To do or not to do?

[PvtSchultz]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been on.

Well, I have my license now and I'm on the road in my 2002 (well, my grandfather's, which became my father's, and now I'm driving). Now I have a question:

Should I put a mirror on the right side? I thought this might make it a little bit safer, but I don't want to put any holes in the car. Or, do you have an alternate suggestion? (such as having a mirror somewhere inside the car in a way that allows me to see behind)

Thanks in advance-

-Joey

[esty]

find a matching passenger side mirror and drill those holes...besides a better appearance, it is safer and looks...it's the unfinished o2 that doesn't have them on both sides

[Supergeek]

Go to your local auto parts store and buy a broadway mirror. These cost about $15 and attatch directly to your rearview mirror. Work great, especially with the 02s large "greenhouse" windows. I have these in both my cars and they make changing lanes much easier since I dont have to turn my head to look at my passenger side mirror. I just glance over at my rearview and I can see all around me. Only problem is parking, since I usually cant see the curb. Besides, passenger 02 mirrors are kinda expensive. This is a cheap alternative that works.

David

[Benz02]

In the immortal words of Franco Bertolini (actor Raul Julia in the Gumball Rally): "And now my friend , the first rule of Italian driving: What's behind me is not important!"

[KFunk]

I still don't have a passenger side mirror on mine.

It's usually only a pain when parallel parked on the left side of a one-way road, with a large car parked behind you. It's impossible to pull out into traffic safely. I just nudge my way out extremely slowly.

Other than that, I don't really notice the lack of the mirror. I guess it'd be nice on the highway sometimes. But its simple enough to turn your head to the right and see who's there. Even if you had a mirror, you're always supposed to do a head-check to the right to see your blindspot whenever you change lanes anyways. Thats what they taught me in AAA class. So, since your turnin your head to right anyways, there's not much need to rely on the passenger side mirror.

[wsb-unclebill]

The 2002 has such great visibility I've never even considered installing a passenger side mirror. I guess I just don't miss it that much.

[DanOKC]

I just did this not long ago, I used another 2002 mirror, I reused the special nuts the factory used, but I had to pull 2 mirrors to get 2 good nuts, 2 were broken/rusty etc... You only drill through top layer of sheet metal, there is another layer about 3/8" below where the factory holes go, don't worry about going through it by accident, it's pretty thick. Be sure to measure your cars drivers side mirrors exact location to copy from. They varied a bit from car to car or year to year.

[ClayW]

My 1600 never had one on the right side. I never noticed.

My 2002 has one, and I never use it.

What I do use is the 80s 7-Series (E23) mirror that snaps in place of the old one. It's close to 100% bigger and I see EVERYTHING through it. Shouldn't cost more than $10 at a junkyard. Here's one on eBay for $20 + $10 s/h:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E23-Inside-Rear-View-mirror_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33699QQihZ001QQitemZ110012362255QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

[Mike Self]

some suggestions:

The rectangular flag mirrors (correct for 75s) are handed, so you'll have to find a right side mirror.

The captive nuts that pop into the body to hold the mounting bracket are available new. Don't mess with old rusty ones.

Replace the slotted head set screw that holds the mirror to the mounting bracket with an allen head set screw from your local hardware store. You can tighten it better and it won't strip out as easily.

To get the exact placement spot for the right side, remove the left side mirror and make a paper template using the door's leading edge and the lower edge of the chrome window garnish moulding as reference points. Then turn the template over and you'll have the proper spots to drill on the right side.

Don't forget to touch up the raw edges of the holes you drill in the door; they'll rust quickly if you don't.

Finally--I would argue for a right side mirror, especially if you drive on freeways or multilane city streets. Regardless of all the glass on an '02, there are still blind spots. Motion in the mirror that you won't otherwise see may keep you from changing lanes into someone.

Have fun with your project.

mike

[c.d.iesel]

YES FOR SAFETY,

FOR TRACK DAYS,

AND to make your GRANDFATHER proud

that your not a hack.

Please maintain The Car that he loved properly.

VISIT ANY BMW DEALER AND ORDER ONE.

(and you already have holes under the left mirror)

[76duece]

I kinda like the one mirror look. My 69' only had one mirror and it was ok. As far as the safety issue, then I would saw do it. But it's your car, make it your own!

[tjones02]

(nt)

[tjones02]

and I've seen sheet metal screws in there too, OUCH!