Replacing the Mirrors

[N40GL]

For one reason or another, both mirrors have been knocked about on the car enough so the hinges are destroyed. So I bought aftermarket mirrors to replace both of them (only one really needed replacement, but this way both match).

Aftermarket mirrors have a solid mirror housing, and don't use mirror caps.

I dropped the mirrors off yesterday to get painted, and the body shop wasn't all that thrilled with the painting assignment. They thought the paint would peel, etc. So, although I'm getting them painted, I started thinking about alternatives and am seeking opinions/advice.

Alternatives:

1. Buy OEM mirror covers- Dremel off the various tabs on the inside, paint them and stick them on with 3M tape.

2. Buy "chromed" mirror covers, have them wrapped in the right color and stick them on with 3M tape

3. Buy the ridiculously expensive OEM mirrors and mirror covers, get the caps painted and reinstalled, and be done with it.

OEM mirrors are about twice as expensive as aftermarket.

Interestingly, the hinge on the aftermarket mirrors is far more robust than the one on the OEM mirrors.

[fastblackmerc]

I'd get the OEM covers, dremel off the tabs and stick them on with 3M molding tape.

[BUCKWHEAT]

For one reason or another, both mirrors have been knocked about on the car enough so the hinges are destroyed. So I bought aftermarket mirrors to replace both of them (only one really needed replacement, but this way both match).

Aftermarket mirrors have a solid mirror housing, and don't use mirror caps.

I dropped the mirrors off yesterday to get painted, and the body shop wasn't all that thrilled with the painting assignment. They thought the paint would peel, etc. So, although I'm getting them painted, I started thinking about alternatives and am seeking opinions/advice.

Alternatives:

1. Buy OEM mirror covers- Dremel off the various tabs on the inside, paint them and stick them on with 3M tape.

2. Buy "chromed" mirror covers, have them wrapped in the right color and stick them on with 3M tape

3. Buy the ridiculously expensive OEM mirrors and mirror covers, get the caps painted and reinstalled, and be done with it.

OEM mirrors are about twice as expensive as aftermarket.

Interestingly, the hinge on the aftermarket mirrors is far more robust than the one on the OEM mirrors.

Option 4: Go to the junkyard and get a set in the right color. Cost was $25 each. I did that Saturday to get white ones for son's P71, replacing flat black.

[Ambitious1]

Option 4: Go to the junkyard and get a set in the right color. Cost was $25 each. I did that Saturday to get white ones for son's P71, replacing flat black.

+1 on this. OEM and the right color.

[N40GL]

I really like this idea, with the exception that I get another set with the really crappy hinge that the OEM mirrors came with. I wish I knew whether anything later (1) comes in Silver Birch, and (2) have a different hinge to fold the mirrors.


+1 on this. OEM and the right color.