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metahacker Samba Member

Joined: May 26, 2010 Posts: 590 Location: san.diego
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:29 am Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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I've ran the following:
Standard original OG ones
Wolfsburg West SS
BusDepot
German eBay aftermarket
Wolfsburg West SS with convex glass from a German vendor
Random US aftermarket
AutoWares convex
The BEST mirrors have been the AutoWares convex ones.
https://www.autowares.co.uk/product/bay-window-convex-mirror-1967-1979-pair
Although it's probably best to order them here:
https://resto-bus-parts.myshopify.com/products/bay-window-convex-mirror-1967-1979-individual
They seem to be the same as the WW but with MUCH MUCH better visibility.
No silly crap like stick on blind spot mirrors are needed and one can drive with 100% confidence all the time, using only the side mirrors.
Second to these would be the WW mirrors with the convex glass that sticks over top (from the German eBay vendor linked a couple posts down on the thread below about convex mirror glass).
They make for a nice option, although... they don't provide as much of a field of view as the AutoWares (but they are MUCH better than all the other standard glass - e.g. US spec - mirrors).... and if you look very closely you might notice that there's two pieces of glass.. but they're very nice as well (if I already had WW and wanted to save money, adding the convex glass on top is a very nice compromise...but the AutoWares ones are worth the spend if you really want the maximum performance, IMO).
There are original OG convex mirrors from Europe (still Hagus I believe)
Those seem to very very nice as well, but good luck ever finding one of each side to make a pair. I searched for awhile for these...and saw one pop up every once in awhile. I think it was only the passenger(?) side though, I don't believe I ever saw one of each... having two OE convex Hagus mirrors would probably be the most straight baller pimpin gangster option...but, like I said, good luck finding them.
Also, here is a fun alternatively styled option:
https://resto-bus-parts.myshopify.com/products/side-mirrors-elephant-style
I don't think I'd call them best at anything, though.
Probably be decent with some round convex "blindspot mirrors" in the right spot though... their shape seems to lend itself to them well.
here is the thread on the convex glass, with another user reporting back about AutoWares mirrors (you can find the link to buy the stick-over mirror glass here):
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=646958&highlight=convex
also of note are these Delrin mirror washers/bushings that go against the paintwork where the mirror arm threads in
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...;_osacat=0
I've ran the white ones on two buses and like them very much.
I would also recommend that you oil (waxoyl even perhaps) the threads in the door and/or grease the threads on the mirror arm end. You can sometimes get rust issues in there...... |
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kingsgate Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2019 Posts: 3 Location: London
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:55 am Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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metahacker wrote: |
I've ran the following:
Standard original OG ones
Wolfsburg West SS
BusDepot
German eBay aftermarket
Wolfsburg West SS with convex glass from a German vendor
Random US aftermarket
AutoWares convex
The BEST mirrors have been the AutoWares convex ones.
https://www.autowares.co.uk/product/bay-window-convex-mirror-1967-1979-pair
Although it's probably best to order them here:
https://resto-bus-parts.myshopify.com/products/bay-window-convex-mirror-1967-1979-individual
They seem to be the same as the WW but with MUCH MUCH better visibility.
No silly crap like stick on blind spot mirrors are needed and one can drive with 100% confidence all the time, using only the side mirrors.
Second to these would be the WW mirrors with the convex glass that sticks over top (from the German eBay vendor linked a couple posts down on the thread below about convex mirror glass).
They make for a nice option, although... they don't provide as much of a field of view as the AutoWares (but they are MUCH better than all the other standard glass - e.g. US spec - mirrors).... and if you look very closely you might notice that there's two pieces of glass.. but they're very nice as well (if I already had WW and wanted to save money, adding the convex glass on top is a very nice compromise...but the AutoWares ones are worth the spend if you really want the maximum performance, IMO).
There are original OG convex mirrors from Europe (still Hagus I believe)
Those seem to very very nice as well, but good luck ever finding one of each side to make a pair. I searched for awhile for these...and saw one pop up every once in awhile. I think it was only the passenger(?) side though, I don't believe I ever saw one of each... having two OE convex Hagus mirrors would probably be the most straight baller pimpin gangster option...but, like I said, good luck finding them.
Also, here is a fun alternatively styled option:
https://resto-bus-parts.myshopify.com/products/side-mirrors-elephant-style
I don't think I'd call them best at anything, though.
Probably be decent with some round convex "blindspot mirrors" in the right spot though... their shape seems to lend itself to them well.
here is the thread on the convex glass, with another user reporting back about AutoWares mirrors (you can find the link to buy the stick-over mirror glass here):
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=646958&highlight=convex
also of note are these Delrin mirror washers/bushings that go against the paintwork where the mirror arm threads in
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...;_osacat=0
I've ran the white ones on two buses and like them very much.
I would also recommend that you oil (waxoyl even perhaps) the threads in the door and/or grease the threads on the mirror arm end. You can sometimes get rust issues in there...... |
Very useful thanks!
So, I have two convex mirror glasses, 2 perfect mirror "bodies".
The drivers side one I have not yet touched.
The other side one has no glass in it now (got broken) and the grey plastic surround is not in great shape. The plastic surround has degraded over the years, although it is still mostly in one piece.
I want to install my 2 new convex mirror glasses to the existing mirrors. Is some sort of silicone stuff out of a tube going to hold the replacement glasses in place, do you think? |
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metahacker Samba Member

