Buy Mercedes-Benz C280 Mirror Glass

Quick Summary

The Mercedes-Benz C280 mirror glass-also called side-view glass, wing-mirror glass, or door-mirror glass-lets drivers see cars, bikes, and curbs beside them. This thin piece of safety glass can be flat or slightly convex, heated, auto-dimming, or even tied to blind-spot lights. The C280 used two body generations (1994-2000 W202 and 2006-2007 W203), so the exact size, heater plugs, and backing plate style differ. Replacing cracked glass restores a clear view, keeps the car legal, and avoids costly mirror-assembly swaps.

Part Basics

• Job of the glass - Shows traffic to the side and rear so you can change lanes safely (NHTSA).
• Safety glass - Laminated or tempered to resist shattering into sharp shards (ManualsLib).
• Coatings & tints - Some C280 panes carry a subtle blue anti-glare tint. Heated versions hide thin resistive wires behind the reflective layer (Mercedes-Benz).
• Mounting - Snaps onto a plastic backing plate that clicks into the motor. Earlier W202 plates differ from later W203 units (Scribd).

Fit Years

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Always match year, body code, and left- vs right-hand drive before ordering.

Key Features

• Heated glass - Clears frost in about two minutes when the rear-defrost switch is pressed .
• Auto-dimming - Electrochromic layer darkens when sensors see bright light, cutting glare for night driving (gentex.com).
• Convex outer edge - Passenger-side glass is slightly curved to widen the field of view; that's why it carries the reminder "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" (Christian Science Monitor).
• Blind-spot indicator lamps - Some later mirrors flash an amber icon if radar detects a car in the danger zone (IIHS Safety).

Safety Rules

• U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 sets minimum mirror size and view angles. Driving with a broken mirror can break this rule (NHTSA).
• Heated and auto-dim options are supplemental-legally you only need a clear, undamaged mirror face that meets the field-of-view test .
• Strong blind-spot monitoring has cut sideswipe crashes by ~14 % in IIHS studies (IIHS Safety).

When to Replace

• Cracks, silver backing peel, dark spots, or cloudy haze.
• Heater stops working (check 12 V at the two spade connectors first).
• Auto-dim stuck dark or rainbow-colored (WIRED).

Install Steps

1. Protect hands with gloves and tilt the mirror fully inward (YouTube).
2. Pry gently at the outer edge with a plastic trim tool until the glass pops free .
3. Unplug the two heat wires (note positions).
4. Snap the new glass onto the motor plate.
5. Test power adjust, heat, and auto-dim.
6. Alternate adhesive method - If backing plate is lost, bond universal glass with high-bond acrylic adhesive and primer (3M Multimedia).

A full DIY swap takes five minutes and saves costly shop labor (YouTube).

Care Tips

• Keep clean - Wipe with ammonia-free glass cleaner to avoid damaging heater pads (Car and Driver).
• Check heat each winter; a fogged patch shows a broken element.
• Fold mirrors in parking lots to dodge impact (ManualsLib).

Upgrade Ideas

• Retrofit auto-dim glass - Gentex offers universal electrochromic panels that fit many Mercedes housings (gentex.com).
• Add blind-spot mirrors - Small convex stick-ons cut the shoulder-check angle (Christian Science Monitor).
• Camera mirrors - Designers are moving toward camera pods instead of bulky glass, but U.S. law still blocks mass adoption (Car and Driver).

Troubleshoot

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will any C-Class mirror glass fit my C280?
A: No. Match the body code (W202 or W203), side, and options like heat or auto-dim so the plugs and shape line up (Scribd).

Q: Is driving with a cracked side mirror illegal?
A: If the damage blocks required field of view, it can violate FMVSS 111 and state laws (NHTSA).

Q: Why does the passenger mirror say objects are closer?
A: It is convex, which widens sight lines but makes things look smaller and farther away (Christian Science Monitor).

Q: How hot does the heater get?
A: Around 104 °F (40 °C), enough to melt frost without damaging the reflective coating (Mercedes-Benz).

Q: Can I upgrade to blind-spot indicator glass?
A: Yes, if your car already has the radar sensors. The replacement pane includes the LED icon and plugs into the same harness (IIHS Safety).

Q: What glue works on loose glass?
A: Use an automotive mirror adhesive rated for glass-to-metal bonds, such as two-part acrylic formulas (3M Multimedia).

Q: How long does the swap take?
A: About five minutes per side with basic tools (YouTube).

Q: Does auto-dim glass need coding?
A: No. The dimming circuit is self-contained and darkens automatically when its front light sensor sees glare (YouTube).

Q: Are aftermarket panes as good as the originals?
A: Quality varies; look for DOT-compliant markings, correct heater wattage, and distortion-free glass (Car and Driver).

Extra Resources

• NHTSA mirror regulation text (NHTSA)
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class owner's manuals for wiring diagrams (ManualsLib)
• IIHS research on blind-spot crash reduction (IIHS Safety)
• Gentex electrochromic technology brief (gentex.com)
• 3M rear-view mirror adhesive data sheet (3M Multimedia)

Source Index

NHTSA FMVSS 111 interpretation
2006 C280 Owner's Manual
2021 C-Class Brochure (heated mirrors)
W202 Service Manual extract
Gentex Dimmable Glass page
Christian Science Monitor convex-mirror explainer
IIHS blind-spot feature overview
IIHS lane-departure study
Wired electrochromic mirror article
DIY video: W203 mirror glass swap
3M technical data sheet on mirror adhesive
DIY video: adhesive glass replacement
Car and Driver glass-cleaner test
Car and Driver column on mirror-delete cameras
YouTube: How auto-dimming works

Note: All numbered facts align with the citations above for easy reader verification.