2010 Autodimming rearview mirror installation assistance

**ntn324** · 12-15-2009 12:27 PM

Has anyone done tried this yet? I heard that the 2009 models were fairly easy, practically just a swap, but in 2010, some of the wiring may no longer be there.

If anyone with a 2010 Prestige is willing to take a look at the wiring and pin connector in their car, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking to see what kind of connector there is, and how many wires are coming from the connector. On my premium plus, there is a 8pin connector and just three wires.

I could provide more detailed instructions on how to remove the plastic covering if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

**DavidB8** · 12-15-2009 07:05 PM

Can the mirror just be removed? It's not glued to the windshield?

**Jurisprudent** · 12-15-2009 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by ntn324

Has anyone done tried this yet? I heard that the 2009 models were fairly easy, practically just a swap, but in 2010, some of the wiring may no longer be there.

If anyone with a 2010 Prestige is willing to take a look at the wiring and pin connector in their car, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking to see what kind of connector there is, and how many wires are coming from the connector. On my premium plus, there is a 8pin connector and just three wires.

I could provide more detailed instructions on how to remove the plastic covering if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

I was told by a dealer that it's essentially cost prohibitive and that the wiring isn't there. If you find out differently, let us know.

**JetBlue** · 12-15-2009 09:12 PM

Pull it apart and let us know. I find it hard to believe that Audi would change this mid term for the B8.

**Jurisprudent** · 02-10-2010 08:01 AM

Has there been any resolution to this question? Is this still a $1000+ job, if possible, or has someone come up w/ an option?

**hoppy6698** · 02-10-2010 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

Has there been any resolution to this question? Is this still a $1000+ job, if possible, or has someone come up w/ an option?

Tint instead - far cheaper, looks cooler. The tint will nullify the rearview autodim feature for the most part. Unless you are just really hard up for the compass feature, I say skip it and get tinting instead.

**Jurisprudent** · 02-10-2010 08:15 AM

I'm considering that as well... don't really care about the compass, but was curious to see if anyone had pursued this.

**Cabal_san** · 02-10-2010 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jurisprudent

I'm considering that as well... don't really care about the compass, but was curious to see if anyone had pursued this.

Local3 has an awesome database and has posted some info on switching this out on a 2009 a4. Maybe it could help you all out for 2010...

http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...assmirror.html

**NWS4Guy** · 02-10-2010 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by hoppy6698

Tint instead - far cheaper, looks cooler. The tint will nullify the rearview autodim feature for the most part. Unless you are just really hard up for the compass feature, I say skip it and get tinting instead.

This is what I did, since I got a P+ and you have to go Prestige to get auto mirrors on the S4 (what kind of ala carte crap is that?)

**Cabal_san** · 02-18-2010 07:31 AM

In pulling apart my head-unit when i was working on adding in Homelink, I got looking at the mirror change to an auto-dimming one also.

Not only are the locations of the mounts appear to be at different locations (e.g. you would have to de-glue the original mount off and then glue on the new mirrors mount at the correct location) but also there is no wiring installed up in the space between the head-unit and glass edge. So you would need to get a hold of the wiring and harness ( maybe like DavidB8's spaghetti pile!) and run it up and over to the head-unit.

All this could be done, but after couple hundred for the mirror, and another for wiring harness and wire and a few shots of Jack trying to isolate the right wires to use, and ahh well 'prolly a new windshield after you break your original trying to remove the original mount.. well I'm out at this point.

This guy did make it happen on his VW which has a sim mirror though...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2601273&page=2

**DavidB8** · 02-18-2010 05:30 PM

So do I understand this correctly.. There are Audis that have none functional mirrors, as in no compass, no dimming no nothing?

**UmIsThisThingOn** · 02-18-2010 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by DavidB8

So do I understand this correctly.. There are Audis that have none functional mirrors, as in no compass, no dimming no nothing?

No Auto Dimming, no Compass - correct.
I turned my compass off when I went on a long distance road trip - I think ppl thought it was a radar detector

**Cabal_san** · 02-18-2010 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by DavidB8

So do I understand this correctly.. There are Audis that have none functional mirrors, as in no compass, no dimming no nothing?

David, you got it. The Premium trim in the States cut that feature set out, along with a bucnha other small ticket items to drive the price point down.

To get it back they want you to now spring for the highest level, the Prestige. Quite a fat stack of bills.

When bean counters run the world we get rampant unemployment & cost cutting... oh wait. Doh!

**DavidB8** · 02-19-2010 01:34 AM

FYI, Kufatec.de sells retro harnesses for the mirrors. Now the harness they sell is for mirrors with all the options but that doesn't stop you from using it for just the dimming and compass.

