Cracked or Missing Wing Mirror? Here's How to Replace It Without the Dealer Price
Image: BMW 3 Series Wing Mirror Left Side for BMW F30, F31 for sale at MT Auto Parts
Someone clipped your mirror in a car park. A wing mirror glass is cracked. The mirror cover is snapped off. It happens to a lot of BMWs, and the first instinct is to ring the dealer, then put the phone down when you hear the quote.
A BMW wing mirror from a dealer can cost £300 to £800 or more for a complete unit, before fitting. A genuine used BMW mirror from a documented donor car with the same colour and the same specification costs a fraction of that. And in many cases, the job itself is straightforward enough that a competent DIYer can do it, or an independent specialist can do it quickly and cheaply.
Here is what you need to know.
First: What Exactly Needs Replacing?
The wing mirror assembly on a modern BMW has several distinct parts. Knowing which one is damaged determines what you need to buy.
The mirror glass. The glass inside the mirror housing. This can often be replaced on its own without touching the mirror housing or the arm. Clips onto the mirror motor inside the housing. Relatively inexpensive and straightforward to replace.
The mirror cover. The plastic housing that surrounds the glass and mechanism. Sometimes sold separately from the full mirror assembly. Must match your car's colour exactly or be painted to match.
The complete mirror assembly. The whole unit including arm, housing, glass, motor, and heating element. Required when the arm is broken, or the internal mechanism is damaged. This is the most expensive replacement but also the most complete fix.
What to Check Before Buying a Replacement
Colour code. BMW wing mirrors are body-coloured. Your paint code is on a sticker in the driver's door jamb, a three-character code. Any used mirror you buy should match this code, or you will need to have the cover repainted.
Which side. Driver's side (right in the UK) or passenger side (left). Do not assume. Check which mirror is damaged and order the correct side.
Model and year. Mirror specifications change between generations and sometimes mid-generation. A 1 Series F20 mirror is not the same as an F40 mirror. An early G20 mirror may differ from a post-LCI G20. Use your VIN or registration to confirm the correct part.
Specification — manual or electric, heated, folding, blind spot sensor. Modern BMW mirrors can include electric adjustment, electric folding, heating, memory function, and a blind spot warning LED. A mirror with electric folding fitted to a car without electric folding will not work and may cause a fault. A mirror without a blind spot sensor fitted to a car that has BSM will disable that function. Match the specification of the original.
The easiest way to confirm the correct mirror specification for your car is to enter your VIN at RealOEM.com and look up your mirror in the parts catalogue. It will show the exact part number and all the included features.
How to Replace the Mirror Glass
This is the simplest job and in most cases can be done without any tools.
Step 1: Heat the mirror gently
On a cold day, heat the mirror glass very slightly with a hair dryer for 30 seconds. This softens the adhesive clips and reduces the risk of cracking the new glass during removal. Do not use a heat gun. Too much heat damages the mirror motor behind the glass.
Step 2: Pop the old glass out
Work your fingers or a plastic trim tool around the edge of the glass. Apply gentle, even pressure from behind or from the edge. The glass is clipped in. It should release with a firm push without breaking. Start from one corner and work around. Do not lever against the mirror housing.
Step 3: Disconnect the heating element
Behind the glass, there will be two small connectors for the heated element. Squeeze the tabs and unplug them gently. Do not pull the wires.
Step 4: Clip the new glass in
Connect the heating element connectors on the new glass first. Then align the new glass and press firmly and evenly until you hear or feel it click into the clips. Check it is secure by pressing gently across the face. It should not flex or move.
How to Replace the Complete Mirror Assembly
This is a slightly bigger job but still manageable. You will need a T20 or T25 Torx screwdriver and a trim removal tool. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 1: Remove the door card (interior trim)
The mirror is bolted from inside the door. Open the door and remove the interior door panel. On most BMWs, this involves removing a screw or two hidden under plastic covers, then gently pulling the panel away from the door card clips around the edge. Lift slightly upward to release from the window frame.
Step 2: Disconnect the mirror wiring
Behind the door card, you will see the wiring loom for the mirror. There is typically one or two connectors. Press the release tab and pull each connector apart gently. Tuck the disconnected loom out of the way.
Step 3: Remove the mirror mount cover
On the inside of the door at the mirror base, there is a small triangular plastic cover. Pop this off carefully with a trim tool. It is clipped in and comes off without screws.
Step 4: Unbolt the mirror
Behind the triangular cover are usually three Torx bolts holding the mirror to the door. Remove all three. Support the mirror from outside with your other hand as the last bolt comes out.
Step 5: Fit the new mirror
Route the new mirror's wiring through the door aperture. Position the mirror, thread the bolts back in, and tighten them evenly. Reconnect the wiring connectors. They will only connect one way. Refit the triangular cover and the door card.
Step 6: Test everything
Electric adjustment, electric folding, heating, indicator repeater, blind spot LED if fitted. Everything should work immediately without coding on most standard mirror swaps. If the mirror has a memory or folding function, coding may be required. See FAQ below.
*If the replacement mirror has a different specification from the original, for example, it has electric folding, but your car's original did not, the mirror will not function correctly and may generate fault codes. Always match the specification exactly to avoid needing coding work.
Cost Comparison
New BMW dealer mirror: £300 to £800+ depending on specification and model, before labour.
Genuine used BMW wing mirror from a specialist: £80 to £250 depending on specification and colour, with a 30-day warranty.
Mirror glass only: £15 to £60 new or used.
Independent specialist fitting: typically one hour of labour, £50 to £90.
For most BMW owners, a genuine used mirror from a BMW breaker is the sensible route. The specification is confirmed, and the saving against dealer pricing is significant. MT Auto Parts stocks complete BMW wing mirrors and mirror glass donor cars in a range of body colours with confirmed mileage and a 30-day warranty (T&C apply). Send your registration on WhatsApp or browse at mtautoparts.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does replacing a BMW wing mirror require coding?
Usually no, for a standard electric mirror with heating. However, mirrors with an electric folding function, auto-dimming, or memory seat integration may need to be coded to the car after fitting, particularly on G-generation models. If your replacement mirror has any of these features, book it in at an independent BMW specialist after fitting.
Can I drive with a missing or broken wing mirror?
Legally, in the UK you must have at least two functional mirrors: the interior rear-view mirror and one exterior mirror. If the driver's door mirror is missing and the interior mirror is intact, you may technically be legal with the passenger mirror, but you are likely to be stopped by police and may fail an MOT. Replace it promptly.
My mirror folds but will not unfold. Is that a coding issue?
Often not. The most common cause is the fold motor inside the mirror has worn or seized. On F-generation cars in particular, the mirror fold motor is a known wear item at higher mileages. A replacement motor or complete mirror unit resolves it without any coding.
Can I paint a used mirror to match my car?
Yes. If you find a used mirror in a different colour, any bodyshop can paint the cover to match your paint code. The cover can be removed from the mirror assembly for painting without disturbing the glass or mechanism. Factor the cost of painting into the total when comparing options.
What is the difference between a complete mirror and a mirror housing?
A complete mirror includes the arm, housing, glass, motors, and heating element- everything. A mirror housing (or cover) is just the outer plastic shell. If the arm or mechanism is damaged, you need a complete mirror. If only the plastic cover is cracked or broken but the mechanism inside works fine, a housing alone is enough.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Wing mirror replacement on modern BMWs may require coding if the mirror includes electrical folding or memory functions. Always check whether coding is required for your specific model before fitting. MT Auto Parts accepts no liability for decisions made based on content in this article
