Anyone thought about remounting their rear view mirror higher up on the windshield? I'm rather tall (6'5") and the rear view mirror creates this big blind spot because it sits right about eye level (even with the seat cranked all the way down).

There's a big hollow pocket underneath the headliner right above the rear-view mirror which would house the sunroof controls if the car had a sunroof. I'm planning to use that space to have the mirror remounted so that it sits higher up out of my line of sight. Gonna try to keep it as factory-looking as possible... hopefully reusing the headliner but removing the underlying plastic/foam that creates that hollow pocket under the headliner.

One thing that was mentioned to me was the need for a solid mount so the mirror doesn't come off in an accident - it weighs a couple of pounds. Also, I will not be getting a rain sensor, so no worries there.

Any other thoughts? I've heard of folks removing their mirror for autocross, but has anyone actually done something like this before?

 

i hate my big *** blindspot and am very interested in your idea keep us posted

 

I will definitely post pics and instructions when it is done. I am 100% sure I will be doing this mod - I just don't feel safe driving with that blindspot. The only question is how, and where to have the work done (I'm in the Philly area).

 

Since your in Phili, call Helix, they're in Phili. While I doubt they have dealt with that request, since they are MINI people they might be able to help.

- John

 

The only thing I dislike about my MINI (which has all of 210 miles on the clock, currently) is the rear-view mirror. I've driven an '03 a couple of times, and I believe the mirror to be quite a bit smaller. With mine, whenever I make a right turn, be it coming out of an intersection or around a corner, I've gotta duck my head and crank my neck into weird positions to see where I'm going. Has anyone replaced the '05 mirror with a smaller one from an earlier model?

 

Speaking about the big blind spot, why on earth did they make the mirror BIGGER on the '05???? With the the original mirror I can see both sides of the window in the rear hatch. Why would I want a wider mirror? To see more of the 'C' pillar?

Now, on my new '05 I will be getting a bigger blind spot up front and a better view of the 'C' pillar. Joy!!!!!

 

Another thing that was suggested to me was to remove the rear view mirror entirely and mount a smaller mirror on the dash directly above the speedometer. I could probably get used to looking down to see in back of me eventually, but it sure would confuse anyone else who drove my car. I'm saving that as plan B...

 

yeah, like those older, sporty British cars had them mounted. ;-)

That's actually a good idea.

 

sorta like this....(not my car)

 

That looks like a greatr idea. Any idea where it came from? Or is it a one-off?

 

im pretty sure its a one-off.....its a japanese car(hence right hand drive :smile: )

 

Cool. Thanks for the pic.

 

Hopefully this is possible. I was taken aback by the pointless size of the mirror when I drove the '05, and will definitely be looking to replace it somehow. If the switch is possible, there should be plenty of takers, since the reason they made it bigger is that a bunch of people were whining about it being too small.

 

I need to pick up a filter this week to do an oil change; I'll ask the parts department when I'm there. I'm curious about cost, too.

 

Ok, I popped over to Dreyer & Reinbold's parts counter today. Judging from the schematic (which the parts guy kindly printed out for me), the changeover was July of '04. It appears that up to 7/04, the mirror was a single piece, and after that, it seems to be three pieces (the mirror and two trim pieces). The mounting plate in the roof also seems to be the same between them, so you should be able to order the '04 mirror and just bolt it on. The cost was roughly $87, which I didn't think was too horrible (but I'll probably try to call some junk yards, first).

Now, does anyone know how to remove the mirror? :-)

If you try this mod, let us know how it goes!

 

I dig that. I wonder if it's heavy enough to stop my dash rattle . My wife's purse will have to do in the mean time :smile:

 

Another alternative is to remove the mirror and replace it with an aftermarket mirror from an auto parts store. They are mounted by gluing a base onto the windshield, with special glue, and then sliding the mirror on and affixing it with a set screw. That way you can locate it wherever works best. I used one on my Caterham Super Seven.