I got my Coupe in early November and really love it. At first I was very concerned about the new possible blind spot that it had over my previous Cooper w/ the big back windows. I started looking into adding secondary mirrors to the mirrors to help. In my research i found this article about how to properly adjust your mirrors. It really changed my driving and there is no more blind spot in my Coupe (or any car for that matter). Just wanted to pass it along to my fellow Coupe owners.

This is from a 2009 article by Mike Allen in Popular Mechanics. I copied the text below for ease of use. Enjoy!

Q: Can you resolve a long-standing disagreement I have with my father about rearview mirrors? He insists on adjusting them so that he can see only his own rear fenders in the outside mirrors. I like to set them so I can just see the edge, not with the whole fender filling half of the mirror.

A: I had a long chat over dinner with an engineer from a major auto company a couple of years back about this very subject. In addition to being an engineer, this guy holds a Ph.D. in psychology, specializing in human factors and ergonomics. And we both agreed that people often don't adjust their rearview mirrors correctly. The interior mirror should be set to see straight back along the road, as most people do. But most drivers set the mirrors mounted on the doors to duplicate this view. The engineer suggested that the proper use of these mirrors is to let you visualize the blind spots flanking your car, not to see straight back.

Here's his procedure for adjusting the mirrors, and it's what I have always done myself.

Adjust the driver's seat to the correct position. Lean your head and torso over to the left until your head contacts the window glass. I know, that seems too far. But trust me. Now, adjust the left-side mirror outward until you can barely see your own fender in it. Next, lean over to the right a similar distance, and adjust the right-side mirror so you can just see your own rear fender. Sit up straight. Your mirrors are now set to allow you to see other cars in your blind spot. You won't need to swivel your neck around to be aware of traffic hiding at 60 mph right beside you. And the interior mirror will still let you see the traffic directly behind.

 

I'm going to give this a try..I keep my side mirrors out quite a bit and curious to see if I have been doing this without knowing I was doing it...Interesting..

 

I have mine adjusted not QUITE to that extreme but close, and it's incredible how much of a blind spot I don't have. I find myself checking my "blind spot" all the time only to find what I can already see in my mirror; I keep thinking what I'm seeing there is further behind. So fair warning to those who go this route -- it WILL mess up the perception that you were used to previously. Of course, it's only in a good way, but it definitely messes with your head a bit.

 

It's amazing the difference when you do it right isn't it? I was recently directly behind a Driver's Ed car and I could see the students face in the side view. If the teachers aren't showing them how to do it right what chance do they have?

 

anyone try it?

 

I always set my sideviews so i could see the rear fender. I've just always done it that way. When looking into getting a Coupe I read about concerns with the smaller field of view while driving it and someone had mentioned "the right way" to set your mirrors. I found tons of youtube videos online. Some great and some not so great but after I tried it it made perfect sense and I'll never go back. I'm still not sure why I set them like I did for so many years. I suppose I was taught that way.

I totally agree with what Gloomchen said as well. It will mess with you a bit and make you not trust what your seeing but once you get used to it (and it's not hard) you'll wonder why you weren't taught that from the beginning.

 

Been using it for over 20 years. It works.

 

I definitely plan to set them next time I am in the car.

I have also discovered that the view out the back is much better than it seemed when I did my test drive. Not sure if I have the seat adjusted differently or what. Maybe I am just adapting to it.

 

If you've done it right, the car overtaking you (like that's gonna happen) will appear in your side view just as it disappears from your rear vies.

 

I moved my mirrors after reading this post. Its a very strange feeling to alter what you have done for so many years. It is a totally rational change, since really, the side mirrors are supposed to see what is on the side of you and the rearview mirror is responsible for behind you. the side mirrors shouldn't be used for what is behind you. Not seeing the cars behind you in the left mirror is and odd feeling. It seems that the blind spots are gone however. A few more days of driving will decide whether all of my cars get swapped to this apparent correct adjustment. You learn something new every day.

 

I don't see my own car in the side mirrors and I have no blind spot.. or barely any..

 

I used to work for bmw and this is how we trained all our advisors and I have always positioned my mirrors in this fashion. Give it a few days to get used to, but you won't regret it. You will be able to follow a car from rear view mirror, to side view and then into your peripheral view without moving your head.

 

I adjusted the mirrors on my way to work sunday. Took me a second to figure out what was really going then to say...Way Cool I wish I would have been taught this 25 years ago. It was impressive just as the Quote above..Thanks for the lesson...Never to old to teach an old dog new tricks...

 

I read this on one of the R56 forums some time ago. Glad to see it here again. It can prevent accidents and save lives!

 

I have all my cars' mirrors set like this. I have been unable to convert my wife. She just cannot seem to make the transition.

 

I've been driving this way for about 2 years now.

 

That method works great on our coupe.

 

Hi,this works i have had my coupe on a track sebring for h.p.d.e. school with many other cars going fast with no problems

 

how odd that this is news.....

this is how i was taught in drivers ed in 1970

i have always had my mirrors adjusted this way

scott

 

I have to do the rear fender view in my mirrors. I deliver pizza and do ALOT of backing up in unfamiliar areas. I need to be able to use the mirrors to see the corners of the car as i am backing up. I do however have them adjusted to the maximum to allow me to get as much view as possible. I just have to do a quick turn of the head before a lane change.

 

That mirror might be a little tough on the bicyclists, but nice anyway!

 

I adjusted mine a few days ago. After an intital orientation, it works great. Its amazing how you can see the blind spot with hitting your head on the window as you crane to look