Passenger side rear view mirror question

[Ed Riefstahl]

Greetings fellow Benz friends,

Earlier in the summer I purchased a rear view mirror for my 1966 230SL. It took me a while to get up the nerve to drill holes in the door, but I finally did install it. As mentioned by others, I had to move it back a couple inches further than driver's mirror, but it looks great.

The problem I'm having is when using the mirror, the view is so distorted that it's very difficult to look through, especially to back into my garage using the mirror. Same when driving down the road, looking out the mirror. I purchased the mirror from Vintage Euro Parts. I contacted Vintage several weeks ago via email and discussed and shared my problem. Nelson replied and sold me a replacement glass and charged me for the glass and also sent me a bill for shipping. The mirror is still has the same problem and is very distorted and hardly usable.

I contacted Vintage again and Nelson says this is normal and it's because I'm looking at it from the driver's seat. I don't understand why I can look through my driver's side mirror from the passenger seat, and the view is perfect. I've shared this comment with Nelson several times. The glass in the driver's mirror is also aftermarket, and I believe also from Vintage a few years ago.

I really need a RH mirror and don't quite know what to make of this problem. I've haven't heard others on this list complain about this problem. Any ideas or comments? Is there another supplier that I should buy one from?

Ed Riefstahl

1966 230SL (Ms Magoo) Horizon Blue
1970 280S (Miss Daisy)
1999 BMW Z3 5 speed
1991 BMW 318I 5 Speed
1997 Toyota Paseo Convertible - One of 1000, (have you ever seen one?)
1997 Ford Ranger step side (Mater)
2023 Mazda CX 5

[Duncan200]

Hi Ed,

I purchased an OE mirror glass from Authentic Classics and it doesn’t have the distortion you speak of.

When I enquired about one from a dealer in Australia it didn’t have the blue tint like the original one I had.

I had to replace mine because it had started to delaminate.

Doug

[rwmastel]

Ed, If you're convinced it is the glass and you're willing to buy a third piece, consider the convex solution.  Search the forums for details.  I will be doing this for my driver's side mirror.

[MikeSimon]

I have a LHD 280SL. I installed a passenger side mirror some 40 years ago, I think I bought it at MB back then. I remember the location is slightly different than on the driver's side. I never really recognized a problem with distortion or else. But I must admit, looking INTO the mirror is not as important for me as looking AT it. I hate unbalanced looks and a single rear view mirror on the outside is one of them. I still remember how much it took me back when (one of my all-time favorite cars) the Ferrari Testarossa was introduced in 1984 with a HUGE mirror on the driver's side and none on the right. It looked terrible.

[mdsalemi]

The glass for the mirrors WAS available from the Classic Center. No "distortion". I think the mirror glass was about $20 each when I got them. I'd call them first rather than through 3rd party...

[Pawel66]

I agree with Michael. I always check the Mercedes offer first and if I find the item for tolerable price (often less expensive than in internet stores - because very few customers check Mercedes) I buy it there.

As for the mirror - it does not matter left or right, LHD or RHD, they all have the same shape. What matters is old (goose neck) style or the new style. Second point is about convex or flat and tinted or clear.

I think for your old style, you can get flat clear. Mercedes part is A180 811 01 66 (has 10 in front in some systems). The system is down today, but I am pretty sure it is available there. When it is up I will check availability and price.

[Pawel66]

The system is up, I checked.

Glass A 180 811 01 66 available at $15-20
Holding ring A 000 811 01 65, available at $10

This ring may be modern modification perhaps, but will work.

[Ed Riefstahl]

Thanks for the information - lesson learned.
Today I was able to figure out the problem with the mirror, by accident. My wife sat in the driver's seat and looked through the new passenger side mirror. She said it looked like seeing double.

We removed the glass from both mirrors and swapped. Both mirrors were perfect until I put the spring in and the plastic retainer on the passenger side mirror. Suddenly we had distortion again. As it turns out, the spring in the new mirror is so strong that it was bowing the glass. I found another spring and put it together again and no more distortion.

We then had to take Ms Magoo for a nice country drive through Amish country. Perfect day for a drive in a Pagoda.

Thanks for the suggestions and allowing me to vent a little.

Ed Riefstahl

1966 230SL (Ms Magoo) Horizon Blue
1970 280S (Miss Daisy)
1999 BMW Z3 5 speed
1991 BMW 318I 5 Speed
1997 Toyota Paseo Convertible - One of 1000, (have you ever seen one?)
1997 Ford Ranger step side (Mater)
2023 Mazda CX 5

[rwmastel]

Ed,
That's great news!  Let your supplier know the issue.  And thanks for letting everyone know the resolution!  So many discussion threads just stop without resolution.

[mclewis]

Thinner glass used on the OE replacements perhaps?

[Duncan200]

I love the prices that you all quote on here for parts.

If only I could get them for those sorts of prices in Australia.

I get the whole exchange rate thing but discounting that, our prices from a dealer here for things are 2 to 3 times the numbers you quote.

Maybe it’s a distance thing or the fact the dealers can just charge these prices because people pay?

[Cees Klumper]

The exact same tin of coffee beans (Illy from Italy) that we buy in France costs EUR 6 in France, EUR 9 in Croatia, and $15 in California. In the accounting business we called it 'value billing' meaning we charge what the customer thinks its worth. So I think it's your last explanation. Maybe motivated by the knowledge that Australians believe a license plate is worth millions, I don't know