BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install DIY and Photos - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

GTM_Challenge · 06-20-2012, 01:17 PM

BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install and Photos

BMW's OEM carbon is always top notch and their new carbon mirror caps for the F30/F20 are no different. Full carbon custruction with an OEM plastic bracket epoxied to the back side so it can mount as close to factory as possible. Their isnt much weight savings, but this is primarily a style part anyway. It does the job well. We had these on order for stock for some time, and they just came in this week.

These were a little different than the usual E9X ones we had done where they replicated all the oem clips in plastic and it was simple snap out, snap in process. These F30 ones require a little more work and the OEM instructions are extremely limited.

Since we offer these to our customers i thought it was a good idea to do a step by step photo shoot of the install and some breif instuctions. Enjoy!

Grab and pull the oem cap off starting from the top edge, then pull straight out

Tilt the mirror lense up as much as possible, then using a plastic panel tool or similar pull the lense outware at a slight upward motion

Youll see the wires for the mirror lense/heating element. They do not need to be unclipped if you rest it on the window sil

3 tabs that are located where the oem cap clips in

Push in and break off the 3 tabs

Put the mirror cap on the front side making sure it rests in the little catches

New holes for the mounting screws and washers to go into

3 bolts, 3 washers

Fasten til snug with a torx driver

Installed hardware, clip mirror back in so that its orientated with the plastic receivers

Front finished view

Side finished view

Look for more installs and details on BMW M Performance parts an others!

svache · 06-20-2012, 06:10 PM

looks great, thanks for the DIY

GTM_Challenge · 06-27-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svache

looks great, thanks for the DIY

Performance steering wheel write up is next

m3 guy · 06-27-2012, 08:09 PM

Those mirror caps are definitely growing on me. I think the fact that the rest of the mirror is black and not body colored is what makes it work.

awhk · 07-31-2012, 01:54 AM

So you cannot revert back to original mirror covers as the tabs are broken?

GTM_Challenge · 07-31-2012, 09:43 AM

You are able to go back to the originals, the tabs removed wont affect the OE cap staying on.

Sock_Puppet · 09-17-2012, 07:00 PM

Very nice. Thanks for the pics.

shutterlife · 09-18-2012, 07:20 PM

Just did these, it's easier to remove mirrors first and then locate the cap tabs to remove the caps.

Also, the mirrors required a little bit of force to remove. Definitely made me scared I would break the mirrors.

I didn't have a plastic pry bar, tried using finger, did not work. Finally found a wide thin flat piece of metal. Which I covered with a microfiber cloth and rubber glove to use.

Wish I had pictures. But didn't think about it.

Hope this helps anyone with second thoughts on doing it yourself.

Messer-schmitt · 09-18-2012, 09:45 PM

...I think I just found my first mod...

GTM_Challenge · 09-18-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messer-schmitt

...I think I just found my first mod...

We have these in stock here at the shop if looking for a set

Pandarakus · 09-24-2012, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

You are able to go back to the originals, the tabs removed wont affect the OE cap staying on.

I'm curious what actually is holding the OE cap.. Is it just glue? How come you could just pull it off?

GTM_Challenge · 09-25-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandarakus

I'm curious what actually is holding the OE cap.. Is it just glue? How come you could just pull it off?

There are small plastic clips that hold the original one in place. You can break them free by simply using enough force.

Pandarakus · 09-25-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

There are small plastic clips that hold the original one in place. You can break them free by simply using enough force.

If we break the clips of the original, how is it possible for us to revert back to it?

GTM_Challenge · 09-25-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandarakus

If we break the clips of the original, how is it possible for us to revert back to it?

the part you break off doesnt effect how the oem clips grab. The oem caps can go right back on

shutterlife · 09-26-2012, 06:26 PM

Confirming as well that you can revert back. As the clips for the original caps use the square holes as opposed to being screwed on.

jtuds · 03-02-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

the part you break off doesnt effect how the oem clips grab. The oem caps can go right back on

If the OEM caps can go right back on, what it the point of the tabs you break?

Also, how did you get the original OEM cap off in step 1? Like does it literally just come off by pulling it?

minijet · 03-02-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtuds

If the OEM caps can go right back on, what it the point of the tabs you break?

Also, how did you get the original OEM cap off in step 1? Like does it literally just come off by pulling it?

you break those tabs so you can screw on the cf caps. the OE caps dont screw on they only hold onto mirror frame via some tiny clips on the circumference of the mirror.

Yes you just pull starting from the top and it comes right off.

jtuds · 03-03-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minijet

you break those tabs so you can screw on the cf caps. the OE caps dont screw on they only hold onto mirror frame via some tiny clips on the circumference of the mirror.

