Folding mirrors for E36 ?

war085 · May 18, 2008

Hey guys,
I'm thinking to get the E46 M3 folding mirros and wanted to know if it can be retrofit to my 1997 M3 .. Anyone installed those mirrors in E36 ?

e36m34life · May 19, 2008

Believe me, there have been a lot more extreme retro fits then those buddy. If you have the know how and the skills, I think they won't be too hard to make fit, and I actually think they would look good as an alternative to the regular M3 mirrors.

war085 · May 19, 2008

Yeah I thought so too .. So, any DIY wbout this ? How will I fit the connections .. new botton I assume.

jasonf860 · May 19, 2008

There are a few places on the web that sell them made specifically to fit the E36 with power folding option. You have to wire in a switch or connect them to a relay off the ignition so they auto-fold when you turn the car on/off.

I'd post links but I can't remember the names off the top of my head.

B/\/\W · May 19, 2008

Yeah, is that the comfort relay? Also to do with the ZKE central locking module?. I was searching a few days ago about the map lights and that was how I came across it.

war085 · May 19, 2008

I tired to search everywhere .. I could only found threads discussing the E46 wiring.. nothing found for the E36 :dunno:

B/\/\W, do you have any links you can share with us regarding those Central lock and comfort relay ?

Thanks

B/\/\W · May 19, 2008

I really don't know if it is what you are looking for, but here are some links. Maybe it is the comfort relay that you need to wire them into, but I'm just taking a guess! I think the comfort relay is simply for shutting off power to systems tied into the ZVM central locking module, e.g. when your doors are open the interior lights will turn off after a certain time. I'm not sure if it is responsible for making the windows go up when you central lock (if yours have that feature), but if it is, then it may help you with the mirrors auto-folding. You will definitely need to deal with the ZVM though and a relay.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=653451&highlight=comfort+relay

http://www.eurocarparts.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5864

war085 · May 21, 2008

Folding mirrors buttons for E36 !

I have some news for you guys. I found that the folding mirrors can be connected to one of the 2 options:

1- You can get a switch like the electric windows switch or similar. In that case, when you push up, the mirrors will fold up, and when u push down, the mirrors will fold down. BUT… you have to keep pushing till the mirrors are completely folded! If you stop pressing the button at any point, the mirror will stop midway without being completely folded. That solution SUCKS for me. :thumbdwn:
A friend of mine told me that some relay can be used to make it one push for complete folding .. still sucks for me !

2- Solution number 2 is more attractive for me. I found that mirrors can work with the "electric sunshade button" that comes in either the E46 or the E39.

I went and got a used E39 switch, I have connected the mirrors (before installing them) just to test if it works like it should. The switch has 5 wires to be connected as follows:

1- Positive end to the mirrors
2- Ground end to the mirrors
3- 12v positive (continuous)
4- Interior light (to make the button light at night)
5- Ground.

After wiring as above, I found that the mirrors folds up and down by just one click :supdude: No need for any extra relays, it's all built in the switch. Just one click to fold/unfold. Very neat !

I compared both buttons of the E46 and the E39 and liked the E39 more as it have a surrounding frame and will be easier to fit somewhere in my console. The E46 doesn't have a frame and is a bit tricky to install it in the E36 consoles.

My next step is to install the new switch and that's it :beerchug:

B/\/\W · May 21, 2008

Sounds great! Very ingenious and resourceful!

-Matt- · May 21, 2008

You really need to post a movie of this once the install is complete. :thumbup:

Bimmer M.D. · May 21, 2008

At $150, the mirrors are starting to get a bit pricey.

Don't forget the pics though! Sounds worth it.

war085 · May 22, 2008

I'll make sure to post everything once completed .. A video to be clear too

war085 · Jun 24, 2008

DIY E36 M3 folding mirrors installed (Pics & video) !

Hey guys,
Sorry for the late reply, but I've been busy the last couple of weeks. well, I finally installed the mirrors with the one touch switch of the E39 Electric sunshade button. The installation is quite straight forward, the only pain is guiding the wires from the doors to the switch location.

Well, here are the steps very briefly.
1- Remove the doors panels

2- remove your old mirrors.

3- install the new ones. This is a straight forward step, no tricks there.

4- Now, remove the plastic part that contains all the wires going from the inside of the car into the door. You need to add extra 2 wires in each door to be controlled by the switch.
This plastic tube is really full and it takes some patience and the use of a solid wire to find a way through.

5- Do the same step in the next door.

6- connect the new wires with the 2 wires coming with the mirrors, and then put back the door panels. Make sure you wire the speakers and the mirrors electric button switch.

7-now connect everything to the switch, the bottin have 5 wires connect them as follows:
- Positive end to the mirrors (+ve of the left and +ve of the right goes here)
- Ground end to the mirrors (-ve of the left and -ve of the right goes here)
- 12v positive (continuous)
- Interior light (to make the button light at night)
- Ground.
Push the one touch button and see it working! :supdude:

8- finally, insert the switch under the sunglass area, the switch goes is and fits perfectly without modifications/

Here is the video too as promised.

My next step is to connect the mirrors somehow with the alarm, so it folds up automatically when I arm the car, and folds down when I disarm it! Any ideas where to start ?!

Overall it took me around 3 hours to do it .. it's 2/5 difficulty level.. just need some patience That's it ! :thumbup:

war085 · Jul 14, 2008

-Matt- · Jul 15, 2008

VERY cool - Nice job :thumbup:

There are some guides for getting angel eyes to switch on and off with the remote door lock. Obviously you want the other way round but it could be a good starting point or may give you a few ideas. Sorry, can't search for the link now as I am late for work!

Folding mirrors for E36 ?

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