Question about RH Door Mirror on a Passat

[Randy262]

I have a 2003 Passat Wagon. The fixed (non-folding) mirror on the passenger side is broken beyond repair. I am looking for a new mirror, but my question for the forum is: Can I swap out this fixed mirror for a folding mirror? Are they interchangeable? There are a lot more folding mirrors out there and I can replace both of them, hopefully to avoid either one getting broken again. Any assistance, information appreciated. I also have the VIN if that will help determine which mirrors I can use.

Thanks!

[Mr_Diesel]

There is one thing I can tell you... As long is it comes from the same generation of passat... in your case, B5 Generation... The mirror WILL bolt up to your door. Volkswagen (and most other car manufacturers) will reuse designs anywhere possible. Weather or not the mirror folds in, is power, shape color or whatever, the way it bolts to the door is the same. Volkswagen would NOT have changed this unless absolutely necessary. This is also why hundreds of parts interchange from Golf/Jetta/Passat/Eurovan, etc. The one thing I am not sure of is weather or not the power window harness is the same. This COULD be different, but as long as you get a folding mirror from the same year (2003) I am pretty certain the wire harness will be the same. This, again, falls under the same guidelines as above. It costs millions of dollars for VW to change molds, schematics and such. Not to mention cost to implement the change into the automated factories as well as engineering / R&D to make sure the part will be compatible and function as intended.

To put a very long story short, get a folding mirror from a 2003 Passat and it will more than likely work just fine.

Welcome to Dubnet... Enjoy your stay :)

[Randy262]

Mr Diesel,

Thank you very much for your response. That was much in line with my own thinking. VW is too smart (and efficient) to have parts that aren't interchangeable. I will be getting the mirror and trying it out. I'll post a response after so others will know the result.

Appreciate the forum.

Thanks!

Randy262