Driver's side mirror smashed

[dishe]

Mirror cracked, housing is ok (some scuffs and crack that is hard to see) but the glass pieces fell right out.

I've replaced the passenger side mirror once, it was a royal pain to get the little plastic housing with the speaker off and not break off any plastic tabs that hold it in, so I'd rather not replace the entire thing again.
Is it relatively easy to get just the glass? I've found that the actual mirror frame pops out with a bit of pressure, so I would imagine you could just buy a new mirror pane and pop it back on to the joint. But all I see on car part websites are glass replacements with adhesive. That would be fine, except that it seems to be about $15 less than an entire new mirror housing on ebay.

Am I missing something? Or should I just get a whole new mirror with housing and all?

 

[jmcglynn]

No... you're not missing anything. It's a fact of the modern automotive world. They no longer sell just "parts"... they sell "components".

Over the years the various tier-one parts suppliers have evolved from making individual parts to providing entire "assemblies." Since Mazda gets the the mirrors fully assembled from the supplier, that's the only way we can buy it as a replacement part. It makes it cheaper for Mazda to build, but more expensive for us to replace. Bottom line... you're out of luck. You could find what you need at a junk yard... I also know people who have gone to their local glass shop to have a mirror cut to what they needed and glued it in, but I wouldn't recommend that... the optics and durability of an automotive mirror are not the same as a regular mirror.

 

[dishe]

No... you're not missing anything. It's a fact of the modern automotive world. They no longer sell just "parts"... they sell "components".

Over the years the various tier-one parts suppliers have evolved from making individual parts to providing entire "assemblies." Since Mazda gets the the mirrors fully assembled from the supplier, that's the only way we can buy it as a replacement part. It makes it cheaper for Mazda to build, but more expensive for us to replace. Bottom line... you're out of luck. You could find what you need at a junk yard... I also know people who have gone to their local glass shop to have a mirror cut to what they needed and glued it in, but I wouldn't recommend that... the optics and durability of an automotive mirror are not the same as a regular mirror.

Interesting. Thanks.

I bought from a junkyard last time, but this time I'm considering one of these ebay models. They look like they are likely knock-offs (and NOT oem from Mazda). I'm ok with that, as I have less money to spend on this than I did last time around. But do you think the glass would be inferior, or would it likely be OK seeing as how this is intended to go on a car?

 

[jmcglynn]

It's probably OK.... Could you post the eBay link for us to have a look?

 

[dishe]

It's probably OK.... Could you post the eBay link for us to have a look?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CC4369180D-...es&hash=item4ab9248e31&vxp=mtr#ht_2211wt_1271

My car is an '07.
The auction title says for a 2010 Mazda 5, but the description of the item lists it as compatible with 06-10 model years.

Its pretty clearly a "compatible replacement", I think. Its not even painted, says its just primer so you can match the color of your car. Honestly, my car is black- will it look noticeably bad if I don't paint it? Maybe its just the pictures, but I feel like an unpainted part would just be black but without the shiny coat on top. I'm ok with that, I think.

Or, should I just get glass like this and stick it on to the cracked frame I already have?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-2009-M...ies&hash=item4604f88cee&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1054

 

[Premacy5]

I bought OEM replacement mirror glass for $30 from local dealer. So yes they sell just the glass. They come with backing plate that just snaps back in the ball socket inside the mirror housing.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Wait for winter. eBay sellers come out of the wood works with heated replacement glass, I think in the $50-60 range for the pair. Need some minor DIY wiring.