Broken side view mirror -- DIY?

[Drafty]

Hello all, I registered here multiple years ago, but can't remember my password for the life of me. And for some reason, the password retrieval does not work either.

Anyway, recently my friend accidentally bumped the driver side view mirror on my 2000 328ci (with his body), snapping the plastic(?) piece that connects the side view mirror to the car. Only the plastic piece broke, so now the mirror is dangling by the cord that I assume connects the electronic wiring from the car to the mirror. Since the electronics on the mirror still work (I can still move the mirror electronically), I was wondering if I could just replace the plastic piece that was snapped or would have to replace the entire mirror?

When I called BMW asking these questions, the service guy told me that if I took it into the dealership, I would have to replace the whole mirror, for $400. Since it was my friend who broke it, who does not have much disposable income, I was wondering if there was a feasible DIY for replacing the plastic piece or the entire mirror if necessary?

Any help is appreciated.

[skang2535]

you should be able to find a place where they just sell the plastic piece, but it would cost some money since its OEM. What i would do is buy a new set of M3 mirrors, cant go wrong with those, but ill help you find a website that sells the plastic piece.

[Drafty]

I've scheduled an appointment with a local mechanic instead of the Beamer stealership.

Do you think they'll be able to replace the plastic connector piece without charging me an arm and a leg? Or should I still try and find a way to do it by myself?

Has anyone dealt with anything similar to this before on an e46?

And skang, if you could provide that website that'd be awesome. Thanks

[darkhorse737]

what i would do:

1) call your "stealership" and ask if there are individual parts available for the broken mirror;
2) if there are available parts, ask for a copy of an exploded view of the mirror assembly(they can send it to you by fax if u have one or go there and they'll gladly make a copy for u... if none, then chances are, it's only available as a whole assembly.

replacement mirrors- i would look at eBay :-)

DIY... i will reserve my comments on that. DIY really depends on one's wrenching savvy... for some it's easy as a cold beer going down on a hot day; for other's it ain't so... ;-)

In this case... you may or may not have to pry the inner panels open to get to the hold-down screws that hold the mirror to the door. OR, if u'r lucky, it just might be having to pry a small triangular plastic cover directly behind the base of the mirror.

Good Luck.