rb23lb

nice... definitely gonna get one then for the compass upgrade!

PilotAlan

Just completed the mirror upgrade. Instructions were perfect.

On mine, it was a 2008 and the new mirror did not want to seat. There was no good place to push, I was afraid of breaking the mirror.
So, a drop of 3&1 oil on each spring pin and cycled then a few times with a set of channel locks (only thing big enough to push on both pins at the same time).
Then, after getting the mirror is place, I got one pin in place, used a screwdriver and seated against the cast metal base, and gave it a couple of hits. No dice.

So then, I got a small ziptie and ran it through the spring, tightening it and taking just a little tension off the spring, tried again and it popped right in. But I can't take the ziptie off because it fits flush.
Maybe in a week or so I'll take it out, remove the ziptie, and see it I can pop it back in.

Maplights, homelink, dimming, and compass all work exactly right.
PS - The mirror looked VERY different from the non-dimming in the 2011, and I was afraid I'd gotten the wrong mirror. No problems, it turms out.

C300Sport

Yea, that center spring can be a real pain in the butt. Makes me wonder why MB didn't simply use a couple screws???? Gotta love those German engineers...lol.

st2288

Even a simple cup holder on a R171 (SLK350) and a W210(E320).. is a piece of work

rb23lb

you have an 09'.... meaning you already have a compass stock...

nobody I have seen here did it with an '08, since '08 is the only year without a compass.... i already have homelink/autodimming and just want compass...

I am afraid the compass might not be located in the mirror and instead it might be fed in from the cars computer system through the wiring....

can anyone here confirm of this will work with an '08

thanks

rb

PilotAlan

Everything is built into the mirror. You give the mirror 12v power, and the mirror does its business. My car had nothing. Plugged the mirror into power, and everything now works.

rb23lb

ya but you had a compass before... I didn't have a compass before...

im sure it works... just saying that NOBODY here has added a compass mirror to a 2008 yet that I have seen...

thats why I wish I knew for sure it worked... until someone does, nobody really knows...

C300Sport

I would think the inner workings of the compass are included in the mirror housing itself. Seems very unlikely that it would get any sort of signal/info from the car to help it determine direction.
It's probably safe to say it will work in an 08 but you never know for sure until you give it a shot.

alehrke

Thanks for all the how to help. My mirror has all bells and whistles, but unfortunately only the homelink works. No map lights, no compass, tho the little dim light on the bottom works.

So off I went to the dealer that told me the mirror was faulty. I ordered a replacement from Ebay and hopefully it will work when I get it replaced. So I thank you folks for the info on how to remove it and then get the new one back in place.

al

AmeyStune

Can someone provide me detail instructions on how to remove the overhead console? Pictures would be helpful or some guide?

When I try to pry it open with a credit card, it seems like I am going to break it.

PYM

I've read through the various posts about successfully replacing a non-dimming with a dimming mirror. I've received bad info from dealers (it can't be done!) and after market suppliers (it can't be done as well!), but as I've learned from here, it can be done. I had attempted to buy an autodimming MB mirror for my wife's 2011 C250 through an after market supplier (SoCal Mercedes Parts) but they ordered what I had already instead of what I wanted. To make it even worse, they refused to return my money claiming it was a 'special order'. In order to buy and do what this forum suggests I must first sell what I have. I've tried the local Kijiji and E-Bay with no luck. Any suggestions? It is in the original MB OEM box.
Thanks for the info and details on the swap out of the original with the after market mirror. This is exactly what I had intended on doing. I didn't know about the need for a software/settings reset. Good to know.


Paul

TonyLukes3

If you're sitting in the driver seat, you need to insert the credit card or pry tool into the rear side of the overhead light console (closer to the rear of the car). It should swing down and give you access. You also need to pop loose (not off) the little black should near the windshield. That pops off easy, just pry gently all around.

Hope that helps, I just did mine with am '08 mirror w Homelink and all works perfectly except for the dimming when in reverse which isn't a big deal. I'm gonna bring it to the dealer to have them program it correctly eventually.

awstansbury

I just installed an '08 Homelink, auto-dimming, non-compass mirror on my '09 non-P1 C300. Everything works and the installation was a cinch! Pulling down on the mirror with some force released it; I pried with a screwdriver against the upper metal plate at the same time. Putting the new one in required a dab of oil and a screwdriver to push in the spring-loaded pin (pain in the butt). It took about 15 minutes for this newbie.

Just a warning to those purchasing a beige '08 mirror -- the '08 beige is slightly darker than the '09 beige. I didn't realize this and now my mirror is a different color than the rest of my interior. You can't notice unless you know what you're looking for (it looks like 2 different brands of peanut butter side by side), but if you're really picky beware. I was wondering why I got such an awesome deal on ebay for the thing...

Thank you to everyone for the instructions.

shotgun_banjo

Did three mods on the car a few days ago:

1. New shift knob to replace the crappy old one.
2. New OEM grille similar to the stock 13 models.
3. New mirror with homelink which I am currently having a problem.

I cannot re-seat it again. What a pain in the tush to get it back in. I try the screw driver method, small amount of WD-40 and no luck. My arms are hurting right now because of the countless times I tried to push it in I even used a hammer and a piece of wood and no matter how much pounding I did it just doesn't want to give it.

Any other advise to get this in? After all this mod the car is perfect!

PilotAlan

Yeah. I don't know how they get them in at the factory.
I used a zip tie to take some pressure off the spring, cut it off, and then got the mirror seated. The zip tie is still in there.


The mirror was still rock solid, even with the zip tie reducing the pressure.

shotgun_banjo

Maybe they have a muscle man employeed just for that job. I will try to find a zip tie and see if that would work.

gary1944

Just did this mod today. Bought a matching color rear view mirror with compass, auto dim and garage door opener on Ebay for $100. Was a total plug and play. My thanks to this forum for the instructions.

yacoub.alyacoub

I'm glad it worked many cars in the states are easily done compared to other export versions around the world.

I bought the original for about $740 did the installation my self and now the dealer is asking for $550 to only add the code to the system