Rear View Mirror

[Dougget]

Hi,
Another little 'new to me' issue to fix. My rear view mirror was not well mounted. It was technically hanging in the right spot, but not secured well to the windshield.
So I pulled it off and cleaned the glass ready to remount it properly.
However, I found that it was in the way. It's a big mirror and right in my line of sight blocking a lot of my field of vision.

I bought a new mirror (smaller) and thought that would do the trick. However, while holding it up to get a feel for it, it still blocks my line of sight.
Then I thought, why not mount the mirror about half way down the windshield? Below my line of sight...
Has anyone experimented with this? Any pictures?
Thanks

 

[Duncodin]

I always thought that the position of the Z3 mirror was too low - right in my line of sight forcing me to dip my head to see under it.

But half way down the windshield? That would be worse - unless you mean right at the bottom - lots of old/classic cars have the rear view mirror on a stalk standing up on the dashboard. not sure how useful it would be there in a z3 though.

 

[Rudyrov]

Perhaps a video system is the answer?

My mirror doesnt bother me but it has a loose connection at the “ball” and is in constant need of adjudtment, especially in the summer. I have seen no way to adjust it or replace the nylon/ plastic surface the ball rides on.

 

[t-tony]

I wouldn't stick the mirror half way down the screen, unless you get it tested by Stevie Wonder (or Ray Charles).

Tony.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

Taller drivers who dislike reducing the seat height really notice the mirron interfering with vision - often to a dangerous level. I also hate mirrors which have a limited field of view, having used slightly convex mirrors for many years.

I therefore made my own mirror, mounted high on the windscreen frame, using a convex slip-on mirror which is wonderful, giving vision from the passenger's head to the driver's left ear. Even with the roof up it works well enough. As it stands, my mirror is a temporary thing, and I plan to make a better model one day . . .

 

[Duncodin]

Also bear in mind that if you have both left and right exterior door mirrors then an interior mirror is not necessary at all.

 

[DomiMik]

Also bear in mind that if you have both left and right exterior door mirrors then an interior mirror is not necessary at all.

True. The rear view mirror is only useful when driving a lot on the highway IMO, apart from that it's right in my field of view and therefore quite obstructive when cornering narrow streets.

Replaced it with a 10-€-mirror from ebay, best decision ever.

 

[Dougget]

DomiMik - I like the low mount mirror. That's exactly my issue and exactly what I was thinking to do to fix it.

Others have said that you don't even need it. That's true since I've been driving for about a week without the mirror. However, I live in New York state where we have annual vehicle inspections and all safety equipment must be in place in order to pass.

Low mount mirror, here I come.
Thank you for the pictures.

 

[Dougget]

Perhaps a video system is the answer?

My mirror doesnt bother me but it has a loose connection at the “ball” and is in constant need of adjudtment, especially in the summer. I have seen no way to adjust it or replace the nylon/ plastic surface the ball rides on.

I've seen videos where people pop the ball joint out and just put a piece of paper over the socket and push the ball back in. Just the thickness of the paper adds some friction and keeps it from wandering. Might be worth a search/try.

 

[Dxbolton]

Isn’t the central locking sensor built into the mirror housing?

 

[Stevo7682]

It is the same now in the uk the mot standard is that all 3 mirrors must be there if fitted from new and meet the requirements set down.
Stephen.

Edit.
Used to be a pass with either interior and offside or nearside and offside but that is no longer but again this only comes into play for e89 really as before 2010 you can still have 2 so a zed 3 would NOT fail an mot for no interior mirror

 

[t-tony]

Doesn't the "View to the front" or "Driver's view" being obstructed (by a mirror stuck to the centre of the screen) come into the test any more?

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Yes Tony still a thing .
I was meaning more as long as the 2 side ones there internal not needed.
Stephen.

 

[Dougget]

Well, look at that!!!! I assumed... and look what happened.
The New York State mirror requirements are:

• Model year 1970 and newer - must have a left outside mirror and an inside mirror, or both left and right outside mirrors

Looks like I'll be perfectly legal with the two outside mirrors only.

 

[Pond]

Isn’t the central locking sensor built into the mirror housing?

Yes. there is a whole PCB for the central locking, with aerial built-in, inside the mirror housing. I have done away with my windscreen-mounted mirror (as want a dash mounted one).

I find it amazing that the mirror mount has fallen off. I have tried to remove mine but it ain't budging (without smashing the windscreen).

 

[Dougget]

My mirror has no wiring or sensors in it... It's a 1996, maybe the electronics were added in later model years.

Pond: Can you share pictures of your dash mounted mirror?

 

[Pond]

Pond: Can you share pictures of your dash mounted mirror?

NO. Cos the mirror is in a box in my office and the dashboard is in my shed.