[poldim]

So I walk out of my apartment and walk upto this:


Anyone know how I would go about getting BMW to not argue and just give me a replacement?

[poldim]

No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number Price Notes
02 COVERING PRIMEND LEFT 1 51167135097 $32.64

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/a/r/215.png

This is the part.

[AznBeemer23]

Just say you were driving and it "just fell off"

[gsxrpaul]

What happened?

[kobechrome]

Wow. I can't imagine someone stealing that .... did you hit something?

[poldim]

Originally Posted by AznBeemer23

Just say you were driving and it "just fell off"

Thats what I plan on telling them.


I know that if I tell them I walked out of the apartment and found the mirror cap missing, they will tell me it was a hit and run. My roommate was parked next to me the entire time, and he came before me and left after me, so I know he didnt do it. It would be possible for anyone else to just come up and vandalise the car, but I dont think thats what happened.

[mds82]

wow i'm soooo sorry to see that. i hope none of the electronics got any damage as well from the water.

[poldim]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

Wow. I can't imagine someone stealing that .... did you hit something?

Nothing other than air, maybe a snowflake or two.

[poldim]

Originally Posted by mds82

wow i'm soooo sorry to see that. i hope none of the electronics got any damage as well from the water.

Me too. I have to drive for about 5 hours tomorrow, maybe ill put a bag around it.

[db17k]

that's kind of odd, that really disturbs me.

eh 32 bucks isn't bad though

[poldim]

32 bucks really isnt important when you consider its a 45 thousand dollar car. However, after spending 45k, I shouldnt have to spend more when parts start falling off of it.

[Asiann]

That sucks a big one. Only in America! I had someone steal the inspection sticker plate mounted on the back lower half of my bumper. They even took their time and unscrewed it with a screw driver.

[poldim]

I just hope I can get this taken care of without having to deal with customer services ::mass sarcasm:: wonderful reputation.

[1er120i]

Originally Posted by Asiann

That sucks a big one. Only in America! I had someone steal the inspection sticker plate mounted on the back lower half of my bumper. They even took their time and unscrewed it with a screw driver.

You're mistaken there my friend... wait till you get to Asia

[Jay_328]

Originally Posted by poldim

So I walk out of my apartment and walk upto this:

I confess I did it....... I'm a WAHOO!!

Seriously, that sucks man... good luck with the repair.

[poldim]

Maybe I'll stop by BMW on my way home in Roanoke, see what they say.

[3aficionado]

Sorry to see this happen. I sympathize just looking at it.

Unless you found the part around your car its likely it was vandalized/stolen. Who knows why some people do the things they do. If it was a hit and run or simply fell off the part would be near the car. Why weren't the mirrors automatically turned in?

There looks to be a lot of water on the mirror. Try drying it off completely before you bag the mirror. Possibly use a hair dryer on low setting. Its not as much the water that is visible as its the water that has seeped into the electronic components.

Be thankful there isn't body damage. Look at the bright side, you finally got that "first scratch" out of the way. And only $32 to fix it like new isn't bad. I hope everything works out.

[poldim]

When I parked my car the day before I folded in the mirrors because it was in the commuter parking lot. When I came back, I didnt see anything around the car but I also approached from the rear of the car, so it would of been easy for me not to see it. When I saw this today, I drove back to my parking spot and there was not cover there.
It snowed from about midnight when I was at my apartment. I didnt goto bed until about 11, so unless they did it in the hour that I was in bed, it would be unlikely that it was done at my place.


A few of my friends with E46's have had their's vandalized a few times around campus and probably averaged a few hundred to fix. So I guess if you consider this vanadization, then its a good one at $32. I'm hoping its some defect in that part and it just fell off. I dont think you would notice if it falls off at night while you are driving. The interior is pretty quiet, and by the time it actually hits the ground, you are about 1.5 times your speed in feet away from it.

[stressdoc]

I have had the mirror cover on my E46 popoff -- if someone opens their door, and hits the edge just right. I snapped it back on, but after that even just a little bump walking by (sqeezing btw cars) would knock it off. I finally stuck it on with a blob of glue and no problems.

[txusa03]

poldim, from looking at your photo, I think I know what could have caused that piece to fall off. I see ice forming on your mirror. I bet you water was collecting in the mirror housing and during the cold night, the water would iced up and expanded and popped that cover right out. Seem like you lived in a very cold place and I think those mirrors are heated so there could be condensation between the heat and cold which produces the water inside the mirror housing. If they do not replace it for free, show them the picture where the ice form and see if you can argue that theory. Don't worry, I don't think anyone did any thing bad to your car. I think it just popped out due to cold climate. Good luck.

[MCS]

I doubt the cold climate theory. They test these seals for exactly that scenario.

My guess is vandalism. Sorry dude - hope your dealership can fix it for you or you can order the part and slap it on yourself.

[jcoo085]

Sorry to ruin it for you poldim, but the price of $32.64 looks like it is only for a non-painted mirror cover. A painted one will set you back $138.38.

02 COVERING PRIMEND LEFT 51167135097 $32.64

02 COVER CAP, PAINTED, LEFT CODE - UNI/MET. 51160032725 $138.38

On a side note, I almost lost the mirror off a MB E220 on the Autobahn (the mirror and cover is one unit that slides off a bracket with an electrical connection). I was driving along at about 170km/h or so when I get this 'ding ding' and a message in the instrument cluster saying that the right mirror bulb was faulty. I look over and the mirror is barely hanging on. After an 'oh f**k', I pull over to the side and re-attach it. It seems like the rental company maybe replaced the bulb or something but didn't lock the cover back on. It took a bit of force to get it to 'click' back into place.