[npdimonte]

Hi, New to this forum. I was searching for replacement glass for my 2003 Jetta TDI side mirrors when I can across this link http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q_how_to/multi/blindspotmirror.htm

This link list some aspheric mirrors that I could use with my '03 Jetta, so I took these part numbers VW#3b1-857-521a & VW#3b1-857-522a to my local VW dealer. These mirrors looked the same when compared to stock replacements that the VW dealer had. The only difference was that these parts were cheaper. I could not see any difference in the glass as shown in the link above. Has these parts changed? If so, are there newer part numbers that I could use to get aspheric mirrors? Should I notice the aspheric glass being curved or flat?

When I compared the stock driver side to the aspheric driver side mirror next to each other, I did not notice a difference, but the parts room was only 8-10', so I'm not sure if that room was big enough to see the aspheric effects as seen in the link above. Is this normal effect in a small room or should I have seen something similar in the link above?

Thanks,
Nick D.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

First, I don't see any pics in firefox on the page but they appear fine in internet explorer. Weird, I will try to fix this later.

A quick search suggests the part numbers are wrong. I type them from the parts catalog and I made a mistake, sorry! This is why I state to always double check the part numbers.

The aspheric mirror: the outer 1/3 is clearly curved away. The driver's side mirror is also like the pass side mirror in that objects will appear farther away. I believe the part numbers are:
4F0857536AJ and 4F0857536AF. Will fix later. For now, refer to these pages. The blue mirrors are a lot cheaper than the non tinted mirrors.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_IV--TDI/Exterior/Mirrors/

 

[npdimonte]

Something else that confused me at the VW dealer was that the aspheric mirror I was trying to get was for non-power mirrors, yet they both had heating elements and the same plastic backing. What do they mean by power?

Thanks again,
Nick

 

[npdimonte]

First, I don't see any pics in firefox on the page but they appear fine in internet explorer. Weird, I will try to fix this later.

A quick search suggests the part numbers are wrong. I type them from the parts catalog and I probably made a mistake. This is why I state to always double check the part numbers.

The aspheric mirror: the outer 1/3 is clearly curved away. The driver's side mirror is also like the pass side mirror in that objects will appear farther away. I believe the part numbers are:
4F0857536AJ and 4F0857536AF. Will fix later. For now, refer to these pages. The blue mirrors are a lot cheaper than the non tinted mirrors.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_IV--TDI/Exterior/Mirrors/

Thanks for your help, I'll look into the new part numbers.
Nick D.

 

[brumac2]

Thanks for this thread. I just replaced a cracked driver side mirror in under 5 minutes using your directions. On my 2005 Passat there were no screws to remove the plastic housing on the mirror but by adjusting the mirror to the lowest and most inboard position I could easily see behind it to carefully pry the old mirror out and line up the new mirror to snap it into position without a problem.

 

[blupearl]

I used this mod before and I didn't like it. Just set your side view mirror farther out so that it's lined up with the rear center view mirror and it does the same thing and it gives less headaches when trying to look through the wide angle part of the mirror.