F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > F30 DIYs and Coding Discussions > BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install DIY and Photos
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-20-2012, 01:17 PM   #1
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install DIY and Photos

BMW M Performance OEM Carbon Mirror Caps - Install and Photos






BMW's OEM carbon is always top notch and their new carbon mirror caps for the F30/F20 are no different. Full carbon custruction with an OEM plastic bracket epoxied to the back side so it can mount as close to factory as possible. Their isnt much weight savings, but this is primarily a style part anyway. It does the job well. We had these on order for stock for some time, and they just came in this week.

These were a little different than the usual E9X ones we had done where they replicated all the oem clips in plastic and it was simple snap out, snap in process. These F30 ones require a little more work and the OEM instructions are extremely limited.

Since we offer these to our customers i thought it was a good idea to do a step by step photo shoot of the install and some breif instuctions. Enjoy!


Grab and pull the oem cap off starting from the top edge, then pull straight out




Tilt the mirror lense up as much as possible, then using a plastic panel tool or similar pull the lense outware at a slight upward motion


Youll see the wires for the mirror lense/heating element. They do not need to be unclipped if you rest it on the window sil


3 tabs that are located where the oem cap clips in


Push in and break off the 3 tabs


Put the mirror cap on the front side making sure it rests in the little catches


New holes for the mounting screws and washers to go into


3 bolts, 3 washers


Fasten til snug with a torx driver


Installed hardware, clip mirror back in so that its orientated with the plastic receivers


Front finished view


Side finished view



Look for more installs and details on BMW M Performance parts an others!

Last edited by GTM_Challenge; 06-20-2012 at 01:40 PM..
Appreciate 3
      06-20-2012, 06:10 PM   #2
svache
Lieutenant Colonel
svache's Avatar
United_States
264
Rep
1,879
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30 328i
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hawaii

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
looks great, thanks for the DIY
__________________
F30 328i Luxury w/ Mojave metallic, beige interior (timeline)


Note: Many PM me for links to the software needed to code. Please note that I do not have download links to this software. Your best bet is using the search function in the coding thread
Appreciate 0
      06-27-2012, 04:25 PM   #3
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by svache View Post
looks great, thanks for the DIY
Performance steering wheel write up is next

Appreciate 0
      06-27-2012, 08:09 PM   #4
m5 guy
Brigadier General
m5 guy's Avatar
United_States
1662
Rep
3,198
Posts

Drives: 2020 M5 Comp
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hawaii

iTrader: (14)

Those mirror caps are definitely growing on me. I think the fact that the rest of the mirror is black and not body colored is what makes it work.
__________________
2020 F90 M5 Comp Oxford Green Metallic II-Aragon JOURNAL
2016 F10 M5 Space Gray-Black SOLD
2012 E70 X5M Monte Carlo Blue-Silverstone SOLD
2001 E46 M3 Oxford Green Metallic II-Cinnamon SOLD
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2012, 01:54 AM   #5
awhk
Second Lieutenant
No_Country
88
Rep
204
Posts

Drives: 2023 iX M60 SBM
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ontario

iTrader: (0)

So you cannot revert back to original mirror covers as the tabs are broken?
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2012, 09:43 AM   #6
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

You are able to go back to the originals, the tabs removed wont affect the OE cap staying on.
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2012, 07:00 PM   #7
Sock_Puppet
Enlisted Member
Sock_Puppet's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: 2013 328i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Very nice. Thanks for the pics.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2012, 07:20 PM   #8
shutterlife
Private
10
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: F30 M Sport AW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Orange County CA

iTrader: (0)

Just did these, it's easier to remove mirrors first and then locate the cap tabs to remove the caps.

Also, the mirrors required a little bit of force to remove. Definitely made me scared I would break the mirrors.

I didn't have a plastic pry bar, tried using finger, did not work. Finally found a wide thin flat piece of metal. Which I covered with a microfiber cloth and rubber glove to use.

Wish I had pictures. But didn't think about it.

