Auto dimming mirrors are killing me, can't see

[Heat00]

this problem didn't seem as bad in my 335, not sure why...

but the rear view mirror dims and that combined with the tint make it impossible to see anything at night expect headlights, barely. I noticed on the side mirrors it does the same thing.

Is there a way to shut off this feature? In all of BMW's glory, they didn't think that some of us may tint our windows and not be able to see? How about a button/setting/or switch to shut it off??

Every other car that I have owned that had dimming mirrors had a button to turn it off.....

and no, the tint is not too dark

I haven't searched yet or read the manual but I know in my 335 there was no way to stop it other than a piece of tape on the mirror... not doing that in the M lmao...

any ideas are appreciated

[Sedan_Clan]

My auto dimming RVM is just fine. It tints perfectly.

[M2381]

I have 35% tint and I have trouble looking out of it at night

[MysticBlue]

I understand not wanting a big piece of tape on there looking crappy, but I would think you could use an exacto knife or small scissors to cut a very small, round piece of electrical tape that would fit right into the electric eye hole without being conspicuous.

[Blake]

i'm in the same boat, i've just gotten used to it i suppose. i even went as far as to call my dealer and ask if i could turn it down or off...no such luck. you just have to adapt to it i guess. i have 20% tint and it can be tough on a dark busy highway. i would do what mysticblue said, that sounds like a pretty decent idea. it you can cut it small enough and just tap it in the little hole, that sounds like a seamless remedy. hell, i might even try it.

[sparkyg]

Cover the sensor eye and that should fix it shouldn't it?

[watrob]

In regards to dimming on another point, do your M3 in the States have auto headlight dimming?

[Heat00]

yea, I think I'll try cutting a small round piece of tape, I guess thats the best solution.
I have 18% tint and at night I cannot see anything out the back at all, and my vision is fine lol...
I noticed that the sides dim too, although it's not as big of deal as the rearview.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I understand not wanting a big piece of tape on there looking crappy, but I would think you could use an exacto knife or small scissors to cut a very small, round piece of electrical tape that would fit right into the electric eye hole without being conspicuous.

Better than electrical tape, use a self adhesive silver foil, ore even aluminum foil dot cut with a paper punch and glued on. You might also be able to cut the wire for this circuit, unless it induces an error code.

[JMD0977]

Originally Posted by Heat00

yea, I think I'll try cutting a small round piece of tape, I guess thats the best solution.
I have 18% tint and at night I cannot see anything out the back at all, and my vision is fine lol...
I noticed that the sides dim too, although it's not as big of deal as the rearview.

Should have gotten a convertlible

[watrob]

Originally Posted by JMD0977

Should have gotten a convertlible

[sg///M3]

I have no problems with mine with 35% tint. Actually, I wish the mirrors would dim a bit more as I occasionally get blinded by people behind me.

[MDCTFTW]

Originally Posted by sg///M3

I have no problems with mine with 35% tint. Actually, I wish the mirrors would dim a bit more as I occasionally get blinded by people behind me.

That's because those are tractors behind you in NC. Haha. I kid.

[positiveions]

Wear sunglasses. then you'll Sing: i wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can see.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

Wear sunglasses. then you'll Sing: i wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can see.

I just got 20% tint in the back and 35% on the sides. No problem with either the rear or side view mirrors.

[sg///M3]

Originally Posted by MDCTFTW

That's because those are tractors behind you in NC. Haha. I kid.

QFT. That and pick-ups.

[Heat00]

lmao.. funny replies

[frankzlin79]

In Texas, the legal limit is now 25% on the sides and anything you want for the rear. I'm probably going with 30% (just to be safe) of Formula 1 Pinnacle on the sides. As for the rear, the shop I'm going to only carriees 15% or 30%! I'm scared that the 15% is going to be too dark in the night and the 30% is going to be too light in the day. I wish they would carry 20 or 25%. I'm not sure what to do here.

[TLud]

I put the 15% Pinnacle on the back windows, and I'm happy with it. I like to park the rear of the car toward the sun, so it helps to block out even more heat. I haven't had a problem seeing out the back with the 15% either. You're welcome to check mine out if you want.

[frankzlin79]

Tlud: PM sent.

[Deda]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

My auto dimming RVM is just fine. It tints perfectly.

+1!

[ersin]

Originally Posted by sg///M3

QFT. That and pick-ups.

Pick-ups are worse! 18 wheelers have their lights low enough not to bother you. But every kid around here with a pick-up jacks them up to where the headlights shine level right into your RVM.

BTW, I had the same problem on my E46 M3 -- no button to turn it off. I just lived with it. In my opinion, a homemade cover over the sensor would have just looked to much out of place in a BMW. But I never knew that adhesive backed foil was available. And, yes, all my other cars that have autodim RVM have a button to turn it off.