[ACM]

Motorized ORVMS is the way to go. They are today quite strong compared to the earlier versions.

The motorized ORVMS if folded manually are designed to given a really irritating sound and feel. But in a couple of attempts are getting them back to place with the open fold switch they do get back to place.

Even the Optra came with folding mirrors and though it seemed unlikely at first these have lasted may instances of the cleaner folding them by force.

I always fold my Aria mirrors when the car is switched off / parked. Would have loved to have an auto fold rather than just a power fold. Have specifically asked the cleaners to not clean the mirror glass (it is folded when they clean the car at 4 in the morning.) The driver has the job of cleaning the glass.

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by mitrajdeep

I second Dadu here.

My Fiesta has electronic adjust facility but not electronic folding. I have rarely needed to adjust the mirrors as I am the only person to drive this car, hence once adjusted to my liking it stays there.

Some time back a biker broke my left side mirror and the replacement cost was Rs.3500 whereas for the mechanical type it is only Rs.1200. I wish my car came with mechanical type adjusters as I had a close shave once again.

+1 to that. Even I had two close shaves with the OVRM's in my Fiesta with one time requiring the complete unit to be replaced. But the second time it was just brushed. Although I would prefer the OVRM's to get completely closed electrically, I would still would not mind having the manual ones as was there in my Santro. Never had any damages to the unit.

[libranof1987]

Anything that is to be operated electronically will be damaged over due course if operated manually, right?

Our cars are parked on the road at some point of time - making them vulnerable to those who want to check their hairstyle or kids who just want to have some fun. So, persistent manual operation should eventually harm (if not damage) the mechanism.

Apart from the fanciness and convenience of the feature, is there a practical purpose/use of electronic folding OVRMs? Electronically adjustable mirrors are a blessing, no doubt but folding ones?

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by ACM

Even the Optra came with folding mirrors and though it seemed unlikely at first these have lasted may instances of the cleaner folding them by force.

Correct. I'm using it for last seven years and there's absolutely no issues.

[vnabhi]

My Fiesta's Electricallly-adjustable ORVMs have taken around 5 or 6 hits so far, but in all cases the mirror got closed and got a few scratches on the outside metallic surface. On one occasion, the right ORVM was hit by a dumb labourer walking forwards at a road-side.

I was crestfallen to see the mirror folding completely outwards, but I was surprised to see that it could be folded back into place.

Despite the hazards, I am all for retractable ORVMs like in the i20, but I wish they could be operated for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

I wish they could be operated for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.

I had once driven a Peugeot 409 in which the mirrors automatically folded once you locked the doors. Very useful feature for both Paris and Indian roads

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

I had once driven a Peugeot 409 in which the mirrors automatically folded once you locked the doors. Very useful feature for both Paris and Indian roads

Was it after you got inside the car and locked the doors or locked doors remaining outside?

[kalpeshc]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Despite the hazards, I am all for retractable ORVMs like in the i20, but I wish they could be operated for a few seconds after the engine is shut off.

The i20's ORVM can indeed be operated even after the engine is switched off. Not just for a few seconds but otherwise too.

[dot]

Today morning incident; came down to the apartment parking to see that Civic's L-ORVM has gone totally limp. Means, you give it a flick and it would freely swing. Maybe some children must have bumped it last night. Could not stop smiling, we were discussing the same issue here and it happened to me. Anyways as soon as I started the car, there was "tak" sound of the ORVM motor engaging. The L-ORVM became rigid immediately and started to function normally.

So they have been engineered pretty well.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by pgsagar

Sgiitk, even I am for these ORVMs. But it is still not clear if we manually fold/unfold them, will the internals be damaged?

I think the clutch is pretty rugged. However, it is too early to comment from personal experience. Have not come across any cribs though.

[d_himan]

Second sgiitk - they're built rugged. My experience limited to Civic/Accord.

1. Accord (2002)'s left ORVM banged into a Linea's right ORVM at 30-40 kmph, got force-closed and worked normally after pressing the open button a few times.

2. There is usually a 'tak-tak' sound if the mirror gets displaced and isn't sitting properly in the casing. All it takes is a hard press to snap it back in shape. Did this for both the Civic/Accord.

3. The car cleaning guy always manually folds it every morning, despite all my pleas! No issue so far.

4. Very useful in signals when there's a moron motorcylist who wants to use the slightest gap between the car and the divider - if in doubt, can always fold and ensure there's no damage.

[dot]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

I think the clutch is pretty rugged.

Is there a clutch associated with the ORVM retracing motor?

@d_himan, looks like our experiences are similar. It is a very reassuring feeling when the "tak" noise comes.

[fuel_addict]

The only bane I see with electrically retracting ORVMs would be the high cost of replacement if they are damaged or knocked off during impact. All other points considered, they are a boon especially on narrow roads and heavy traffic where manually folding the left side ORVM could be a real pain if you are the only one in the car.

[suhaas307]

Well, in our house, our parking arrangement is pretty tight. And although our Civic has auto-ORVMs, our Jazz doesn't have it, and that's a huge bane for us. To begin with, no one will be able to get out of the passenger side of the Jazz once it's parked inside. And if there is only one occupant in the Jazz at one time, he will need to struggle to close the passenger-side ORVM, which is highly irritating!

Wish the Jazz came with auto-ORVM. We would get it retro-fitted from the factory if it comes as an option in the near future. That's how desperate we are!

[FlyingSpur]

Since the opening post refers to a Corolla, let me pen down my experience with this feature. Our '05 Corolla has crossed about 1,42,000 km and most of that has been clocked in the city. There have been, in the last 6.25 years, countless - maybe a thousand - instances where in city traffic, bikers push the ORVM the wrong way while trying to squeeze through, valet attendants manually fold them, the car washer manually opens them and what not. Each time, when the button is pressed again, the motor makes some unpleasant clicking sound, followed by the familiar whirring motor sound and the mirror is absolutely okay.

I too was paranoid about these things when I first saw this feature in our Corolla, but I can confidently say that the mechanism is possibly quite simple, dependable, and definitely robust enough to take the daily abuse that typical urban India driving conditions subject it to. The motor works in full health even today without ever having been worked on / replaced. I am all for electrically rectacting ORVMs.

Possibly the only problem area might be in vehicles where the mirrors dont swing the other way. Like the W212 E-Class, where a biker pushing the mirror forward will result in it breaking, and a significant replacement cost. Luckily, even in the 320d the mirrors swing forward without a fuss. let me not describe the heart-stopping and frustrating moment when I discovered that. Obviously, it involved a biker! But hey, I worry a lot less about the ORVMs now.