CF Mirror covers install? Remove mirror or not?

F82_SID · 03-10-2020, 09:16 AM

Hey guys don't flame me, I have been searching this forum and YouTube for the past two days and I can't find clear instructions on installing CF mirror caps for the M2C? Some posts seem to indicate that you have to remove the mirrors and others seem to suggest that you can just pull the caps off? What's the consensus? Any install links or vids would be a huge help.

BigKutta · 03-10-2020, 09:33 AM

I'm planning to do this, and based on my research you do not need to pop out the mirror for our models. See this video. I also plan to do the CF caps soon.

detroitm2 · 03-10-2020, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82_SID

Hey guys don't flame me, I have been searching this forum and YouTube for the past two days and I can't find clear instructions on installing CF mirror caps for the M2C? Some posts seem to indicate that you have to remove the mirrors and others seem to suggest that you can just pull the caps off? What's the consensus? Any install links or vids would be a huge help.

There's a ton of YouTube videos on how to do this.

HODLM · 03-10-2020, 09:46 AM

Pro tip (from an amateur): put a towel down on the floor that covers about 3 feet in front of the mirror (basically to the front wheel).

I was so focused on popping the mirror cap off carefully that I didn't realize it would go flying off and hit the ground. The towel will provide a safe landing spot and prevent scratches. This is especially important if you're removing the CF cap (for whatever reason).

FWIW: While you may not need to, I did pop the mirrors out to make it easier to pop the cap off.

///MCollection · 03-10-2020, 03:18 PM

If it is cold I always run a hot air gun over the glass and then pop it out then warm the plastic clips too. Plastic is so much less fragile when warm just keep pointing the air away and feeling the piece to not over heat. You lucky ones in warmer climates can just park it in the sun.

Tag · 03-10-2020, 03:38 PM

Trying to pop out the mirror is tricky, it's super thin with little backing and easy to crack... ask me how I know.

If you don't plan on using the old caps and don't mind if some clips break than you can take the safer route and pop them off from the back. If you to decide to pop out the mirror to get the old caps off use a really wide pry tool, take your time, do not force it and cross your fingers.

BigKutta · 03-10-2020, 03:42 PM

I would just follow the video above. Gentle taps, while holding the cap, until is slowly gets wedged out. No need to rush it, just push it out a few mm at a time.

VFK_by_Midnight · 03-10-2020, 05:12 PM

If you don't have the tool in the video above, I've found you can use a small flathead screwdriver wrapped in a thin cloth to pop out the initial tabs.

Cannondale900 · 03-10-2020, 08:12 PM

I just installed mine this evening; no need to mess with the mirror glass at all. The video referenced above is perfect. I didn't have a trim tool (no clue where it went) but I did have a plastic shim. I laid a microfiber towel over the mirror and tapped along the seam exactly as per the video referenced above.....the painted cover popped off gradually over the course of four or five firm taps. I would use an implement made of plastic and at least 2" wide. This will prevent the implement from slipping through any protective cloth and inadvertently scratching or tearing the cover you are removing.

BigKutta · 03-11-2020, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannondale900

I just installed mine this evening; no need to mess with the mirror glass at all. The video referenced above is perfect. I didn't have a trim tool (no clue where it went) but I did have a plastic shim. I laid a microfiber towel over the mirror and tapped along the seam exactly as per the video referenced above.....the painted cover popped off gradually over the course of four or five firm taps. I would use an implement made of plastic and at least 2" wide. This will prevent the implement from slipping through any protective cloth and inadvertently scratching or tearing the cover you are removing.

Great to hear and thanks for reporting back. I haven't done this yet but certainly plan to soon. Which caps did you end up going with? Care to share some pics? Thanks.

Cannondale900 · 03-11-2020, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Great to hear and thanks for reporting back. I haven't done this yet but certainly plan to soon. Which caps did you end up going with? Care to share some pics? Thanks.

I picked up the M Performance caps. No pics in the sun yet as it's still crappy in Chicagoland but here is a quick pic from the garage tonight along with a recreation of how I popped the stock covers off (except I had my hip in front of the mirror cap to keep it from falling).

