Starting out the mirror looks like this:

Now go to the inside of the door panel and locate the plastic cover at the front corner of the door.

Insert a flat head screw driver carefully between the rubber window guide and the plastic cover piece. Apply gentle pressure, pushing the plastic piece towards you.

There are three plastic snaps that hold this in place and you want to gently release each one.

There is a plastic clip that holds the plastic connectors for the wires. Pop the wires out out of this.

With the cover removed the inside of the door will look like this:

A 10mm socket will be required to remove the 3 bolts holding the mirror in place.

While you are removing the last bolt, be careful not to let the mirror fall or scrape your paint.

Now, just press out the rubber grommet that the wire goes through and the mirror is free.

The mirror after it is removed

These are the tools I used:

Afterwards your door will look like this:

Hey I bought some M3 mirrors a few weeks ago. When I install them, do I have to take the door panels off or not?

Nope....I just happened to have already removed them.

Hey old skool - thanks for doing this.

great writeup. very easy :)

anyone know of a DIY or thread describing using your existing non-M mirror motors in an M style mirror?

check the 3 series DIY FAQ at the top of the forum. I know people have done it. You have to pop the glass off first which can be a little tricky to do it right and not break it.

Is there a difference in 4-door mirrors and 2-door mirrors?

(Buying M3 mirrors for a non-M3 4-door)

Is there a difference in 4-door mirrors and 2-door mirrors?

(Buying M3 mirrors for a non-M3 4-door)

Yes, the base plate fits differently. Although you can mod each one to fit the other, it is a lot easier to just get the right one in the first place for best fitment.