E38 Auto dim mirror

[Erick]

Has anyone seen any write ups for it? I picked up one of these and wanted to put it on my 318iS.

Only two questions really... there's 3 wires to it. I can tell which one is ground, but I'm not sure what the other two are exactly.

And second question (vert guys will probably know this one) is what do you guys use to secure a mirror to the windshield?

- Erick

[CorvallisBMW]

Has anyone seen any write ups for it? I picked up one of these and wanted to put it on my 318iS.

Only two questions really... there's 3 wires to it. I can tell which one is ground, but I'm not sure what the other two are exactly.

And second question (vert guys will probably know this one) is what do you guys use to secure a mirror to the windshield?

- Erick

Not sure about the wiring, but...

I just did the maplight mirror in my 'vert, and to attach it I re-used the stock mirror hanger from the 'vert and just put it on the new mirror.

[Erick]

So you're saying when you remove the mirror there's a piece that stays in the glass to re-attach the mirror?

[CorvallisBMW]

So you're saying when you remove the mirror there's a piece that stays in the glass to re-attach the mirror?

Yep. You just have to switch the arms between the 2 mirrors, the attachment point will stay on the windshield.

[NC325iC]

it just gets glued on though, they fall off all the time

[Erick]

Hmm, I think I see what you're saying. The e38 mirror I have probably has both pieces attached. They are pretty tough to screw off each other.

I'll take a pic. Any specific glue people suggest? I don't have much experience with any glue that adheres good to glass.

- Erick

[Erick]

Pic 1

[Erick]

Pic 2

[dude8383]

make sure you post pics of how you mounted it...i would love to have a functional auto dim rear view mirror! god damn SUV's always blinding me with the headlight height.

[Erick]

Mounting it is not tough... just clean glass and glue it. Just trying to find the best type of glue :)

I just need to find out what the wires are for and how I'm going to power them.

[CorvallisBMW]

Mounting it is not tough... just clean glass and glue it. Just trying to find the best type of glue :)

I just need to find out what the wires are for and how I'm going to power them.

I've seen mirror attachment kits at most auto parts stores. They include some special glue made for glass.

[DaveSmed]

Usually one of those wires runs to the backup lights so the mirror goes full bright in reverse.

[Erick]

^ Good to know, but right now my issue is mounting the mirror.

I tried 3 different types of glue and epoxy yesterday, and only one sorta held. It held but at the slightest tap it fell.

I need to find out what BMW uses.

[Spaz]

Wire the mirror as follows

Green/Red = Hot In Accessory, Run and Start
Blue/Yellow = Tap into the reverse switch
Brown = Ground



REPAIR KIT WINDSHIELD ADHERED 255 FC 1 81229407497 ENDED
only in conjunction with

Adhesive primer VP 209 30ML 1 83199407777

Spacer, adhesive 12.7X10X3.8 151318172242 $0.29



Base plate, rear view mirror, interior 1 51318145530 $11.05
only in conjunction with
-- ADHESION SET INTERIOR MIRROR AV 144/2+HV997 1 83199408588 ENDED
-- Glass primer XW 775, 30 ML 1 81229407645


A simple search on real oem found that, so start with some of those.
you're gonna need a base plate to glue to the window, then windshield adhesive which they sell at every auto parts store. You have to follow instructions as to drying time the weight of the mirror won't let it adhere if you put it on shortly after.


-Cam

[Erick]

Wire the mirror as follows

Green/Red = Hot In Accessory, Run and Start
Blue/Yellow = Tap into the reverse switch
Brown = Ground



REPAIR KIT WINDSHIELD ADHERED 255 FC 1 81229407497 ENDED
only in conjunction with

Adhesive primer VP 209 30ML 1 83199407777

Spacer, adhesive 12.7X10X3.8 151318172242 $0.29



Base plate, rear view mirror, interior 1 51318145530 $11.05
only in conjunction with
-- ADHESION SET INTERIOR MIRROR AV 144/2+HV997 1 83199408588 ENDED
-- Glass primer XW 775, 30 ML 1 81229407645


A simple search on real oem found that, so start with some of those.
you're gonna need a base plate to glue to the window, then windshield adhesive which they sell at every auto parts store. You have to follow instructions as to drying time the weight of the mirror won't let it adhere if you put it on shortly after.


-Cam

Cam,

I looked at the base plates they sell at the auto parts store. Those things suck. They are generic plastic pieces and from reading the boxes, they are designed to work with specific (although generic to domestic cars) mirrors that slide into the plate you attach to the windshield.

All fine and dandy until you realize that the E38 mirror does not work with that at all.

When I had an e38, I always toyed with the idea of retrofitting it's mirror to the e30, and I remember that BMW just glued the mirror straight to the windshield (exactly like the mirror on my e30 cabrio). Now, if they did it, then I don't need to convert this mirror to the shitty plastic US generic mirrors that they sell the kits for at the auto parts store.

But here's the thing: If you look at my pictures (or any e38 mirror) you can tell that the mirror is two pieces at the very top, which looks to me like it's a base plate. I tried to twist that off, but I had no luck in doing so.

If that little piece could be separated, then sticking it to the windshield would be cake.

Thanks for the wiring tips though! That'll be very helpful!