Driver side rear view mirror

Discussion in 'MINI' started by Bobby D., Sep 14, 2015.

  1. Bobby D.

    Bobby D. New Member

    May 27, 2015
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    I love my new F55 Cooper, but I find lane changing to the left a little hairy. If I adjust the driver side mirror to see into the "blind spot", all I can see is the "blind spot". I want to see the "blind spot" AND the left lane traffic behind the car. To me, the driver side mirror does not have a wide enough view. Has anyone tried one of the aftermarket "fish eye" stick-on mirrors? Does anyone else feel the driver side rear view mirror does not see enough (in spite of it's huge size)?

    Bobby D.
     
  2. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I have 3 MINIs...2 R53s and an R50. All 3 have blind spot problems and all 3 now have those blind spot mirrors. The blind spot problem has now been resolved. You can buy adjustable ones at Big Lots for around $1.00 for a pack of 2.
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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  4. whaap

    whaap New Member

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    If you adjust your mirrors properly you can enjoy wide viewing just as I do with my stock mirrors. As I see a car come up behind me it doesn't matter if he passes me on the right or on the left, I will see him in my side view mirror 'before' he leaves my rear view mirror and I will see him in my peripheral vision with perhaps a small head turn 'before' he leaves my side view mirror. Not adjusting mirrors properly is the most common mistake made by drivers.
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Drive faster then everyone els, then you don't need your mirrors.:devil:

    [ame="http://youtu.be/AjGXn249Fc0"]What's Behind Me, It's Not Important - YouTube[/ame]
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    While I know how to adjust mirrors properly, and do so, I've also become addicted to the ridiculously superior view you have when you replace the left mirror with a european wide-angle mirror, and have done so on all my cars. Once you've tried it... you'll understand. You can see behind you, beside of you, and two lanes over. It's the way it should be, IMO.

    I hate the stick-on fish-eye mirrors. Just a personal preference thing. I prefer having the full mirror provide a single, wide-angle view.
     
  7. Bobby D.

    Bobby D. New Member

    May 27, 2015
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    I'm intrigued, where can I get a European wide-angle mirror for my MINI? Do European MINIs come with wide-angle mirrors?

    Bobby D.
     
  8. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    In the US, might be hard right now. OutMotoring would be a good source.

    The parts you want are:

    Mirror glass, heated, wide-angle, left 51-16-7-366-045
    Mirror glass, heated, wide-angle, right 51-16-7-366-045

    Unheated

    Mirror glass, heated, wide-angle, left 51-16-7-366-039
    Mirror glass heated convex right 51-16-7-366-039
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    I've always liked those fish eye mirrors. Sticking one on was a simple answer to moar better rearward vision.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    It's basically one of our passenger "closer than they appear" mirrors made for the driver side.
     
  11. Bobby D.

    Bobby D. New Member

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    I agree that once you lose sight of an on coming car in the center rear view mirror, it will pop into view on a properly adjusted side mirror. BUT, I find the discontinuity of looking away from one mirror to the other to be very disconcerting (especially in heavy traffic). Also the head-turn doesn't work too well on a four door Cooper, because of the door pillar. IMHO, the driver side mirror needs to be wide angle like the passenger side, but our government regulations do not allow this. Our European Brother-en enjoy a wide side-view with no blind spots!

    Bobby D.
     
  12. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    You can also often find them on eBay from the UK
     
  13. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    This doesn't make sense........you still have to use both mirrors to see the cars.

    I understand the desire for the wide angle, I agree that it would be nice to have the option to have them on our cars, but simply adjusting the side view will give you the same view....just without being able to see the side of you car.
     
  14. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Unless you've driven a lot of miles with wide angle mirrors on both sides, you may not appreciate the improvement. But it is VASTLY better. It's not just a matter of "you can adjust your mirror to see the same thing, just not the side of your car. I can see a whole extra lane to the left with mine... which is handy on multi-lane highways with people moving from those far left lanes, into what would otherwise be your blindspot...

    Trust me. Or not. But any other view is ill-informed. :devil:
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    I agree......as I tried to say above, but until then the properly adjusted mirror is good.

    And I used a 5 panel wink in my VW for years......so more is better....lol
     

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