[kschwiggy]

I'll be swapping out the interior mirror with the larger, frameless version that we have on our X7. I will update this thread with install pics and results.

I believe there are many mirrors that will work. The mounting bracket differs between various part numbers, but the mirror and four wires appear to be largely the same. Almost all mirror upgrades will require removing and reusing the ball mount from the M235/M240, so it doesn't really matter which model mirror you get as long as the mirror has the features you need.

I received two mirrors that I bought on eBay. Both have the modern glass shape, homelink buttons, high beam assist, and self-dimming. But some of these mirrors are even more frameless and thinner than others.

P/n 51169476754 has no bezel at all, and is completely frameless. The mirror is also thinner, and has an angular rear housing. This came off of a M850 and is the same mirror as used in the X7:


p/n 51169459440 has a thin black bezel around the edge, though the glass appears to be the same shape and size. The mirror is thicker overall, and has a smooth rounded rear housing. This came off a 530i, and according to the eBay listing, this part number is used on the X5 and M5 as well:


Comparison of the top and bottom of the 754 mirror (left) to the 440 mirror (right):



Comparison of the 754 mirror to the stock mirror:


Update June 2023 - I finally installed the mirror. I closely followed the tutorial by
BMW DIY Guy

I highly recommend watching his video and I give credit for the success of this swap to him.

After pulling the mirror from your car, note the pin locations in the 2 series mirror plug, and the color wires for each pin:




The upgraded mirror has the same four wire colors, but in a different shaped plug:



Use a pick tool to pop out the clips on both plugs, and then pop out the pins from both plugs:




Then comes the hard part, removing the ball joint from each mirror. Follow the YouTube video's instructions for this. Lay a towel on a flat hard surface, and put a second towel over the mirror mount. I braced the mirror against the table with one hand and pressed the mount to one side while twisting it, to pop it out. It's a very nerve racking process because you feel more certain every second that the mirror will break.

The two mounts have different shapes and sizes, so you must swap them.


Now the hardest part: attaching the 2 series ball joint to the new mirror. Again lay the mirror face down on a towel on a hard surface. Thread the wire harness and pins through the hole in the mount. I applied a little bit of grease to the ball joint, but I don't think the grease really did anything. It will take a LOT of force to get the ball in. I'm almost 200 lbs, and I leaned into the mount as hard as I could. The ball went in with a loud BANG, and somehow, the mirror did not break.

After the mount is in, position the wires and pins like this, to line up with their positions in the 2series plug:



Use the pictures I posted above to make sure the pins are inserted in the same positions as the old mirror wires.

After this, slide the mirror back into the windshield bracket and reattach the harness plug:


Pop the cover halves back on, and you're done. Finished result:


The new mirror looks much sleeker and seems to have more visibility at each side.

[AM20 BMW]

This is pure coincidence because I’ve just had this thought when I was sitting in my other family members F40 and G01, it looks so much nicer, modern and sleek and the fact the alarm LED especially when it blinks it looks a lot nicer, modern and bigger too. Would love to see your end results 👍

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

This is pure coincidence because I’ve just had this thought when I was sitting in my other family members F40 and G01, it looks so much nicer, modern and sleek and the fact the alarm LED especially when it blinks it looks a lot nicer, modern and bigger too. Would love to see your end results 👍

Yes! The lower profile alarm light was another major reason for doing this.

Updating the first post to add a comparison pic with the stock mirror.

[AM20 BMW]

Originally Posted by kschwiggy

Yes! The lower profile alarm light was another major reason for doing this.

Updating the first post to add a comparison pic with the stock mirror.

I hope this doesn’t too silly from me but is this just a straight direct swap plug and play. So no internals, wiring or the mount where the mirrors ball joint that plugs into doesn’t need changing or anything? Cheers 👍

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

I hope this doesn’t too silly from me but is this just a straight direct swap plug and play. So no internals, wiring or the mount where the mirrors ball joint that plugs into doesn’t need changing or anything? Cheers 👍

Not straight plug and play. The ball mount from the M235/240 needs to be removed from the stock mirror and mounted to the new mirror. The 4 wires of the new mirror need to be inserted into the stock harness plug. After doing this, the new mirror is plug and play.

[AM20 BMW]

Originally Posted by kschwiggy

Not straight plug and play. The ball mount from the M235/240 needs to be removed from the stock mirror and mounted to the new mirror. The 4 wires of the new mirror need to be inserted into the stock harness plug. After doing this, the new mirror is plug and play.

Ah cool man, hope it shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve noticed yours has the homelink garage doors open function as mine hasn’t got that.

[jb-slow]

This would make a great how-to writeup.

