BMW Mirror

• BMW is one of the German “Big Three”, alongside Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

• BMW has 40 main parts suppliers on top of a network of over a hundred.

• OEM parts are components that are produced by a parts manufacturer that is specifically intended for an automaker. 

• OE replacement parts are made by independent parts manufacturers to offer owners with less expensive options. Despite being more affordable, OE replacement parts have the same reliability and durability as with their OEM counterparts.

• Some OE BMW mirror replacements come standard with built-in indicator lights, heating feature, puddle light, auto-dimming, and blind-spot detection.

• OE replacement parts manufacturers copy OEM components by carefully examining them. They reverse-engineer the part and smoothen out any flaws they find along the way if there are any.

• OE BMW mirror replacements on CarParts.com can cost you from $14 to $540.

Among Europe’s largest car manufacturers is BMW, a German company founded in 1916. BMW originally manufactures aircraft engines during the First and Second World War. It found its way to making cars in the 1930s, and was already a prominent producer of electric cars by the ‘70s. BMW is known for its models’ signature “kidney grille.” The twin kidney-shaped grille opening has been its trademark since the BMW 303, which debuted in 1933.

BMW is one of the German “Big Three”, alongside Mercedes-Benz and Audi. It strengthens its presence in the North American market every year with notable sales output. It was hailed as the best-selling premium car brand in the US in 2011. BMW is also widely known for the M-Performance versions of its regular models. It actively participates in big-title races like the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the Isle of Man TT, and the 24 Hours Le Mans.

BMW’s hundreds of parts suppliers are crucial in the completion of its regular and high-performance models. Among these are 40 main suppliers that work closely with the German car manufacturer. Brands like Brembo, BorgWarner, Mahle, Thyssenkrupp, Bridgestone, and Elringklinger are among the critical suppliers of BMW.

There are two common classifications of replacement parts in the market, OEM and OE. The difference between the two is distinguished by the part’s respective manufacturer.

OEM parts are components that are produced by a parts manufacturer that is specifically intended for an automaker. OEM parts are sold in dealerships with the car manufacturer’s logo. You can buy the same part quality outside BMW’s official dealerships with the OEM label instead of the Bavarian carmaker’s logo.

On the other hand, OE replacement parts are made by independent parts manufacturers to offer owners with less expensive options. Despite being cheaper, OE replacement parts have the same reliability and durability as their OEM counterparts. OE replacement parts usually outnumber OEM, as parts manufacturers maintain a healthy competition in the market.

OE BMW Mirror replacements vary depending on the model they’re designed to fit. Some mirrors come standard with built-in indicator lights, heating feature, puddle light, auto-dimming, and blind-spot detection. These are direct copies of the actual OEM mirror used by BMW units. Make sure that you get the correct mirror assembly for your vehicle as compatibility issues could be a little frustrating, especially with advanced features such as auto-dimming, blind-spot detection and heating.

OE replacement parts manufacturers copy OEM components by carefully examining them. They reverse-engineer the part and smoothen out any flaws they find along the way if there are any. And since there are more than 10 parts manufacturers competing in the market to sell a certain component, you have the advantage of comparing from a wide selection. OE replacement parts also take shorter periods of time to reach you—thanks to wider availability.

Make sure to purchase your OE replacement BMW rear view mirrors and BMW side mirrors from credible retailers for guaranteed value for money. CarParts.com offers only high-quality parts from reputable brands.

In replacing side mirrors or any other parts, you have to keep in mind that the component should be 100% compatible with your vehicle. Indicate the year, make, and model in the filter tab for a narrowed-down list of model-specific parts. OE BMW side mirror replacements on CarParts.com can cost you from $14 to $540. BMW mirrors are sold individually or in sets of two.

If you are in need of a BMW mirror, you should make the replacement soon, as each is a valuable part of your vehicle's safety equipment. Fortunately, we make it fast and easy, just like the installation of your new BMW mirror will be, to replace your missing or damaged mirror, with the added advantage of being affordable. Our online catalog features a vast array of aftermarket parts and accessories for your vehicle, as well as a variety of performance parts options and customization kits, and we're sure to have the correct replacement BMW mirror for your year and model. Despite our huge inventory of parts and accessories, it will take mere moments for you to find the right BMW mirror options for your vehicle. All you'll need to do to have a list of BMW mirror replacements to choose from is to enter your basic vehicle information and our efficient system will draw them from our listings. The BMW mirror replacement you receive from us will be of the same great quality you've become accustomed to in driving a BMW, and yes, you'll be able to find a BMW mirror with the exact same nifty options your original came with, such as heated glass and embedded LED turn signals. Installing your new BMW mirror is typically a simple process, a mere matter of swapping the old for the new, and requires just basic hand tools of the sort you probably have in the cargo area for just in case ' or should carry there. You can order your BMW mirror using our securely encrypted website or you can dial our toll-free telephone number to speak with one of our professional customer service representatives.

Troubleshooting an ordinary rearview or side view car mirror is relatively easy. Clean the glass up regularly so that its reflection remains crystal clear. Angle the mirrors at blind spots you couldn 't see when driving no matter how hard you turn. Keep in mind that the passenger 's view mirror is convex, so the images it shows are larger than they actually are. Finally, when the mirrors are smashed or cracked, you should replace them ASAP because you need those extra "eyes" at the back and sides of your head.

Auto-dimming rear view mirror issues overview

However, when it comes to BMW auto-dimming rearview or side view mirrors, it 's a different story altogether. These mirrors actually reduce glare when there 's too much light being projected unto its surface, therefore resulting in impaired vision on the driver 's part. This advancement in mirror technology is a great convenience when it comes to glare reduction, but it does present its own set of issues when worse comes to worst. With age, your auto-dimming rear view mirror might fail eventually just like any other car part. There are also problems out there that aren 't caused by age but by parts that have become faulty.

The mirror dimming trigger is faulty

There 's a trigger inside the mirror that tells it when to dim itself down or not. It works hand-in-hand with the sensors in keeping the rear view mirror working properly. However, when this part is damaged, your mirror won 't dim like it 's supposed to. To test whether your trigger requires replacement or not, you should use a voltmeter to see its current condition.

The electronic displays and auto-dimming aren 't working

Many auto-dimming rearview or side view mirrors have auxiliary electronic displays within the mirror that showcase the direction of travel, the temperature, and the time. If both the auto-dimming feature and the displays aren 't working when the key is turned, there could be issues with either the mirror itself or its wiring, and such issues must be addressed immediately. Check the wiring harness and wire connections of your side view or rearview dimming mirror to confirm which diagnosis is correct.

The auto-dimming feature works intermittently

If the BMW rearview or side view mirror sometimes works and sometimes doesn 't, there could be faced short circuit or loose wires somewhere in its connections. The occasional short in the wiring harness or a loose wire connection that gets dislodged from time to time as you drive through speed bumps and rocky roads might explain why there are times when the mirror auto-dims and there are times when it 's not responsive to glare (or lack of glare). A voltmeter should assist you in checking out the condition of your wiring, particularly in terms of current fluctuations.

Something else is keeping your dimmer mirror from working

Did you know that window tint could hamper the effectiveness of your BMW side view or rearview mirror auto-dimming features? It 's strange but it 's true. If your dimmer is working properly from its wiring to its auto-dimming capabilities but it still occasionally fails to dim when needed, your BMW could have aftermarket window tint that keeps the dimmer from registering the glare from the outside. To confirm this, shine a light on the mirror from the inside instead of through the window. If it works, then the window tint is the problem.