The 500SEL - 1993 140 Chassis

The interior mirror is completely automatic, and currently does not adjust for day and night driving. The motor works, but seems the gears are worn, as it does not return to the proper location, though it tries.

The dealer said the part of $1,100 without labor.

Are there options to find one used, that actually work.

By "actually work" I mean: adjusts to the different drivers and darkens when headlights hit it.

Also - Are there options to replace the automatic electric with a manual one.

This is actually a safety issue; as I do not use my mirror much at night – lights are too bright.

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Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

I've had good luck locating used parts on www.car-part.com.
You can search the entire database in just a few minutes... not sure they have "mirror" as a selection criteria, but they certainly have interior parts, etc.... do a search for your year/car, find out where the cars are, and then call the yards that say they have that car...
Every yard I've dealt with so far has guaranteed their parts to work when they arrive...
Only takes a few minutes to change a mirror in a W140.

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KenP

1996 S500 W140 Coupe

I had a problem with the inside rearview mirror on my 1997 E320 and got a replacement from Potomac-German for about half of the cost of a new replacement. ($150) I have no idea what the dealer is intending to do for the amount of money quoted. If your car is similar to the newer models it is a fairly simple process to pop the old mirror off, switch the electrical plugs and pop the new one on the mount. If you do a search on this forum you probably will find a thread on changing mirrors. It might be in one of the manuals or you can get thei information at Star Tekinfo online.

Potomac German URL: http:

Good luck

I just bought a used mirror. Can someone post directions on how to remove the mirror for a 1997 E320? Your help is much appreciated!

Thanks.

I assume you are referring to the rear view mirror over the windshield. It's not too difficult. The mirror is held into the base by a spring loaded friction catch. Sitting in the passenger seat --- not necessary to use seat belt. Grasp the mirror firmly in both hands --one on each side of the center post. Pull downward and slightly toward yourself. A short sharp jerk works better than a slow pull. There is an electic wire inside the connection that simply unplugs from the mirror. If this is the first time the mirror has been removed since new it may be a bit stubborn but it will come out.

Hope this helps.

How much $ you want for the broken one?

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There were some on ebay a while back, there are four basic styles. The 92 style which was dimmed by flipping the lever but was electricly adjustable with memory. 94 the second added dimming, the third provided sensors for the remote, and the fourth had a garage door function, somewhere the electrical adjustment was dropped.
The mirror is held in place by two spring loaded plungers which engage a bracket, a slight pry will release them, of course there is a power cable.
Gently remove the lenses on the reading lights, remove the screws and the panel will come down revealing the mounting, the mirror housing is kind of a clam shell and can be opened by gently prying apart.

Thanks to all the great posts on fixing the loose mirror syndrome my rear view mirror is good as new. But I'm having a devil of a time getting the unit back into the rectangular mount. Any words of wisdom for the proper technique or secret move to make? It's on a 1997 S320 but it seems most models from the same era all use similar mounts.

Thanks.

UPDATE => needed way more pressure than a push - once I took the handle of my hammer and placed it on the frame and 'popped' it firmly with the palm of my hand, it went into place. I'm not sure I would have ever used that much force until I got some advice from a local Mercedes mechanic. Everything works great now.

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Rick in Raleigh
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as of May 2011
'97 S320 LWB 325,000 miles
'88 260E 332,000 miles
'72 220D 338,000 miles (sold)
'73 BMW 3.0si 473,000 miles (retired)