audia8s2 Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Hi Guys, I placed a post a week or so back, concerning my wing mirrors. i.e the drivers one is failing to fold back. Having stripped it down at the weekend, it appears the gears/teeth have worn and are failing to engage. Hence no drive. Unfortunately it has become so loose it vibrates all the time, not good on your eyes. Looks like a replacement is required. £230+ V.A.T from the stealers Does anyone know if a pair off a later A8 i.e 99-2003 will fit a 1996 model. Or even a pair off an S4/S6 etc. The reason I ask is because there is often complete pairs for sale on Ebay. Thanks Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Post facelift mirror assemblies are not a direct fit as compared to pre facelift mirror assemblies. On LHD cars, the RH mirror is 125 mm versus 175mm, and the size and shape of the actual mirrors and mirror caps is different from pre facelift to post facelift. However, if you can get the entire mirror assembly that bolts onto the door, you can swap them out. My friend did this, I think he had to swap the springs, but after he did that, they new ones worked on the old car. I would check to make sure the wiring is the same, you might have to "cut and paste" a few wires. While you are at it, might as well get the S8 mirror caps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audia8s2 Posted June 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Thanks for that Paul. Being in the UK we have the same size mirrors on both sides of the car (why are the A8's different on each side in the states??, it's not as if the A8 is big compared to Dodge Rams and the like and the roads aren't small either !! .). Your right, as my mirror has packed up, I might as well swap them for nice chrome or brushed aluminium ones , it appears not all of them fold in electrically though, so I may have to compromise. Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 That wasn't only in the US, but on all LHD models IIRC. The entire (S) range had that up to a certain point I believe. Don't know why, as two identical ones look better IMO. Mind, I'm looking for polished Alu caps myself (so don't bid against me awrite? ). Two options: 1. I get caps from Ebay. 2. I get complete S8 mirrors from my dealer. The latter would cost me more, but I'd have a spare set of mirrors (feets & motors that is, no glass or caps. but they have all options). Not sure tho about the useability of the auto tilt (parking aid) RH mirror, that could be a problem on a RHD car... Unless you won't need that of course. (Just thinking out loud here). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 BTW, here's a link to the web page I was telling you about regarding how to change your mirror caps. Even though the older caps are shown, it applies to your caps also. The only difference is your caps are not screwed in (the plastic ones), they just have clips holding them on. Once you pop the mirror off, you'd see them. Then get the new caps off ebay.de and get three screws each (machine screws) and they just screw in.... Here's a few pictures from when I put the real thing on my friend's A8: You can see where the mill them out on the inboard side so that it clears the assembly inside: We were having a little get together to do this....here's a few cool pics from that day in the winter: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 What a sight. Cna you imagine having this lot parked out side the house! Mind you, I do have a 2.8Ltr A8 on one corner of my road and to the other side, I have that S8 (Oh that S8 in my road is Dolphin Grey) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Thanks Paul! Useful as always... That is indeed quite a sight... As to the mirrors, I'm kinda new to the Ebay thing, but I figured jumping in at the last moment would be a good tactic no? They sell the chromed plastic ones too, but I have a preference for the original Alu ones. I'm still confused about the chrome/polished issue btw. It's used at random so it seems. Anyone know for sure whether the finish on all S models is the same? I know the RS is different, but the S8 has polished alu mirrors, whereas they speak of chrome alu mirrors on the S3... I'd like to know once and for all if there's a difference... Ebay auctions differ a lot I see, price-wise. I just missed a ratrher cheap set, the one I'm following now is going up a bit too soon for my liking. Oh well, if I can't get them for the price I want I'll get the new ones from my dealer, switch the caps myself and keep the rest as spare parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audia8s2 Posted June 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 I believe all the RS models (bar the older RS2) have the brushed aluminium look and the S series have the chrome/polished look, (I think). There are several aluminium, brushed and chromed caps available on German Ebay at the moment. They are the original OEM ones, not plastic copies. I think there around 150-200 Euros, the S series complete mirrors are around £800 from the stealer I may be able to get some complete S/RS mirrors for around 250-300 Euro's off Ebay, we'll see. As far as the tilt down is concerned, It shouldn't matter too much whether the mirrors are off a rhd or lhd car, I can always play with the wiring to get the Reverse tilt down to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Plassy ones are €85 on Ebay I think. I hope to get some Alu caps for about €200,- but the prices do vary. Haven't seen them go below €200,- tho... In case y'r interested, I looked up the part nrs. for the OEM S8 mirrors: 4D2 858 499 D (left) and ... 500 D (right) for a RHD car. (499 J and 500 G for LHD). Other letters are NON folding! (folding ones retail price is €500,- EACH!). Hope this helps to get the right ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audia8s2 Posted June 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Thanks Sven, helpful as ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Does this look the same? Still getting nowhere fast on the mirror issue and someone is bidding against me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Those are the same. Be patient grasshopper...... If you wait and watch for a few weeks, there will be buy it now auctions for decent prices. If you've never used it before, I bid on all my ebay auctions using www.auctionsniper.com. It places your bid for you in the last 5 seconds of the auction. No need to bid anything up until then! Don't worry, just wait until a nice set comes up with buy it now and get them. pw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Ah, thanks... Nervewrecking experience that bidding game, but I won!! Last minute, €1,- difference.... Some people are so predictable with their rounded figures... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Sweet! I hope you are going to install them yourself....only need a plastic spatula to pop the mirrors off, and get six machine screws for the new housings before you take the plastic caps off because they don't have any. Take your time and wiggle the plastic housings off, just need a long small screw driver. You can do it on the street....I've done something like 10 sets for people like that! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Yeah, I'll do it myself... I can hardly ask my dealer after passing up his offer now can I... I do feel a bit bad about that TBH, but hey... It's my money no? Can't wait to get them now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincenzo610 Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Both of my mirrors were broken when I parked on the street and they don't fold anymore and can be pushed to any direction freely. Mine is pre-facelife, I am thinking of replacing them with the facelife mirrors as I already bought the mirror caps. Can I get the assembly including the gasket and do a straight swap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Hi vincenzo, welcome to TSN! If you look at the second post, you'll see the question is already answered... Mirrors are available in separate parts, except the S8 mirrors, which are sold as one (excl. glass). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Piccy with bling mirrors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Is that your car? Looks great if it is! How much did you end paying for them? Did you do the install yourself? And how much did you save over the stealer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Yeah, it's my car... (it's kinda clean this time) Savings are huge in comparison to the official dealer price (not that much compared to my 'special price' tho), and there's always the waiting bit that get's one nervous, but it turned out okay. Fitting them myself saved me €200 though... Easy enough, you just have to make sure the longer 'stalks' where the torx screws go don't catch the wires. These are 'stuck' on the inner part with some gum and come loose easily. I had them fitted quick enough, everything worked fine, adjusted, folded in, en folded... blast! They stayed folded and a fuse had died. So, took 'em off again, to find the wires for the folding mechanism had been 'pinched'. Repaired that and made sure the wires would stay in place this time.... The mirrors change the appearance of the car dramatically though... Looks MUCH better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audia8s2 Posted June 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 I agree, car looked great before Sven, but even better with the "S" mirrors fitted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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