So after seeing another member post pics of his X7 with this modification, I did a little research and decided I wanted to do this mod too. I think the M-Sport mirrors complete the look of the M-Sport body, so here is a quick DIY for those who may be interested. For those who don't know, the G-series X3, X4, X5, X6 & X7 all share the same mirror parts, so this DIY is applicable to all of them. The M-Sport mirrors come standard on the X3M, X4M and X5M. Apparently, BMW reserves the M-Sport mirrors for the M-cars, or in this case the M-SAV's - X3M, X4M & X5M. The M50i doesn't even get this option. But it is a very simple and relatively inexpensive upgrade to do using all OEM parts. Now for the parts and costs...
51-16-8-097-351 Left M-Sport Mirror Cap, $72
51-16-8-097-352 Right M-Sport Mirror Cap, $72
51-16-8-071-003 Left M-Sport Mirror Supporting Ring, $60
51-16-8-071-004 Right M-Sport Mirror Supporting Ring, $60
Professional Paint (Body Color), $115
I purchased these parts from Schmiedmann, an overseas vendor, for the best price I could find at the time, including shipping. With shipping included, I am in for ~$420 for this mod, which is pretty cheap by OEM BMW standards. It took me approx 45 min or so to get both sides done. I had a local body shop paint the mirror caps to BMW specs. I did some shopping around and as luck would have it, the BMW body shop that is close to me had the best price - which is nice because I know the caps will be painted to BMW specs (they actually price matched another body shop, but what I paid is above). As a reference, the factory procedure to do this is below:
Update: Procedure attached below due to NewTIS no longer being online.
Note: You don't need to remove the mirror adjustment motor as described in the above procedure. I was able to get the mirror support ring off with the motor still installed.
The tools I used for this was a plastic trim removal tool, a standard flat head screw driver, and a T-8 driver. For the pics below, I took both the driver and passenger side as I took the pics out of order. However, both sides are the same except for the fact the driver side has three harnesses attaching the mirror, while the passenger side has two harnesses.
First, tape up the top and bottom of the mirror as shown below to protect any surfaces that could get scratched. While you can't see it in this pic, I put tape on the mirror frame and the mirror cap in case I needed to help pry the mirror cap off.
Next, insert your trim removal tool as shown below. You will gently pry out to release the mirror from the adjustment motor. Once you get one side pried loose, you can use your fingers to gently pry the mirror completely off.
With the mirror released, you will have two or three harnesses to disconnect (passenger side shown below with two harnesses). Carefully disconnect the harnesses and set the mirror aside in a safe place (they are expensive at over $400 each
).
Next remove the mirror cap. It is held in place by two tabs. Insert a flat head screw driver into the slot where the tabs are as shown in the pic below. I used the screw driver to gently push on the tabs to push out the mirror cap. Once the first side is released, I did the same for the other tab. Once both tabs are released, gently pull the mirror cap away as there are a few more smaller tabs along the bottom of the mirror cap. The second pic below shows the primary tabs on the mirror cap for reference.
With the mirror cap off, remove the four torx screws as seen below. Once removed, gently pull the mirror support ring towards the rear of the X7 and slightly outward. You will need to wiggle it around the mirror adjustment motor a bit if you decide not to remove the motor, but the mirror support ring will come off. Before removing the mirror support ring, take note of how the harness wires are routed through it. The second pic is what you will have when the mirror support ring is off.
At this point, installation of the new parts is the reverse of removal. Carefully install the new mirror support ring, it will snap into place slightly before you re-install the four torx screws (if the screw holes don't line up, you installed it wrong). Carefully align the new mirror cap with the main tabs, then snap into place.
One side done for comparison...
And the final result....
Thanks and enjoy!