i saw a 99 c230 rearview mirror on ebay and was wondering if i can put it on my 95 c220. any ideas?

Yes, you can. Steve (MBenz) once explained to a member how it can be done. I think it powers off of the dome light wire. But the only think is that the dimming would not operate in reverse or something like that (Whatever it was, it wasn't relevant or really needed anyway).
However, I am unaware of how this would physically fit in place of the old one.

You can add an auto dimming rear view mirror to your "older" C class (or any other MB). The mirror comes with a 5-pins plug that is connected to the front courtesy light (in the newer models that is). Your car does not have a suitable courtesy light and therefore you need to create your own connecting plug. The mirror has a gray/blue-line wire for power (either power from interior (dash) lights or ignition-switch(ed) power), a brown wire for the ground and three pink wires with a different color line. These three wires are for connecting the auto dimming side mirrors and connecting to the door contacts/reverse lights (to prevent the mirror from dimming when the door is opened or when you are reversing), but these are not necessary for an operating auto dimming mirror.

I have installed one in my 1993 C250D as well.

greetingz,

thanks for the replies! i will go bid on the mirror today.

Steve,
How does the physical mounting of the 95 Mirror to that of a 99 mirror differ? Can you simply attach it where the old one went? It looks like they are mounted quite differently./..

They are mounted exactly the same. It is just a spring-loaded fitting that goes into a steel frame, which is screwed onto the chassis.
This spring loaded fitting is used by mercedes since a long time and in almost all (if not all) models.

apprentice, I don't know whether your car has the remote (un)locking system with the receiver in the rear view mirror...if you do have that feature, you need to search for an auto dimming mirror with the included receiver housing...

greetingz,

i don't have the remote locking system. thanks for the concern.