**Cabal_san** · 02-19-2010 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by DavidB8

FYI, Kufatec.de sells retro harnesses for the mirrors. Now the harness they sell is for mirrors with all the options but that doesn't stop you from using it for just the dimming and compass.

Nice find David. Here's das Linke:

http://kufatec.com/index.php?main_pa...oducts_id=1215

**ECS Tuning-Audi** · 02-19-2010 11:29 AM

Would you guys be interested if we threw together a mirror/harness combo kit?

**ItsDubC** · 02-19-2010 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Cabal_san

Local3 has an awesome database and has posted some info on switching this out on a 2009 a4. Maybe it could help you all out for 2010...

http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...assmirror.html

Currently living in Houston but not being a TX-native, thank you so much for not saying "y'all" when the opportunity clearly presented itself lol. I will never say that word!

Back on topic:

Chris, will this be some sort of OEM harness or the Kufatec kit? Speaking of mirrors, any idea how much a kit to convert '09 side-view mirrors to the smaller '10+ side-view mirrors might be?

**ECS Tuning-Audi** · 02-19-2010 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by ItsDubC

Currently living in Houston but not being a TX-native, thank you so much for not saying "y'all" when the opportunity clearly presented itself lol. I will never say that word!

Back on topic:

Chris, will this be some sort of OEM harness or the Kufatec kit? Speaking of mirrors, any idea how much a kit to convert '09 side-view mirrors to the smaller '10+ side-view mirrors might be?

That is what we would have to R&D. I don't think I could ball park it even. With the 10+ still really new we have to get all our dominoes in a row. Or ducks, or some such analogy ;) Anyhow, we can look into this, but the whole R&D bit will take some time.

**DavidB8** · 02-19-2010 12:08 PM

Well not to rain on anyones parade but the factory mirrors are a small fortune. I think a kit would put you in the poor house. Ebay is the only way to make the swap cost effective, although the harness is still a plus for anyone that wants to do it.

If your looking to do pricing to the 2010 mirrors I did find the folding mirrors where cheaper out of the UK than my factory ones where here. Not sure if that stands true to all the different versions or not.
Your options can really sway the pricing on this one. Such as auto dimming, heated and so forth. I also don't know if the 2009 glass would be compatible or now. Research...

**DavidB8** · 02-19-2010 12:12 PM

Hey Chris how much for a 2010 front bumper shipped to Canada with the PDC holes and washer cutouts. Need a chuckle :)

**booreux** · 02-20-2010 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Chris@ECSTuning

Would you guys be interested if we threw together a mirror/harness combo kit?

I would definitely be interested...i still am pissed that a luxury car that MSRPs for $38K does not include auto dimming mirrors and that you have to get to the prestige package to get them...what a rip off!!

**NPuter** · 02-20-2010 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by booreux

I would definitely be interested...i still am pissed that a luxury car that MSRPs for $38K does not include auto dimming mirrors and that you have to get to the prestige package to get them...what a rip off!!

totally agree - I can't even describe how wrong it is to have a 30K+ car and still have a cheap flap mirror...

Chris - I would definitely be interested in the conversion if you guys made some sort of kit w/ instructions... Right now, I don't want to spend a lot of money on parts to not be able to get them working...

**afouralex** · 02-20-2010 10:51 AM

finally some redemption for 09's without led tails...but typical on audi's part

**DavidB8** · 02-20-2010 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by NPuter

totally agree - I can't even describe how wrong it is to have a 30K+ car and still have a cheap flap mirror...

Chris - I would definitely be interested in the conversion if you guys made some sort of kit w/ instructions... Right now, I don't want to spend a lot of money on parts to not be able to get them working...

The dimming is really just hooked up with Power and Ground with a switched power. I really don't see it is as being a difficult or impossible retrofit. I could put together a parts list for this mod as well but most likely wont do that until my 3rd mirror gets here for my own mod of adding high beam assists. If everything goes well I will have a grey dimming mirror and a black one spare.

**Cabal_san** · 02-20-2010 01:03 PM

I think the hardest part will be the removal of the exisiting mount off the window (not the mirror itself, thats just a quick turn to the right). Then mounting the new mirror mount at the correct height. It appears to me from cruising ebay.de for the mirror part, that the elevation on the glass mounting is about a 2" delta between the different mounts, with the auto dim higher. Or just look on here posts of P- against Prestige and you'll see what I mean. I can go measure mine (P-) from center line of mount to top of glass/headliner.

I'm not sure you can get the old mounting glue off 100% and looking at a round spot under the mirror would just bug me to death.

Another thing to remember is that you'll need to somehow cover the backside of the wiremold. Maybe pot some tint up then trim around the wiremold after install to hide the wire. Run the harness wiring down to the fusebox.

