I was quoted $689 for a new auto dim/homelink rearview mirror (For a 2008 Clubman) and $129 labor for installation at the dealer. (1.5 hours estimate).

 

No problem.

I can give you the un-cropped originals if you want them. PM me w/ your email addy.

 

Contact Jayson at Classic Mini: bmwparts@classicautocampus.com

Tell him you are a NAM member to get the discount. I don't know how much these mirrors are for the Clubman, but I bet he can give you a better deal than you are being quoted.

It is also a DIY install unless things have drastically changed for the Clubman.

 

+1 to the doubters. I've had cars with auto-dim mirrors before and we went out of our way to make sure our MINI came without it. Just the manual dimmer please. I can think of lots of things I'd spend a couple hundred bucks (or more) on before I'd think of an auto dimming mirror. The Homelink (which we have) is definitely worth it if you have a garage.

That said, the regular MINI/BMW mirror has a serious design flaw (perhaps intended to increase sales of the obviously overpriced auto-dimmer?). The twisty **** is horrible. The traditional style with a flip tab (away from you for standard position, flipped toward you for night position) is superior. My wife and I switch cars often and with the twisty thing there is no visual way to tell if the mirror is in the day or night position. With the tab it is simple: when I get in the car and adjust the mirror, I simply press the tab away from me and adjust. With the twisty I have to take an additional step.

In short, IMO while the interface would be a reason to switch mirrors, the auto-dimming per se is not.

 

I agree that this is an over priced option to purchase while building your vehicle, and also as a dealer purchased add on. I could not bring myself to buy it discounted for over $400 AD w/ HL and install it myself.

But to get a good used one and install it myself was a no brainer.

The Mini's non traditional mounting method prevents you from buying an "After Market" mirror made by Gentex or Donnelly, plus I think you would lose your "keyless" entry in the process if you tried.

I have seen 2 HL only mirrors sold on "flea bay", 1 for $80+/- and another for $50, while an AD/HL mirror went for $175+/-

The prices seem to be consistent, but the availability is scarce. There are not many "Mini Organ Doners" out there.

 

 

2005 Auto Dim Mirror for sale on Ebay:

Item #: 200287819520

Auction ends 6 days from date of this post.

Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Mi...Q5fAccessories

 

I bought a self dimming mirror with the Homelink from a used parts dealer. I just plugged it into the cable that was in the headliner and it works great! Both the self diimming and Homelink work. Didn't need any programming from the dealer!

2006 MCS

 

Yes, I had also meant to respond to this thread. My new self dimming / homelink equipped mirror works great, and it was about a 10 minutes install (with coffee sips in between).

 

Congratulations!

Do you mind posting how much you paid so other readers can get an idea what the average price is to buy these from Salvage Yards? At the time I bought mine, $172 which seemed in line with what others were paying. It would be interesting to see if the price has come down or these mirrors are "recession proof".

 

I paid $204 on ebay. This mirror also included the Homelink feature.

I think it was worth the price to prevent burning of my retinas!

 

I watched that auction, congrats at winning...

 

Sorry to bring back and OLD thread.. but for those of you who successfully swapped out a manual rear-view mirror to an auto dimming unit, can you please tell me how you got your keyfobs to "sync" or "re-pair" with the new mirror? I've tried a couple of different methods I found online:

holding the unlock button while pressing the lock button 3 times.

I have seen a couple of different variations for this method online but none of them seems to work for me. I have any 05 S hardtop. Thank you in advance.

 

I have the same question as riceboy28.
Anyone???
Or for most folks did your keyfob just start to work with the new mirror???

 

I changed ours out on our 05mcs, with an auto dimming unit with home link. I did not have to do anything to the remotes, and they function as the did prior to the swap. Maybe double check the connections in the mirror?

 

Thanks for the reply.
I wonder why some folks have issues with the remote?

 

Rennwerkes, I never got the issue resolved and am currently manually locking and unlocking my doors. I was told by a friend that I will need to have the dealer program the keys but have not had time to do so yet. not sure how it works for some people and not others. guess we are just the unfortunate ones.

 

Riceboy28, probably not a biggie.
I'll have to go in to update my car so that it'll accept factory xenon's too so will get the remote done at the same time.
I wonder what else I should have the dealer program???

 

I had no issues - plugged it in and it worked ('06 MCS). AFAIK, the mirror is just an antenna - there are no "smarts" in it, so there is no reason that it should need any changes.....BUT.... the replacement mirror must be from the right model year car. I think (emphasize think) that '05 and '06 are the same, all others are different. If you don't have the right mirror, I doubt that re-programming is going to help.

 

Crap, I just picked up an 07 mirror.
Oh well...we'll see how it goes.