[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Once you've tried them you can't ever go back. Its like comparing 720P vs 4K TV. Nobody is going to ever say 720p is better...

You meant QCIF to 4K as that's a better analogous comparison (720p is not that bad :-)).

[Fast400]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Just think there is a reason why the rest of the world gets the wide angle mirrors...

I've tried the whole angling the mirror all the way out to eliminate the blind spots on my last two x5's and it simply isn't nearly as good as these non US spec wide angle mirror. Being able to just catch the edge of your car AND still see everything helps you place where you are in relation to the other cars around you. Also if you move your standard US mirrors all the way out you start to lose the ability to see if someone is coming up directly behind you at a fast rate of speed and cut out into the lane you want to be in.

Once you've tried them you can't ever go back. Its like comparing 720P vs 4K TV. Nobody is going to ever say 720p is better...

Alan

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Just think there is a reason why the rest of the world gets the wide angle mirrors...

I've tried the whole angling the mirror all the way out to eliminate the blind spots on my last two x5's and it simply isn't nearly as good as these non US spec wide angle mirror. Being able to just catch the edge of your car AND still see everything helps you place where you are in relation to the other cars around you. Also if you move your standard US mirrors all the way out you start to lose the ability to see if someone is coming up directly behind you at a fast rate of speed and cut out into the lane you want to be in.

Once you've tried them you can't ever go back. Its like comparing 720P vs 4K TV. Nobody is going to ever say 720p is better...

Alan

So true!

[GTF]

This thread convinced me I need (want) aspherical LH mirror insert. As most of the domestic sites have responded...the mirror with blind-spot, heated, and dimming is 51-116-7-441-443, and they tell me it's "unavailable" for U.S. spec cars. I can't find this item anywhere. I see that IND has a set (no stk # listed)...but for $895. $895. Right, $895.
I don't think I've ever digested drugs sufficient to make that sound reasonable.
I guess I'll keep looking. If anyone better with search engines can locate a link, I would be appreciative.

[Alan l.]

Ebay is where i got mine.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by GTF

This thread convinced me I need (want) aspherical LH mirror insert. As most of the domestic sites have responded...the mirror with blind-spot, heated, and dimming is 51-116-7-441-443, and they tell me it's "unavailable" for U.S. spec cars. I can't find this item anywhere. I see that IND has a set (no stk # listed)...but for $895. $895. Right, $895.
I don't think I've ever digested drugs sufficient to make that sound reasonable.
I guess I'll keep looking. If anyone better with search engines can locate a link, I would be appreciative.

The part number you wrote Is incorrect...you gave us a 12 digit part number...BMW part nbrs are 11 digits long. Are you looking at the Euro side of the part database...then selecting your model? I ask because a quick search on realoem.com using a euro g05 X5 40i...the part number listed for heat/wide-angle/blind spot/dimming is different than the number you posted. Here’s a direct link from my search and you can see the part number is not what you gave for item #2: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...41#51169491785

As suggested above...use the correct 11 digit BMW part number for your model/model year (but for EURO market)...and if you shop on eBay or amazon.com (or even a google search)...type BMW xx xx x xxx xxx (where x=the actual BMW part number)...you should be able to find vendors selling that mirror.

FYI: interestingly...my last wide angle mirror purchases came from Latvia, Estonia, and Germany. The one from Germany was a 2nd bite at the apple. The initial purchase was again from a Latvian seller...but he wrote back after a few days with an apology (along with a pic) that he was refunding my purchase because one of the mirrors got damaged during their packing process. I was obviously grateful for his honesty...which sent me back to the internet and I found a seller in Germany.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

FYI: interestingly...my last wide angle mirror purchases came from Latvia, Estonia, and Germany. The one from Germany was a 2nd bite at the apple. The initial purchase was again from a Latvian seller...but he wrote back after a few days with an apology (along with a pic) that he was refunding my purchase because one of the mirrors got damaged during their packing process. I was obviously grateful for his honesty...which sent me back to the internet and I found a seller in Germany.

Mine, with part numbers identified in post linked below, came from Spain through a UK-based eBay listing. Others that were in discussion were all in Latvia; those didn't have the right parts at the time and, anyway, it seems that Canada or eBay.ca had COVID restrictions on shipments from some countries including Latvia, so it would have probably ultimately failed anyway.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26259489

[Pete 540]

Qsilver7, I believe the number you have given xxxx785 is for Right Hand Drive BMW's the part number ending in 443 should be correct for US models LHD.

[GTF]

My post #47 included an "extra 1" in the stock # in error. Should have been 51 167 441 443 as LexxM3 indicated. I'll continue my quest. What should I expect to pay $US delivered?

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by GTF

My post #47 included an "extra 1" in the stock # in error. Should have been 51 167 441 443 as LexxM3 indicated. I'll continue my quest. What should I expect to pay $US delivered?

Mine were $230 USD-equivalent for both delivered, plus a few bucks to DHL "brokerage fees" :-(, but not a lot. The mirrors were used but near perfect and 100% functional.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Pete 540

Qsilver7, I believe the number you have given xxxx785 is for Right Hand Drive BMW's the part number ending in 443 should be correct for US models LHD.

Oops...sorry about that. Thanks for catching my mistake.

[GTF]

Originally Posted by GTF

My post #47 included an "extra 1" in the stock # in error. Should have been 51 167 441 443 as LexxM3 indicated. I'll continue my quest. What should I expect to pay $US delivered?

Update:
Found on EBay....ordered. Coming from Spain...about $160 delivered for LH insert. Probably overpaid, but availability was scarce. (RH is standard oem aspherical, so didn't need).

