500 Wing Mirror Help Please!

[Macpheb]

Hi Everyone,

Last week my drivers side wing mirror was knocked off (it was folded in and parked with the drivers side facing the pavement - looks like its had a good kicking...brilliant!).

Anyway I sent the below image to the local dealer who quoted me £320 for a new wing mirror and to attach it. This seems really quite expensive to me and from looking at it, it seems that it would be quite simple to attach. From looking at the photo do I need a whole new wing? The only part that is broken is the bracket that attaches. The part where the wing folds and the mirror is fine. Any advice would be really appreciated...£320 seems pretty steep!

Thanks for your help

Brooke

 

[zanes]

Bet a breaker on ebay would sell you the bracket on it's own (if it's a separate part) or the entire mirror for much less. Then a trusted independent or find a workshop manual and home spanner (I bet it's in the Haynes, will check my copy for you).

 

[Macpheb]

Thank you - yeah that is what I am unsure of...do Fiat 500 Wings come in pieces? If I can just buy the bracket that would be great but I have a feeling it might be the whole wing!

 

[jrkitching]

Although the photo shows that your mirror was indeed broken as a result of impact damage, reading this thread will help you understand how the mirror is made, why you will most likely need to buy a complete new mirror, and why I don't recommend buying one secondhand.

The good news is that a complete mirror assembly is extremely simple to fit; it takes no more than seconds to undo the two allen bolts & release the wiring connector.

£320 is a ridiculous quote for a simple job like this. If you don't mind using aftermarket parts, they can be had for much less; here, for example.

You can get OEM ones from Shop4Parts ; passenger side mirrors & non-electric ones are quite heavily discounted, but electric driver's side mirrors are noticeably dearer.

 

[frupi]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500-door-wing-mirror-RH-driver-side-off-side-2008-ELECTRIC-HEATED-PRIMED-/221333532945?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AFiat|Model%3A500&hash=item338881b111

Oh, and this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35d7aa6f7b

 

[UFI]

Take it to a panel shop or bumper repair specialist and have it plastic welded.

 

[jrkitching]

Take it to a panel shop or bumper repair specialist and have it plastic welded.

From personal experience of working with one of these door mirrors, such a repair would not be either practical or durable.

Also you almost certainly won't be able to source the attachment bracket separately - it isn't available as an individual part and I doubt 1 in 100 breakers would have the necessary skill & finesse to separate the mirror into its constituent parts without damaging it. Even if you had a 100% OK bracket, you would still face the not inconsiderable task of reassembling the mirror.

IMO replacing the unit complete is the only option here, but that is, at least, extremely simple to do - you don't even need to open the door.

 

[zanes]

As JRKitching says, removal and refit is extraordinarily simple.

Fold mirror in
Prise off top cover on mirror mounting arm
Undo two bolts that you just exposed (the ones in your photos that are holding the remnants on the door) and unplug electrical connector.

Reverse to refit.


Worth noting that the body coloured painted part is just a cover that unclips pretty easily (must be mentioned on this forum somewhere).

Also there are two versions; the black plastic covered ones that are fitted to bog standard pop 500s. You don't want that version as it doesn't have the heated glass or the temperature sensor (which is probably why drivers side versions are more £££). However, as it's a clip off painted cover, you can buy any colour painted one and replace the cover with yours.

I'd rather have a used unit off a 500 that's being broken for parts than a non-genuine pattern part, but TBH you'll probably be fine with either.

Shop4parts has this page (these'll be genuine parts);
http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...Fiat_500_1.2_8v_Door_Mirrors&cat=Door_Mirrors

I'm not sure what they mean by electrically folding as AFAIK the 500 has never had electrically folding mirrors. I suspect that's the version you want.