Passenger side mirror not sitting flush with car body

Peter_Griffin_Gaming · 02-18-2023, 07:53 PM

For the last few months, ever since I replaced a damaged passenger side mirror, I've had an issue bugging me with my e90. The replacement side mirror does not sit flush with the body, despite me attempting to rectify the issue on three separate occasions, with two different mirrors. Aside from the cosmetic issue at hand, I've noticed the sound of water running through the gap between the mirror triangle and car body whenever it rains. I wouldn't be surprised if this is also creating extra wind noise.

I've recently tried replacing the foam insulation between the car body and mirror base, but no luck.

I was wondering if anyone here had any tips before I throw in the towel.

Any and all help is appreciated, thanks!

Peter_Griffin_Gaming · 03-12-2023, 04:57 PM

If it helps at all, here are some pics of what's going on. I applied RTV to cover up the gap as an interm. solution to the rain noise, but it didn't work. I cut out a hole to make the gap more visible.

View post on imgur.com

Raghza · 04-04-2023, 04:39 AM

The mirror attaches with 3 bolts, so there's likely something that went wrong there.
Perhaps the bolts (or one of them) is too long for the replacement mirror for some reason? Or maybe there's a washer somewhere where there shouldn't be?

Do you still have your old mirror so you can confirm that it will sit flush? If yes, then I suggest you have your old and new mirror side by side and you can figure out what's causing the issue.

Peter_Griffin_Gaming · 01-30-2024, 12:57 PM

If anyone else has this issue, turns out the problem was deformation on the body mouting point. The outside door skin where the mirror bolts up to was bent outward. Removing the mirror and hitting the mounting point (the exterior facing "flat" side, where the mirror "triangle" meets up with the sheetmetal, to be clear) with a mallet helped me get the mirror pretty much flush. I'm sure some better finesse with the mallet would've gotten it 100%.

02-18-2023, 07:53 PM	#1
Peter_Griffin_Gaming New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2007 328i ZSP 6MT Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: In your walls iTrader: (0)	Passenger side mirror not sitting flush with car body For the last few months, ever since I replaced a damaged passenger side mirror, I've had an issue bugging me with my e90. The replacement side mirror does not sit flush with the body, despite me attempting to rectify the issue on three separate occasions, with two different mirrors. Aside from the cosmetic issue at hand, I've noticed the sound of water running through the gap between the mirror triangle and car body whenever it rains. I wouldn't be surprised if this is also creating extra wind noise. I've recently tried replacing the foam insulation between the car body and mirror base, but no luck. I was wondering if anyone here had any tips before I throw in the towel. Any and all help is appreciated, thanks!
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03-12-2023, 04:57 PM	#2
Peter_Griffin_Gaming New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2007 328i ZSP 6MT Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: In your walls iTrader: (0)	If it helps at all, here are some pics of what's going on. I applied RTV to cover up the gap as an interm. solution to the rain noise, but it didn't work. I cut out a hole to make the gap more visible. View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com
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04-04-2023, 04:39 AM	#3
Raghza Private 8 Rep 50 Posts Drives: E92 335i N55 DCT Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Estonia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]	The mirror attaches with 3 bolts, so there's likely something that went wrong there. Perhaps the bolts (or one of them) is too long for the replacement mirror for some reason? Or maybe there's a washer somewhere where there shouldn't be? Do you still have your old mirror so you can confirm that it will sit flush? If yes, then I suggest you have your old and new mirror side by side and you can figure out what's causing the issue.
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01-30-2024, 12:57 PM	#4
Peter_Griffin_Gaming New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2007 328i ZSP 6MT Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: In your walls iTrader: (0)	If anyone else has this issue, turns out the problem was deformation on the body mouting point. The outside door skin where the mirror bolts up to was bent outward. Removing the mirror and hitting the mounting point (the exterior facing "flat" side, where the mirror "triangle" meets up with the sheetmetal, to be clear) with a mallet helped me get the mirror pretty much flush. I'm sure some better finesse with the mallet would've gotten it 100%.
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