Hot wing mirror

[Bazza 2174]

I have a 2003 Merc C220 CDI Estate and it's a great car.

However, the drivers (offside) wing mirror glass has uniformly gone a funny light brown colour. It can still be used but looks very tinted and odd compared to the clear mirror look of the nearside. In addition it gets very warm on a long journey.

Has this happened to anybody else or anyone any ideas what's wromg and how to fix?

Thanks in advance

Bazza

[GTIR]

It's fooked.
My E220 did the same thing (something to do with the heating elements reacting with the glue) but was replaced under warranty.

[Bazza 2174]

Thanks
Unfortunately it won't be picked up under warranty as the car is 7 years old.

I'm tempted to leave it - do you think there any problem in doing that?

[GTIR]

Personally I would fix it as bib may take a dim view of, er, your dim view!
Also not sure what the mot man will say.

Is it worth the risk?

[Bazza 2174]

Fair point - I'll give the main dealer a call and get one sorted. Thanks

[gasara]

If your mirror is discolored to the extent that it in pars rear visibility it will fail an MoT. What I have done in the past is to fit a standard mirror lens (for the car. i.e. not heated) rather than the £200+ (heated)one from your dealers.

[Bazza 2174]

I wouldn't say that the vision is impaired, its more like you're looking at the mirror with sunglasses on.

The dealer wants £300+ - Mercedes are having a laugh.

ebay has them for sale - heated for £10 which seems like the route to go down unless anybody has any negative experience?

[gasara]

For £10 you have little to lose. Just make sure that it is the right one for your car.

[Bazza 2174]

Fitted the one I bought off ebay.

Not quite as perfect looking as the one I took off with the orange tint but at least it works.

When the car is only worth £4 or £5k the thought of paying £400 for a mirror is nuts - come to think of it it's nuts whatever the value of the car is !!!

Thanks for your help

[J_S_G]

Bazza 2174 said:

I have a 2003 Merc C220 CDI Estate and it's a great car.

However, the drivers (offside) wing mirror glass has uniformly gone a funny light brown colour. It can still be used but looks very tinted and odd compared to the clear mirror look of the nearside. In addition it gets very warm on a long journey.

Has this happened to anybody else or anyone any ideas what's wromg and how to fix?

Thanks in advance

Bazza

Is it a self-dimming one? If so, then that'd be the oil that's used for it that's leaked behind the mirror. You'll just need to replace the glass (comes as a unit with the self-dimming stuff) if so. Bl**dy expensive, though. RRP on the one for the CL & SL was £350; unsure if it's the same one on yours. A standard mirror could be cut to pattern and stuck over the top of the current one for ~£10, mind - even Halfords will do this. If you're not bothered about the dimming.

If it's not a dimming one, forget all that.

[mb450]

Sorry for the hijack - Don't suppose you have a part number for the cl one?

[J_S_G]

mb450 said:

Sorry for the hijack - Don't suppose you have a part number for the cl one?

Sorry, I don't. Car sold now, so I can't check it, I'm afraid.