where did S3 WING MIRRORS come from

[pomoz]

Gday all

Just a query
Where did the wing mirrors that are on S3..come from originally.
Just in case .... happen to break one....in the future.
And i happen to come across a couple in the mean time ..at a cheap price.
Nothing like having a few spares

Thanks
Alex 87S3HC na
a e

[JohnWatkins]

Alex,

I've seen them on Ford Granadas & Capris and I've heard they're totally unavailable new so if you see any I'd grab them

Cheers,

John W
'95 S4s

[southenddc]

has anyone tried using any other type on a S3??

[Lasse]

When I broke one on my S3 - 85 i ran around the parking lot at work checking different mirrors against mine (correct convexness and colour) and it seems like the mirror from the European Ford Escort is the same. However the size is wrong, but a skilled glazier fixed it nicely to fit.

Best Regards /Lasse

[hilly]

The mirros on my S3 were shot when I got it. After a lot of looking around for something to bolt straight on I gave up as nothing that was easily available had the right shape and the correct base angle which is quite steep due to the Esprit's door design.

What I ended up doing was using a pair of mirrors from an Audi 80 as these are a close shape match to the OEM mirrors on the car. I moulded onto the bottom an additional base made from glass loaded epoxy.

This was not a simple mod as these mirrors use motors for movement instead of solenoids requiring a new control switch to be fitted. But now they are on the car I am pleased with the results as they look good and adjustment is easy. On top of that they are heated.

If anyone wants any further details let me know.

Andy

[JohnWatkins]

Only the mirrors on the earlier cars used solenoids for adjustment, the later cars (83 on) used motors.

Cheers,

John W
'95 S4s

[paul c]

My '83 has (clunk,clunk) solenoids still. Are you sure this was not part of the '85 model year changes?,they changed quite a lot mechanically and cosmetic then.

[pomoz]

Gday all
Many thanks ... interesting replies...
I have been taking closer looks at the Ford Escort here in UK .. every chance i get ....
Mainly earlier versions say 83-93 ..
They seem to have similar wing mirrors.

Surely .... Lotus did get these from the "PARTS BIN".. though which ONE.

Anymore .... clues


Thanks
Alex 87S3HC na

[cnh1990]

Jim has modified the G car mirrors with motors from another car. I forget which ones. it works much better than the originals. Email him to find out how he did it.
Calvin

[lotusguy]

paul c said:

My '83 has (clunk,clunk) solenoids still. Are you sure this was not part of the '85 model year changes?,they changed quite a lot mechanically and cosmetic then.

Paul,

The '85 model Turbo is identical to the earlier ones. Only the '85 MY model varied, but all 'G' cars have the solenoid driven mirrors, the change point to motor driven was '88 w/ the Stevens bodied cars.

I retrofitted motor driven mirrors from a '90 Nissan Maxima from a salvage yard into my OEM mirror shells. Used the existing, fused, wiring harness (minus one wire). Found a nearly identical reverse-polarity switch (stock GM part) which mounts in the existing hole in the door panel w/ no modification necessary. Cost <$60USD the pair. Cost will be determined by how much you pay for the salvaged parts.

Totally indistinguishable from the OEM mirrors except you have infinite adjustability and greater reliability and longevity. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

>> Edited by lotusguy on Tuesday 28th October 17:30