General Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror Colour

[Mark Elvin]

I was a little surprised to see that on my new 500 the plastic housing for the electrochromatic rear view mirror is black, especially when I have Ivory ambience.

It's shown as Ivory on the configurator too.

 

[cowenb]

that's strange 'cos my standard mirror has an ivory surround but Black Ambience interior

 

[nottsfiat07]

Why dont you swap?

 

[Mark Elvin]

Why dont you swap?

Because mine's an electrochromatic one

 

[Melanabb]

Because mine's an electrochromatic one

Not wanting to sound stupid (but I usually manage to ) - what is an electrochromatic mirror? I have this image of mororised chromed monstrocity... I'm sure its not right!

 

[ensonricky]

what is an electrochromatic mirror

An overpriced option IMHO.

 

[Heidi]

I had one in my cmax and i didn't like it cus I tend to flip the mirror down to see what my toddler is up to in the back when I stop at lights etc and I couldnt' do that with the auto dimming one.

 

[Kernow]

Not wanting to sound stupid (but I usually manage to ) - what is an electrochromatic mirror? I have this image of mororised chromed monstrocity... I'm sure its not right!

It's a mirror with a light sensor built in, when a car comes up behind you it darkens the mirror slightly to prevent dazzle. It's one of those things that if you've had it before, you wonder how you'd manage without it.

My Chrysler 300C has one and the Wife's (soon to be ex-current car) Clio doesn't. When driving the Clio I find it very tiring on the eyes from the glare in the rear view mirror.

For me the price is well worth it for the benefit it gives, but Heidi makes a very valid point as they are not instantly adjustable, but I guess one of those little 'keep our eyes on what the little tinkers are up too' additional mirrors would overcome that.

Stef

 

[ensonricky]

In 28 years of driving I can probably count on two hands the number of times I have needed to dip the rear view mirrow due to glare so that would work out about £5 a dip using my rudementary maths.

Now rear fog light left on in clear conditions is another matter.

 

[Mark Elvin]

An overpriced option IMHO.

Or on the other hand, a FREE option from Fiat UK!!!!!!

As was the upgrade to 16" 421's

 

[ensonricky]

Or on the other hand, a FREE option from Fiat UK!!!!!!

Don't rub it in. Never say no to a freebie has always been my motto.

 

[Kernow]

In 28 years of driving I can probably count on two hands the number of times I have needed to dip the rear view mirrow due to glare so that would work out about £5 a dip using my rudementary maths.

Now rear fog light left on in clear conditions is another matter.

Unfortunately as I spend most of my car journeys on the motorway (M3) I always end up with some cock in a German car right up my ar$e so I find the electrochromatic mirror invaluable.

Totally agree with you on the fog lights though, I don't think I've ever used them more than a couple of times front or rear in my 20 years behind the wheel, unfortunately as the M3 is always nose to tail there is simply no need for them at all.

Stef

 

[Mark Elvin]

Unfortunately as I spend most of my car journeys on the motorway (M3) I always end up with some cock in an Audi car right up my ar$e so I find the electrochromatic mirror invaluable.

Edited for accuracy

Unfortunately as I spend most of my car journeys on the motorway (M3) I always end up with some German cock right up my ar$e

Or maybe this is what you ment

 

[Kernow]

Edited for accuracy



Or maybe this is what you ment

First option, but add in BMW's and Merc's too!!

Stef

 

[omaragra]

for me, I can live without it because I have a sports version of the 500 and the back glass is black tinted (standard on my 500)

 

[Heidi]

but Heidi makes a very valid point as they are not instantly adjustable, but I guess one of those little 'keep our eyes on what the little tinkers are up too' additional mirrors would overcome that.

Stef

They always fall off

 

[Roadsterchinsk]

We didnt spec it but generally find monochromatic mirrors really good. One of those things where you didnt notice haw mildly irritating it is when you havent got one.

I dont think you can relate it to how many times you dip the mirror. It takes care of all those borderline flashes or brief blinding's you get that are a minor thing but dont go on long enough to bother doing anything about.

Last night i drove my wifes current car (pre 500 trade in) 70 miles and back and was convinced that everyone in Sussex was a chav or similar. It appeared they had installed not very bright but blue coloured headlight bulbs in a bad attempt to have xenons. It was a while before i realised it was the monochromatic mirror kicking in.

 

[ensonricky]

I dont think you can relate it to how many times you dip the mirror.

Why not? If the glare is all to brief to do anything about it and you haven't had an accident at night in 28 years it obviously isn't a great problem.

I can understand Stef however finding it of use given the large amount of nightime motorway miles he evidently covers.

 

[Roadsterchinsk]

Why not? If the glare is all to brief to do anything about it and you haven't had an accident at night in 28 years it obviously isn't a great problem.

I can understand Stef however finding it of use given the large amount of nightime motorway miles he evidently covers.

Being a great problem and causing an accident is not what anyone is talking about otherwise it would be considered essential safety kit.

If it stops all those brief flashes and glares that are not a major issue but are annoying and make a night journey more wearing, then that is a good thing. Same as half of the other developments in car technology over the last few years.

If you can understand someone doing night driving finding it usefull then everybody who ever drives at night will find it of some benefit at some point but just to varying degrees.
That degree of usefulness and some ones budget will determine if people want to pay extra for it and how much.

To say its not worth it because you dont dip often is missing all the many small instances where one of these excels.

 

[Mark Elvin]

My old M5 had it, I though it was invaluable as I do about 14,000 miles a year, often at night or VERY early morning after doing a late shift on the tracks.