre-assembled.

Did they give you a part number for it yet?

No, I don't know it. I'll find out tomorrow and update!

 

[Zooropa]

Update - called BMW again this morning and asked about whether the part included the spring, pin etc... it doesn't.

Sorry to have raised false hopes!

Looks like it's the x8r parts for me then!

Also getting new grommet for the aerial, new gear knob, wiper blades and chrome heater rings to smarten up the interior today too.

Expensive month but I'm sure it will all be worth it after the respray.

Anyone know of good prices for the next parts of the project:

- new soft top (the one that's on at the moment has the beading round the window coming off and the side tension cables have snapped)

- undercoating to ensure its as weatherproofed as possible.

Thanks

 

[mrscalex]

Update - called BMW again this morning and asked about whether the part included the spring, pin etc... it doesn't.

Sorry to have raised false hopes!

Looks like it's the x8r parts for me then!

Also getting new grommet for the aerial, new gear knob, wiper blades and chrome heater rings to smarten up the interior today too.

Expensive month but I'm sure it will all be worth it after the respray.

Anyone know of good prices for the next parts of the project:

- new soft top (the one that's on at the moment has the beading round the window coming off and the side tension cables have snapped)

- undercoating to ensure its as weatherproofed as possible.

Thanks

There are several soft top people you will get recommendations for. And they all seem to do a good job. You should get change out of £300. Except you will be very lucky to find anyone who will accommodate you within 2-3 months as it's now the busy time of year. It's a job for the winter really if you can plan ahead.

I popped in and said hello in Jack Smith in Swansea yesterday and he had work for 2 months. Last cost I saw for him was £285.

I had a rear window done at Soft Tops in Coventry. I used them because most other people sew the window in. I wanted to keep mine with a zip and that's how he does his.

You may also pay more during the summer season as well as struggle to get booked in. Supply and demand.

Undercoating - for soft top or chassis?

 

[Zooropa]

There are several soft top people you will get recommendations for. And they all seem to do a good job. You should get change out of £300. Except you will be very lucky to find anyone who will accommodate you within 2-3 months as it's now the busy time of year. It's a job for the winter really if you can plan ahead.

I popped in and said hello in Jack Smith in Swansea yesterday and he had work for 2 months. Last cost I saw for him was £285.

I had a rear window done at Soft Tops in Coventry. I used them because most other people sew the window in. I wanted to keep mine with a zip and that's how he does his.

You may also pay more during the summer season as well as struggle to get booked in. Supply and demand.

Undercoating - for soft top or chassis?

Undercoating wise I am talking about the chassis. I will admit to not knowing much about the process as I am new to doing a car up (although catching the bug quickly!)

When you say the £300 mark for the soft top is that to supply and fit a new top? I thought, from very brief research, that I would be looking at about £600 for that sort of job. I'll be happy if I am wrong. It will take me a while to save up for it anyway after the respray!

Thanks again