Ok, so as the title states, I'm looking into doing a small rear-view mirror for my MINI. As has been stated before, the 05/06 has a much bulkier mirror, and for me, it only blocks my vision.

What I would like to do is piece together something that is around 1/2 the overall size of my mirror. I feel like I'd still see everything out of my rear window, but would be able to see out of the windshield much better, especially when going through sweeping right handers.

Sector111, a popular Lotus aftermarket tuner, has a couple of these available for easy fitment in an Elise or Exige. I'd like to use one of these, or something similar (and cheaper), to make my idea.

Anyone else have any ideas, or know of any companies that might be able to make something like this if there was enough interest out there? If you are over 6' tall you'll understand this need!

http://sector111.com/handler.cfm?cat...nction=product
and another (probably better choice)
http://sector111.com/handler.cfm?cat...nction=product

Drew

 

I want to see if this can be done ... I read that the key receiver is inside the rear view mirror in the '05/'06 MINIs; that might present problems!

I'd be happy just to have the pre'05 mirror in GPMINI!

 

That would cause problems...

I tried once to remove the mirror, once I twisted it loose it was hanging on by a covered wire or something.... maybe I'll just take the whole thing apart and see whats inside. If it is the key reciever then I'm sure I could just mount it to the back of the arm so it would still work...

Drew

 

Check the search - there are a number of threads on this but nobody (to my knowledge) has found one that's smaller than the pre-05 mirror...

I'd like one that's the same shape as the current mirror, but less high - and with NO BLACK RIM (has mirror all the way to the edge - even recognizing the potential fingerprint issue). Having a quick disconnect would be a major plus! It'd be cool to machine the thing out of billet, polish the mirror surface, and have a snap-lock "cap" available for the back (cap can be painted, carbon-fiber, etc.). Anyone have a CNC machine I can borrow? Mr. Whalen - want something to add to the shift **** line?

 

Ever consider a WINK mirror mounted flush against the head liner put the key stuff behind it snd since it's just teh mirror it wouldn't come down anywhere near as much as the OEM option giving you better rear visibility as well as making it easier to see out the front.

 

I searched and found nothing like I was looking for, hence the reason for a new post. Everyone else seemed to be talking about retrofitting the older mirrors, which is not what I want to do.

I'll keep looking into this and see what I can figure out. I know a good machinist that might be able to make a part to bolt the little Sector111 mirror to the stock mount...

Drew

 

i'm interested myself... that CF mirror, while expensive, would look right i think...

 

Understood and agreed!

There's some unfulfilled demand here for a smaller mirror. Personally, I'd like one that's the same shape as the '02-'04 mirror, but only 60-70% as tall, with no rim (only reflective surface), and quick dosconnect for autoX or MOTD or whatever.

Someone posted a WINK mirror in one of the earlier threads too. Nice idea, but then we'd have to be at least 5th in line so we could actually see the stoplights without craning our necks....

 

Ok, I'm going to email Sector111 about where/how to get the windshield mounts for the lotus. If we had that, then that is all that we would need to mount the really nice looking CF mirror. Though I agree it's very expensive, and adding that part may add another $15 to it, but to me it would be worth it.

Dixon, this mirror would be less than 1/2 the overall size of the stock mirror, and could be mounted higher up too... do you think you would still need a quick disconnect? I'm looking for the best permanent solution, personally.

Drew

 

has anyone seen (or better, have a picture) of the MINI mirror mount? the lotus one seems almost like a universal mount...

i've found it on realoem but its hard to make out


mounting our mirror higher may also be a fix. it seems to hang rather low...

another fix, my buddies have a machine shop and could make an adaptor

 

HPU Drew: Permanent would be great, but I'm suffering from Mayzwell Zlongas disease... "Zlongas we're already redesigning the mirror, Mayzwell put all the options in!"

Permanent would be fine as well, especially if the mirror is smaller. I'm looking at 1/3 of a mirror full of parcel shelf or roof anyway.

 

I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one with a problem seeing into a right turn. Glad you brought this up again. (I have trouble finding previous threads using the search function). I have a 'vert so seeing out the rear window is not too much of an issue anyway! I wonder about mods that would need to be refitted in the event of a trade-in, etc. Would removing the key sensor be one of those?

 

Probably wouldn't have to REmove the key sensor, just "move" it.

