84 Carrera side mirrors expensive

[Sealion]

Hi.

The other day, I pulled away from the curb and my side mirror fell off and hit the street and broke. I stopped, got out and picked up the pieces.

I looked around online today for a replacement, and I'm finding prices like $75.

Is this accurate? Hard to believe a small, simple mirror can be $75.

I only need the mirror itself. Nothing else. I plan to use some glue and glue it back on.

I was expecting to pay $5-10. They can't cost more than a few bucks to make.

Can somebody point me to a cheap replacement mirror?

I don't need anything fancy. Just something that will reflect, and be the proper shape.

Thanks for any help/insight.

[ChrisBennet]

It's heated too isn't it?
-Chris

[3.2 CAB]

Chris, I know that the Cabs received the power, electric/heated outside mirrors starting in 1983, but I don't know about the Coupe or Targa models???

[ChrisBennet]

My '86 had heated mirrors.
-Chris

[cgarr]

Just go get a piece of plexiglass mirror and cut your own.

[dentist90]

... have you got all the pieces and some crazy glue?

Seriously, if a wrecker doesn't have one cheap you might try going to a glass shop and see if they can cut you one to fit. Might still cost $50, though.

[Sealion]

I actually *did* save most o the big pieces. =)

Fifty bucks for a small mirror like that?

Not heated FAIK, but I live in SoCal, so I've never tried. Is there a separate switch, or do/would they turn on heat with rear-window defroster?

[slodave]

Heated in '84. You control it via the rear defroster. Pull out for the rear, turn to the right for the side mirrors.

Dave

[rusnak]

Hi there Sea, welcome

I think your best bet is to find a used mirror at a junk yard.

Yes the '84 mirror is heated. The heating coil is in the mirror backing, not in the glass. The glue is very prone to drying out and that's when the mirror falls out. You will spend more trying to get a custom piece of thin mirror cut than it costs to buy a used one. New Porsche mirrors are maybe $100 I would think. Used maybe I dunno, half that? If you can find a new Porsche mirror for $75 I'd jump on it. Also, there are replica mirrors that are not Porsche OEM mirrors. They are noticably less well made, and I'd probably not buy those new. I'd go with used factory mirrors, just make sure the glue is still good.

But save your old mirror backing. You may need the clips later, or if your next mirror falls out you may need it if your heating coil fails in your next mirror.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by slodave

Heated in '84. You control it via the rear defroster. Pull out for the rear, turn to the right for the side mirrors.

Dave

I thought that the mirror heaters came on with the rear defrost (pull out), and the 'turn to the right' was for the heated windshield option, if you had it (i don't).
I don't have the owner's manual for my car, so I could be wrong.

If a local glass shop can't make one for you for $5 or $10, I have a spare I'd be willing to let go. The same thing happened to me a year ago, but I found two from a 944 at the John Walker swap meet.

Edit: Also, in case you haven't figured out how to remove it (there are two styles of mirror glass attachment), the '84 mirror presses into the housing with three clips. Gently pry around the edge of the plastic base and it should come out. I spent a while fiddling with a tiny screwdriver in the hole in the bottom of the housing before I figured it out.

[tcar]

Junk yard. And 944 and 928 used the exact same mirror. They are often a lot cheaper for the same mirror than a "911" mirror.

I think this is the same mirror on ebay for a 944: # 310046880414

[Hetmann]

Assemble the pieces to make a pattern and have a glass shop cut one out for you.

[DRACO A5OG]

Just replaced my driver side, same thing happend to me. Yeap pulled the trigger on the glass, ouch. Hope it will stay on for another 23 years

It was weird not driving with it, I realize how often it is used, get a mirror on quickly for safety reasons.

[xlr8]

This happened to me twice on my daily driver '89 coupe. I would like to think the mirror came off due to the massive acceleration of the 200K mile stock 3.2 engine, but I suspect it was really due to the ancient glue.
The first time it happened I made a temporary repair with a plexiglass mirror. The optical quality was poor. I spent a lot of time to find a less expensive glass replacement by buying an entire driver's side mirror off of Ebay from a 944 just for the glass ($35). After about a year, the ~20 year old glue let go just like the original.
The second repair was much more satisfying. I simply ordered a new mirror right here from Pelican. I found it on this page- http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_BDYext_pg4.htm#item9
It was easy to order and shipping was fast. Easy to install, much easier than fabricating a plexiglass mirror. Optical quality is excellent. I expect the new glue on the new part to last 20 years. It is the right part. In my experience the new part was a better value time wise and money wise.
I would suggest placing a large pad on the ground under your mirror housing during the replacement procedure just in case gravity rears it's ugly head on the occasion.
Good luck, whatever your decision may be.
Let us know how it works out.

[Sealion]

Thank-you, gentlemen. You guys rock. Very nice (helpful) forum you have here. You should be proud.

[WolfeMacleod]

$75 for a piece of mirror glass?
Don't complain.
I paid $105 for the mirror glass in the 924S just after I bought it.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by slodave

Heated in '84. You control it via the rear defroster. Pull out for the rear, turn to the right for the side mirrors.

Dave

I have owned my 85 Carrera for 14 years. I never knew the defroster knob rotated to the right to heat the mirrors. I knew the mirrors were heated but I assumed they were heated when the rear window was heated. I guess that shows how often I drive in weather that needs mirror heat. I love the information on this board!

[Icemaster]

Perspective - my Jeep GC mirrors ran $55.

Three years ago.

I'm sure they're more now. $75 isnt bad.

[tcar]

R. side, I got a replacement glass (for a 944) from a local auto glass company. $45 installed.

It had the advantage of being convex (objects in this mirror...)

[Howard Taylor]

Do any of you know if it is possible to wire up a (9) wire 928 flag mirror to a '78 SC (5) wire arrangement?