[gugin]

Based on recommendations by several forum members, I installed European aspherical side mirrors yesterday. I absolutely love them and do not plan to go back to the stock US mirrors. The aspherical mirrors present a wider field of view than their US counterparts by employing a curved surface. The curvature of most of the mirror is comparable to the curvature of the US passenger mirror. This results in a comparable field of view in this area of the mirror (and it also means that objects appear further away than they actually are). The curvature of the surface near the mirror's outer edge, shaded red in the photo below, is even greater, further expanding the field of view (albeit at the cost of some distortion).

IND Distribution in the US sells there mirrors new. They can also be purchased used from European sellers on eBay for 25% to 30% of the price of a new set. The mirrors support all OEM features: heating, blind spot indicator and auto dimming on the driver side; and heating and blind spot indicator on the passenger side. Video tutorials that explain the installation process can be found on YouTube (I used this). Swapping both mirrors took me about 15 minutes. If I did not mess around with a tripod and take photos along the way, I could have probably done it in about 5 minutes.

[gugin]

Here is the difference for the driver side mirror. The camera was sitting on a tripod in the same location for both photos. The field of view is night and day wider.

[gugin]

Here is the difference for the passenger side mirror. The camera was again sitting in the same location, but the mirror electronic adjustment mechanism must have moved when I was pressing the new mirror into place because the photo after is tilted down compared to the photo before. The field of view is still wider. However, the effect is more subtle. The additional field of view occurs near the outer edge of the mirror as a result of the increased curvature. It is a bit difficult to see. The green line traces an electricity pole in the background and the light blue line traces the frame of the passenger door.

[freshxdough]

I personally do not prefer the driver side aspherical mirror. I do however love the passenger side one. The driver side one to me is too zoomed out that it throws off my ability to distinguish distance. I'm sure if gave it several weeks I would be able to get used to it more but I tried for a week or two and it really didn't inspire confidence changing lanes close to vehicles. I have the driver side one just in a box if anyone is interested.

[zibbit]

Or.. you could go for the free option and setup your factory mirrors correctly to virtually eliminate any blind spots on any vehicle.

I've noticed most drivers don't have their mirrors angled out enough. For some reason people are always wanting to see a reference point of their car reflecting in their mirrors at all times; however, that leads to a blindspot that a semi could hide in.

[gugin]

I am aware that it is not correct to angle one's side mirrors in a way that one can see the edge of one's car in them. However, no matter how I angled the driver side mirror, I was never able to create enough view to be alerted to the following situation: there is a car driving two lanes over to my left that is merging into the lane between us into which I am about to merge. The wider angle of the aspherical mirror takes care of it.

I agree with freshxdough that the zoomed out view takes getting used to. I grew up in Europe, so the aspherical mirror feels natural to me. I did not understand until now that the difference is between US and Euro mirrors, not between the brands of cars I have been driving in the US (Honda and BMW) and those owned by the rest of my family in Europe (Hyundai and VW).

[AlteBMW]

The IND set of Euro mirrors is - Yikes - $895. For that $$ I will just set my US mirrors correctly as described above.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by zibbit

Or.. you could go for the free option and setup your factory mirrors correctly to virtually eliminate any blind spots on any vehicle...

He is some boring guy but it works...

[Tchgrif]

my work truck has these European split mirrors and at first I did not like them at all but after nearly 5 years I have gotten so use to them I no longer notice the difference from my bmw to the truck......at least when it comes to the mirrors.

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by gugin

Based on recommendations by several forum members, I installed European aspherical side mirrors yesterday. I absolutely love them and do not plan to go back to the stock US mirrors. The aspherical mirrors present a wider field of view than their US counterparts by employing a curved surface. The curvature of most of the mirror is comparable to the curvature of the US passenger mirror. This results in a comparable field of view in this area of the mirror (and it also means that objects appear further away than they actually are). The curvature of the surface near the mirror's outer edge, shaded red in the photo below, is even greater, further expanding the field of view (albeit at the cost of some distortion).

