auto dimming mirror has to go !!!!!!

[harveee]

hi all, had me frtdi for a week now, have finally got a decent seating position but at the hieght i have the seat I find my view really obstructed by the large auto dimming mirror [ it is way to low down IMHO]. This coupled with the terrible obstructive A pillars is geting me down . [russian roulette roundabouts]
I intend to remove the mirror and fit the smallest one i can find at the highest point up on the windscreen, if poss behind the mirror housing...
anyone removed one of these mirrors and could offer some advice please.

Love the power and economy, still on half a tank after 240 miles, [ my st would be on fumes by now].
Also had a bit of fun with a BMW 1 series 2.0 diesel ...with out going into details let me say that I had the most fun, even though the bmw stats are quicker than the fr.
Still think the seat is not padded enough and can feel the metal where it hugs the outside of your thighs....seat padding thing on order..

 

[Tam]

FWIW - the normal mirror is just as big ....

 

[harveee]

hi tam, Im going to buy a normal repcement mirror, maybe one of those small ones that driving instructors use, just got to get it higher .

 

[harveee]

have bought a smaller mirror and have turned the auto mirror side ways so it doesnt obstuct my view so much, does anyone know how to get the thing off please ???

 

[simon34]

I think it should just pull out will bring the base with it aswell though was talking to dealer the other day and he was saying how many people keep knocking the off and brining the car in to have them refitted

 

[Nathanio]

Auto dimming mirrors is shear lazyness and shows why cars are getting heavier. Are people that lazy that they need auto mirrors, wipers and headlights?

Anyway back on topic - might be a stealer job i'm afraid. There will be wiring and all sorts leading into the mirror

 

[harveee]

think your right nathanio, it has electrics fitted so might be safer to get it done properly, cant believe how much more vision I have with it just turned sideways. Much safer now as I can see alot more execpt for the A pillars.
Got to disagree with you about the auto windscreen wipers though, they are excellent, was forever altering the speed settings in my st, plus a car splashed me today with surface water [wasnt raining] and they automatically cleared the screen....
thanks all for the replys.

 

[Nathanio]

See I use RainX and that does a grand job of clearing the screen with little fuss and no wipers.

 

[harveee]

have removed the mirror and fitted a smaller one high up on windscreen, the visability now is much better, best thing I have done to the car.

 

[WildWestHero]

Harveee,

Useful post. I haven't got my new Leon yet (arriving 2nd of April), but when first sitting in the car I found myself almost jumping bacwards when I first looked towards the RVM (and it wasn't just my looks). Anyway enough waffle...

What size was the old mirror, and what size is the replacement?

Where did you get a replacement mirror, i.e. what car model?

Was it easy to replace, and does it look neat?

Thanks for raising this one as it was something I was going to look at when I got the new motor.

 

[t-"RACY"]

Nathanio;1290595]Auto dimming mirrors is shear lazyness and shows why cars are getting heavier. Are people that lazy that they need auto mirrors, wipers and headlights?

Disagreement I do not want to offend or upset anyone here but IMHO I believe the auto dimming rear view mirror is a good option/addition. It basically cuts out the glare of the following vehicle headlights, so I do not think there is any question of their being any lazyness on part of the driver who has this option. Although I have got to agree with you 100% on the lazyness title on the issue of auto wipers and headlights, but as all three of the aforementioned features are part of the Convenience Pack on the Leon, I did not have any choice in my selection.

Also contrary to some Leon owners I wanted the auto dimming rear view mirror. In addition, and having had a previous FR without the DRVM I do not find the DRVM obtrusive at all, that is unless you sit right on top of the steering wheel when driving or have the seat adjustment too high. I also like the "mood" lighting that projects down from the mirror onto the centre console, which is a "german thing" as my hubby has had it on all the BMW's he has owned.

Tracy

 

[Nathanio]

Just flick the mirror down and voila no glare! My dads old XC90 had one and it was dimwitted and slow. Lot of the time it made sod all difference and we all ended up just dipping it down manually! Would rather just have a smaller mirror so I can see more throught the screen

 

[harveee]

Hi Tracy no offence taken, its not the mirror I hate its the positioning of it. though I did find it very dark at night and hard to see what was behind you.
I like to sit fairly high in a car and found that at the hieght i liked the mirror was right in my eyeline, couldnt see over or under it . Tried dropping the seat right down and was much better view but I wasnt comfortable, tried it higher and couldnt see out of the side windows without ducking !!!
So I just pulled the mirror down and it came away with the plastic facia plate and the electric cable unplugs from a connector up inside the roof lining.
Havnt worked out yet how to get the facia plate off the mirror so might just order a new one,[hope they do a blank without the hole for the mirror] I then bought a cheap small suction mirror [fiver] and stuck it high up on the screen. The view is much better and it has made me feel less claustaphobic.
The car still has the worst A frame obstruction that I have experienced but am much happier now I have changed the mirror and fitted a cushioned seat cover.
Now just got to sort out the bumpy ride with some koni FSDs and I should be happy with the car.
Overall [imho] I think the FR is a lovely looking car with a great engine and equipment but let down by bumpy ride, underpadded seat and blind spots,
hopefully with the new shocks fitted I will be happy, but in the back of my mind I am thinking why do I have to do this to a brand new car, maybe I should have bought a golf or mondeo ST TDCI....time will tell.

 

[foxes]

just tint the dam thing

 

[t-"RACY"]

Now just got to sort out the bumpy ride with some koni FSDs and I should be happy with the car.

Got to agree on the overly harsh drive, but I guess I'm right by saying that ......

(A) Its not the FR's ride quality being too hard but our roads being totally crap. Lets be honest we have a government that takes 50 Billion of our hard earned money every year and spends less than a fifth of that sum on the very purpose it was meant to be spent. Also have you ever driven on any other EU roads? if so you will find my opinion of our roads is very justified!!
(B) The FR never spent any research & development time on British roads, as maybe it would not be as crashy.

Tracy