European mirror installed, no more blindspot

[OMF]

I have got a pair of European aspheric CX-7 mirror plates (thanks for TheMan for his compatibility tip) and replaced the driver’s side tonight.

The gain in viewing angle is SIGNIFICANT (+23° or if you wish 3.87 times the OEM angle (headbang)), but to be quite honest, it still remains below the ugly stick-on mirror’s performance, simply because the outer side of the mirror housing covers a part of the suped wide view provided by the new mirror plate, partly degrading its effectiveness. The new mirror plate performs still much better than the stick-on aid on the OEM mirror, providing a much larger viewing surface at wide angle.

Viewing angle comparison: OEM: 8°; European CX-7 plate: 31°; stick-on aid: 48°; all measured with an improvised laser guided angle-gauge, setting the 0° line parallel with the center line of the car, at the inside of the mirror surface. Haven’t swapped the right mirror plate yet, but I am expecting less improvement in viewing angle compared with the drivers side plate.

If you are interested in this mod, get the following part from Europe:

Left mirror plate: CC65-69-1G7;
Right mirror plate: CC65-69-1G1.

There is a visible, vertical divider line at around 1/3rd of the mirror, where the already convex mirror surface becomes progressively more convex toward the outside edge, making the outside 1/3 part of the mirror super wide-angle.

If you are not familiar driving with aspheric mirror on the driver’s side, it might take a while to get used to it. It is widely used all over the world, except in North America...

[ZoomFive]

I have got a pair of European aspheric CX-7 mirror plates (thanks for TheMan for his compatibility tip) and replaced the driver’s side tonight.

The gain in viewing angle is SIGNIFICANT (+23° or if you wish 3.87 times the OEM angle (headbang)), but to be quite honest, it still remains below the ugly stick-on mirror’s performance, simply because the outer side of the mirror housing covers a part of the suped wide view provided by the new mirror plate, partly degrading its effectiveness. The new mirror plate performs still much better than the stick-on aid on the OEM mirror, providing a much larger viewing surface at wide angle.

Viewing angle comparison: OEM: 8°; European CX-7 plate: 31°; stick-on aid: 48°; all measured with an improvised laser guided angle-gauge, setting the 0° line parallel with the center line of the car, at the inside of the mirror surface. Haven’t swapped the right mirror plate yet, but I am expecting less improvement in viewing angle compared with the drivers side plate.

If you are interested in this mod, get the following part from Europe:

Left mirror plate: CC65-69-1G7;
Right mirror plate: CC65-69-1G1.

There is a visible, vertical divider line at around 1/3rd of the mirror, where the already convex mirror surface becomes progressively more convex toward the outside edge, making the outside 1/3 part of the mirror super wide-angle.

If you are not familiar driving with aspheric mirror on the driver’s side, it might take a while to get used to it. It is widely used all over the world, except in North America...


This is cool.

I think that my CX-9 GT will have heated mirrors. Was this new mirror glass heated or is there a part # compatible with the heated glass? Also I think Blindspot Monitoring will be on this car and I am not sure if it has implications to the mirror glass. Anyone know this?

[OMF]

This is cool.

I think that my CX-9 GT will have heated mirrors. Was this new mirror glass heated ..... Anyone know this?
Yes, it's heated and fully compatible with my CX-9. Also, after the first 200 km drive with this mirror plate, I can confirm that there is no blindspot, so I can safely change lanes without turning my head.

[l-miwa]

Yes, it's heated and fully compatible with my CX-9. Also, after the first 200 km drive with this mirror plate, I can confirm that there is no blindspot, so I can safely change lanes without turning my head.


Two questions:
1. Are there instructions for swapping the glass (don't want to break something)?
2. Do you have a link to where you got yours from?

[TheMAN]

to get an idea how they look/work:
mazda3 EDM mirrors: http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2060
protege EDM mirrors: http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158

[TheMAN]

This is cool.