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

Ah cool man, hope it shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve noticed yours has the homelink garage doors open function as mine hasn’t got that.

There are versions of the mirror available without homelink.

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by kschwiggy

There are versions of the mirror available without homelink.

The FWD 1, 2 series mirrors are significantly cheaper without homelink. I'll let you guys know the part # and if it works/fits when it arrives. If I remember correctly it was from a 218i.

Just do research that it does include EC (electro chrome / self dimming) and LED for the alarm because some lesser mirrors wont have it.

Thanks for the mirror idea, these thick bezel mirrors always bothered me.

Edit: The mirror finally came from overseas. I was right, it was from a 218i. Part# 6838309 Comes with auto dimming and LED but no homelink. It needed to be remounted and re-wired which was a huge PITA but totally doable. Another totally unnecessary mod completed.

[lateapex'er]

The new mirror is slick! Any after shots?

Also, I like how the V1 Gen 2 is tucked between the mirror and the EZPASS. What mount are you using?

[AM20 BMW]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

The FWD 1, 2 series mirrors are significantly cheaper without homelink. I'll let you guys know the part # and if it works/fits when it arrives. If I remember correctly it was from a 218i.

Just do research that it does include EC (electro chrome / self dimming) and LED for the alarm because some lesser mirrors wont have it.

Thanks for the mirror idea, these thick bezel mirrors always bothered me.

Edit: The mirror finally came from overseas. I was right, it was from a 218i. Part# 6838309 Comes with auto dimming and LED but no homelink. It needed to be remounted and re-wired which was a huge PITA but totally doable. Another totally unnecessary mod completed.

I know it’s a dumb silly question, could I ask my BMW dealership who I got a good relationship with and say if they’re can do the swap for me. Other than ordering the non-homelink mirror for my car, what other parts specifically including part numbers would I need to them to order for me.

As I want to get it right, like you mentioned before, all they’re need to do is remove the ball joint from my current existing mirror and on to the new one and it’s plug and play, I assume that’s the case? Was the rewiring hard to do as I assume they’re would know how to rewire it and install it for me cheers. Would love to see the pics of your completed look.

[freakystyly]

I highly doubt a shop would do it, certainly not warranty their work. There's something about applying nearly 150 lbs of pressure on a thin piece of glass that's a bit NSFW. Those sockets are stiff!

Unfortunately the entire assembly is one part number. Only the mirror itself and attached 4 wires will carry over. My car has the 10 pin plug and the new mirror has the 6 pin (both only use 4 wires) so it's a matter of taking apart the plug and detaching the socket with the wires threaded through.. and then adding the old mount and original 10 pin plug, copying the original wire placement as mentioned above.

I can't add pics right now, but I did take a couple of the assembly, will add later when I can.

BMWDIYGUY on youtube (and this forum) has a helpful video which I followed.

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by lateapex'er

The new mirror is slick! Any after shots?

Also, I like how the V1 Gen 2 is tucked between the mirror and the EZPASS. What mount are you using?

Haven't had a chance to swap them yet from traveling and work. Hopefully soon.


I got an adhesive windshield mount on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/12508422857...EaApm1EALw_wcB

I wanted to tuck the V1 up higher on the windshield than the blendmount could go.

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by AM20 BMW

I know it’s a dumb silly question, could I ask my BMW dealership who I got a good relationship with and say if they’re can do the swap for me. Other than ordering the non-homelink mirror for my car, what other parts specifically including part numbers would I need to them to order for me.

As I want to get it right, like you mentioned before, all they’re need to do is remove the ball joint from my current existing mirror and on to the new one and it’s plug and play, I assume that’s the case? Was the rewiring hard to do as I assume they’re would know how to rewire it and install it for me cheers. Would love to see the pics of your completed look.

I doubt a dealership would do this swap on the books, but if you have a good relationship, then you could talk directly with a technician there who might be willing to do this after hours and off the books.

As far as I know, all of these mirrors use the same four wires, but the harness plugs and windshield mounts are different. So the swap involves swapping the four wires of the new mirror into your stock plug, and swapping the new mirror into your windshield mount.

[kschwiggy]

I finished the installation this weekend. First post is updated.

[CatchF22DirtyF30]

This is an incredible write up and find. Awesome work, might just have to do this on the 2er.

[cooolone2]

Nice write up, and mod that our wonderful manufacturer should have done for us, lolz!

What was the total time to do the swap, parts in hand?
I just might venture with this one as well. Hate the thick bezel...

[kschwiggy]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Nice write up, and mod that our wonderful manufacturer should have done for us, lolz!

What was the total time to do the swap, parts in hand?
I just might venture with this one as well. Hate the thick bezel...

30 mins being careful, a bit longer if the ball joints are really stubborn.