[mtuk]

Anyone know the difference between the new Cooper S 2005 rear view mirror and the 2003 type? Are both auto dim?. I've been told there are some changes to the new 2005.

Reason is mine is having a replacement under warranty and I want to know which to have fitted.

 

[Paul]

The new one's bigger, so you can see more of your C posts.

 

[Z1GZAG N]

The new one's bigger, so you can see more of your C posts.

Which means you see less out the windshield

 

[sequence]

Which means you see less out the windshield

Slightly, but not enough to be noticeable. The 05 RVMs were designed with the cabrio's blind spots in mind, and , I think, work quite well in the hatch. Jimbo

 

[walexis]

I haven't seen the old model rear view mirror, but the 05 model quite blocks out the left front view for me.
Mostly when I drive through the twisties. The view to the left side is blocked by the mirror. Sadly it cannot be adjusted high or low like some other designs. I'm 6 feet tall. Also the top of the rev gauge is also blocked by the steering wheel.

If the 04 model is smaller I would go for that. Just my opinion.

 

[GBMINI]

Strange - my rearview mirror blocks the view to the right

Agree with you - when making a turn sometimes the mirror is a significant hindrance and I imagine the '05 one has to be worse since it is bigger. I guess it all depends how high you sit (I sit very high, with my head about 1" below the roof).

 

[Rich'sFroggy]

Right you are...

The new one's bigger, so you can see more of your C posts.

I rather like my '04 RVM. It is just enough to see out the entire area of the rear and no more.

Rich

 

[tai10]

Strange - my rearview mirror blocks the view to the right

maybe country ?
but then hes from hong kong and ur from britan
arent they both on the ride side?

dont no im from canada and its left side for drivers

 

[walexis]

Tai10,

GBmini did put a smiley at the end of the sentence

Anyway I drive on the left side you guy in Canada and USA on right side...

Hmmm... wondering if someone has retro fitted a 04RVM in a 05 model??

 

[scott_roberts]

My '05 Cooper S RVM is big too, but doesn't bother me. I am a bit bothered by the top of the tack being cut off by the steering wheel. No big deal, it's just not as visible as it could be. It would be nice to have those lights that tell you when you're about to redline! Anyone make that for the Cooper S?

 

[TheOfficeMaven]

I'm currently driving an 03 MCS and an 05 MCS and I can tell you first hand that there is a HUGE difference between the rear view mirrors on the two cars. In the 03, the rear view mirror is so small that I have difficulty seeing with it. The 05 on the other hand is MUCH larger and MUCH easier to see out of. I'm sure that if I only had the 03 mirror without the 05 to compare it to that I wouldn't complain, but after driving the two cars back to back I can really tell a big difference and the 05 is a lot better (for me anway).

Note that the 03 has a self-dimming mirror and the 05 doesn't, so in that respect, the 03 is actually a better rear view mirror. However, I'd take the larger size of the 05 rear view mirror without the self-dimming feature over the smaller self-dimming 03 mirror any day (yes, it is that much better IMHO).

 

[Paul]

You can get auto dipping on the new mirror though.

Personally I'm not bothered either way, and I've driven both types for several thousand miles.

 

[jammythart]

Since driving my MCS I have tended to use the wing mirrors more than in my other cars, maybe this is something to do with the RVM and the relationship to the whole size of the car....quite short!!

 

[erichui]

i used to have a 02MCS (without auto dimming) and now a 05mcs. (with dimming mirror)
i find that the 05 mirrors are much easier to see compare to the old ones. however without comparing i didn't have too much of a bad experiences with the 02 mirror . also the auto dimming mirror does work a lot better, no more blinding by truck drivers
didn't have that option available when i purchase my first car.

 

[tai10]

i drive on the ride side

 

[Hammer]

I have an '05, which has the larger mirror. I autocross, so the mirror is nothing but a hinderance. I haven't looked at it very closely, but is there an easy way to remove the rearview mirror?

 

[maxxx]

Tai10,

GBmini did put a smiley at the end of the sentence

Anyway I drive on the left side you guy in Canada and USA on right side...

Hmmm... wondering if someone has retro fitted a 04RVM in a 05 model??

i'm actually thinking of putting in a 05 mirror into my 04 model. cos i find the one i have is too small...