IND Distribution in the US sells there mirrors new. They can also be purchased used from European sellers on eBay for 25% to 30% of the price of a new set. The mirrors support all OEM features: heating, blind spot indicator and auto dimming on the driver side; and heating and blind spot indicator on the passenger side. Video tutorials that explain the installation process can be found on YouTube (I used this). Swapping both mirrors took me about 15 minutes. If I did not mess around with a tripod and take photos along the way, I could have probably done it in about 5 minutes.

Great info OP! I have these on my M2 and love them.

Can you confirm the part numbers for the ones you purchased from IND? I want to look around and check out price but I want to be sure to get the correct ones with all the heating, dimming, etc.

[Usachampion]

Originally Posted by zibbit

Or.. you could go for the free option and setup your factory mirrors correctly to virtually eliminate any blind spots on any vehicle.

I've noticed most drivers don't have their mirrors angled out enough. For some reason people are always wanting to see a reference point of their car reflecting in their mirrors at all times; however, that leads to a blindspot that a semi could hide in.

Yes!!! I helped my parents adjust their mirrors correctly once and my dad boasted that he didn’t want to see traffic in the far lanes, but so he could see what was behind him. The logic is that you see a car in between those two things if it’s in your “blind spot”! Oh well, so much driving with a bad habit is hard to re-learn…

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

NXTGEN AUTOMOTIVE Blind Spot Mirrors- Compatible with BMW X3 Extended View https://a.co/d/8iBmUEh

I bought these when I first got my X3 and they fit and work great .

[CurryPuff]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

NXTGEN AUTOMOTIVE Blind Spot Mirrors- Compatible with BMW X3 Extended View https://a.co/d/8iBmUEh

I bought these when I first got my X3 and the fit and work great .

+1 for this. I have had these for over year on my LCI m40i. They don't interfere with blind spot monitoring and don't look out of place.

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

NXTGEN AUTOMOTIVE Blind Spot Mirrors- Compatible with BMW X3 Extended View https://a.co/d/8iBmUEh

I bought these when I first got my X3 and the fit and work great .

You still feel that you get use out of them despite having b.s.d.? Just curious, as I'm kinda tempted.

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by Joralemon st.

You still feel that you get use out of them despite having b.s.d.? Just curious, as I'm kinda tempted.

I have a 2018 , not available or not optioned in when new . I bought it as a CPO in 2021 with 10400 miles on it .

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

I have a 2018 , not available or not optioned in when new . I bought it as a CPO in 2021 with 10400 miles on it .

I see! Well, in that case it's a no-brainer!

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by Joralemon st.

I see! Well, in that case it's a no-brainer!

It’s actually the first place I look when changing lanes . Then check the regular mirror. My old Escape had them and when I got this I felt like something was missing .

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by X3rd Time Is a Charm

It’s actually the first place I look when changing lanes . Then check the regular mirror. My old Escape had them and when I got this I felt like something was missing .

I don't blame you. I still turn my head back when I change lanes, despite having b.s.d. — old habits die hard

[snareman]

I had the Euro mirrors a few cars ago and loved them, but they sure are stupidly priced buying them aftermarket. They are probably for some stupid reason outlawed by the US government like other useful things. They should be an option from the factory

[goneloco]

I bought my set through eBay from Lithuania. Less than $400 for both sides and came in about a week. Well worth the money regardless of having b.s.d. I’ve tried the stick on ones that go into the corner of the mirror and they don’t compare. The aspheric ones on my M4 are even better because it’s a wider mirror.

[383vett]

Who needs mirrors when a car has adjacent lane sensors? Just kidding.

[CurryPuff]

Originally Posted by Joralemon st.

You still feel that you get use out of them despite having b.s.d.? Just curious, as I'm kinda tempted.

I prefer these over the BSM because I see a visual and it saves a head check in traffic.
Also gives me peace of mind in case a motorcycle doesn't trigger th BSM light. I haven't had this in my X3, but as a rider, I've noticed sometimes the BSM in other cars not get triggered.