[mooser]

Anyone know how to remove the backing on the wing mirrors?

Managed to scuff mine on a nice lorry.

Would like to repair it myself as it will cost £40!!! for the plastic bit on its own.

Does the actual mirror unclip somehow?

The backing doesn't seem fixed on vey securely as it can be moved back and forth a bit.

Thanks for your help,

Mooser

[monsta]

Not actually tried this one, although from what I have seen I think you can use a screwdriver to unclip the clips and it should just come off.

If you look past the glass of the mirror, you can see the clips...

[tomwexler]

OK, finally worked out how to take the wing mirror to pieces - it's a fiddly job, but at the rates my MINI service centre charges per hour labour, it's worth having a go.
The first job is to take the mirror off the door by loosening the 3 allen bolts that are revealed when you fold the wing mirror in or out. When you've got the bolts out you'll find that the mirror is still attached by the electric cables (for heating and the motor). These wires unclip easily via two little clips at each side of the connector. Before disconnecting this, it's worth sticking a pencil or something similar between the individual wires, or you'll find there's enough tension to pull them inside the door, and they're fiddly to get back out again.
Now the mirrors off, the tricky stuff starts. Get the back cover off first - for some jobs this is all you'll have to do. The way to do this is to use long fingernails to prise the cover backwards, and then using a small screwdriver (or the back of a teaspoon) to release the small plastic clips that you can (just) see behind the glass, moving the glass around to get the best angle. Once you get one or two clips off, it's pretty easy. I found the best place to start prising was just above the pillar that attaches the mirror to the door (it's slightly loose there even when all clips are in place). If you're going to remove the motor, the next thing to do is to release the electrics. The clip is obvious, but very stiff, and you'll have to be carefull not to rip the wires. Now to get the glass off. This was the hardest bit, and I've only done it once, so I can't say exactly how it works. Basically, if you look through the holes in the back of the mirror that are revealed when the covers removed (with the aid of a torch) you can just see some clips - wobbling these with a screwdriver, combined with hooking the edge of the glass with your fingers, seems to do the job. It's a bit hit and miss, and I had to pull quite hard to get the glass to shift, but it did eventually.
Finally, there's a matter of getting the motor off. There are three self tapping screws holding the motor in place which become accessible once you've removed the glass. The only possible problem here is having the right tool - they're very small "Torx" screwheads (the sort often found in electrical appliances) - possibly T8 ot T10. I didn't have these in my toolkit, but found the local hardware store had loads of types, nearly all in cheapo box sets with other screwdrivers etc that come in at just a few quid. Still cheaper than BMW labour costs...
OK, that's it. Putting it back together is MUCH easier, you'll be glad to know. Most bits just push into place. The only reason I needed to take everything to pieces was because the broken bit was what MINI Parts call the "Mirror Bracket" - which is everything except the glass, motor and cover. And incredibly, it only costs £6.60 + VAT, so ultimately the whole job, caused by some hooligan kicking off the mirror on their way home from the pub, came in at about £10 and 30 minutes work.

[pjmedlam]

Excellent and useful description Tom

[AidenL]

Maybe chrome covers to replace them ??!! Incredibly cheap for the standard covers though .......