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At least that what this odd detail on our M3 looks like to me. I only noticed it over the weekend, so clearly it's not much of a styling issue.
It appears as though this odd cut line was made so the mirror housing could fold in, but it doesn't look particularly well finished, especially for a car that's so utterly spectacular in virtually ever other respect.
Surely, there must be a good reason for the lapse in detail here. Any suggestions?
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 10,022 miles
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altimadude00 says:
05:42 PM, 10/ 7/09
I'm guessing the upper "support" is to reduce buffeting around the mirror. However, it's too thin to house a hinge for the mirror to fold back. Or, the pivot motion/plane doesn't allow for a top hinge. Looks well finished to me, other than the gap between the two pieces.
stephen_k says:
06:23 PM, 10/ 7/09
I'm pretty sure the mirrors fold in/up manually and that's why there's a cut line there. I know I've seen a pic online somewhere with the mirrors folded.
billt9 says:
07:49 PM, 10/ 7/09
looks stylish to me with that space-age-no-touch-levitation-style. an actualy hinge may look cheap. Thumbs up.
stephen_k says:
08:12 PM, 10/ 7/09
Video of a pretty trick power folding mirrors in action. Maybe this is a feature of the European models.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBK1gH4DzoI
altimadude00 says:
08:18 PM, 10/ 7/09
Ah, I was right! Thanks stephen_k.
empowah says:
08:31 PM, 10/ 7/09
Oh noes! It's the MIRROR GAP. Definitely a deal-breaker.
saxdogg says:
06:01 AM, 10/ 8/09
Better than headliner gap.
rick8365 says:
06:37 AM, 10/ 8/09
Angled to reduce wind noise, no?
carlisimo says:
09:19 AM, 10/ 8/09
Why bother having a top piece at all?
frenchboy says:
09:39 AM, 10/ 8/09
E90 M3 owner here. The power folding mirrors are part of the Premium Package in the US.
I believe that the gap is primarily to provide clearance for the folding arm.
rick8365 says:
11:41 AM, 10/ 8/09
Good question, Carlisimo.
911cs2 says:
01:48 PM, 10/ 8/09
"E90 M3 owner here. The power folding mirrors are part of the Premium Package in the US.
I believe that the gap is primarily to provide clearance for the folding arm."
+1, E92 M3 owner here and yes, that's why, pure design pragmatics.
Also, it's power fold (to an earlier poster).
Mitlov says:
05:21 PM, 10/ 8/09
"Why bother having a top piece at all?"
Carlisimo: 1. BMW: 0.
This sort of tacky fakery gets called out on everything from Ford Focuses to Lexus IS-Fs. BMW should not be immune.
Mitlov says:
05:24 PM, 10/ 8/09
"E92 M3 owner here and yes, that's why, pure design pragmatics."
If it was pure design pragmatics, you wouldn't have the upper "arm" at all.
worthyofed says:
08:26 PM, 10/ 8/09
I could be wrong, but I'm betting it has something to do with aerodynamics. What that is exactly, I don't know.
But according to the BMW website, "...And the aerodynamic wing mirrors and rear diffuser both contribute to the car's exhilarating dynamics."
Mitlov says:
01:40 PM, 10/ 9/09
Maybe that "wing mirror" contributes in a remotely-noticeable way to the M3's handling. Then again, maybe I'm a Chinese jet pilot.