[Weeknd]

Hi
i was looking to change my mirror caps to carbon fiber black
i heard ali express is what people from here go for.
Which one did you guys choose?
and how easy is it to install ?
How are they quality wise?
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale...r+caps+bmw+f22

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/F22-...8-98bbf789c452

[bryan_G01]

installation is simple.
stand with mirror side in front of you, grip the cover, pull off and down.

They snap right off. Use same method to put the new caps on.

Buy whichever you want, for the price you can buy another set in a year or two.

[Weeknd]

i saw this one

which im scared to break something if i do it !!!
it seemed harder then ur method

[cxp213]

Yeah, do NOT just pull on it. There are 3 tabs that can break and people have broken it. Also, when you pry the mirror off, use something a little wider so it distributes the force across more area. I know a guy who broke the mirror trying it with a narrow-ish tool.

[msej449]

See also the UK AutoID video

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZuAbyb2RvTo

I would recommend also winding-down your window glass so you can perch the mirror on the window sill, rather than hang it by its wires. I was really careful with the first mirror and took at least 15 minutes, but the second one I did in about 5. First time is a bit nerve-racking in terms of clicking the mirror out - don't use anything narrow like a screwdriver: as wide and flexible lever as possible such as the trim tool is best. As above, you have to pinch-in each of the cover clips in order to pull the cover off - you can't just yank the cover off using brute force.

Here's how my replacements look:

[cxp213]

I just draped a towel over the door, a-pillar, and the base of the mirror. That way, when the mirror pops off (I pried from 2 locations simultaneously to better distribute force), it won't hit anything other than the towel.

[Weeknd]

MSEJE49
can u tell me where u bought urs?
my question is more about which one to buy then the installation itself...
i will take it to my mechanic thats it

[cxp213]

They're all probably made by some China-manufacturer. Just pick the style you like. I got my M replica CF mirror covers from eBay.

[Weeknd]

Got link plz ?

[Weeknd]

is that too cheap for 28$ ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Side...f-be6d9dd0b33b

[RotorOver]

No experience with the Ali Express models, but I can tell you not to go with RW Carbon. They get $199/pair and they clouded and developed bulges after 6 months even with going over and above to maintain them including PPF.

[seedyrom]

Originally Posted by Weeknd

is that too cheap for 28$ ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Side...f-be6d9dd0b33b

That seems WAY too cheap.

I popped my mirror glass faces off and used fingers to squeeze the tabs.
With how strongly they were on, there’s no way I would have been able to get them off just by gripping and ripping.

I wrapped some cloth around 2 wide flat screwdrivers and popped them out. The first one was a little nerve wracking

I paid $56 USD for the pair via AliExpress

[msej449]

@weeknd - Mine were made in the UK by AutoID. Current price is £125 including UK postage but there may be a postal charge to the USA.

AutoID UK

Personally, I prefer this plain design to the M2 type (the one with the 'wings'). AutoID also offers the winged cover in gloss black and body colours.

After about 12 months including a wet UK winter and driving at altitude in the Alps in the summer they look as good as new with no yellowing etc.

I was considering doing something funky with the original greys - say black and estoril blue with a narrow, discrete 'M' stripe or something similar. But this is one of those things I'll probably never get 'round to.

I had also planned to replace the interior trim with the carbon fibre bits. Trouble was there are so many parts (dash, vents, steering wheel, door handles, centre, shift, gaiter base, handbrake & armrest): once I'd got one I knew that I would want the set. Plus once I had the car, I actually preferred the High Gloss Black standard trim I'd ordered. So that saved a lot of money and effort. What I did do was re-spray the cheap-looking silver gaiter base matt black - removal doesn't involve any electrics or 'once you've started you have to finish' issues so it was pretty easy.

[Weeknd]

SEEDYROM
I guess these are the ones u bought?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Repl...f-c962cb554160

[bryan_G01]

you wont brake any tabs.

If changed many caps on many bmws, never had any tabs brake off. But do what ever you want.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

you wont brake any tabs.

If changed many caps on many bmws, never had any tabs brake off. But do what ever you want.

Broken mirror costs a LOT more than a broken tab. This has been discussed to death through as others have said just do whatever you are comfortable with and move on with your day.

[USA-RET]

I had considered swapping mine out w/ the winged style M caps. Then I read that at speed they can produce a whistling noise you hear in the cabin.

In the end, decided to just leave mine as they are from the factory.

[XutvJet]

I just rotated the mirror around and took a pick tool set to pry the tabs, one by one. Easy job. No risk of breaking anything either.

[seedyrom]

Originally Posted by Weeknd

SEEDYROM
I guess these are the ones u bought?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Repl...f-c962cb554160

Not the same seller, but I did that much looking into it, that I am convinced they are all from the same factory.
Stickers inside seem to be the same.

On one of mine, there was a couple of scratches in the clear coat. Only small, but of course, when you pull it out of the packaging and inspecting it, you are holding it close, and every imperfection seems magnified.
The sellers response was to take it to a “body shop” and have them buff it out. I gave it a small go with cutting compound at home, but was more worried about doing damage to the rest of the clear coat, so I left it.
Had I bought from a local reseller I would have returned it.

I just put that down to “Aliexpress life”. Like how you should anticipate being raped by a taxi driver.


Putting the on was such an easy job, that I haven’t even taken any ‘after’ photos.
You can sorta see them here. Sorta. If you have an iPad you can pinch zoom I guess.





Yes, that IS a carbon rear diffuser (also from Aliexpress). Let’s just say that the mirror caps fit a LOT better than the diffuser.

[Weeknd]

WOW seedy
i feel like it's way nicer with the black
for 60$ i feel like its worth it
the killer looks !!

[Weeknd]

im just scared of the stuff u guys told me that
there is a whistling noise and that its cheap material
or has scratches on it !!

[seedyrom]

My personal opinion is you are being overly sensitive. If you are after perfection, don't buy a dodgy, half-carbon fiber, non-genuine mirror cap of a site more spurious than ebay. Especially one which is so cheap. There used to be an expression that you get what you pay for.



I didn't go the M-style with the wing, as I thought it would look dicky from the driver's seat. I cant comment on the whistling.

As for the scratches, here is a walk around I just took, and tried to highlight the scratch.

The mirror is fine

Flash OFF





Flash ON






A shot of the scratch. With the lighting in the garage, its hard to notice it. It is a tiny white line. Tiny.

I don't get close enough to my car to notice it. If you do find yourself getting close enough to notice it, please wear a condom.