W202 - Door mirrors??

[noogieman]

Went for a drive today and noticed my LHD drivers side mirror had a crack in the plastic frame surrounding mirror.
I have inserted a photo.
Do this part come individually or assembled with mirror?
Can I buy this new or do I have to get a complete mirror with the frame?

On the passengers side I have no frame around the mirror?
Is this correct not having the frame or did it fell off while driving?

 

[andy27168]

Hi
The plastic frame around the glass you have pointed out is actually part of the glass itself indicates the glass as being a dimming mirror.
I take it your 43 has a dimming rear view mirror, a rare option on a 202
Door mirror dimming was only possible with the dimming RVM as it uses its ambient light sensors.

 

[noogieman]

Hi
The plastic frame around the glass you have pointed out is actually part of the glass itself indicates the glass as being a dimming mirror.
I take it your 43 has a dimming rear view mirror, a rare option on a 202
Door mirror dimming was only possible with the dimming RVM as it uses its ambient light sensors.

Hey Andy.
Long time not seing you on the forum.

Thanks for confirming.
Yes, I have the autodimming RVM, meaning I have the same dimming mirror on drivers door.
Black plastic frame around dimming mirror had a small tiny crack where I have marked it in the first photo, how did this occur as it's hard plastic?
Maybe from old age plastic getting brittle?

I guess it wasn't important for passengers door mirror to have autodimming from factory?

 

[andy27168]

Hi
I think Mercedes were worried about it obscuring vision incase of cyclist coming up on the inside, though VAG didnt seem to be bothered as my Audi Cab had dimming on the passenger side.
I think the black plastic border to the glass assisted in keeping the fluid in the dimming glass in place.

 

[noogieman]

It's cool having these dimming options but when they start to screw with ya, then it's no fun no more!
Thankfully my glass has not bronzed or leaked yet, I've seen some nasty looking glasses on other cars.

When would you expect glass to bronze?

When would you expect autodim glass begin leaking liquid?
Would this also happen to RVM, liquid dripping onto shifter console causing shorting?