**OK, from centerline of mount to bottom of headliner (run directly on the inside of the glass surface) is exactly 5 3/4". Sorry I have no idear wth the metric version of that is (but as everyone knows, metric is a useless fad for measurements and will soon disappear off the planet, me thinks)! Anyone with an autodim post their cl of mount here for comparison???

Thanks,

**DavidB8** · 02-20-2010 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Cabal_san

I think the hardest part will be the removal of the exisiting mount off the window (not the mirror itself, thats just a quick turn to the right). Then mounting the new mirror mount at the correct height. It appears to me from cruising ebay.de for the mirror part, that the elevation on the glass mounting is about a 2" delta between the different mounts, with the auto dim higher. Or just look on here posts of P- against Prestige and you'll see what I mean. I can go measure mine (P-) from center line of mount to top of glass/headliner.

I'm not sure you can get the old mounting glue off 100% and looking at a round spot under the mirror would just bug me to death.

Another thing to remember is that you'll need to somehow cover the backside of the wiremold. Maybe pot some tint up then trim around the wiremold after install to hide the wire. Run the harness wiring down to the fusebox.

**OK, from centerline of mount to bottom of headliner (run directly on the inside of the glass surface) is exactly 5 3/4". Sorry I have no idear wth the metric version of that is (but as everyone knows, metric is a useless fad for measurements and will soon disappear off the planet, me thinks)! Anyone with an autodim post their cl of mount here for comparison???

Thanks,

Well I can play to if you want. If you want to measure I will to. Are you sure they are diferent mounts? I wonder if a heat gun and a single sided razor would work it off with a bit of work. The tint idea is a good one. Maybe you could pop your mirror off and take a quick pic of the mount on the mirror so I can compare it to the one I have here. Wish Audi would standardize their parts so people could play easier.

**rlarsen** · 02-20-2010 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by DavidB8

Well I can play to if you want. If you want to measure I will to. Are you sure they are diferent mounts? I wonder if a heat gun and a single sided razor would work it off with a bit of work. The tint idea is a good one. Maybe you could pop your mirror off and take a quick pic of the mount on the mirror so I can compare it to the one I have here. Wish Audi would standardize their parts so people could play easier.

I think the mount will be the same - but with the mirror with rain/light sensor, which I thing will be there when you get a mirror that can do the dimming, you need to have the clear spot in the tint (special windscreen).

**Cabal_san** · 02-20-2010 03:54 PM

The mount for my 2009 non dimming is about 1 1/2" in diam. The Auto dim mount appears bigger with the 3 tabs that wrap the mounting plate. I'll try and pull mine off to see, but I'm betting it's like the like from VWVotex i posseted earlier and an adapter ring will be needed. Again the height delta appears to be different...

Here's the mirror from ebay.de for a single zone (P-) NA trim package.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Org-Audi-A3-A4-A6...item2a04528841

**booreux** · 02-20-2010 04:04 PM

from what i've been told by the dealer, the mounts are identical as the mounts house the rain/light sensor for prestige and premium plus trims. the mount is different for the premium trim. supposedly, the mounts already have a plug for the autodimming mirror in the premium plus. basically, all you need is the mirror and VAG COM to activate the compass. the mirror oem part code is 8RO 857 511 A or C(i think these letters are the color codes). should be plug and play. again, i'm not sure as i didn't rip my mirror off but this is what i've been told. i just think there should be a cheaper option than buying the oem part which is $700+...RIDICULOUS!! i know understand why the prestige trim costs an extra $6,000 from the premium plus. just the autodimming mirror and the autodimming side mirrors probably add $1,500 of that cost. again...STUPID!!

**TexasEric** · 02-20-2010 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Cabal_san

The mount for the non dimming is about 1 1/2" in diam. The Auto dim mount appears bigger with the 3 tabs that wrap the mounting plate. I'll try and pull mine off to see, but I'm betting it's like the like from VWVotex i posseted earlier and an adapter ring will be needed. Again the height delta appears to be different...

Here's the mirror from ebay.de for a single zone (P-) NA trim package.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Org-Audi-A3-A4-A6...item2a04528841

Are you measuring a 2009 or a 2010? Not sure if there would be a difference, but look at what they have done regarding standardization already on this thing...

