Electric folding mirrors

Jon D · 08-16-2010, 01:00 PM

My garage has quite a narrow door opening and my forthcoming 535d will be an extremely tight fit with the mirrors unfolded.
I would like to be able to reverse partly in, fold the mirrors to get past the door frame, then unfold the mirrors and continue reversing fully into the garage.
However, I am unsure whether the car will move with the mirrors folded; can anyone tell me if this is possible before I order the option?
Yes, I know there's the rear camera option, but I've tried it and don't think it's all that great.

Grizzles · 08-16-2010, 01:10 PM

they open up at 25 mph

CJ 43 · 08-17-2010, 07:28 AM

I think you'll be OK to do that, though one thing to be aware of is that there is the automatic kerb view if the mirror adjust button is set to the drivers mirror. This automatically lowers the passenger side mirror when you stick in reverse. I haven't had a need to try yet but not sure if (as the other poster has pointed out above), also means your mirrors are unfolded as well. It might be just as well to stick the button to the passenger mirror when reversing into your garage and then retract as you like without the worry of the automatic features kicking in...

BTW & apologies if its teaching you to suck eggs, you should be wary of the auto feature when driving off because that might damage your mirrors as they unfold. I am of course assuming that someone else may drive it out of your garage from time to time who won't be aware of these things (and said persons generally can't be bothered being made aware of such things...).

ddd269 · 08-17-2010, 10:56 AM

Worst case scenario... if you accidentally forget to unfold the mirrors and you hit it, it will fold with minimum force and probably won't damage it. Maybe a scratch but the mirror will fold regardless if it has the motorized fold or not. It's got a spring loaded detent.

Jon D · 08-25-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddd269

Worst case scenario... if you accidentally forget to unfold the mirrors and you hit it, it will fold with minimum force and probably won't damage it. Maybe a scratch but the mirror will fold regardless if it has the motorized fold or not. It's got a spring loaded detent.

Yes, I'm aware that they're spring loaded, but as the gouges on my E92 LH mirror attest, it doesn't take much to damage them

Raptor04 · 08-25-2010, 11:44 PM

i do this all the time....i start to back out, then fold the mirrors to get past the narrow opening, then unfold after i get out of the garage....tooo easy....and it doesn't matter if the left mirror is selected when backing out, the car will adjust the glass down like normal, but it doesn't matter if the mirror housing is folded or unfolded...there is no damage

08-16-2010, 01:00 PM	#1
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Electric folding mirrors My garage has quite a narrow door opening and my forthcoming 535d will be an extremely tight fit with the mirrors unfolded. I would like to be able to reverse partly in, fold the mirrors to get past the door frame, then unfold the mirrors and continue reversing fully into the garage. However, I am unsure whether the car will move with the mirrors folded; can anyone tell me if this is possible before I order the option? Yes, I know there's the rear camera option, but I've tried it and don't think it's all that great.
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08-16-2010, 01:10 PM	#2
Grizzles Lieutenant 34 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 M Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0)	they open up at 25 mph Last edited by Grizzles; 08-17-2010 at 08:53 AM..
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08-17-2010, 07:28 AM	#3
CJ 43 New Member 3 Rep 11 Posts Drives: F10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I think you'll be OK to do that, though one thing to be aware of is that there is the automatic kerb view if the mirror adjust button is set to the drivers mirror. This automatically lowers the passenger side mirror when you stick in reverse. I haven't had a need to try yet but not sure if (as the other poster has pointed out above), also means your mirrors are unfolded as well. It might be just as well to stick the button to the passenger mirror when reversing into your garage and then retract as you like without the worry of the automatic features kicking in... BTW & apologies if its teaching you to suck eggs, you should be wary of the auto feature when driving off because that might damage your mirrors as they unfold. I am of course assuming that someone else may drive it out of your garage from time to time who won't be aware of these things (and said persons generally can't be bothered being made aware of such things...).
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08-17-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
ddd269 Private 3 Rep 73 Posts Drives: F10 528iA Silver Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Santiago, Chile iTrader: (0)	Worst case scenario... if you accidentally forget to unfold the mirrors and you hit it, it will fold with minimum force and probably won't damage it. Maybe a scratch but the mirror will fold regardless if it has the motorized fold or not. It's got a spring loaded detent.
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08-25-2010, 11:44 PM	#6
Raptor04 Major 89 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (7)	i do this all the time....i start to back out, then fold the mirrors to get past the narrow opening, then unfold after i get out of the garage....tooo easy....and it doesn't matter if the left mirror is selected when backing out, the car will adjust the glass down like normal, but it doesn't matter if the mirror housing is folded or unfolded...there is no damage
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