Homelink mirror on Z4 M Coupe?

[Chamberlin]

hi guys, I just picked up an '06 Z4 M Coupe and to my surprise, the car came with an OEM auto dimming Homelink mirror with working clown nose. I didn't think those were an option for the Z4MC? The manual mentions nothing of it. Fortunately, I used my '09 E92 M3 user manual to program it, and it works fine...

So was this an option on this car? Or did one of the PO's add it on? The car also appears to have the OEM alarm system too, as it beeps when locking/unlocking. The only obvious mods I can see on the car are an iPod cable in the glove box and the center arm rest storage tray thingy (already removed it).

Any info appreciated! Glad to be here!

[chickdr]

It was not an option(don't know why since it would have been a simple thing and a nice addition). The PO must have purchased one and had it installed. Good for you.

[KevinM]

Like Chickdr says, it was not an option. If the mirror is rectangular, the prior owner likely ordered a BMW Homelink mirror. If the mirror is the OE oval shape, there is a company that will insert a Homelink mechanism into the OE BMW mirror.

The cars came pre-wired for the BMW factory alarm and so many people just have it installed.

[nwflbimmer]

Any idea what company? I miss my built-in garage door openner?

Originally Posted by KevinM

Like Chickdr says, it was not an option. If the mirror is rectangular, the prior owner likely ordered a BMW Homelink mirror. If the mirror is the OE oval shape, there is a company that will insert a Homelink mechanism into the OE BMW mirror.

The cars came pre-wired for the BMW factory alarm and so many people just have it installed.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by nwflbimmer

Any idea what company? I miss my built-in garage door openner?

http://radar-mirror.com/index.html

I keep meaning to do this, but since I usually drive the car on the weekends and my DD has home link, i haven't gotten around to it. However, others on the board (as I recall) had favorable results.

[Blind32]

^^ I know the guy personally, he does good work.

[Chamberlin]

thanks for the replies guys- yup it's a 3 button OEM homelink/autodimming mirror, with working clown nose and it is trapezoidal in shape....now I can see even more of the mailbox slot out the rear window! LOL anyways, the range on this mirror is at least 4 times the distance of my '09 M3's mirror....I'm very impressed...don't know why one would bother installing a homelink module in a coupe mirror or coupe headliner when this mirror is available...

haven't confirmed the alarm works yet (other than the beeping), but like you all said, it is a relatively easy install so either the PO installed it or this was all done by BMW, since this was originally a press car.

managed to get Bluetooth connected to my android phone tonight; holy pain in the ass to figure that out...and I had the manuals too...

I almost wish the car didn't have navigation, as the '06 system is so archaic and claustrophobic in the M Coupe.

but enjoying the snot out of driving this car!

[KevinC]

I have the Homelink upgrade from radar-mirror.com. Scott also repaired the mirror in my E46 recently (he fixes knackered day/night functionality, a common problem on BMW mirrors). He does GREAT work. The Homelink upgrade isn't cheap, but it's the trickiest solution for adding Homelink to a Z4. Shame on BMW for not even offering it as an option on a $55k car? Sheesh.

Here are some pics of mine.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by Chamberlin

thanks for the replies guys- yup it's a 3 button OEM homelink/autodimming mirror, with working clown nose and it is trapezoidal in shape....now I can see even more of the mailbox slot out the rear window! LOL anyways, the range on this mirror is at least 4 times the distance of my '09 M3's mirror....I'm very impressed...don't know why one would bother installing a homelink module in a coupe mirror or coupe headliner when this mirror is available...

haven't confirmed the alarm works yet (other than the beeping), but like you all said, it is a relatively easy install so either the PO installed it or this was all done by BMW, since this was originally a press car.

managed to get Bluetooth connected to my android phone tonight; holy pain in the ass to figure that out...and I had the manuals too...

I almost wish the car didn't have navigation, as the '06 system is so archaic and claustrophobic in the M Coupe.

but enjoying the snot out of driving this car!

The only reason for installing Homelink on the OE M coupe mirror (besides cost - $300 for retrofit vs. likely $600 for the BMW Homelink mirror) is to retain the OE oval shape of the mirror. The oval mirror says "M" to me, but my thoughts are shaped (pun intended) by the fact that my M5 and M coupe have oval mirrors. Sad truth be told, I'd pay more to retain my oval mirror if I install Homelink (either through radar-mirror or the retrofit in the roof headliner). As as aside, it you set the mirror upward so that the bottom half the mirror reflects the the view out (e.g, the top half of the mirror is not reflecting outside), the visibility is much better.

I likely wouldn't purchase Nav as an option, but with the latest software and DVD, I don't think the M coupe's is so bad...I do close the screen if I don't need the system (which is 99% of the time!).

[eHelmholtz]

The other option is to add homelink for $20 bucks by doing this:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101215

[Chamberlin]

wow, I guess I didn't realize the homelink mirror was in the neighborhood of $600! I've gotten them for other (Japanese) cars over the years for less than a third of that price! Welcome to BMW Welt!

Thanks for the tip on the Nav discs, I'll look into it....especially if there's a software improvement to be had as well.

[spr_bimmer]

recently got my homelink module from ebay and might be installing it this weekend if my roof motor doesn't take too long to fix...