I think that my CX-9 GT will have heated mirrors. Was this new mirror glass heated or is there a part # compatible with the heated glass? Also I think Blindspot Monitoring will be on this car and I am not sure if it has implications to the mirror glass. Anyone know this?
if your car doesn't have heated mirrors, then get the cheaper non-heated glass:
CC29-69-1G1 right side
CC64-69-1G7 left side
they are compatible with the CX-7 and Mazda5 also

the mirror glass comes installed on the plastic frame already.... to remove the stock mirrors, push the mirror at the top corner closest to the car then grab the bottom of the mirror and lift/pry it off... you will hear all sorts of plastic sounds snapping, this is normal as you are just overcoming the internal gears of the motor... installing it is just as simple as snapping the new one in place unless you have heated mirrors which means you have to mess with the wires attached to the glass

[ZoomFive]

if your car doesn't have heated mirrors, then get the cheaper non-heated glass:
CC29-69-1G1 right side
CC64-69-1G7 left side
they are compatible with the CX-7 and Mazda5 also

the mirror glass comes installed on the plastic frame already.... to remove the stock mirrors, push the mirror at the top corner closest to the car then grab the bottom of the mirror and lift/pry it off... you will hear all sorts of plastic sounds snapping, this is normal as you are just overcoming the internal gears of the motor... installing it is just as simple as snapping the new one in place unless you have heated mirrors which means you have to mess with the wires attached to the glass

Thanks. Just a few questions...

So the part numbers at the start of the thread are for heated?

How is the wiring attached to the glass? Is it a simple unplug and replug?

Is the Blindspot Monitoring System affected by the change of the mirror glass?

Thanks. Happy thanksgiving.

ZoomFive

[l-miwa]

... you will hear all sorts of plastic sounds snapping, this is normal as you are just overcoming the internal gears of the motor...

Are any of the plastic parts actually getting broken?

If for some reason I don't like them, can I just pop them off and reinstall the original ones?

Still looking for a source to buy them...

[TheMAN]

no

[l-miwa]

no

No nothing is broken, or no I can't reinstall the originals?

[TheMAN]

its a reversible mod

[OMF]

So the part numbers at the start of the thread are for heated?

That's correct, the part numbers in the thread starter are for heated mirror plates



How is the wiring attached to the glass? Is it a simple unplug and replug?


It can't be any simpler... The whole replacement is done in 3 minutes. See the attached instructions and picture showing the inside of the mirror, with heater wires disconnected.
120323

120324

120325



Is the Blindspot Monitoring System affected by the change of the mirror glass?


I don't know, my CX-9 is 2007 MY.

[OMF]

Do you have a link to where you got yours from?

It's from my trip to Europe... let me know if you want me to contact the dealer to check the shipping and handling costs.

[davekingca]

It's from my trip to Europe... let me know if you want me to contact the dealer to check the shipping and handling costs.

Please, I would love to install this one.

I'm looking for heated mirror attachements...

[IanKen]

Is the Blindspot Monitoring System affected by the change of the mirror glass?



Yes it will be. The BSM mirrors have an LED on the back and the location of the indicator spot on the mirror is etched to allow the LED to shine through. You can see the spot in daylight when it is not lit.

I've found that with my mirrors adjusted properly* and the BSM enabled I have good situational awareness. It's a big help in heavy traffic. The euro-spec mirrors will achieve the same thing though, but you'll need to get used judging distance correctly.

Having just done the crazy-ass run to the in-laws (Seattle-Portland) for turkey day in crazy traffic I can say that the BSM works very well when coupled with well adjusted mirrors.


* Adjusting mirrors: I've seen tons of folks who set their mirrors so they can see down the side of their car. This is just not right and creates a huge blind-spot. Side mirrors should be adjusted such that as an object in and adjacent lane moves off the edge of the rear view mirror it starts to appear on the appropriate side mirror, with a slight overlap. In a sedan this virtually eliminates blindspots as long as you have not lost your peripheral vision. Becuase the CX9 rides high and the c-pillar is huge, there is void there where you just can't see directly either with a mirror or looking over your shoulder. The BSM fills that void, as would the euro spec mirror set. IMHO of course.

[OMF]

Sounds like the EU mirror will be a preferred option for the 2007 owners only.