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by GTF

Update:
Found on EBay....ordered. Coming from Spain...about $160 delivered for LH insert. Probably overpaid, but availability was scarce. (RH is standard oem aspherical, so didn't need).

It's a fine price. The RH passenger stock in NA are aspherical, but I got a European replacement one anyways and ... it's slightly "more aspherical" than NA stock. It's definitely nowhere as dramatic as the driver side, but there is this little bit of extra convexity in the outside corner that helps a bit.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI to clarify the NA passenger side mirror.

The NA passenger side mirror is "convex"... but not quite the same wide angle view of the aspherical/wide angle mirrors. You can see the viewing difference between my F06 GC's passenger side [b]convex] mirror (top pic below) vs the passenger side aspherical wide angle mirror (bottom pic below).

[GTF]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Just an FYI to clarify the NA passenger side mirror.

The NA passenger side mirror is "convex"... but not quite the same wide angle view of the aspherical/wide angle mirrors. You can see the viewing difference between my F06 GC's passenger side [b]convex] mirror (top pic below) vs the passenger side aspherical wide angle mirror (bottom pic below).

I realized the euro RH would allow a bit more viewing angle, but it was the LH that (for me) required significantly wider view, which also provides a more balanced LH/RH view. Cost/benefit won.

[THinthedesert]

I did buy a pair of these from a seller in Europe based on all the positive posts I read here; however, unfortunately for me I did not like them (I only tried the driver's side) so I am going to sell them and just listed them for sale in the classifieds in case anyone's interested.

[edtreo]

Originally Posted by THinthedesert

I did buy a pair of these from a seller in Europe based on all the positive posts I read here; however, unfortunately for me I did not like them (I only tried the driver's side) so I am going to sell them and just listed them for sale in the classifieds in case anyone's interested.

What happened?

[THinthedesert]

Originally Posted by edtreo

What happened?

I discovered after I put the one on the driver's side, that apparently I’m used to seeing a full-size image of whatever's on the left side of my vehicle instead of a reduced size image and need to see that full size image. They do provide a much better view & wide angle of what’s there.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by THinthedesert

I discovered after I put the one on the driver's side, that apparently I’m used to seeing a full-size image of whatever's on the left side of my vehicle instead of a reduced size image and need to see that full size image. They do provide a much better view & wide angle of what’s there.

I think you’re giving up too quickly. I mentioned in an earlier post that it feels odd at first because its not what you’re used to seeing. But if you have no issue with the passenger side “convex” mirror and never feel like things are reduced (or far away as it says on the mirror ) ...then your mind adjusts to knowing what the distance actually is especially when you still have the interior rear view mirror that is still 1:1.

You should give yourself at least 3-5 days to habituate.

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

...The only issue in the beginning was getting used to a mirror with convex viewing on the driver's side. In the USA, we're used to a convex mirror on the passenger side...but due to the USA regulations, only a plain mirror (with a 1:1 viewing ratio) is used on the driver's side. After a few days...I habituated and I've never gone back. ...

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I think you’re giving up too quickly. I mentioned in an earlier post that it feels odd at first because its not what you’re used to seeing. But if you have no issue with the passenger side “convex” mirror and never feel like things are reduced (or far away as it says on the mirror ) ...then your mind adjusts to knowing what the distance actually is especially when you still have the interior rear view mirror that is still 1:1.

You should give yourself at least 3-5 days to habituate.

I agree. I thought the same the very first time i used them on my last X5 but after a few days i got use to them and "re-calibrated" my brain to know what i was seeing. I could never go back now....

[Frenetic]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

I was in a defensive driving class and one thing the instructor mentioned was that most people set their mirrors incorrectly. The side-view mirrors should be used specifically for the blind spot and not for the rear. I was taught the complete opposite and adjusted the mirrors to see more to the rear, positioned so I can barely see the body of the car, but he said that was wrong. You should tilt your mirrors away from the car, directly into your blind spot and you shouldn't be seeing any part of your car in those mirrors.

I adjusted my mirrors so they are tilted away from the vehicle more and it made all the difference; there's no more blind spot. It was a little disconcerting at first--and it took a little while to get use to the mirror positioning--but it's so much better. Try it out for yourself. Adjust the mirrors out more away from the vehicle directly into that blind spot. You should NOT be seeing any of your car in the mirrors.

If you go to 3.01 in this video you can see exactly what I was talking about and honestly, the standard mirror works just fine if you adjust them correctly.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

If you go to 3.01 in this video you can see exactly what I was talking about and honestly, the standard mirror works just fine if you adjust them correctly.

+1 .. .. The BMW performance center is who taught me this technique and I've been using it ever since in all my cars, works great, each mirror overlaps the other and zaps the blind spot and keeps what you see a 1:1 ratio so sizes, distance, etc are what they really are. I can also see the benefit of the aspherical mirrors but like the BMW method better due to the 1:1 ratio.

[ddelX52019G05]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Just an FYI to clarify the NA passenger side mirror.

The NA passenger side mirror is "convex"... but not quite the same wide angle view of the aspherical/wide angle mirrors. You can see the viewing difference between my F06 GC's passenger side [b]convex] mirror (top pic below) vs the passenger side aspherical wide angle mirror (bottom pic below).

These mirrors are a really nice upgrade, even following the best practice way to adjust your mirrors you really only pick up the lane of travel next to you clearly.

What I like for example, is if you are traveling down a three lane (or more) road and you're in the far left lane and want to move to the center lane, you can clearly see both the center lane and the far right lane. This helps in situations when a car in the far right is also moving to the center at the same time as you; helps avoid the whoops!

You'll pick up other car transitions faster having the wider road view, it's awesome! It definitely gives me more confidence in seeing the wider field of view.