Sorry, sorry I know this has already been raised...in parts though.
My car (a modified but rather stock looking balck with a red roof 1970 roundnose) used to have a bullet mirror on the driver's side. When I got it approx 5 years ago I replaced that with the usual Tex chrome convex shaped mirror (that unlike the bullet unit, one could actualy see out of). like here: http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37029

When the car was repainted those holes were welded over and it has been sans mirrrors ever since. This looks good but making driving in busy traffic amongst 4WDs and buses suicidal sometimes. So need new mirrors. Over the past year I've acquired the better, original heavier type convex units (identical in shape to the modern tex but don't loose their chrome in a year) as well as the correct brackets to mount them where they are supposed to be mounted (at the top most and forward most corner of the door under the quarter vent).

But I also began to notice that the majority of original roundnoses don't have permanent side mirrors fitted and never had them originaly - so the clip on mirrors (the rechtanguar ones that clip on the door glass or the seam covers) seem more and more attractive.

SO basicaly wanted to ask for any opinions - are the clip on mirrors any good compared to the convex tex type? What about on the passenger's side? what about theft and vibration etc?

I bought a set of clip on bullet mirrors a while back to go on my deluxe when it is finished ....they look great though I am not able to answer how well they work yet....Chop has the same ones and has put them on, I would suggest sending him a pm to see how they go....unless he posts a reply here...

Heres a link to Chops thread about them....

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42172&highlight=

I just have a mirror on the drivers side door on my 65 Cooper S. I went for the rectangular shaped Tex Brand. Got it from the Mini King. I have the bullets on the 78 Clubby and they are purely cosmetic.

Have you considered mounting on the front guard?

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1975 Mini SS converted to a Mini Miami
1978 Clubman S
1965 Mk1 Cooper S
2005 BMW 318i (Well at least its a real BMW)
"Dont take life to seriously, you may never get out!"

I'm currently facing the same dilemma with my 1360 van (with side windows) which is about to be resprayed.

I don't personally like the look of passenger side mirrors on Minis and never used one when I had my S as a daily driver, instead relying on a single bullet mirror on the driver's door. Even on the van, until now I have relied on a sole Rover type plastic colour coded mirror attached to the driver's door. However, I agree a passenger side mirror is more essential these days and intend fitting one after the respray, but which type?

Maybe the classic style chrome clip ons will look ok, but are they fully functional in modern traffic and are they secure and not at risk of being easily stolen? Or perhaps a pair of those swish motorbike mirrors, though anything too high tech will most probably look out of place on a '60s Mini. A bullet mirror on the passenger side IMO looks crap, and the Rover square styles that MS sell, chrome or painted, don't look much better.

So I'm currently searching for something that fits the classic image, is functional and secure, and doesn't stick out like rabbit's ears.

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Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

i love the clip on mirrors, especially if you have no holes in your doors, why drill new ones?
I havent had a problem with any of my clip ons except for one i didnt do up right which fell off, and was fine until a truck decided to run it over in the middle of the road.
You can see out them as good as any mirror, they dont vibrate and they look classy when on the car.
i'll put the passenger one on tomorrow, and post a pic up for you.
I dont use my mirrors much anyway, as im in a mini and get a better look turning my neck for blind spots.

The door mirrors that were fitted to the Clubman were an option on BMC cars from the mid 60s, way before they became standard fitment.
Wing mirrors, clip ons and bullet mirrors were also options.

I love my bunny ears, they look fantastic, and are utterly sensational in traffic

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

How about changing lanes rapidly when there's a bus behind you?



Thanks that'd be awesome.

I just sent a message to the guy in Cyprus on ebay that chopchop got his round bullet one from and he listed one straight away for me. It cost $64.55 delivered which I guess is not cheap but it should work unlike most bullet mirrors on minis. The blokes user name is geros1968 It is made by Reguvis in Spain and is stainless steel.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club