Just got a new (to me) 1987 412i. This car has a few issues, so we'll start with a couple small ones first. I've got floppy / loose mirrors on both sides. When I try to adjust them to use, they won't hold - they just drop down. Anybody have a fix for this issue?
If you pull the rubber boot, you will notice an horizontal hex screw & nut. You have to tight it reasonably in order to keep the mirror horizontal. While you are there, just lub the pivot (which allows to fold the mirror). When left dry, the mirror may brake if someone attempts to fold it. On racing cars, the vitaloni were held with an additional metal bracket. Efficient, but was quite ugly. This illustrates that the stock setup was loose...
Thanks raemin. Alas, my problem isn't the through-bolt, but rather the pivot. It's the part that's loose. Can these mirrors be removed without taking the door apart? I see a small set screw at the rear. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just pull the small plastic tab highlighted in orange. Use a thin flat screw driver. That's where the front screw holding the mirror is. The other one in the back, is easy to spot (visible in the photo). Image Unavailable, Please Login You may have to cut the wires as the stock round plug is not always present on the door side, and likely to be stuck in the door rail if present. The other solution is to fully disassemble the mirror motor and remove the tiny spade connectors, but that's a lot more work (2 counter sunk screws are holding the motor, they can be seen under the mirror, facing the floor).
Common issue and they like to break as well. I did make a batch of repair parts if you end up needing any. Image Unavailable, Please Login