The attached video clip 120456 will help you understand what can you expect from the blindspot-free mirror.

120457

Left and right mirror plates:
120458

[ZoomFive]

Yes it will be. The BSM mirrors have an LED on the back and the location of the indicator spot on the mirror is etched to allow the LED to shine through. You can see the spot in daylight when it is not lit.

I've found that with my mirrors adjusted properly* and the BSM enabled I have good situational awareness. It's a big help in heavy traffic. The euro-spec mirrors will achieve the same thing though, but you'll need to get used judging distance correctly.

Having just done the crazy-ass run to the in-laws (Seattle-Portland) for turkey day in crazy traffic I can say that the BSM works very well when coupled with well adjusted mirrors.


* Adjusting mirrors: I've seen tons of folks who set their mirrors so they can see down the side of their car. This is just not right and creates a huge blind-spot. Side mirrors should be adjusted such that as an object in and adjacent lane moves off the edge of the rear view mirror it starts to appear on the appropriate side mirror, with a slight overlap. In a sedan this virtually eliminates blindspots as long as you have not lost your peripheral vision. Becuase the CX9 rides high and the c-pillar is huge, there is void there where you just can't see directly either with a mirror or looking over your shoulder. The BSM fills that void, as would the euro spec mirror set. IMHO of course.

Thanks for the response. My BMW came with the European mirrors and we had the dealer swap them out. It is a bit to get used to. However, I will say that the the CX-9 had a huge blindspot that almost resulted in an accident during my test drive when a guy tried to sneak around me to get into the left turn lane ahead of me.

I wonder if the European mirrors have a heated / BSM model that I can order if I go that direction?

[TheMAN]

the cx-9 doesn't exist in europe... these mirrors are from the mazda5/CX-7, so your answer is no
and they don't need this "blind spot monitoring" bullshit as the simple technology of a convex mirror does the job! this "feature" came about because of the restrictive US safety laws that requires a flat driver's side mirror

my 3 had bad enough blind spot issues that upgrading to the EDM mirrors on mine was money well spent

[ZoomFive]

the cx-9 doesn't exist in europe... these mirrors are from the mazda5/CX-7, so your answer is no
and they don't need this "blind spot monitoring" bullshit as the simple technology of a convex mirror does the job! this "feature" came about because of the restrictive US safety laws that requires a flat driver's side mirror

my 3 had bad enough blind spot issues that upgrading to the EDM mirrors on mine was money well spent

Ah, that's right. The thread started with the fact that these were CX-7 mirrors. Pity that the Europeans do not have BSM. It would have been good to have both the convex mirror and additional BSM watching my back.

I think that the burden of responsibility rests with the cars in the blindspots. (wow)

[rslam]

Can these mirrors be purchased from a dealer in the US? If not than from who? How about a price?

[Crystalwhitey]

OMF, are both of the mirrors convex or just the driver side? In the pic, it seems like only one mirror is convex. What's the point to get the other side if it is the same as OEM?

Also, will this take care of the crappy vibration that the OEM mirror has? I am not sure if it is the mirror itself causes the vibration or the housing.....thanks


Sounds like the EU mirror will be a preferred option for the 2007 owners only.

The attached video clip 120456 will help you understand what can you expect from the blindspot-free mirror.

120457

Left and right mirror plates:
120458

[OMF]

OMF, are both of the mirrors convex or just the driver side? In the pic, it seems like only one mirror is convex. What's the point to get the other side if it is the same as OEM?

Also, will this take care of the crappy vibration that the OEM mirror has? I am not sure if it is the mirror itself causes the vibration or the housing.....thanks
Both of them are convex, the passenger side is also better than the OEM.

I read about the vibration issues, but I haven't had that problem even with the OEM mirrors. Filling the three mounting pins with thick, white grease could probably help.

Now, here is the bad news: The dealer is not willing to export the mirrors. I believe they have a market restriction in their licence agreement with Mazda.

[EtoileBrilliant]

The dealer is not willing to export the mirrors. I believe they have a market restriction in their licence agreement with Mazda.

