Rear view mirrors (BMW 3 Series E46)

Exterior rear view mirrors

1. Switch for adjusting the mirror position in four directions.



2. Switch from one mirror to another.

3. Key* for moving mirrors together and apart.

By pressing the button, the mirrors are pressed against the body or moved apart, which is convenient when driving through a car wash, when driving along narrow streets, and also for returning the mirrors to their original position if they were accidentally moved forward.

You can press the mirrors against the body only if the vehicle speed does not exceed 10 km/h.

The position of the mirrors can also be adjusted manually by turning them by the glass frame.

The outer, aspherically curved* part of the reflective surface provides, with some image distortion, a larger viewing sector compared to the inner, convex* part. As a result, the rear viewing angle increases and the so-called "dead" zone is reduced.

The mirror farthest from the driver has a more convex reflective surface compared to the mirror on the driver's door. Objects visible in it seem further away than they actually are. Therefore, it is only conditionally suitable for assessing the distance to moving vehicles.



The same applies to the outer aspherically curved part of the mirror.

Electric heating*

Both mirrors are heated automatically depending on the air temperature when the ignition key is turned to position 2.

Rear view mirror in the cabin

To reduce the blinding effect of headlights of cars driving behind you, you need to turn a small lever forward.

Cosmetic mirrors with lighting*

To use the mirror, fold the sun visor down and, if the mirror is closed, slide its cover to the side.

The mirror illumination is switched on when the ignition key is set to position 1.

Sun visors

The visors can not only be folded down, but also moved to the side windows.

Non-glare (auto-dimming) rear view mirror* in the cabin

The reflectivity of the mirror is automatically and smoothly reduced depending on the brightness of the general lighting and the blinding effect of the headlights of cars behind.



The mirror reduces the glare from headlights of cars moving behind, depending on its intensity, and when it stops, it restores its original level of reflectivity. A forward-facing light sensor in the mirror housing measures the intensity of light in front of the car. A second light sensor is located in the mirror itself. The electronic adjustment system compares the light intensity values in front and behind.

The difference in values is the determining factor for changing the electrical voltage on the gel layer of the mirror.

This layer responds to voltage changes and provides smooth darkening of the mirror.

This eliminates the need to adjust the degree of darkening of the mirror, allowing the driver to fully concentrate on the road.

When reverse gear is engaged or the AT control lever is moved to position R, the mirror automatically switches to full reflection mode without dimming.

For normal operation of the mirror, it is important not to obstruct anything and keep its photocells clean. One photocell (shown by arrow) is located in the mirror, and the other is on its reverse side.

Please also refer to Section Auto-dimming interior mirror.