Yes you just pull starting from the top and it comes right off.

makes you wonder why the tabs on the inside are there at all

R12ax7 · 03-27-2013, 09:48 AM

Maybe i am being a little thick, but when you remove the original caps you aren't actually "breaking" any tabs, correct?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtuds

makes you wonder why the tabs on the inside are there at all

Yes it very much does! And why the CF caps couldnt just be molded in the same form as the stock caps and snap into the same perimeter tabs - something to do with the strength/brittleness of the CF squeezing into the pre-existing tabs maybe?

kon · 03-29-2013, 12:47 AM

Just got hold a pair of these mirror cap, but they seems to only have 2 holes, instead of 3 now... production date indicate w26/12 (i assume week 26th 2012)... hmmm

jtuds · 04-08-2013, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kon

Just got hold a pair of these mirror cap, but they seems to only have 2 holes, instead of 3 now... production date indicate w26/12 (i assume week 26th 2012)... hmmm

have you installed them yet??

kon · 04-08-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtuds

have you installed them yet??

It turned out the parts were wrong - they were correct part number per ETK, but physically (the shape) they were wrong, so are waiting for the new one to arrive

06-20-2012, 01:17 PM	#1
GTM_Challenge Drives: E92 M3,X5M,F30 335 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,180 iTrader: (6)	BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install DIY and Photos BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install and Photos BMW's OEM carbon is always top notch and their new carbon mirror caps for the F30/F20 are no different. Full carbon custruction with an OEM plastic bracket epoxied to the back side so it can mount as close to factory as possible. Their isnt much weight savings, but this is primarily a style part anyway. It does the job well. We had these on order for stock for some time, and they just came in this week. These were a little different than the usual E9X ones we had done where they replicated all the oem clips in plastic and it was simple snap out, snap in process. These F30 ones require a little more work and the OEM instructions are extremely limited. Since we offer these to our customers i thought it was a good idea to do a step by step photo shoot of the install and some breif instuctions. Enjoy! Grab and pull the oem cap off starting from the top edge, then pull straight out Tilt the mirror lense up as much as possible, then using a plastic panel tool or similar pull the lense outware at a slight upward motion Youll see the wires for the mirror lense/heating element. They do not need to be unclipped if you rest it on the window sil 3 tabs that are located where the oem cap clips in Push in and break off the 3 tabs Put the mirror cap on the front side making sure it rests in the little catches New holes for the mounting screws and washers to go into 3 bolts, 3 washers Fasten til snug with a torx driver Installed hardware, clip mirror back in so that its orientated with the plastic receivers Front finished view Side finished view Look for more installs and details on BMW M Performance parts an others! Last edited by GTM_Challenge; 06-20-2012 at 01:40 PM.
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06-20-2012, 06:10 PM	#2
svache Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,886 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [2.87] 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 SMG [4.33]	looks great, thanks for the DIY __________________ F30 328i Luxury w/ Mojave metallic, beige interior (timeline) Note: Many PM me for links to the software needed to code. Please note that I do not have download links to this software. Your best bet is using the search function in the coding thread

06-27-2012, 08:09 PM	#4
m3 guy Captain Drives: 2012 X5M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 764 iTrader: (2)	Those mirror caps are definitely growing on me. I think the fact that the rest of the mirror is black and not body colored is what makes it work. __________________ 2001 E46 M3 Oxford Green Metallic II-Cinnamon SOLD 2013 F30 335 Estoril Blue-Black SOLD 2012 E70 X5M Monte Carlo Blue-Silverstone Journal

07-31-2012, 09:43 AM	#6
GTM_Challenge Drives: E92 M3,X5M,F30 335 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,180 iTrader: (6)	You are able to go back to the originals, the tabs removed wont affect the OE cap staying on. __________________ GT Motoring - Challenge USA - Rays / Volk Dealer - BBS Distributor - Eisenmann Dealer - Willans Dealer - Willans Harnesses

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07-31-2012, 01:54 AM	#5
awhk Private First Class Drives: 2012 RS4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 128 iTrader: (0)	So you cannot revert back to original mirror covers as the tabs are broken?

09-17-2012, 07:00 PM	#7
Sock_Puppet Enlisted Member Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 37 iTrader: (0)	Very nice. Thanks for the pics.

09-18-2012, 07:20 PM	#8
shutterlife Private Drives: F30 M Sport AW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 82 iTrader: (0)	Just did these, it's easier to remove mirrors first and then locate the cap tabs to remove the caps. Also, the mirrors required a little bit of force to remove. Definitely made me scared I would break the mirrors. I didn't have a plastic pry bar, tried using finger, did not work. Finally found a wide thin flat piece of metal. Which I covered with a microfiber cloth and rubber glove to use. Wish I had pictures. But didn't think about it. Hope this helps anyone with second thoughts on doing it yourself.

09-18-2012, 09:45 PM	#9
Messer-schmitt Private Drives: 2012 BMW 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 64 iTrader: (0)	...I think I just found my first mod...

09-26-2012, 06:26 PM	#15
shutterlife Private Drives: F30 M Sport AW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 82 iTrader: (0)	Confirming as well that you can revert back. As the clips for the original caps use the square holes as opposed to being screwed on.

03-29-2013, 12:47 AM	#20
kon Lieutenant Drives: F30 316i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sillypore Posts: 402 iTrader: (0)	Just got hold a pair of these mirror cap, but they seems to only have 2 holes, instead of 3 now... production date indicate w26/12 (i assume week 26th 2012)... hmmm