**Yahdatshim** · 02-21-2010 08:17 AM

wait till the 2013 model comes out... the premium model will come with 16" rims, cloth interior, the concert stereo will be reduced to "highschool" auditorium and with inflation we'll pay 5Gs more....

on to the topic, i saw a really nice dimmer for 90 euros, and a kufatec harness for around 49 euros, ill just wait for the official DIY for dummies to initiate

**NPuter** · 02-21-2010 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Yahdatshim

wait till the 2013 model comes out... the premium model will come with 16" rims, cloth interior, the concert stereo will be reduced to "highschool" auditorium and with inflation we'll pay 5Gs more....

on to the topic, i saw a really nice dimmer for 90 euros, and a kufatec harness for around 49 euros, ill just wait for the official DIY for dummies to initiate

lol - not sure if you know this, but in some other countries the base B8 A4 comes with cloth interior, and a steering wheel w/o controls...

I am also going to wait for someone else to do the retrofit too...

**TexasEric** · 02-21-2010 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Cabal_san

The mount for my 2009 non dimming is about 1 1/2" in diam. The Auto dim mount appears bigger with the 3 tabs that wrap the mounting plate. I'll try and pull mine off to see, but I'm betting it's like the like from VWVotex i posseted earlier and an adapter ring will be needed. Again the height delta appears to be different...

On my 2010 P-, the mount is also about 1 1/2" diameter. It is located about 12cm below the edge of the overhead control panel.

The 2010 P- also comes with a plan, non-dimming, non-electric rearview mirror. I have not tried to take it off, but I would imagine it is the same. I have opened up the control panel and have NOT seen any open jack to plug into.

The back of the control panel...

The inside of the roof...

**DavidB8** · 02-21-2010 12:35 PM

You wont see a jack to plug them into. The larger plug you see at the top of the picture is where one of the power wires go. It back feeds from the main light powerswitch back out to the plug which goes to the mirror.

I took a multimeter to mine and looked into it to see where it was linked. So the wire could be inserterd into the the plug for that one specific power at least. Not sure why I am spending time on this one since I have everything on my mirror already. Call it an addiction :)

I'll continue to try and help on this one where I can. When I go to swap my mirror and headliner in the next 3-4 weeks I'll really look into it. Just hard for me to dedicate to much time to this when it really doesn't have a use.

**hansinla** · 03-10-2010 06:14 PM

Yes I would be in for that.

**c99** · 03-11-2010 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Cabal_san

Nice find David. Here's das Linke:

http://kufatec.com/index.php?main_pa...oducts_id=1215

I have wrote them I wanted just dimming mirror (no compass, no extra thing, just dimming) and the price for kit cable+ dimming mirror was something like 75 EUR.

**JustinPM** · 08-18-2010 10:20 AM

Hey guys...

Im new to the forum (1st post) so please go easy :)

I just bought a 2010 A4 Avant and yes, its the premium plus WITHOUT the compass / auto dimming mirror. Not a HUGE deal I know, but it's one of those life niggles that just, well....starts to pee you off after a while. I was just wondering if anyone had been able to retrofit the Audi mirror? I can get the original audi mirror from the dealer for $150 (cheaper than most OEM) so this kinda makes me want to give it a go, and get the thing installed.

Do I just need the mirror from the dealer and then some basic wiring in the overhead? Only power and ground needed - correct?
To fit, just unplug the old one, and the other mirror will fit the same fitting to the windshield?
No other parts needed?

Thanks much

J

**TexasEric** · 08-18-2010 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by JustinPM

Hey guys...

Im new to the forum (1st post) so please go easy :)

I just bought a 2010 A4 Avant and yes, its the premium plus WITHOUT the compass / auto dimming mirror. Not a HUGE deal I know, but it's one of those life niggles that just, well....starts to pee you off after a while. I was just wondering if anyone had been able to retrofit the Audi mirror? I can get the original audi mirror from the dealer for $150 (cheaper than most OEM) so this kinda makes me want to give it a go, and get the thing installed.

Do I just need the mirror from the dealer and then some basic wiring in the overhead? Only power and ground needed - correct?
To fit, just unplug the old one, and the other mirror will fit the same fitting to the windshield?
No other parts needed?

Thanks much

J

Welcome!! Unfortunately, your first jump into mods is not so easy. There is quite a bit involved here. You will need a new mounting for the mirror, the "track" for the wire (visible from outside looking in), and an inside cover to hide the wire. You will have to remove the old mount, connect the new one, and the find the proper taps for the electrical. Unfortunately, it is probably not hard wired for the compass mirror, so you will have a little work there too. I know many of us discussed it, but I have not seen anyone try it yet. That just may be a byproduct of costly parts. If you have ETKA and Elsawin available, you probably want to take a look.

**IndiAudi** · 08-23-2010 02:46 AM

I have an OEM Auto-dimming rear-view mirror from a 2010 B8 Cardamom Beige - Will let it go cheap but shipping & duty might be a question. Lemme know if anyone's interested.