[mhaw2001]

I've come to the conclusion that my 323i does NOT have heated mirrors installed. All literature on my car (both 2006 and 2007 brochures), owner's manual as well as the window sticker say "electrically adjustable heated outside mirrors". I never really noticed that it wasn't until I had the car washed in -15*C weather. The mirrors froze up instantly and were unusable until I had to hand pick the ice off. What should I do? Did BMW make a mistake? I bought the car in July and we haven't had cold/snowy weather until the past couple of weeks (I still had green grass at new year's) so I didn't notice. I looked through the manual for operating instructions and it says they automatically heat when its cold enough. Is there a button some where? Do I need the defroster running? Help please!

[ex-poster]

Take the car to the dealer and have them look at it.

Don't rule out a simple fault in the system, like a blown fuse.

[LEDZEP]

My understanding is that they are heated (on) when the climate system is on heat. Have it checked out.

[myfirstbimmer]

maybe something is faulty....washing my ride at the coin op car wash today and nearing got frostbite on my hands (should of use my gloves in the car), anyways, rear mirror froze up and when i started up the car, the ice on the mirror starting to melt within minutes...

So it could be faulty

[drkeng]

I think they heat with the rear window defroster. Feel the mirror; then turn on the RRD and check after several minutes.

[simnew]

they heat depending on the outside temperature or if you turn the wipers on in any mode. nothing to do with the heated rear screen. Do a search and you will see the precise numbers from E90Fleet and my information from a local dealer

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

its defintiely when the rear defroster is on. coming from a north east climate i familarized myself w this feature!

[mhaw2001]

Originally Posted by SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!

its defintiely when the rear defroster is on. coming from a north east climate i familarized myself w this feature!

Then they definately don't work. I've had to manually clean the ice and snow off them a couple of times now and I always have the rear defroster on when I start the car. I'm going to take it into the dealer. I hope its not a big hassle but I don't care what they think. It says right on the window sticker "heated exterior mirrors". I should have them especially in the great white north.

[wrickem]

They should be heated anytime the engine is running or switched on below a "certain temperature", you do not have to turn on the rear window defroster. BMW's mirrors don't get very hot, but if you put your hand on it after the car has been running for a few minutes, you can tell if it's working or not because it will be slightly warmer than any other part of the outside of the car.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!

its defintiely when the rear defroster is on. coming from a north east climate i familarized myself w this feature!

I think this is right.

On the e46 the heated rear window and door mirrors switched on automatically when starting in cold weather. You can visibly see steam coming of the heated mirrors when they are working.

In the interests of progress BMW have not included this useful feature on the e90. So on my car at least the mirrors only defrost when I switch on the rear window heater.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

So on my car at least the mirrors only defrost when I switch on the rear window heater.

I guess US specs are completely different than UK. In the US the mirrors heat all of the time below certain temps when the car is running or on , you do not have to turn on the rear defroster. On my 46 m3, my rear defroster doesn't come on automatically either, I am not sure that I would even want that happening.

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I guess US specs are completely different than UK. In the US the mirrors heat all of the time below certain temps when the car is running or on , you do not have to turn on the rear defroster. On my 46 m3, my rear defroster doesn't come on automatically either, I am not sure that I would even want that happening.

you are correct - in my 46M, it will always be on when below a certain temp (unknown). they got actually pretty warm. the rear defroster was programmable by the dealer to turn on automatically at colder temps. note that the rear mirrors would always warm up, whether the rear defroster was on or not. this is one feature you can't program (AFAIK)

[NFS]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I guess US specs are completely different than UK. In the US the mirrors heat all of the time below certain temps when the car is running or on , you do not have to turn on the rear defroster. On my 46 m3, my rear defroster doesn't come on automatically either, I am not sure that I would even want that happening.

Sounds like they are different.

[TTG]

That is interesting.... I thought they were automatically on once the tepms go down a certain degree....

So, if you walk up to your car on a freezing morning... your mirrors will be frozen until you start the car and turn the defrost on????? Looks like Volvo is ahead of BMW on this front.... There is never any ice on my Volvo's mirrors when I walk up to it on cold mornings.....

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

My understanding is that they are heated (on) when the climate system is on heat. Have it checked out.

Really? I had wondered how this worked--but thought I was just dumb because sometimes they are on and sometimes not. I looked around for a button or something too--my VW had a little dial that you turned to activate them. But mine always seem to work fine, so no worries! Thanks for the info

[shragon]

i was also under the impression that in bmw's they just automatically come on.

[LEDZEP]

I think you are right about the temperature sensing. I think the mirrors will come on when the temp is below 37 degrees F. As for being warmed up before you get to the car (like Volvo supposedly) - would you really want that?? How does it know you are coming to the car? So if you leave your car parked in a cold airport garage for a week, you come back to a dead battery?

[xdrive]

I have 330xi.
I didn't even know the mirrors are heat.
Is it a standard feature or is that an option with the prenium package?

[zerofighter]

I have an 06 323i, and I don't think my mirrors are heated. I park outside because my bike takes the garage. I have the heat on full blast with front and rear defrost and it's no dice. I think perhaps its no on 323s?

[mhaw2001]

But if it says in in the brochure, on the website, in the manual and on my window sticker the mirrors SHOULD be heated. Especially in Canada. I'm pissed that they don't work and I'm taking it to the dealer to see what can be done.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I think you are right about the temperature sensing. I think the mirrors will come on when the temp is below 37 degrees F. As for being warmed up before you get to the car (like Volvo supposedly) - would you really want that?? How does it know you are coming to the car? So if you leave your car parked in a cold airport garage for a week, you come back to a dead battery?

Volvo's have this interesting feature.... Its electrical systems will normally function for 24 hrs after last operation.....and then it will start shutting things off.... Like the alarm light will blink once ever 20 seconds compared to every 5.... to avoid battery from dying.... I am sure mirrors will be completely turned off eventually.... I never had a dead battery on my old volvo....

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by mhaw2001

I've come to the conclusion that my 323i does NOT have heated mirrors installed. All literature on my car (both 2006 and 2007 brochures), owner's manual as well as the window sticker say "electrically adjustable heated outside mirrors". I never really noticed that it wasn't until I had the car washed in -15*C weather. The mirrors froze up instantly and were unusable until I had to hand pick the ice off. What should I do? Did BMW make a mistake? I bought the car in July and we haven't had cold/snowy weather until the past couple of weeks (I still had green grass at new year's) so I didn't notice. I looked through the manual for operating instructions and it says they automatically heat when its cold enough. Is there a button some where? Do I need the defroster running? Help please!

I have a 323i and mine don't heat either... I have been meaning to mention this to the dealer... I feel ripped off about that.

By the way, I have Premium and Sport packages.