G30 Mirror Cap Swap Difficulty

Graaf_Autowerks · 06-19-2023, 11:52 PM

Hey guys - almost every video online suggests either prying behind the tilted mirrors, or gently removing the mirrors prior to removing the caps.

I’ve found one video where the person states no mirror removal or prying around it is required, he just uses a prying tool on the outside.

Is this really that simple to do? What am I missing here?

I’m looking to swap caps out soon for my m550i build and I’m trying to determine what route to take it. I have broken mirrors before trying shortcuts and don’t want to be misled by another possible one.

See video here

Bama_J · 06-21-2023, 06:49 PM

Here are a couple of examples that are a little more detailed. Once you get the first one the second one will go a lot quicker:-). I also swapped out the turn signals for the sequential ones.

https://autotecknic.com/products/aut...ontent=product

Drifttime85 · 06-21-2023, 07:38 PM

I just did this a couple of days ago. Moving the mirrors to the far down position helped expose the clips. I found the clips closer to the car were the ones that helped initiate the cap to start popping off.

Id say it was 1/5 difficulty.

Only issue I found was getting the aftermarket ones to fully clip in. I found myself pressing the cap hard into place. Fitment of the aftermarket is key and I heard good things about autotecknic and didn’t mind spending more $$.

Gluck should be pretty simple.

DrSteveB · 07-07-2023, 07:16 PM

Just finished the install myself. I used Youtube which helped immensely. The tricky part for me was removing the covers, particularly getting the right tool to bend (not break) the clips nearest to the door. The driver side mirror was the toughest. Visibility is tough but my wife held a flashlight for me and I got it done. Install is a snap - no pun intended.

Graaf_Autowerks · 07-11-2023, 01:01 PM

So I appreciate the feedback here from you all, it gave me confidence to try myself.

I just finished the install, a couple quick comments because it seemed very easy…

I purchased pry tools from Harbor Freight. One piece in particular was angled in a way I could reach behind the mirror without putting any pressure on it, but still was able to put pressure on the clip to disengage it.

I also used a normal wedge like you get from wrapping vinyl, and I pushed that wedge between the cap and mirror housing in the outside corner on both caps. That created some force on the cap to pop out.

Here’s a pic of the tool I used and the final install:

Joe-BMW33 · 07-11-2023, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graaf_Autowerks

So I appreciate the feedback here from you all, it gave me confidence to try myself.

I just finished the install, a couple quick comments because it seemed very easy…

I purchased pry tools from Harbor Freight. One piece in particular was angled in a way I could reach behind the mirror without putting any pressure on it, but still was able to put pressure on the clip to disengage it.

I also used a normal wedge like you get from wrapping vinyl, and I pushed that wedge between the cap and mirror housing in the outside corner on both caps. That created some force on the cap to pop out.

Here’s a pic of the tool I used and the final install:

Looks great. I have had a vinyl tool set for many years and I can't tell you how useful it is and how many times I have used it for so many things.

I have watched many videos on removing the mirror caps and that vinyl tool you used would have been my first choice as well. Best $8 bucks I ever spent on Amazon on the five piece kit. I would never stick a screwdriver anywhere to pry unless I absolutely had to.

Graaf_Autowerks · 07-11-2023, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Looks great. I have had a vinyl tool set for many years and I can't tell you how useful it is and how many times I have used it for so many things.

I have watched many videos on removing the mirror caps and that vinyl tool you used would have been my first choice as well. Best $8 bucks I ever spent on Amazon on the five piece kit. I would never stick a screwdriver anywhere to pry unless I absolutely had to.

I cringed every video with a screwdriver… lol.

I had the dealer install the caps for my m340i. They actually chipped a mirror and told me it was part of the risk of install.

I wrote a letter to BMW and they eventually asked the service manager to cover a replacement, which they did.

So I was paranoid if a BMW tech damaged a mirror what I would do. That tool was big time help for sure. Thin enough to get in and angled to press down. Worked great.

Lain · 11-18-2023, 06:16 PM

I've been at it for the past hour and I haven't even gotten anywhere close. I'm able to move the clips up and down but I having difficulty prying the cover off while Im moving the clips.

I have a pry tool jammed against the cover while I'm moving the clips too. The thing just won't budge.

06-19-2023, 11:52 PM	#1
Graaf_Autowerks First Lieutenant 364 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2021 M550i Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M550i xDrive [10.00]	G30 Mirror Cap Swap Difficulty Hey guys - almost every video online suggests either prying behind the tilted mirrors, or gently removing the mirrors prior to removing the caps. I’ve found one video where the person states no mirror removal or prying around it is required, he just uses a prying tool on the outside. Is this really that simple to do? What am I missing here? I’m looking to swap caps out soon for my m550i build and I’m trying to determine what route to take it. I have broken mirrors before trying shortcuts and don’t want to be misled by another possible one. See video here
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-21-2023, 06:49 PM	#2
Bama_J New Member 8 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540I Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540i [0.00]	Here are a couple of examples that are a little more detailed. Once you get the first one the second one will go a lot quicker:-). I also swapped out the turn signals for the sequential ones. https://autotecknic.com/products/aut...ontent=product
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2023, 07:38 PM	#3
Drifttime85 Private First Class 101 Rep 141 Posts Drives: BMW M550i Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I just did this a couple of days ago. Moving the mirrors to the far down position helped expose the clips. I found the clips closer to the car were the ones that helped initiate the cap to start popping off. Id say it was 1/5 difficulty. Only issue I found was getting the aftermarket ones to fully clip in. I found myself pressing the cap hard into place. Fitment of the aftermarket is key and I heard good things about autotecknic and didn’t mind spending more $$. Gluck should be pretty simple.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2023, 07:16 PM	#4
DrSteveB Private First Class 32 Rep 164 Posts Drives: '18 540d, '18 X3, '10 335d Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0)	Just finished the install myself. I used Youtube which helped immensely. The tricky part for me was removing the covers, particularly getting the right tool to bend (not break) the clips nearest to the door. The driver side mirror was the toughest. Visibility is tough but my wife held a flashlight for me and I got it done. Install is a snap - no pun intended.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-11-2023, 01:01 PM	#5
Graaf_Autowerks First Lieutenant 364 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2021 M550i Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M550i xDrive [10.00]	So I appreciate the feedback here from you all, it gave me confidence to try myself. I just finished the install, a couple quick comments because it seemed very easy… I purchased pry tools from Harbor Freight. One piece in particular was angled in a way I could reach behind the mirror without putting any pressure on it, but still was able to put pressure on the clip to disengage it. I also used a normal wedge like you get from wrapping vinyl, and I pushed that wedge between the cap and mirror housing in the outside corner on both caps. That created some force on the cap to pop out. Here’s a pic of the tool I used and the final install: Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2023, 06:16 PM	#8
Lain New Member 21 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 21' M340i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I've been at it for the past hour and I haven't even gotten anywhere close. I'm able to move the clips up and down but I having difficulty prying the cover off while Im moving the clips. I have a pry tool jammed against the cover while I'm moving the clips too. The thing just won't budge.
	Appreciate 0 Quote