Hope this helps anyone with second thoughts on doing it yourself.
Appreciate 2
      09-18-2012, 09:45 PM   #9
Messer-schmitt
Private
Messer-schmitt's Avatar
3
Rep
65
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW 328i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Iowa

iTrader: (0)

...I think I just found my first mod...
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2012, 10:20 PM   #10
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Messer-schmitt View Post
...I think I just found my first mod...
We have these in stock here at the shop if looking for a set
Appreciate 0
      09-24-2012, 11:57 PM   #11
Pandarakus
Private
9
Rep
96
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pasadena, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge View Post
You are able to go back to the originals, the tabs removed wont affect the OE cap staying on.
I'm curious what actually is holding the OE cap.. Is it just glue? How come you could just pull it off?
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 10:01 AM   #12
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pandarakus View Post
I'm curious what actually is holding the OE cap.. Is it just glue? How come you could just pull it off?
There are small plastic clips that hold the original one in place. You can break them free by simply using enough force.
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 07:05 PM   #13
Pandarakus
Private
9
Rep
96
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pasadena, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge View Post
There are small plastic clips that hold the original one in place. You can break them free by simply using enough force.
If we break the clips of the original, how is it possible for us to revert back to it?
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 07:31 PM   #14
GTM_Challenge
GTM_Challenge's Avatar
United_States
270
Rep
2,946
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nashville

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pandarakus View Post
If we break the clips of the original, how is it possible for us to revert back to it?
the part you break off doesnt effect how the oem clips grab. The oem caps can go right back on
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 06:26 PM   #15
shutterlife
Private
10
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: F30 M Sport AW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Orange County CA

iTrader: (0)

Confirming as well that you can revert back. As the clips for the original caps use the square holes as opposed to being screwed on.
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2013, 01:14 PM   #16
jtuds
Major
Canada
71
Rep
1,111
Posts

Drives: 335rwd Dinan S2
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London, ON

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge View Post
the part you break off doesnt effect how the oem clips grab. The oem caps can go right back on
If the OEM caps can go right back on, what it the point of the tabs you break?

Also, how did you get the original OEM cap off in step 1? Like does it literally just come off by pulling it?
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2013, 09:41 PM   #17
minijet
Lieutenant
minijet's Avatar
Australia
45
Rep
545
Posts

Drives: Train
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jtuds View Post
If the OEM caps can go right back on, what it the point of the tabs you break?

Also, how did you get the original OEM cap off in step 1? Like does it literally just come off by pulling it?

you break those tabs so you can screw on the cf caps. the OE caps dont screw on they only hold onto mirror frame via some tiny clips on the circumference of the mirror.

Yes you just pull starting from the top and it comes right off.
Appreciate 0
      03-03-2013, 04:43 PM   #18
jtuds
Major
Canada
71
Rep
1,111
Posts

Drives: 335rwd Dinan S2
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London, ON

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by minijet View Post
you break those tabs so you can screw on the cf caps. the OE caps dont screw on they only hold onto mirror frame via some tiny clips on the circumference of the mirror.

Yes you just pull starting from the top and it comes right off.
makes you wonder why the tabs on the inside are there at all
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2013, 09:48 AM   #19
R12ax7
Major
R12ax7's Avatar
119
Rep
1,052
Posts

Drives: 2021 340xi
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Philly

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011 328i  [0.00]
Maybe i am being a little thick, but when you remove the original caps you aren't actually "breaking" any tabs, correct?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jtuds View Post
makes you wonder why the tabs on the inside are there at all
Yes it very much does! And why the CF caps couldnt just be molded in the same form as the stock caps and snap into the same perimeter tabs - something to do with the strength/brittleness of the CF squeezing into the pre-existing tabs maybe?
__________________
Current: 2021 340xi

Retired:
2018 330xi | 2016 340i 6MT | 2013 335i 6MT |
2011 328i 6MT (N52) | 2008 335xi (N54)
Appreciate 0
      03-29-2013, 12:47 AM   #20
kon
Lieutenant
Singapore
20
Rep
490
Posts

Drives: F30 310i > G20 310i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sillypore

iTrader: (0)

Just got hold a pair of these mirror cap, but they seems to only have 2 holes, instead of 3 now... production date indicate w26/12 (i assume week 26th 2012)... hmmm
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2013, 07:34 PM   #21
jtuds
Major
Canada
71
Rep
1,111
Posts

Drives: 335rwd Dinan S2
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London, ON

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kon View Post
Just got hold a pair of these mirror cap, but they seems to only have 2 holes, instead of 3 now... production date indicate w26/12 (i assume week 26th 2012)... hmmm
have you installed them yet??
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2013, 08:31 PM   #22
kon
Lieutenant
Singapore
20
Rep
490
Posts

Drives: F30 310i > G20 310i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sillypore

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jtuds View Post
have you installed them yet??
It turned out the parts were wrong - they were correct part number per ETK, but physically (the shape) they were wrong, so are waiting for the new one to arrive
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST