Detailed BMW E39 M5 mirror reviews based on real AliExpress purchases — honest impressions, pros and cons, and installation tips. Discover where to find the best deals to bmw e39 m5 mirror buy and choose the perfect replacement side mirrors for your BMW E39 M5.
BMW E39 M5 Mirror Upgrade — My Real Experience With AliExpress Finds
Let me start with this: I’ve been driving a BMW E39 M5 for almost ten years now. It’s my pride and joy, but keeping a twenty-year-old legend in top shape is no small task. Recently, one of my mirrors started acting up — the auto-dimming function went crazy, and the folding motor began to grind like an old coffee grinder. So, I decided it was time for a full bmw e39 m5 mirror overhaul. I went all in — ordered ten of the top-selling mirror-related products from AliExpress, both for testing and because, well, I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my car. I’m a 38-year-old auto mechanic and hobby restorer from Warsaw, Poland, who loves tinkering with older BMWs (especially the E39). Below is my honest, hands-on review of each product — what worked, what didn’t, and whether it’s worth buying.
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Oval Rear View Glare Mirror Auto Dimming Replacement Glass Cell
I started my bmw e39 m5 mirror review journey with this auto-dimming replacement glass. My original M5 mirrors had the classic “yellow burn” on the edges — pretty common after years of sun exposure. The listing promised OEM-level quality and plug-and-play installation.
And you know what? It delivered. The mirror glass came well-packed, with foam padding and even a pair of plastic gloves (a nice touch). Installation was straightforward — unplug the old glass, snap the new one in. Within minutes, my interior looked refreshed. The tint is perfect — not too dark, not too light.
Pros: Great fit, true auto-dimming, fair price (about half of what OEM costs). Cons: Slightly slower dimming response than original BMW glass. Still, if you’re looking to buy a bmw e39 m5 mirror replacement that looks and feels authentic, this one’s a safe bet.
68,89 $ |
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California Racing Mirrors Universal Classic Style
Now, this one I bought mostly out of curiosity. A universal bmw e39 m5 mirror alternative with a vintage racing design — not exactly OEM, but something unique.
The pair arrived quickly and looked sharp: black aluminum housings, adjustable mounts, and that retro race-car flair. Mounting them on the E39 took a bit of creativity (drilling adapter plates), but once installed… wow. The look was pure 90s touring car. Visibility wasn’t amazing (small mirror area), but for weekend cruising, it’s fine.
Pros: Stylish, lightweight, perfect for project builds. Cons: Not for daily use — limited adjustability and field of view. A fun buy if you want your M5 to stand out — but not a “practical” bmw e39 m5 mirror replacement.
19,45 $ |
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Side Mirror Motor Gear Folding Part Repair Kit (E39/E46)
Anyone who’s owned a bmw e39 m5 knows how fragile the folding mirror gears can be. Mine had stripped teeth on the right side. This repair kit seemed like a miracle — a full gear set for under $15.
When it arrived, I was skeptical. The gears looked slightly different from OEM, but after comparing them closely, the tolerances were decent. Installation took an hour with basic tools. And boom — folding function restored!
Pros: Works perfectly, easy to install, cheap. Cons: Slightly louder motor sound after repair (minor issue). For anyone doing bmw e39 m5 mirror repairs, this kit is worth gold.
8,51 $ |
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Rearview Side Mirror Cover Cap 51168238375/51168238376
Cosmetic upgrades matter too. My old mirror caps were sun-faded and chipped. I found these replacements — unpainted ABS plastic, perfect replicas of the OEM design.
They snapped right on. Fitment was spot-on, no trimming needed. I had them painted Titan Silver to match my body color, and the result was indistinguishable from factory.
Pros: Perfect fit, high-quality plastic, easy paint prep. Cons: Sold unpainted — requires extra effort. In short, a solid buy for anyone doing a bmw e39 m5 mirror restoration.
43,73 $ |
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Mirror Folding Actuator Motor Repair Kit 51167890066 / 67138381995
This little gem saved me big money. The folding actuator in my left mirror stopped working — BMW quoted me over €300 for a new motor. On AliExpress, I found this repair kit for less than €20.
