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Thread: map light mirror and convertible

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    Austin, TX
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    1,372
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    1991 325i Convertible

    map light mirror and convertible

    I have found someone selling two map light mirrors and would like to purchase one, but I dont know how to install it in my convertible, the mirror setup is different than a regular e30. Can this be done? Thank you! o and I searched but could not find any solution thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Las Vegas NV
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    2,255
    My Cars
    91 318i 04 325i

    Tantalizing link

    http://e30.bmwdiy.info/lighted-mirror/index.html has a nice write-up -- for coupes and sedans.

    They tell you "Cabriolet owners will notice this mounting arm won't work on their cars. You will need to use the cabriolet arm instead which is beefier and can dampen the vibration without resorting to the thumbscrew."

    Unfortunately the link on the cabriolet installation in the article doesn't work.

    Having installed this in the 91 sedan, it's an improvement over the two lights just above and behind the B-pillars. However, the "dome" light in the vert gives you more light than the lighted mirror will. Perhaps you can install it in your mother's car.
    Last edited by RomeoMike; 07-27-2009 at 11:57 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Vancouver B.C.
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    318ic e30, e83 manual, e
    Too bad the vert install thread is not available. This looks like an interesting mod.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    Leesburg, VA
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    '74 tii, '85 & '86 535i
    Here's the article, courtesy of archive.org. Thanks to "structure" for finding the links for the pix!

    LIGHTED MIRROR MOD FOR E30 CABRIOS

    Normally, you could use the same mounting point as the lighted mirror assembly that you're putting in, but the cabrios don't have the rectangular feature in the roof for mounting it. I found a decent way to do it.
    I will also mention that the way that I wired the mirror, they will work with the ignition off. This has it's advantages, but make sure you don't leave them on when you park the car!
    1. Remove the mounting arm from the lighted mirror. I rotated the arm while
    holding the mirror itself. It takes some effort, but if you're
    patient, you shouldn't break the mirror glass. Do the same for the original cabrio mirror.
    Cabrio mirror mount





    2. Take apart the mirror. There are about 8-10 tabs around the inside
    of the rim that holds the mirror glass in. I used a small
    screwdriver to pry the rim away CAREFULLY.
    3. Cut the wire away from the mounting arm of the mirror. Pull the
    wire through the mounting hole.



    4. Drill a new hole (13/64" dia) into the back of the mirror housing.
    I used this side since I covered the two wires with cable shrink-
    wrap when I got done.
    5. Splice the extra length of wire onto each of the black and white
    mirror wires. I used about 6 inches of wire for each.
    6. For a more professional look, I used wire shrink wrap to cover the
    new extension wires. In my opinion, it will look better since the
    wire will show in the car.
    7. Feed the extension wires through your new drilled hole.



    8. Reassemble the mirror. This includes both the mirror glass and
    using the mounting arm from your original cabrio mirror.



    9. Pull the Check Control panel from the headliner. Also pull the
    interior light from the headliner as well.
    10. Assemble the mirror to the windshield using the original mounting
    feature still stuck to the windshield. Pull the wire(s) through
    space between the headliner and the body of the car.



    11. Wire the new light. I mated the Red/Green wire light wire with the
    black wire of the mirror. I used the brown wire from the light to
    mate with the white wire of the new mirror. If you use the other
    wire to match the white wire, the lights will only go on when the
    doors are open.



    12. Reassemble the Check Control panel and the interior light.






    Enjoy your new maplights!
    Last edited by John in VA; 07-30-2009 at 12:43 AM. Reason: added pix thanks to structure!
    John in VA
    BMW CCA member
    National Capital Chapter
    '74 tii "Juanita"
    '85 535i "Goldie"
    '86 535i "M-POSSTR"
    '00 328i "Fern"
    '03 530i "Titan"


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    New York
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    My Cars
    1989 BMW 325ix
    Great post, John in VA. If you could, just edit the links for the pictures because they don't show up.

    Pic. #1



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    Pic. #9

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    Austin, TX
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    1991 325i Convertible
    sweet! thanks guys!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,887
    My Cars
    '74 tii, '85 & '86 535i
    Thanks to "structure" for providing the links to the pictures!
    John in VA
    BMW CCA member
    National Capital Chapter
    '74 tii "Juanita"
    '85 535i "Goldie"
    '86 535i "M-POSSTR"
    '00 328i "Fern"
    '03 530i "Titan"


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Vancouver B.C.
    Posts
    61
    My Cars
    318ic e30, e83 manual, e
    Looks good I like it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Vancouver, Wa
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    792
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    87vert & 24V sedan,98 M3
    Very good write up.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    1,107
    My Cars
    1990 325i,1991 325ic
    A bud of mine has done the same thing and it looks great. Does anybody know if any other models mirrors work...say and e34? I think they have it.

    1991 Cabrio E30CCA

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    newport beach CA
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    99shu,77 911, 85 e24
    someone buy my maplight its in the for sale section

    shameless plug

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