I tried to find a clear answer to this question searching old posts but I did not find one.

Can you purchase and self install an OEM self dimming mirror in a 2005 MCS w/ a build date of May 2005?

Is there any programming that needs to be done to the car?
Is the wire harness tucked in the liner?
Is it easy to take out the existing non dimming mirror to look around for wires?
If it has Home Link, will that work also?

I have an opportunity to purchase a Self Dimmer w/ Homelink from a wrecked 2005.

 

Good question, I too am wondering the same thing as I would like to convert over to a self-dimming mirror. I am assuming (yes, I know what they say about "assuming") the harnesses are already in place, as this has been the case on other mods I have done and that others in the club here locally have experienced. MINI for the most part has made it easy to "upgrade" to the better options, but some of them require ECU reprogramming to turn on the needed feature. I doubt any ECU reprogramming will be required, but I just wanted to pass the info on to you.

Just remove the mirror and trim around the forward section of the sunroof and see if there is an open connection point for the new mirror. If you know what the plug on the new mirror looks like, see if a corresponding connection is present. Here is a link to see the breakdown of the auto-mirror: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=51&fg=40

While looking at REAL OEM, I did not see a harness specifically required for the auto dip rear view mirror. The only differences in harnesses are called out for transmission type, DSC, ASC, and auto air conditioner systems. I am willing to bet the connection you need exists in the harness for your MINI.

I hope this helps. Good luck and please let us know what you find out.

 

JIM_GRAHAM I've sent you a PM about this.

 

I've been wondering the very same thing for quite a while, also another upgrade that I'm unsure if doable would be the auto A/C (I have a manual controller and was wondering if I can just plug n' play an automatic controller(they show-up on "the bay" from time to time).

Sorry for the thread hi-jacking

 

I believe the auto air may not exactly be a plug & play. Besides the HVAC controls that you pop into the dash there is a temp sensor that goes into the top of the dash. Who knows if all of the associated wiring is there & if the car needs to be hooked to the mother ships computer to make it all work?

For me the manual controls are wonderful.

Back on topic....

Mirror mirror on the headliner.

 

I've got the auto dimming mirror /w homelink on order as we speak. Should have it soon, and let you know. From what I've read, it is a straight forward plug-in type of job.

 

how much was the mirror?

 

Email reply I got from Classic Mini:

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The auto-dimming mirror w/ homelink retail $549.17ea / nam price $439.34ea.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Happy Thanksgiving,[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Jayson-Classic MINI[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]
bmwparts@classicautocampus.com

 

I have it from factory in my 2005 (Part of the then convenience package) and love it!

 

Auto Dimming mirror for sale on Ebay:

Item number: 190269222796

It does NOT have Homelink, but the Buy Now price is awesome.

I am going to hold out for the Homelink version.

 

I made the mistake when I bought my MINI of not realizing the Homelink was available. I got the auto dim, but not the Homelink. DOH!

That is a good price! Mine was $250 if I remember correctly.

 

I want the Homelink. I store my remote in the armrest and the range without removing it is terrible, and I have to pull right up to the door. Fumbling around to pull it out is a PITA, and I do not want to clip it to the visor!

Hopefully some NAM member will that that good deal!

 

I have a Nov 04 build cabrio and the wires are in the roof so I would assume they are there for most 05 builds. I had a autodim from the factory (I still have if someone is interested) and switched to the auto-dim with home-link. I believe everything is self contained in the mirror, it's just drawing power off the harness.

It's not any harder to get off than the shift know(ha ha ha). Your results may vary.

If you can hold out Classic Mini usually has a 10% over cost every so often, I think my homelink mirror was in the $300's.

 

How can one tell when Classic is having a 10% over cost sale? I called a few months back to inquire about an auto dim mirror with Homelink & was told I'd just missed the sale price. DOH!!!

 

They will usually put it in the vendor advertisements on the NAM home page, but it is easy to miss. Maybe if enough people bug them they'll have another. I know I have a laundry list of items I need to pickup.

 

Thank you!

I will keep an eye on that & yep I have a few things a nice discount on would make me pull the trigger on & buy.

 

I would probably pull the trigger on an Autodim / Homelink if they had the big sale. I blew it bidding on one on Ebay last night and lost it over $1. I am kicking myself. The auction "sniper" services are driving me nuts!!

I will email the parts guy Jayson and let him know there is a lot of purchases waiting on that big sale!

 

Sorry to hear that Jim. Snipers, one of the many reasons I have little love for fleaBay.

Thanks for calling Jason. I wish you luck.

 

I was just wondering why people are so keen on the self dimming mirror. We have it in both the new MINIs (R56s) but I wouldn't have bothered if you could get the homelink as an option on its own, we had homelink (without autodim) in the R53. (You can't buy one without the other these days.)

In practice it probably works quite well, but there are times I wish there were a **** to persuade it to go darker. I'm quite happy with a manual adjusting mirror.

 

Actually you are right, the MINI auto dim is the worst I've ever used. Besides that, in the cabrio, if you have the wind blocker up, it just blocks the light hitting the sensor, but lets the rest of the light go above to blind you in the mirror. Not the most well thought out system.

 

Do they sell a Homelink only mirror for the R53?? I have a 2005 R53 and I thought that Homelink ~only~ came w/ Autodim??

 

Quentin's mirror was homelink, but no autodim, it had the twist button at the bottom.

 

Can anyone answer these questions? If the wiring is there how can you get to it?

I have an '07 Colorado and it came without the mirror and it was easy to reach up, get the wiring and plug it in. I hope the Mini is the same.

 

I'm interested in the answers, too.

 

I have been told it is tucked into the headliner under the mirror.

I do not want to take my mirror out to check until I get my new one for fear of breaking it.