The package included new plastic gears, motor brushes, and tiny screws. Rebuilding the actuator took some patience (and magnifying glasses), but when I reassembled everything… smooth folding again!
Pros: Inexpensive, complete set, works perfectly. Cons: Fiddly installation — not for beginners. Still, it deserves a high rating in this bmw e39 m5 mirror reviews roundup.
17,98 $ |
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Carbon Fiber Bright Black Side Mirror Cover Caps
Here’s where things got interesting. I wanted something sportier, and these carbon fiber-style mirror covers caught my eye. They’re not real carbon — it’s ABS with a glossy 3D hydro-dipped pattern — but they look surprisingly premium.
Installing them over the existing caps took five minutes. The fit wasn’t 100% perfect at the edges, but from a meter away, you’d never tell.
Pros: Sporty look, light weight, easy install. Cons: Slight mismatch in curvature vs OEM. If you want to give your bmw e39 m5 mirror a visual boost on a budget, these do the trick.
116,65 $ |
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Car Rearview Folding Mirror Motor for BMW E39/E46
This one was a full replacement motor module — plug-and-play. I bought it because one of my earlier repairs (see above) eventually wore out again. This time I decided to replace the entire unit.
Installation was simple: three screws and one electrical connector. The motor operates quietly and folds smoothly. After a month of use, no issues so far.
Pros: Excellent fit, smooth motion, reasonable price. Cons: Packaging could be better — came in a thin plastic bag. Still, a reliable part if you’re planning to buy a bmw e39 m5 mirror motor assembly.
19,9 $ |
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Rearview-Mirror-Covers for BMW E39/E46 Sedan/Touring (1998–2005)
These are basic replacement caps — nothing fancy, just OEM-style shells. I bought them to compare with the carbon-style version above.
The surface finish was matte black, ready for paint. Fitment was precise, no gaps. After painting them Alpine White, they matched perfectly.
Pros: Excellent fit, easy prep for painting. Cons: None worth mentioning. If you prefer an OEM-clean look over flashy carbon, this is your go-to in the Top bmw e39 m5 mirror lineup.
27,34 $ |
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AZGIANT Car Side Wing Mirror Folding Standard Module
This one’s for the DIYers. It’s a mirror folding control module — lets you fold the mirrors automatically when locking the car. I had always wanted this feature.
Installation was easy: connect three wires under the fuse box. And yes, it works — mirrors fold in when I lock the doors. The module even has adjustable delay settings.
Pros: Adds convenience, good instructions, reliable operation. Cons: Wires could be longer for easier routing. For the price, it’s one of the coolest bmw e39 m5 mirror upgrades I’ve done.
22,03 $ |
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Electric Car Conversion Kit DIY Folding Mirror System
Finally, I tried this universal electric mirror folding kit. It’s designed for retrofitting non-folding mirrors — and since I help friends restore their BMWs too, I wanted to test it out.
The kit includes two motors, control module, and wiring harness. I installed it on a friend’s 528i — it took around three hours but worked flawlessly.
Pros: Universal fit, smooth motion, fun DIY project. Cons: Requires wiring knowledge. If your bmw e39 m5 mirror system is non-folding, this kit is an easy way to modernize it.
27,31 $Final Thoughts — My Honest Verdict on BMW E39 M5 Mirror Purchases
After all these AliExpress experiments, here’s my verdict: I’m genuinely impressed. Out of ten products, eight exceeded expectations, and none were outright junk. The key is choosing sellers with strong reviews and being ready to tinker a little.
Would I recommend these bmw e39 m5 mirror parts? Absolutely — especially the auto-dimming glass and actuator repair kits. They saved me hundreds and restored full functionality. For anyone planning to buy bmw e39 m5 mirror accessories or repairs, AliExpress remains a goldmine — if you know what you’re doing under the hood.
Tags
bmw e39 m5 mirror, bmw e39 m5 mirror reviews, bmw e39 m5 mirror buy, BMW E39 accessories, BMW mirror replacement, car parts AliExpress, auto dimming mirrors, E39 M5 upgrades, folding mirror repair, BMW restoration parts
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