I suspect it has less to do with market restriction and more to do with cross-border transportation breakages/loss and associated liabilities. Dealers are notoriously wary of sending goods abroad and then finding out they are liable for breakages.

I have been trying to find a Canadian dealer to send me a replacement speedo (blue backlit) with primary KPH (secondary MPH), my CX-9 is in Europe - all of them completely stonewall me!

[TheMAN]

Both of them are convex, the passenger side is also better than the OEM.

I read about the vibration issues, but I haven't had that problem even with the OEM mirrors. Filling the three mounting pins with thick, white grease could probably help.

Now, here is the bad news: The dealer is not willing to export the mirrors. I believe they have a market restriction in their licence agreement with Mazda.
it's not the matter of "market restriction"... it's just a major PITA to ship shit overseas as the time spent on customs paperwork and freight as well as high risk of fraud (not that I'm saying you are) makes it totally unworthwhile.... the fraud risk is high because it's difficult to guarantee/authenticate overseas transactions

believe me, I deal with this shit on an almost daily basis

there's some members here from europe, maybe you should setup a GB and have them help you export them

[TheMAN]

I suspect it has less to do with market restriction and more to do with cross-border transportation breakages/loss and associated liabilities. Dealers are notoriously wary of sending goods abroad and then finding out they are liable for breakages.

I have been trying to find a Canadian dealer to send me a replacement speedo (blue backlit) with primary KPH (secondary MPH), my CX-9 is in Europe - all of them completely stonewall me!
changing the gauge cluster is not a simple swap on all these new mazdas with CAN systems... it involves the dealer doing it with their M-MDS scan tool and programming the new cluster... a US dealer can get a canadian cluster also, so you may want to try that once you find an european dealer willing to help you do the swap.... the M-MDS tools are global so the system ought to know how to talk to the CX-9

[OMF]

there's some members here from europe, maybe you should setup a GB and have them help you export them

Oooops.... Is the GB right hand side mirror similar to the continental EU's left hand side in terms of convexity? If so, that would be an interesting mod!

[TheMAN]

yes, but I said "group buy" not "great britain"... that's an antiquated term... if you're refering to england, it's the "UK"

[atito]

Sounds like the EU mirror will be a preferred option for the 2007 owners only.

The attached video clip 120456 will help you understand what can you expect from the blindspot-free mirror.

120457

Left and right mirror plates:
120458

Do they make this for the Mazda 5? If so you know where i can get this? TIA

[OMF]

Do they make this for the Mazda 5? If so you know where i can get this? TIA

Mazda 5, CX-7 and CX-9 mirrors are identical. I bought them in Europe.

[mixmasterlove]

Can we get them from a dealer in Australia ???? I have a friend in Australia, that would get them if I ask. PM me

[MikeB-CX9]

in Australia the CX9 does come with a convex mirror on the passenger side, driver side is not convex. The idea being that the blind spot on the passenger side is the more problematic for a driver. Its a bit different from the euro one in that there is no visible line between convex and non convex areas. However the is one problem for you guys in USA. Our passenger side is left side of car (as we drive on left side of road here). I don't think there is a right side convex mirror available here.

[OMF]

in Australia the CX9 does come with a convex mirror on the passenger side, .... Our passenger side is left side of car (as we drive on left side of road here).

Since the North American version comes with a flat mirror on the left hand (driver) side the Aussie left (passenger) side convex plate is that they would need. (headbang)

The US right (passenger) side is not a big issue, because it's slighly convex.

Are your mirrors heated? If so, I guess you will get a several requests in the near future to ship the mirrors to the US....

[MikeB-CX9]

on the Aussie luxury model mirrors are heated. Our left side isn't hugely convex...so it sounds very similar to your right side.

[atito]

I headed over to london to get me a pair. wish me luck. been wanting a pair for some time now.

[Wisconsin Proud]

stick on mirrors work just as well, ten seconds to install !

[nguvanh]

I completely agree. I have small round stick on mirrors for my both mazdas.
2010 CX-9 has new mirror with better view angle than previous years. However, shaking is still a problem.


stick on mirrors work just as well, ten seconds to install !