How to Replace Bentley Arnage Side Mirror

Time Required: 20 minutes
Tools Required: Phillips screwdriver
Cost: est. $40.00 – $506.18 (depending on parts sourced)

Parts: (Side Mirror Glass)

• North America: PP55407PA (left) -or- PP55406PA (right)
• UK: PP55409PA (left) -or- PP57568PA (right)
• Euro: PP57569PA (left) -or- PP55408PA (right)
• Arabic: PP55405PA (left) -or- PP55404PA (right)

The right side mirror (passenger side for LHD cars) of the 2004 Bentley Arnage is damaged (see photos) and needs to be replaced. The mirror was in this condition when I purchased the car. On my shortlist of items to remedy before purchasing the car from the dealership, I completely failed to mention the broken mirror, so now I am stuck with the task of replacing it.

This is a simple project and parts are readily available. For this project, I chose to use genuine Bentley parts from IntroCar. Aftermarket parts and parts from other manufacturers are available as an alternative.

This is my driver-side sideview mirror. As you can see, it is in pristine condition. This is how the mirror should appear.

This is the mirror on the passenger side of the Bentley Arnage. It is clear to see the electrochromic (sometimes referred to as electrochromatic or auto-dimming) element has failed causing the mirror to have a bronze-colored tint. Notice the color contrast with the top portion of the mirror. The mirror needs to be replaced.

Step 1: Tilt the mirror upward

With the mirror tilted upward, you will have maximum room to release the existing mirror (Step 3).

Step 2: Remove two screws under the mirror housing

There are two Phillips-head screws located underneath the mirror housing. The outer screw is easy to access. The inner screw may require a long screwdriver (or very short screwdriver) to access. I found it helpful to fold the mirror forward for additional space. Remove these screws and gently remove the small plastic panel. You may need to use a small plastic tool to wedge the parts apart if you are unable to loosen the panel manually.

Step 3: Press the bottom of the mirror to release it

Use two fingers to push on the bottom of the mirror. Notice the arrow in the photo; push in the direction of the rear of the car. Use your other hand to brace and catch the mirror on the other side. If you are replacing a cracked mirror, follow proper safety precautions to avoid injury from broken glass.

Step 4: Disconnect the the wiring

There are two small wires for the heating element and a small connector for the electrochomic element. Disconnect all the wiring. I marked the outside heating wire with a small piece of tape to remember its placement. I am not certain if it matters how these two wires connect to the mirror, but I just did this to play it safe. The other connector will only fit in one direction.

Step 5: Connect the new mirror

N. America spec right side mirror (passenger) – Part# PP55406PA
The new mirror should have all the attachments for the wiring elements from the Step 4. Reconnect all the wiring. Be sure to purchase the correct part for your car. For my vehicle and model year, there are four different versions of this mirror. More details are listed below regarding proper part numbers and alternatives.

Step 6: Snap the new mirror into place

On the back of the mirror is a circular plastic protrusion that contains several tabs (see photo in Step 4). Align this circle with the ring located inside the mirror housing. Press the mirror firmly (AND gently) into the housing. Apply pressure evenly until you hear the mirror snap into place. I used a clean microfiber towel to diffuse the pressure as I pushed (and to prevent fingerprint smudges on the glass). The mirror should be securely in place.

Step 7: Reattach the access panel

Reinstall the plastic panel piece that was removed in Step 2. It took some finagling to get this piece seated correctly. Screw in the two Phillips-head screws. The project is complete; adjust your mirror to the preferred position.

Conclusion

This project should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. Please be sure to take proper safety precautions when performing any project. While I try to provide as much accurate information as possible, remember: I am just a guy on the internet! Follow my instructions at your own risk.

Some Notes About Parts: The reason for the large price range when it comes to parts on this project is because this mirror is available from a wide array of sources. It is my personal preference to use genuine Bentley parts whenever possible, so for this project I elected to purchase the OEM mirror (part# PP55406PA) from IntroCar for $186.13. There are other options available if your objective is to save money on this repair.

When removing the small panel underneath the mirror housing, I noticed the Audi symbol imprinted on the inside of the panel. Upon further research, I learned that this is the same mirror (and housing) used in Audi A4 (second generation), Audi A6 (first generation), and Audi A8 (first generation) cars. The mirror may be used on other Volkswagen cars as well. This appears to apply to Bentley Arnage models starting with the 2000 model year (1998 and 1999 models appear to have a different style of sideview mirrors). An affordable alternative to genuine Bentley parts is using new or second-hand parts from these mass-produced vehicles. After some quick searching, I found several examples in various conditions starting around $40.

A lesson I learned (the hard way) was to pay attention to part numbers. When I originally searched for this part online, I simply searched for “Arnage side mirror” instead of finding the proper part number. When I received the part, I noticed that I had received a UK spec mirror because the mirror had a small, dotted longitudinal line on its face. This line separates the mirror into two sections for a wider array of vision. The U.S. and North American cars use a different part without this feature. Fortunately, I was able to return the part and get the correct piece shipped to me.

These part number references should also apply to the following Bentley (and Rolls-Royce) vehicles:

• Bentley Azure
• Bentley Brooklands
• Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph

For verifying part numbers, check out: http://heritage.bentleymotors.com.

Additional Images

UK-Spec Right Side Mirror (driver) – Part# PP57568PA
The UK mirror contains a dotted/dashed line that separates the varied vision angles.

Use the Part Number Search at http://heritage.bentleymotors.com to review part numbers and view helpful diagrams. This image shows an exploded view of the mirror housing and components.

If you found this article helpful or if you would like to add any useful tips, please leave a comment below.