Joined: May 26, 2010 Posts: 590 Location: san.diego
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:01 am Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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I believe Sikaflex would bond/hold it and never fail you.... probably sika 296 which is rated for marine glazing related work but you should evaluate the line and read the specifications...I'm sure that the more general purpose sika 252 would work as well. but to be totally honest, 3M VHB probably would be the easiest and never fail either. 3M 4950 is strong enough to hold an awning to a bus in high winds without even the slightest fear.
I wonder if grey silicone hose would make a convincing beading for the exterior perimeter (i've seen people use regular cheap autozone type vacuum line and it fit ok...looked ..... o.k. not great if you are used to looking at the grey but seemed to fit well) |
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KentABQ  Samba Member

Joined: September 11, 2016 Posts: 2330 Location: Albuquerque NM
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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I installed one on the passenger side, and I wholeheartedly agree with metahacker.
Visibility improved dramatically over the previous flat mirror with little convex stick-on mirror.
Now for a stupid question...
Are convex mirrors legal to install on the driver's side?
I don't think I've seen them on any modern cars. Just wondering.... _________________ -Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"
"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea
Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM |
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RalphWiggam Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2018 Posts: 887 Location: SouthEast
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Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:27 am Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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Ordered a set from the UK site. The US site only had 1 side available.
Is the curve only on one axis or both? ie....does it matter which way i orient the mirror for the convexity? |
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RalphWiggam Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2018 Posts: 887 Location: SouthEast
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 5:58 am Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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My set from:
https://www.autowares.co.uk/product/bay-window-convex-mirror-1967-1979-pair
Came in on saturday. Took about 3 weeks or so from the UK. The US site only had one side.
They seem OK. Not great. Not terrible. I dont have anything to compare them to besides the original VW ones on my bus. When I took my originals off I noticed they weighed a lot more than these repos. I think the arm on the repos are hollow or something.
When setup, the visibility is much better. I guess we will see how they hold up over the years. |
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Busdepot Samba Member

Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 1276
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: The best replacement side view mirrors thread |
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I have an update on these mirrors. To recap, they were originally factory-supplied on Brazilian spec Deluxe Kombi's and become very popular for use on US Buses... until VW/Brazil started jacking up the price, which climbed to about $400/pair. The good news is that we just received some Brazilian made repro's which are a lot cheaper -$129/pair. I compared one a genuine one before ordering them, and not surprisingly it looks like a cheaper copy if you compare them side by side - it is just fractionally smaller, the bezel around the glass is slightly different, and one of the mount pieces is plastic rather than metal. None of which you'd notice when mounted on the Bus. However the repro is also noticeably lighter weight and the glass quality is a bit poorer, which are indications that the are not built to the same quality level. Then again they're 1/3 the price, look like the $400 ones, and won't rust like chrome ones do. At that price I'd call them a decent value, so I ordered them. I should note that supply out of Brazil has been very inconsistent, so I can't say whether I'll be able to get them again once they're gone.[/url] _________________ - Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com |
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