Buy Mercedes-Benz CL500 Mirror Glass

Overview

Mercedes-Benz CL500 mirror glass-also called side mirror glass, wing-mirror lens, or door-mirror panel-helps you see cars, bikes, and people next to your big luxury coupe. The CL500 used two main body styles (C215 from 1999-2006 and C216 from 2007-2013), and both offer heated, blue-tinted, auto-dimming, and power-fold options. Because the glass can crack or the electro-chromic layer can fail over time, knowing its features, safety rules, and easy DIY swap steps saves money and keeps you safe.

Fitment & Features

• Generations covered - C215 (CL500 built 1999-2006) and C216 (CL500 built 2007-2013) both use a snap-in mirror glass held by four plastic clips and a small wiring harness for heater and auto-dim cells. (Auto Catalog Archive, ragtop.org)
• Standard equipment - Heated defrost comes on with the rear-window heater; the driver's glass dims automatically to cut headlight glare, while the passenger glass stays clear for sharp vision. (static.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com, Auto Brochures)
• Memory & fold-in - When you save a seat position, the mirror angle saves too. On most 2009+ cars, the glass folds in when you lock the doors.
• Blind-Spot triangle - Cars with Blind Spot Assist light a tiny red triangle right on the mirror glass when radar sees danger. (Mercedes-Benz USA, Atlantic Motorcar Center)
• Glass shapes - Flat (driver) or convex/aspherical (passenger). Aspherical pieces add a second, curved outer zone that widens what you see.

For trim-by-trim charts, open the CL-Class 2009 brochure.

Materials & Tech

• Tempered safety glass shatters into tiny, dull cubes instead of sharp shards, meeting U.S. FMVSS 111 glazing rules. (eCFR, Legal Information Institute)
• Electro-chromic gel sits between two glass layers; a light sensor darkens the mirror when bright headlights hit it. (static.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com)
• Blue tint coating cuts glare by up to 50 % and looks sleek. Enthusiast tests show less dazzle at night. (Passat World, AutoTecknic USA)
• Aspherical outer edge bends the reflection so you spot cars hiding in the "blind spot" earlier. Owners call it "worth every penny." (Passat World, VW Vortex)
• Heater grid (about 10 Ω) clears frost in 2-3 minutes.

Learn more about protective mirror layers in this safety glass guide.

Safety & Rules

• U.S. law FMVSS 111 says each outside mirror must let drivers see a 200-ft long, 12-ft wide area behind the car. (eCFR)
• In over 50 countries, UNECE R46 sets similar vision zones and requires "E-mark" tests for new replacement mirrors. (Test Ups)
• Mirror glass must never protrude past the car's widest point except as needed for the legal field of view. (Legal Information Institute)
• Blind Spot Assist uses two radar modules to watch 131 ft (40 m) back and 10 ft (3 m) to the side; warnings start above 18 mph. (Mercedes-Benz USA, Atlantic Motorcar Center)

Drivers can read the full regulation text directly on the eCFR site. (eCFR)

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

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A short video shows the clip release technique in under a minute: watch "1 minute to replace a side mirror glass". (YouTube)

Installation Steps

1. Press the inner edge of the mirror to tilt it outward.
2. Insert plastic trim tool and pop the four clips.
3. Unplug heater (and dimming) wires.
4. Snap new mirror on, matching clips.
5. Test tilt, heat, and dim at night.

A longer demo on a similar Mercedes shows each plug clearly ("Heated Dimming Mirror Replacement"). (YouTube)

Custom Upgrades

• Blue aspherical glass - Lowers glare and widens the view. Many enthusiasts prefer it for night drives. (Passat World, VW Vortex)
• Hydrophobic nano-spray - Water beads off; vision stays clear in rain.
• Camera-mirror kits - Allowed under UNECE R46 if certified, replacing bulky mirrors with slim screens. (Brigade Electronics)

For radar-based blind spot retrofits, see Mercedes' official owner support page. (Mercedes-Benz USA)

Environment

Discard cracked glass at a local auto-glass recycler; tempered shards melt into new bottles. The plastic backing (ABS) can join #7 mixed plastics. Many cities list drop-off sites on the EPA recycling portal. (Link is safe and not a retailer.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of CL500 does this mirror glass fit?
A: It fits C215 models built 1999-2006 and C216 models 2007-2013. Always match your VIN first. (Auto Catalog Archive, ragtop.org)

Q: Is the driver's mirror flat or curved?
A: The driver's side is flat for exact distance; the passenger side is convex or aspherical to widen the view.

Q: How does the auto-dimming work?
A: A light sensor tells a thin gel layer to darken when bright lights hit, cutting glare in seconds. (static.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com)

Q: Can I keep the housing and just change the glass?
A: Yes. The glass snaps off the backing plate; the motor and painted cap stay on the car.

Q: Do I need special tools?
A: A plastic pry tool and gloves are enough.

Q: Will heated glass drain my battery?
A: No. It only turns on with the rear defroster and shuts off automatically.

Q: Why is some glass blue?
A: The blue coating blocks headlight glare and looks stylish. (Passat World)

Q: Does this glass support Blind Spot Assist?
A: Yes, if your car already has the radar system; the triangle light is built into the new glass. (Mercedes-Benz USA)

Q: Is it legal to install camera mirrors instead?
A: Only camera systems with UNECE R46 approval can replace a required mirror. (Brigade Electronics)

Q: How can I tell if my old mirror is broken?
A: Brown stains, dimming that never clears, or cracked surface mean it's time for a swap.

For deeper dives, check the Mercedes-Benz digital manual and the UNECE R46 overview. Happy wrenching!