RonNSoCal

Broke passenger side mirror while backing into the garage today. I am beginning to wonder about my driving skills deteriorating. I feel I can see fine, but it seems my perception is going off track. I have been backing my cars into the garage for years and have hit the mirror twice in the past week. This time, I hit it pretty hard and broke the glass mirror. I was able to snap the covering back together and it does not look too bad, considering. I am wondering if I will need to buy the whole unit and have it painted to match or if just the mirror part is replaceable? Anyone have experience with this repair?

RonNSoCal

It looks like if I just replacing the glass mirror portion, I can purchase the part for about $200 for one with blind spot warning and lane assist. I am not sure how difficult or what the cost of labor will be. I definitely will want an oem replacement part and from what I can see so far, this price seems good. Any recommendations or thoughts?

crconsulting

As you’ve seen, parts are available separately. I agree, I would just replace the glass. Labor shouldn’t be too bad. Below gives you an idea of what’s involved as far as labor. I wouldn’t be so hard on yourself. We all have a tendency to get complacent on repetitive tasks like backing a car in the garage.

RonNSoCal

Thanks for the kind words. The bad part is the feeling of losing my faculties as I age. I know I will not be able to drive forever, but I sure am hoping I am not close to the point where I am going to have to hang up the car keys. There are few things left in my life that I enjoy more than driving my beautiful SL.

crconsulting

I would consider widening the garage door before I would do that
If it's any consolation, more damage has occurred to my cars over the years, either in the garage or parking them, than actually driving them.

RonNSoCal

My local Independent mechanic replaced the broken glass in the mirror for under $50. The part was nearly $250 with tax and shipping. Unfortunately, I knocked out the turn signal on the mirror and my mechanic says I need to buy the exterior housing piece to resolve this issue. The bad news is the piece is over $200 and will have to be painted to match my Cardinal Red car. There are covers available in some colors but apparently not mine. Too bad I cannot just get the bulb replaced, or the clear plastic portion with the bulb. I imagine the painting will cost more than the small plastic piece I need.

crconsulting

If painting is too costly, you could always get carbon mirror covers. Admittedly, it’s an acquired taste. But as a bonus, it could act as sort of a shield. If you ever scrape your mirror again, all you might have to replace is the one cover instead of a repaint.

RonNSoCal

Believe me, I have checked these out. I am not sure if some of the painted portion underneath would still show at the edges, but these would save a little money. Unfortunately, I would still need to buy the new housing. I have been looking on ebay hoping to find a used one, but no luck so far. Maybe someone has changed their mirrors with the full carbon fiber ones, might have a painted one for sale.