Looking at that pic above it's no wonder our cars are so expensive for their size - that mirror assembly is WAY over engineered!

I have to search on how to remove the mirror... my wife works with stained glass and can re-cut me a section of mirror, now if only I can scrounge a housing... looks like a section of black PE from a bicycle wheel shipping container may do... hmmm.... there may be a Home Depot solution available here. I'm calling McGyver!

 

Ok, I have a couple of updates. First off, I have a response from Sector111 about the mirrors. They have them instock and said that we could probably get the windshield mount from Lotus for around $14. That puts the total cost with shipping for the CF mirror around $200.

Currently, my MINI does not have a rear-view mirror installed. Dixon, the mirror comes down very easily. Turn the base to the right (clockwise) and after about a 1/4 turn it pops off. The plastic pieces on the arm pop right off, and then you just unhook the wire harness. Takes about 30 seconds to remove it. I remember it being much more difficult to "screw" back into place, so keep that in mind.

Here is what I plan on doing. I'm going to get the CF mirror and Lotus windshield mount. After removing the stock mirror and mount from the headliner, I'll put the remote sensor in the headliner and create a panel to cover the hole. The Lotus/Sector111 mirror can be mounted much higher, at the top of the windshield, and that should solve my problems.

I won't be getting the mirror right away, but I promise to update this thread with pictures and install as soon as I do. Hope I helped everyone out some with this!!!

Drew

 

Oh, another thing... I emailed the guys at Sector111 again. I asked about doing a group discount on the Zoom CF mirrors. We'll see what they say, but if they go for it I'll make a new post about it.

Drew

 

don't forget to let us know here as well...

 

I'm seeing a great little cost-free mod here - remove the OE mirror, plug the hole as above, get a small day/night windshield mount mirror I have in the basement, mount, and go. It's square, and possibly uglier than OE, but it'll work! Heck, a little searching at www.jcw.com provided he following, including a $650 one with a camera (for Cabrio owners with that gigantic top in the way)


or this (I have a spare one of these in the basement):

Or this:

 

Well seeing one for $650 makes me feel better about the $200 one I'm considering!

I'd looked into the billet ones too, they are another option, though I don't think they would work as well. The Sector111 mirror is convex so that it shows a wider area, and also has anti-glare treatment for those pesky SUV headlights.

As for your solution, I think it makes sense. The only thing you may have trouble with is quickly disconnecting. You'll have to do a permanent install with those, or deal with a loose rear-view...

Drew

 

Ok, I know I keep rambling on about this, but I just thought of another installation possibility...

Instead of mounting to the windshield, this may be something we could mount to the stock location, which would obviously solve that problem too... it looks like the mounting area is smaller than the MINIs, so we'd have to put something in there, but I bet there is a way to mount it to our factory mount.

I'm going to break down and get one of these soon if I keep thinking about it! Now I'm determined to figure it out!

Drew

 

I wouldn't mind seeing what smaller mirrors are out there as well..

I posted a thread (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=91925) asking how to take the mirror apart & finally got it last night.

The main time I have a problem w/ the mirror is when driving very twisty roads so it'll be nice to be able to quickly & easily twist the mirror off & back on when finished!

 

i was thinking using the factory mounting area if not the exact location. i think the sector 111 piece is looking pretty sweet...

 

Ok, I actually had a few minutes earlier to mess with the mirror. Taking it apart was easier than I expected. The trim section around the actual mirror pops off and then you can remove the sensor. To tuck the sensor away I just unscrewed the mount that's in the headliner and slid it to the side. Then you can tuck it up in there and it had plenty of room. Reinstallation is a simple reverse and self-explanitory.

I may try to order the mirror soon. I'm thinking it might work on the stock mirror mount, and if so, i'd only have to find a way to cover the rest of the hole in the headliner.

Drew

 

that's what i had hoped! i thought the brass looking clip on the sector111 piece looked familiar (read universal-ish)... that's great news. let us know how it goes... any luck with a group buy? you might be able to convince them that if it fits it could open quite a door into the mini world...

 

i would think there are a lot of tall mini owners with late model cars that can't see well to the right...

 

HPUdrew - Glad you got the mirror apart! The only thing I wasn't able to put back on... was the 'tension ring' (thingy) that keeps the actual plastic mirror housing tight on the metal neck... I put it on w/o it & it seems to be ok, but I suspect over time it'll get more loose.