[dtc100]

Put your face on the window for the driver side, align your eyes at the center of the rear view mirror for the passenger side. I tried but was scared and rolled them back.

[m_thompson]

I adjust the mirrors so that when a car in an ajacent lane is overtaking and is just going out of view in the center mirror it is just starting to show up in the side mirror. When an overtaking car is leaving the side mirror it should be visable in your peripheral vision. The end result is probably what you described.

It takes a little getting used to, but then you won't have any blind spots.

[tony20009]

I adjust the rearview mirror so I can see what's behind me and I glance at it every 10-20 seconds to keep an eye on what's going on around me.

When I am actually going to change lanes, I turn my head to see that it's clear to do so. I do that because there are a lot of jerks out there that will actually speed up if they realize you are overtaking them, particularly if they are driving slowly in the left lane. Those jerks are the primary reason I ever have to actually use the power my engine can produce.

[ENINTY]

I read in a car magazine a long time ago that the proper way to adjust the outside mirrors is to lean up to the driver's window and adjust the mirror so that the side of the car is just visible in the inside edge of the mirror. Then lean in the seat same amount towards the passenger window and make the same adjustment to the passenger mirror.

IMO the E90 mirrors (pre-LCI) don't move out far enough.

[dtc100]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

It takes a little getting used to, but then you won't have any blind spots.

I am sure. But this setup wouldn't let you see what's next to the sides of your car when you back out. When moving forward there is no need to see the sides of the car of course.

[Traveling1]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I read in a car magazine a long time ago that the proper way to adjust the outside mirrors is to lean up to the driver's window and adjust the mirror so that the side of the car is just visible in the inside edge of the mirror. Then lean in the seat same amount towards the passenger window and make the same adjustment to the passenger mirror.

IMO the E90 mirrors (pre-LCI) don't move out far enough.

That is the correct way to adjust the outside mirrors.
Once you have done that, drive in the slow lane on a highway and check to see if you can keep the cars, in the passing lane, in sight from your rear view to the side mirrors, to your driver's side window direct sight, while they are overtaking and passing you.
If you momentarily lose the passing cars in one of the transitions, try tweaking your driver's side mirror just a hair.

[Brey335i]

Car and Driver had a great little section in one recent issue on how to adjust the mirrors. I have tried it, and found that it works exceptionally well... so that's what I'm sticking with

[hookah66]

The tear drop shape of the side mirrors for the e93 are not practical, I miss the larger rectangular ones from my old e46. The OEM mirrors are poorly designed and useless. They are not auto dimming nor heated unless you get in hard to get packages. I prefer the European version of aspherically design which give a much wider field of vision without the convex distortions. The new 2011 models went back to the old e46 style.

[jmen11]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I adjust the mirrors so that when a car in an ajacent lane is overtaking and is just going out of view in the center mirror it is just starting to show up in the side mirror. When an overtaking car is leaving the side mirror it should be visable in your peripheral vision. The end result is probably what you described.

It takes a little getting used to, but then you won't have any blind spots.

This is how I set my mirrors as well.

Originally Posted by dtc100

I am sure. But this setup wouldn't let you see what's next to the sides of your car when you back out. When moving forward there is no need to see the sides of the car of course.

Well if you can't see it in the mirror then there is nothing next to your car. Besides all you need to do is lean over to your left or right just a bit and you'll see the sides of you car.

[bling_singh]

someone posted a video about this some time ago with an old guy going through proper driver seating position and mirror adjustment in an M6. used it since then and it opens up the field of vision big time. still takes a lot of getting used to.....it's nice seeing that little bit of your car when you're driving so you have something against which to anchor the image in the mirror.

but now its set up so much better. if a car is in both my rear mirror and side mirror, i'm guaranteed there's enough room for a lane change. if it's only in my side mirror then there's no room, and if it's in not in either mirror the car is either directly beside me or vtec just kicked in and that car is a lightyear behind me.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by hookah66

The tear drop shape of the side mirrors for the e93 are not practical, I miss the larger rectangular ones from my old e46. The OEM mirrors are poorly designed and useless. They are not auto dimming nor heated unless you get in hard to get packages. I prefer the European version of aspherically design which give a much wider field of vision without the convex distortions. The new 2011 models went back to the old e46 style.

