DIBIT: I sort of glossed over the part about repairing my current mirror! I wonder if I'd be better off doing that, rather than buying another used one. They are roughly the same price, UNLESS there is more involved in removing and re-attaching my current mirror than putting in another one. Thoughts?

 

The Acura mirror is the same Magna Donnely mirror as the XK8, If I recall correctly, I spliced the Acura wires to the XK8 connector.

 

see post #2

 

Thanks, Dibit. I had read Post #2 but had not read the link to the post w/all the detailed information. I'm glad I read it, because I likely would have bought a used Jag mirror containing the dreaded oil, instead of one containing gel. Still trying to figure out which is better - repair or replace. I'd probably be afraid to try to remove my mirror myself, so mechanics' charges would be kicking in right away, I fear. On the other hand, I have not yet tried narrowing my search for a replacement mirror to a used one that contains gel rather than destructive oil.

 

Sorry to be dense, Bladerunner, but how can an old XJ8 mirror have a manual tab to change from day to night vision? Those that I see just have the auto-dim feature and no tab. E.g., this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16514583386...Bk9SR8TZ2_aaZA

What am I missing? thanks.

 

You need to find a manual one, eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225258558291

 

Not easy! Ebay US had either none or maybe one, and nothing close was more than $30 cheaper than autodim mirrors.


Wish me luck - today is my birthday.

 

7-22: I thank you all for your excellent information! Here's my plan: I'll tell the body shop that left my car out in the sun for 2 weeks (which included a heat wave) about the damaged mirror. I'll tell them that, while I am *not* asking them to replace it; I would *appreciate* it if, at no cost, they would (a) remove it from my windshield so I can send it to Radar Mirror for repair, and (b) put it back on the windshield when it is repaired, if I cannot do it.

Wish me luck - today is my birthday.

 

Hi, all. I decided to Google Radar-Mirror . com before sending off my now-detached auto-dim mirror, and I am having second thoughts. To their credit, they did reply to an initial online inquiry I made via email. But now I see that there seem to have been many problems, so I am contemplating whether or not to risk it. I find it odd that they require payment before giving you shipping instructions, and I received no reply yesterday when I both left them a voice mail message and emailed them to that effect. (For logistical reasons, I wanted to know this info first.) Anyhow, use at your own risk.

https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/frisco/pro...1131851_340856

https://www.google.com/search?q=rada...t=gws-wiz-serp

LOL - owner is or was a financial advisor by day. https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/06/21...-radar-mirror/

 

For those reading the Radar-Mirror recommendation, please see my post, below.

 

A few more questions:

1) Does it matter if a replacement mirror is wired for auto-headlights, even though my car is not? (I am guessing that the replacement mirror is an 8-wire number, while mine is a 6-wire one.)

2) I'm thinking of purchasing this one, if it will work OK. However, I see that it does not come with wires or clip. How time-consuming would it be for a body shop or mechanic to wire and attach this mirror? (Still debating whether to send mine to Radar, as mine is ready to plug in.)

3) Assuming 1 and 2 are not obstacles, does this mirror look OK?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/40510596372....c100667.m2042

Thank you all again for bearing with this uninformed old lady!

 

Those reviews of Radar Mirror don't look good, but look at the last post from the other thread I linked to:-

That was posted two weeks ago. If you pay by credit card don't you have protection if it all goes horribly wrong?

If you go the second hand route, you really need to get a replacement with the same connector, otherwise someone will have to try and work out how to rewire the mirror and I'm not sure if that is fully documented on here, although it is no doubt possible. At that point though it isn't a straight unplug and plug back in swap.

 

The problem with a second hand mirror is that it might start leaking in a week or two and you'd be no better off. Or it could last forever, of course. You pays your money and takes your chance!

 

I have seen lots of "pro" posts and many "cons." One "con" that particularly disturbed me (from a BMW forum): was this: "I've used them before several times (4 or 5 times). Turnaround was quick, repairs were fine. Never a problem - until one of the repaired mirrors failed - still under warranty period, no less. I contacted them to see how they would like to take care of it, and received no response. Many emails and voicemails after, I still had a broken mirror, and absolutely zero replies. Moreso, when I finally decided to fix it myself, I found that the housing and frame clips were broken, and mirror glued shut." (Emphasis added.)

Nonetheless, I guess I'll go ahead and send it to Radar Mirror. (I likely won't be around long enough to worry about the mirror parts being glued together. )

PS: I sent it to Radar Mirror this afternoon.