[MrBallooKnot]

I read through the discussions about changing the stop mirror caps and watched a few videos.

I'm still not certain whether the stock caps from the factory pop off or need some "technique" to remove. Some say they pop off, some said they have screws, and a video made it look like there are clips that need to be pushed on from the inside behind the mirror.

I tried a "bit of a tug" to see if they would just pop off but that didn't happen. Someone else also said it takes a substantial tug.

Before I "level up" in my tugging efforts, can anyone confirm what actually needs to happen?

Equipment: '14 M235i w/ folding mirrors and stock mirror caps.

[tke743]

They pop off. Use a trim pry tool to attack the bottom edge of the cap. Once you get a lip, pull straight forward. Not up, sideways or any other direction. The force needed is the same as if you close your door, but don't close it hard enough to latch, then use your finger tips to close the door, this is the same as you want to pull with.

[kd0t]

^ what he said.

It's A LOT easier if you pick up a plastic trim pry tool.

Just make sure you wedge around and loosen it up before pulling.

Definitely pull straight out or else you'd break some clips.. But even then you can always super glue them back.. Nbd

[G4Z808]

What they said, get some fingers in there and tug straight out. Felt like I had broken some tabs when I tried it, but nothing was damaged

[MrBallooKnot]

Thank you! All very helpful answers.

[BEM-S4]

Much easier if you grab at the small corner closest to the car than the large flat portion further out. You can grip with your hand, pull hard and the cover will pop off.

You only need to pop the mirrors out for bolts if going OEM CF replacement.

[NEUE02]

Put your pry tool here. Then get a finger or two inside for leverage. Pull straight forward to the front of the car.



The outside clip will release first. Now get a better hold and continue pulling forward. A quick forceful tug is better than slow even pressure.

Also, for INSTALLATION, notice the groove (by my thumb) that runs around the outside of the mirror cap. This groove fits around the black edge of the mirror housing that is still on the car. Use this to guide your installation. I suggest you leave one oem cap IN PLACE ON THE CAR so when you reinstall the replacement cap you have a visual to make sure you get it pushed back in place properly.







Notice the three large clips in right, middle and left. The other protrusions are guide pins and secondary clips. You can't touch any of them to aid removal. It's all done blindly with force. Scary, but that's how it works.



Hope these pictures help everyone understand what it looks like, anyway. Good luck.

.

[MrBallooKnot]

Great instructions! Pictures are always nice. I'm looking forward to taking a crack at it in a few days when they arrive. I'm going to see about picking up a trim tool today. It seems like a useful thing to have around anyways. Thanks all! My confidence level is now 10/10. :-)

[NEUE02]

Originally Posted by MrBallooKnot

Great instructions! Pictures are always nice. I'm looking forward to taking a crack at it in a few days when they arrive. I'm going to see about picking up a trim tool today. It seems like a useful thing to have around anyways. Thanks all! My confidence level is now 10/10. :-)

Great! The trim tools can be had cheaply, too. I got a whole set of them for under $10 from my local Harbor Freight store.

[MrBallooKnot]

UPDATE

Thanks for the help! It was an easy upgrade and worked just as you all described. I ended up using a plastic tire lever to get things started and that worked just fine.

[jesraele]

Originally Posted by NEUE02

Put your pry tool here. Then get a finger or two inside for leverage. Pull straight forward to the front of the car.


The outside clip will release first. Now get a better hold and continue pulling forward. A quick forceful tug is better than slow even pressure.

Also, for INSTALLATION, notice the groove (by my thumb) that runs around the outside of the mirror cap. This groove fits around the black edge of the mirror housing that is still on the car. Use this to guide your installation. I suggest you leave one oem cap IN PLACE ON THE CAR so when you reinstall the replacement cap you have a visual to make sure you get it pushed back in place properly.

Notice the three large clips in right, middle and left. The other protrusions are guide pins and secondary clips. You can't touch any of them to aid removal. It's all done blindly with force. Scary, but that's how it works.

Hope these pictures help everyone understand what it looks like, anyway. Good luck.

.

Thanks for this, Ive been searching everywhere for a guide on these mirror caps, you explained it perfectly, I am going to try removing mine

[NEUE02]

Originally Posted by jesraele

Thanks for this, Ive been searching everywhere for a guide on these mirror caps, you explained it perfectly, I am going to try removing mine

Good luck! It's easier than you think!

[jesraele]

just got it installed, apparently it is easy lol.. you just gotta overcome your fear of breaking the mirror housing and just pry the cover out..

its an aftermarket mirror cap as well, and it doesn't fit properly, but it is un noticeable..

I got a schedule at the dealership for them to change my grills, I tried removing it earlier but there is just no way without taking off the fender.. now that, I am afraid of breaking lol

[m235iRx]

Thanks for this write up! This took me a total of 5 mins to install! I am by no means a DIY kind of person, and had no trouble at all with my install.

[NEUE02]

Originally Posted by m235iRx

Thanks for this write up! This took me a total of 5 mins to install! I am by no means a DIY kind of person, and had no trouble at all with my install.

Yea! Congrats!

[Supernaut]

Thanks to you guys for posting this. It does sound like every clip breaks when you pull these suckers off. I have the same Harbor Freight trim removal set which worked great. Now I have the color matched mirror covers the car deserved to start with (thanks, ska///235i).