I'd really appreciate some advice and opinions on wing mirror replacement from those that have done it on a D2 FL.
The passenger (N/S) auto-dimming mirror is fine. No issues at all.
However the previous owner appears to have had an issue with the drivers (O/S) mirror and has stuck a very poorly cut piece of plastic mirror material over the top. I assume that there was an issue with the glass and the owner was too cheap to replace it.
When I have done a search I've found that a dealer replacement is an extortionate price for a piece of glass so was wondering what alternatives have been used by others?
There's a part of me that thinks I should stay true to the stock look of the car and to try and find a replacement auto-dimming mirror for the defective side. On eBay there appear to be some for sale from the US but with shipping at $38+ and then possible import duties on top it seems to be a quite expensive solution.
But if I didn't go that route I would be paying for 2 mirrors locally (to match each other) but don't have any experience re: quality and what to expect.
Has anyone moved from auto-dimming to non-dimming and found that the result is better e.g. slightly greater mirror area without the black band around the edge?
Has anyone found that other colours, e.g. blue tint are better than clear - in their opinion?
And anyone have views on why convex/blind-spot areas are better or worse?
I'm assuming that all OEM and aftermarket mirrors are heated, Is that too much of an assumption?
(have checked our sponsors and they don't appear to have a D2 O/S auto-dimming mirror for sale).
Thanks in advance for anyone's opinions.
Dean
PS Does anyone reading actually have a spare O/S auto-dimming mirror that they haven't listed in the For Sale section??
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Dean
Future work on "Red Dwarf": Fridge, solar sunroof, radio-controlled clock, interior and exterior dimming mirrors, Alcantara headlining/pillars/rear shelf, rear US outer lights, passenger memory seat, rear electric (lumbar and headrest) heated seats, Servotronic.
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Current:
2002 A8 D2 S8 FE -
"Red Dwarf" - Misano Red - Platinum/Silver Interior, PDC, Sat Nav Plus with BOSE and hidden Dension Bluetooth, Multi-changer, Heated Front Seats, Bi-Xenons, FE Wheels, Phone Prep with Nokia 6210, Detachable Towbar, Rear Blinds, S8 plate but no other optional extras
1st Place Winner - A8Parts Annual UK Meet 2018
1st Place Winner - A8-Freunde Annual German Meet 2018
2nd Place Winner - A8-Freunde Annual German Meet 2019
2002 A8L D2 with a factory fitted S8 engine and drivetrain - "Evergreen" - Irish Green Pearl (TBC) - magnolia leather seats with magnolia door cards/door trims, magnolia leather head-lining, extended leather pack 3 (dark green leather dash, upper door cards, steering wheel, lower dash, centre tunnel and rear parcel shelf), factory black external trim (in lieu of chrome), self-levelling suspension, Servotronic, Brembo brakes, "gullideckel" / "man-hole cover" / "pie-plate" 8Jx18 polished 10-hole design wheels typically seen on the W12, Park Distance Control, heated windscreen, multifunction steering wheel, Vavona burl (burr-walnut) wood inserts with cream/magnolia door switch trims, phone preparation to the front with Nokia 6091 phone, phone preparation to the rear with Nokia 6091 phone on the central rear console, third phone preparation in the rear centre console, rear blinds, rear headrest release feature, rear electric heated seats with lumbar and recline function (the rear passenger seat has the facility to move the front passenger seat forward), BOSE audio, Rear Screen Entertainment (RSE) with dual factory fitted Alpine screens, integrated DVD player (under the centre of the rear bench with 4 DVD storage slots) and two remote controls (the controls and inputs for the RSE are in the rear centre console and the screens can operate independently of each other,) factory supplied leather headrest covers to hide the rear screens, rear vanity mirrors (standard A8L), dark green rear wedge footrests with cream piping, front passenger memory seat, dark green floor carpeting and mats – piped in cream, rear slumber pillows for the headrests, integrated fridge with integrated tumblers inside the rear centre headrest bar compartment, solar roof, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, factory driver’s seat fire extinguisher, tire pressure monitoring system, first aid kit, 12 V socket in the boot, TRACKER, derestricted – top speed is 155mph plus
2007 A6 Allroad C6 3.0TDI Quattro - Highland Green (Audi Exclusive Colour) - Cream leather interior with Wood, Advanced MMI, Keyless, Bose, Advanced PDC, Sunroof, Heated Memory Seats, Adaptive Xenons, Adaptive Air Suspension, Servotronic
Previous (went to good homes):
2002 A8 D2 2.8 Quattro Sport -
"Big Red" - Tornado Red (Special Order) - Twist Interior, PDC, Passenger Memory Seats, Symphony II with BOSE, Heated Front Seats, Bi-Xenons, Auto-dimming Mirrors, 20" FE Wheels, Servotronic Steering
2002 A8 D2 2.8 Quattro Sport - Aqua Blue Pearl - Twist Interior, PDC, Sat Nav Plus with BOSE, Multi-changer, Heated Front Seats, Bi-Xenons, Auto-dimming Mirrors, Avus Wheels
