Buy Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Mirror Glass

Overview

The mirror glass on a Mercedes-Benz CLK320-also called side-view glass, wing-mirror lens, or door-mirror glass-lets you see traffic beside and behind the car. Replacing cracked or hazy glass quickly keeps you legal and safe. The CLK320 (model years 1998-2003) is part of the first-generation W208 CLK-Class, so most replacement panes are sized and clipped for that housing . Modern mirror glass can be flat, convex, heated, or electro-chromic (auto-dimming), and each style affects what you see and how you install it.

Vehicle Fitment

• Fits 1998-2003 CLK320 coupé and cabriolet housings; does not fit the later W209 body.
• Driver-side glass must be flat (unit-magnification) to meet U.S. FMVSS 111 rules , (nhtsa.gov).
• Passenger-side glass may be convex to widen the field of view, which is why it carries the "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" marking .

Mirror Types

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Features & Tech

• Auto-dimming: Light sensors trigger an electro-chromic layer to darken in milliseconds, reducing headlight glare and eye strain .
• Blind-spot monitoring: Newer mirrors may hide LEDs linked to radar modules that warn when a vehicle sits in the blind zone .
• Camera mirrors: Carmakers are lobbying to replace bulky housings with cameras to cut drag and wind noise . Until laws change, glass remains mandatory.

Regulations

• United States: FMVSS 111 demands a flat driver mirror and sets minimum rearward field-of-view angles .
• Europe: Heavy trucks must use wide-angle blind-spot mirrors since 2007; passenger-car standards mirror (pun intended) UN Regulation 46 .
• Mirror condition: Most states fine drivers for broken glass that hinders 200 ft (≈60 m) rear visibility .

Symptoms & Diagnosis

• Brown stains or bubbling: Electro-chromic fluid leak-replace glass; cleaning won't fix it .
• Defrost never clears: Check fuse F5 in the under-hood box; if intact, test the two heating pins on the back of the glass with a multimeter.
• Double image or distortion: Wrong curvature; verify part matches left vs. right.

DIY Replacement

1. Protect paint. Tape around the housing.
2. Tilt mirror inward. Gives finger room.
3. Pop the glass. Use gloved fingers or a trim tool at the inner edge-clips release with firm pressure.
4. Disconnect heaters. Two spade connectors; note orientation.
5. Apply new pane. If your replacement is stick-on, clean old surface with isopropyl, then use a high-bond acrylic adhesive rated -30 °F to 230 °F .
6. Test functions before driving.

Tip: Warm the housing with a hair dryer in cold weather so clips flex instead of cracking.

Maintenance Tips

• Keep glass clean with non-ammonia spray; ammonia can haze electro-chromic coatings.
• Activate rear defroster for five minutes to dry condensation on heated mirrors.
• Fold mirrors when parked to avoid curb strikes; impacts loosen internal clips over time.

Safety & Adjustment

Proper aim erases most blind spots. Lean until your forehead touches the driver-window glass, set the left mirror so only a sliver of your car shows, then lean over the center console and repeat on the right . A quick shoulder check still matters, but this setup dramatically widens what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will any CLK-Class mirror glass fit my CLK320?
A: Stick to W208-specific panes; W209 and later shapes differ even if they look close .

Q: Can I switch a convex right-side pane to the left side for wider view?
A: No. U.S. law requires a flat driver mirror for true distance judgment .

Q: How do I tell if my glass is heated?
A: Look for two wires on the back or a tiny heater icon etched in the corner .

Q: Why does my passenger mirror say objects are closer?
A: Convex glass shrinks images so you see more lane width; the warning reminds you distance looks greater .

Q: Can I glue a cracked mirror instead of replacing it?
A: Epoxy distorts reflections and may fail in heat. Use a purpose-made adhesive only for installing a new pane .

Q: Does auto-dimming still work after glass replacement?
A: Yes-if you install a compatible electro-chromic pane. Generic glass without sensors will not dim .

Q: Are camera mirrors legal on a 1999 CLK320?
A: Not yet. Federal rules still require physical mirror glass, though change is under review .

References

1. Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class overview - Wikipedia.
2. NHTSA FMVSS 111 letter on flat driver mirrors.
3. NHTSA interpretation on convex sections improving safety.
4. NHTSA Rear-Visibility ANPRM (mirror field-of-view standards).
5. European Commission road-safety page on blind-spot mirrors.
6. HowStuffWorks: "Why are objects in the side-view mirror closer than they appear?".
7. HowStuffWorks: "How a car's rear-view mirror works in glare-reduction mode".
8. HowStuffWorks: "How to adjust your mirrors to minimize blind spots".
9. HowaCarWorks: "Using the mirrors" (heated mirrors section).
10. 3M Technical Data Sheet - Rear View Mirror Adhesive.
11. Wired: "Why it'll be a while before we can replace car mirrors with cameras".
12. Wired: "Dimming mirrors a bright idea".
13. Gentex Tech Brief - Electro-chromic (auto-dimming) Mirrors.
14. HowStuffWorks: "How cars are making the blind spot less dangerous".
15. NHTSA interpretation ID 571-111 confirming convex not allowed on driver side.