Opinions on Auto-Dim/Garage Mirror Retrofit?

[Cam330i]

Hello my BMW brothers and sisters. Hope everyone is doing good today!

I need everyone's opinion!

Unfortunately i did not allow BMW to twist my arm and sell me a premium package for 3950$, which means i miss out on the interior rear view mirror which includes compass, auto-dim, and garage home-link.

All three of those things in the mirror would be nice, as i now live in a house that has a gate and i could possibly use it at my summer job as well.

BMW is ridiculous to charge nearly 600$ for the mirror with all those things minus the compass. The thing is i have been doing my research and i found a few mirrors on ebay that includes auto-dim and the garage homelink and for as cheap as 200$ some even less. Thats a huge saving i would be making if i go via ebay as opposed to BMW or getbmwparts.

I have searched around and some people have easily retrofitted the mirror in their 3 series, so the question of if it is possible? the answer is yes and it is not terribly taxing neither.

Question is, is it worth it? I dont have too many times i drive at night, and once i start college i wouldn't be using the garage function, at all, until next winter or summer or whenever i go home.

you might be wondering "why would you want those things if you wouldn't be using them that often" well the mirrors i see on ebay are a huge bargain, almost too much to pass on it. I love modding my X1 as it is my hobby and i will keep it until the wheels fall off, so i am just curious to get people's opinions on it?

is these nice necessities worth it?

Thanks in advance!

[CSPM]

I as well, was not going to pay BMW for the premium package. I went on E bay BMW 328, 335, 528, 535 Rear view Mirror EC / LED / GTO / Compass 51169192335 and purchased one for 160. Installed it myself, plug and play and use it daily. Enjoy and do what makes you feel good.

[BeEmVe]

Search the junk yards - there was a place in VA that had three wrecked X1s.

[tominavl]

The E84 X1 uses the same wiring and same mirror as the E90, so finding the mirror should be very easy. I bought mine on EBay for $99 and appreciate it daily. It took only 5 minutes to install! Gently pry the cover that surrounds your mirror and it exposes the harness. This harness is pre-wired to accommodate the mirror with auto-dim, homeland and compass functions. If for no other reason, you'll appreciate the compass!

[tominavl]

This will get you there! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=450516

[quiksilverdad]

Ebay, $100, 5 minutes! That and removing the phone cradle are the 2 best bang-for-the-buck mods anyone can do.