Heated mirrors are standard and you get auto dimming with the premium package, probably the most widely available package on cars that are on dealer lots.

[dtc100]

Originally Posted by jmen11

Well if you can't see it in the mirror then there is nothing next to your car.

Not for the size of a small child running around when I back out out of a driveway or parking lot.

Besides all you need to do is lean over to your left or right just a bit and you'll see the sides of you car.

I guess that is the habit I will have to make backing out. Looking through the back window, then lean forward to the left and right is a lot of work, maybe pulling your back muscle is the price you pay to drive like a pro?

[3lusive]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

Car and Driver had a great little section in one recent issue on how to adjust the mirrors. I have tried it, and found that it works exceptionally well... so that's what I'm sticking with

Me too, I read that article and changed my mirror setup right after. Works grea for me. Maybe not the best for backing up parallel to a curb or something similar but it doesn't take much work to change the mirror angle for a few seconds.

[96GS#007]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I read in a car magazine a long time ago that the proper way to adjust the outside mirrors is to lean up to the driver's window and adjust the mirror so that the side of the car is just visible in the inside edge of the mirror. Then lean in the seat same amount towards the passenger window and make the same adjustment to the passenger mirror.

IMO the E90 mirrors (pre-LCI) don't move out far enough.

My driver's side mirror is close to where I want it, but not quite there.

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by dtc100

I am sure. But this setup wouldn't let you see what's next to the sides of your car when you back out. When moving forward there is no need to see the sides of the car of course.

I have two memory settings stored and the only thing that changes is the mirror position. One setting is for driving (set according to the manual so that you cant see the sides of your car) and the other position is for backing up (tilted a bit lower to see the curb and moved in closer so that I can see the sides of my car).

[jmen11]

Originally Posted by dtc100

Not for the size of a small child running around when I back out out of a driveway or parking lot.

I was referring to something static such as a post or a wall or another car. As far as a child well I think there is always a chance of bumping one if they are moving round on you no matter how you set your mirrors.

I guess that is the habit I will have to make backing out. Looking through the back window, then lean forward to the left and right is a lot of work, maybe pulling your back muscle is the price you pay to drive like a pro?

Pull a muscle? Nah you're doing it wrong...LOL. The way I have my mirrors I just have to lean a few inches to either side and I'll be able to just see the rear quarter panel.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Here is the link to the Car and Driver mirror setup.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features..._spots-feature

[Taipei-TT]

The 'proper' way really does work better. The only problem with it, however, is that in Taipei we have motorcycles to deal with. They love to sit 2cm of your rear bumper....and can hide in this mirror configuration. I had to bring the mirrors in a little bit for city driving, and have them set properly for highway driving in my other memory setting.
Thankfully, my GF is too scared to drive my car, so I can use the memory functions for mirror settings just like another poster in here! Glad I'm not the only one that is this finiky about my mirrors.

[comebackidlci]

So according to the car and driver article, the proper way is to adjust the mirrors all the way out near its limit?

[Taipei-TT]

Yes comebackidlci...that's right! Much further out than one would expect...and give yourself some time to get used to it...be careful! But it really is a lot better after a few days.

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by comebackidlci

So according to the car and driver article, the proper way is to adjust the mirrors all the way out near its limit?

it's a little more precise than "all the way out near its limit", but yes, further out than most people usually set it.

[Neutrino45]

Originally Posted by Taipei-TT

The 'proper' way really does work better. The only problem with it, however, is that in Taipei we have motorcycles to deal with. They love to sit 2cm of your rear bumper....and can hide in this mirror configuration. I had to bring the mirrors in a little bit for city driving, and have them set properly for highway driving in my other memory setting.
Thankfully, my GF is too scared to drive my car, so I can use the memory functions for mirror settings just like another poster in here! Glad I'm not the only one that is this finiky about my mirrors.

Hey, you can give your secondary key FOB to another driver to use and your settings for your key FOB won't be changed.