[dbs600]

When you think you’ve seen it all…

Anyone know what’s going on with my side view mirror glass!?

Strange discoloration and pattern.

Any way for BMW to cover this craziness, albeit out of warranty?

Does not wipe away, as beneath the glass. :|

Thank you.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dbs600

When you think you’ve seen it all…

Anyone know what’s going on with my side view mirror glass!?

Strange discoloration and pattern.

Any way for BMW to cover this craziness, albeit out of warranty?

Does not wipe away, as beneath the glass. :|

Thank you.

Looks like a problem with the dimming fluid/gel inside the mirror. Mirror glass will need to be replaced and I seriously doubt BMW will pick up the cost of new glass.

[dbs600]

Thanks; don't get how something like this is to go wrong. Ugh. :|

Update: What f'n bs(!!): https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51167228612/

[Quicksilv3r]

As others have stated, that's a sign of the electrochromic dimming fluid beginning to fail.

[dbs600]

Such nonsense; never had this happen on other cars that've had heated mirrors. Wow.

[ezaircon4jc]

It isn't really common but it does happen. Happened to my inside mirror on my 2000 Lincoln LS, fortunately within the warranty period. Lincoln got a bad batch of mirrors and it only happened on the MY 2000.

That seems awful steep! I would try eBay...

[Stück]

That doesn't look like electrochromatic gel failure, I've seen that on many cars.

That looks more like corrosion attacking the silver reflective layer of the mirror itself. Silver is very very unstable when exposed to air and if the coating protecting it is worn, chipped, scratched etc the salty hell-on-earth you New Englanders subject your vehicles to half the year will attack it, often forming strange organic patterns such as that.

[dbs600]

Argh; thanks everyone.

Just don't get why every single possible thing that can go wrong, has... and more! :|

[dbs600]

Hi everyone,

Hope all is well.

So the car's at the dealer and GEICO MBI is giving me difficulty.

Matter as follows:

Upon drop off I show the shop foreman the mirror and he said a new mirror is needed because the internal heating element failed. GEICO inspection, however, determines the mirror is delaminating because the glue (??) failed and that the dealer agrees (??).

I responded stating there must be a misunderstanding because the dealer told me differently. I was asked if I'd like escalate the matter, in response to which I said I'd like to speak with the dealer to clarify.

After speaking with my service advisor, he agreed with the original assessment of the shop foreman and stated he'll contact GEICO again. Unfortunately, I've since learned that the mirror is still not being covered, no matter a second inspection and escalation to 'senior management'.

Seems like the last question GEICO asked the shop was whether or not the problem impairs visibility, which it doesn't (not at this time, at least), and they've concluded it's cosmetic caused by the elements.

As shown by the prior photos above, there's no damage to the surface or edge of the mirror, and what's happening is below the surface, which appears to be an organic, lattice, bubbling shaped pattern with an oil-like stain surrounding same (the bubbles and oil-like stain being the heating element, presumably).

Furthermore, I googled mirror delamination and corrosion and came up with the other additional photos below, which don't look like what's happening to my mirror, as they appear to be more of a 'tarnishing' or 'discoloration' (where the silver of the mirror is exposed to air due to delamination and corrodes). I've shown all to both the dealer and GEICO already.

I asked the dealer if they can test whether or not the heating or dimming features of the mirror work and I'm getting push back, stating GEICO has denied the claim and if I want a new mirror I'll have to pay out of pocket! Dealer could care less now, which I'm displeased with, as I have a $250 deductible for this visit that should be covering this as well.

Anyone have additional insight on how I might go about getting GEICO to cover? Any easy way I can test heating and dimming myself upon service completion? Customer shouldn't have to go to these lengths, but such is BMW ownership.

Thank you. :|

[Stück]

It takes about 2 minutes to change a mirror glass.

Buy it online from ECS and just swap it out. Move on with your life....

[dbs600]

Thanks for the helpful reply, Stück.