Something's had a leak in my car...

[Johnnywb]

Got in the car tonight for the first time in a week (woohoo, saving the miles on her!) and noticed the below around the centre console.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y201/johnnywb/photo2.jpg

Thought it looked like someone had spilt nail varnish remover or similar, but as i'm not prone to painting my nails and no one else has been in the car, i was somewhat bemused. It's hard to the touch, so not just like blistered paint.

As i drove off down the road wondering how much a new console piece my cost, i glanced in the rearview mirror. I noticed it appeared blurry in part, with a line around the middle of it and an almost bubble like feature.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y201/johnnywb/photo1.jpg

You can sort of see it in the above.

So, it would appear that my mirror has decided to take a leak of whatever the fluid in the autodimming mirrors is, all over the console. Not sure if it's related to the heat or whether it just did it

Anyone had this before?

Chance of it being covered under full warranty? (i'm thinking it should be good?)

[glendog74]

Sadly, this is more common than you would think:

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2025&highlight=rear+view+mirror

[NZ_M3]

Common fault unfortunately ...

Here's another post reply I did on a NZ BMW forum:

http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index.php?showtopic=29873




Little bit of info on a rebuild mirror from the States:



Here's who you email: (I can email you the form)

http://www.sybesmas.com/home.html (http://www.sybesmas.com/home.html)

stacy@sybesmas.com (stacy@sybesmas.com) (sometimes it'll be Bekki that replies - she's Stacy's assistant)

Their reply email will be:

Thank you for contacting us. The cost for a mirror exchange is $75.00 plus shipping/handling to the United States. If you reside outside of the USA, please contact us for pricing. You will be required to return the defective mirror and a pre-paid label will be provided for you to do so.

Please note that we do not support mirrors with the home link option.

The attached form will need to be completed and pictures of the following will need to be included for us to determine what mirror it is that you are in need of.

-Front and rear views of the mirror

-The plug (number of pins and wire colors are helpful)

-The mounting bracket located on the windshield

You may send payment via email when your order is submitted otherwise, we will contact you when you mirror is ready to ship for that information.

Do not open the black casing surrounding the mirror as this will cause damage and the unit will no longer be valuable as an exchange and you will be charged the full purchase price of $200.00.

Thank you,

Sybesma’s Electronics

616-392-6911



You'll need to take the mirror off the windscreen - if you don't know how email me (aviemore.tom@xtra.co.nz (aviemore.tom@xtra.co.nz)) - you'll need to email them photos of the wiring and the plug (as there's quite a few version of this mirror (5 from memory) - I have a feeling you might not need to anymore and can simply give them the part number on it).

The whole process takes about 2 weeks to complete (they'll take a bond on your credit card and send you the new mirror with a return number - the bond is refunded once you post back your old mirror to them).

The remanufactured mirror is just like new and works brilliantly.

Here's the form to download and fill out:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/attachment....mp;d=1269282820 (http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=115227&d=1269282820)

Here's how you remove the mirror:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/mirror/pics/TIS_51_%2016_060.pdf (http://www.bigpatsfans.com/mirror/pics/TIS_51_%2016_060.pdf)


Edit: Just found my old correspondence with Sybesmas - the total cost of the remanufacture mirror with shipping was US$175 (one that will never leak) - and they only ship via fedex or UPS, not USPS unfortunately.

They are a very efficient and easy company to deal with by the way.



A little background on the mirror issue:

The mirror is manufactured by Magna Donelly and the issue first appeared in E39 5 series. Magna Donelly originally started replacing these for cars outside of the BMW warranty for a shipping charge and then eventually the whole warranty remanufacturing process was taken over by Sybesmas in the USA.

It'll melt interior trim and damage quite a few things (including seats when it leaks/explodes) - so cover it up when you start to see yellow or lines or streaks in the mirror face.

When it starts leaking:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Irisblue911/P1010203.jpg

What it can do:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/Irisblue911/P1010195.jpg

[sailorbaz]

Warranty?

[Johnnywb]

Yep, replacement provisionally agreed under warranty. Mirror is on back order though, so just waiting for it to come in, then they'll sort the whole lot and a couple of other niggles.

Covering it up isn't a huge amount of use given the corrosiveness of the mercury. almost better just to take it off, if it wasn't connected to a load of other things. Mine hasn't dropped any more of it's load though, so i hope it's done.

[NZ_M3]

A warranty replacement mirror from BMW will just leak again after a while - you are honestly better off getting the Sybesmas replacement - different technology and quicker response and no leaks ever.

[cslgirl]

Guess what has just happened to my mirror :bigcry:

It has burnt the centre console where the liquid has dripped :bigcry::bigcry:

[sailorbaz]

Oh dear, not good.

I'm sure it will be covered, it's not like it can be wear and tear can it? Let us know how you get on, new stuff is always cool.

Was it a particularly hot day today? It was here, in Brazil but I've no CSL mirrors to check how hot exactly, ;-)

[cslgirl]

Oh dear, not good.

I'm sure it will be covered, it's not like it can be wear and tear can it? Let us know how you get on, new stuff is always cool.

Was it a particularly hot day today? It was here, in Brazil but I've no CSL mirrors to check how hot exactly, ;-)


LOL, I bet it is hot in brazil!:thumbs:

[karbonkid]

Guess what has just happened to my mirror :bigcry:

It has burnt the centre console where the liquid has dripped :bigcry::bigcry:

With regards to the console, did anyone who had this happen to them get the console replaced by BMW?

Was it warranty? Or goodwill?

When you say centre console. Do you mean the CF centre console, or SMG surrounding trim?

If its spoiled your smg gear surround & BMW say no to replacing. This may be of interest - Titanium Shadow: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2758990.htm

[cslgirl]

SMG surround - thank god it didn't do the CF !

Thanks for that - am going to speak to BMW really nicely today and see what they say.

Really pisses me off - you do all you can to keep the car looking beautiful then something totally out of your control comes along and fecks it up :banghead:

[Bounce]

Sorry to hear this,let us know how you get on.It seems to be a common problem.

[cslgirl]

Will do! Took it to the local dealer yesterday who took photos - should hear back in a couple of days.

[shimmy]

I'm gonna hang a small bucket under mine:thumbs:

[Johnnywb]

Mine was all sorted under warranty, hopefully they'll extend some goodwill, it's sunny after all and a three day week!

[cslgirl]

Mine was all sorted under warranty, hopefully they'll extend some goodwill, it's sunny after all and a three day week!

Eggsactly! And don't forget the royal wedding!

Glad yours got sorted ok!

[cslgirl]

I'm gonna hang a small bucket under mine:thumbs:

:hahaha: Make sure it's not a plastic one as it will melt through !

[shimmy]

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?p=94923#post94923