BigKutta · 03-12-2020, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannondale900

I picked up the M Performance caps. No pics in the sun yet as it's still crappy in Chicagoland but here is a quick pic from the garage tonight along with a recreation of how I popped the stock covers off (except I had my hip in front of the mirror cap to keep it from falling).

They look great! And thanks for taking the time to show me.

03-10-2020, 09:16 AM	#1
F82_SID Brigadier General 208 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	CF Mirror covers install? Remove mirror or not? Hey guys don't flame me, I have been searching this forum and YouTube for the past two days and I can't find clear instructions on installing CF mirror caps for the M2C? Some posts seem to indicate that you have to remove the mirrors and others seem to suggest that you can just pull the caps off? What's the consensus? Any install links or vids would be a huge help. __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
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03-10-2020, 09:33 AM	#2
BigKutta Brigadier General 3904 Rep 4,048 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Burbs iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 330xi [0.00] 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00]	I'm planning to do this, and based on my research you do not need to pop out the mirror for our models. See this video. I also plan to do the CF caps soon.
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03-10-2020, 09:46 AM	#4
HODLM First Lieutenant 364 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 2018 M2/AW/6MT; '16 X5 Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Miami, Fl. iTrader: (0)	Pro tip (from an amateur): put a towel down on the floor that covers about 3 feet in front of the mirror (basically to the front wheel). I was so focused on popping the mirror cap off carefully that I didn't realize it would go flying off and hit the ground. The towel will provide a safe landing spot and prevent scratches. This is especially important if you're removing the CF cap (for whatever reason). FWIW: While you may not need to, I did pop the mirrors out to make it easier to pop the cap off.
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03-10-2020, 03:18 PM	#5
///MCollection First Lieutenant 184 Rep 364 Posts Drives: M2C X5M M4 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Southwest UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M4 [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [10.00] 2017 BMW X5M [0.00]	If it is cold I always run a hot air gun over the glass and then pop it out then warm the plastic clips too. Plastic is so much less fragile when warm just keep pointing the air away and feeling the piece to not over heat. You lucky ones in warmer climates can just park it in the sun.
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03-10-2020, 03:38 PM	#6
Tag this is the way 18151 Rep 8,527 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Trying to pop out the mirror is tricky, it's super thin with little backing and easy to crack... ask me how I know. If you don't plan on using the old caps and don't mind if some clips break than you can take the safer route and pop them off from the back. If you to decide to pop out the mirror to get the old caps off use a really wide pry tool, take your time, do not force it and cross your fingers.
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03-10-2020, 03:42 PM	#7
BigKutta Brigadier General 3904 Rep 4,048 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Burbs iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 330xi [0.00] 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00]	I would just follow the video above. Gentle taps, while holding the cap, until is slowly gets wedged out. No need to rush it, just push it out a few mm at a time.
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03-10-2020, 05:12 PM	#8
VFK_by_Midnight New Member 79 Rep 21 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Comp Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: U.S. iTrader: (0)	If you don't have the tool in the video above, I've found you can use a small flathead screwdriver wrapped in a thin cloth to pop out the initial tabs. __________________ \|\| Instagram: @VFK_by_Midnight \|\|
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03-10-2020, 08:12 PM	#9
Cannondale900 Second Lieutenant 348 Rep 244 Posts Drives: '20 M2C, '10 535ixT, '91 M5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 X5 45e [0.00] 2015 LR4 HSE Lux + HD [0.00] 1965 Shelby Cobra 4 ... [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00] 1991 M5 [0.00] 2010 535ixT [0.00]	I just installed mine this evening; no need to mess with the mirror glass at all. The video referenced above is perfect. I didn't have a trim tool (no clue where it went) but I did have a plastic shim. I laid a microfiber towel over the mirror and tapped along the seam exactly as per the video referenced above.....the painted cover popped off gradually over the course of four or five firm taps. I would use an implement made of plastic and at least 2" wide. This will prevent the implement from slipping through any protective cloth and inadvertently scratching or tearing the cover you are removing.
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