noob question about rear view mirror

soeharyo · 07-30-2007, 10:38 AM

i was just wondering...

what is the white/translucent thing that is attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror? oh how i wish our z4 has an in built compass

thanks

Rick Hunter · 07-30-2007, 12:07 PM

Are you referring to the Autodimming Sensor?

RCNet · 07-30-2007, 05:54 PM

Actually the big translucent "knob" at the bottom of the mirror is the indicator for the alarm system. In my 5 series it's red while in my Z4 it's translucent. Inside there is a red LED which flashes when the alarm is active and also indicates if the alarm was triggered while you were away, etc. It's earned the nickname "clown nose", but is a little more subtle being white/translucent.

The autodimming sensor is in the face of the mirror at the very bottom edge for the original oval-ish Z4 mirrors. If you've had your mirror replaced to deal with the lousy reception of the remote unlocking, the autodimming sensor of the replacement mirrors is at the top of the mirror in the plastic frame. This new placement of the sensor keeps the autodimming from working very well in the coupes because the light from the cars behind you never quit gets that high.

mav · 07-30-2007, 06:57 PM

Alarm system. It flashed red when the system is active.

155MPH · 07-30-2007, 08:20 PM

and you do not have to have an alarm system installed to make this flash. It just needs to be programmed by the dealer as if it had the alarm installed. Then it flashes and everyone thinks you have an alarm.

Aebous · 07-31-2007, 02:58 AM

I was wondering, cause mine doesn't flash or do anything. I'm thinking about painting it black and just saying it's a little 360 degree security camera that sends a remote signal to my computer whenever it detects movement so I can catch whoever is messing with my car on camera.

Hmm actually maybe I WILL say that.....

155MPH · 07-31-2007, 06:36 AM

Wow, that is a great mod to have. Let's see if someone on here can work that out and post it!

Aebous · 07-31-2007, 12:03 PM

Oh a question on that, that big black case thinger above the mirror up against the windshield. What is it covering? The rain sensor? Also any good way to secure it better as if I bump it it tends to come off. Hasn't came off during driving but i'm waiting for it to scare something out of me in mid corner

rabman5 · 07-31-2007, 11:50 PM

On my old 3.0 that didn't have an alarm or auto dimming mirror, that knob was the mirror adjuster. You turn in to adjust the mirror at night when an SUV with bright lights came up behind you.

07-30-2007, 10:38 AM	#1
soeharyo lettuce 18 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI iTrader: (0)	noob question about rear view mirror i was just wondering... what is the white/translucent thing that is attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror? oh how i wish our z4 has an in built compass thanks
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07-30-2007, 12:07 PM	#2
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 307 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	Are you referring to the Autodimming Sensor? __________________ Last edited by Rick Hunter; 07-31-2007 at 12:31 AM..
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07-30-2007, 05:54 PM	#3
RCNet Woof!! 5 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 2006 Ti Silver Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SW Washington iTrader: (0)	Actually the big translucent "knob" at the bottom of the mirror is the indicator for the alarm system. In my 5 series it's red while in my Z4 it's translucent. Inside there is a red LED which flashes when the alarm is active and also indicates if the alarm was triggered while you were away, etc. It's earned the nickname "clown nose", but is a little more subtle being white/translucent. The autodimming sensor is in the face of the mirror at the very bottom edge for the original oval-ish Z4 mirrors. If you've had your mirror replaced to deal with the lousy reception of the remote unlocking, the autodimming sensor of the replacement mirrors is at the top of the mirror in the plastic frame. This new placement of the sensor keeps the autodimming from working very well in the coupes because the light from the cars behind you never quit gets that high. __________________ 2006 Ti Silver Z4 M Coupe 2009 Deep Sea Blue 535i xDrive Sports Wagon
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07-30-2007, 06:57 PM	#4
mav Private 34 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2017 F82 M4 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Alarm system. It flashed red when the system is active. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Coupé F82 ZCP \| Photo Journal
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07-30-2007, 08:20 PM	#5
155MPH Major 63 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	and you do not have to have an alarm system installed to make this flash. It just needs to be programmed by the dealer as if it had the alarm installed. Then it flashes and everyone thinks you have an alarm.
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07-31-2007, 02:58 AM	#6
Aebous The Rambler 7 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 03 3.0l Z4 sports package Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	I was wondering, cause mine doesn't flash or do anything. I'm thinking about painting it black and just saying it's a little 360 degree security camera that sends a remote signal to my computer whenever it detects movement so I can catch whoever is messing with my car on camera. Hmm actually maybe I WILL say that..... __________________ "Without engine maintainers pilots are nothing but pedestrians with cool leather jackets and sunglasses" "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -Marine rule of gunfighting
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07-31-2007, 06:36 AM	#7
155MPH Major 63 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	Wow, that is a great mod to have. Let's see if someone on here can work that out and post it!
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07-31-2007, 12:03 PM	#8
Aebous The Rambler 7 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 03 3.0l Z4 sports package Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Oh a question on that, that big black case thinger above the mirror up against the windshield. What is it covering? The rain sensor? Also any good way to secure it better as if I bump it it tends to come off. Hasn't came off during driving but i'm waiting for it to scare something out of me in mid corner __________________ "Without engine maintainers pilots are nothing but pedestrians with cool leather jackets and sunglasses" "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -Marine rule of gunfighting
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07-31-2007, 11:50 PM	#9
rabman5 Captain 113 Rep 686 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	On my old 3.0 that didn't have an alarm or auto dimming mirror, that knob was the mirror adjuster. You turn in to adjust the mirror at night when an SUV with bright lights came up behind you.
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