MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: Petrus on June 23, 2019, 21:10

Title: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Petrus on June 23, 2019, 21:10
Tripped over a weight chart with the side mirror weight; 3 kilos each!!!
Stands to reason with the servo motor inside.
Can anyone confirm this?

I only adjusted them ónce and nobody else drive my car.

Anyone put lighter mirrors on?
Suggestions?
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: StuC on June 23, 2019, 22:27
I refer you to my previous post on the look behind sunglasses.

There are some small carbon ones. Manual adjustment. Most that have had them have wanted to change to a larger mirror after living with them for a few months.
I'll see if I can find a link.
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: StuC on June 23, 2019, 22:29
LINKY (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F162800483581)

Something like that ^^^ ?
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Petrus on June 23, 2019, 22:32
Yes, I am familiar with thoe and don´t like them. For one would buy the matt black one and secondly the spindly stem does not do it for me.
I´d prefer to go classic bullet type or say

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/V1EAAOSw6Ptcb92u/s-l1600.jpg)

even the basic Lucas ones.
Can´t weigh more than 0.5 kilo.


(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hlgAAOSw7aBVCAkI/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Ardent on June 23, 2019, 23:14
3kg each.
Find that hard to believe.
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: steveash on June 23, 2019, 23:17
I've always fancied fitting some Vitaloni Sebring mirrors painted body colour in the style of road and track classics like Porsches and Lamborghinis. I think it might suit the MR2 better than classic chrome mirrors or those better suited to a single seater. They're sure to be much lighter but can't say how much you'd see out of them. I also don't know what the legalities are of changing them.
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Petrus on June 24, 2019, 00:41
Quote from: Ardent on June 23, 2019, 23:143kg each.
Find that hard to believe.

I was kind of surprised too. Hence my question if anyone has checked/can check with a unit lying about.


Edit: Just read anóther number; 1 kilo... So best first be certain.

It could very well be heavy though as there is a servo motor and gear with swivel in the unit. Also a spring loaded swivel on the head unit and Toyota is not one to design it flimsy. It sure has a rather solid cast metal mounting base.
That also presents a problem as the mounting bolts onto the interor frame and there is a rather large hole in the outer panel:

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/AM8AAOSw8nBa2z7H/s-l1600.jpg)


The mentioned Vitali Sebring are a good suggetion. I had a set in aluminim on a car a long time ago. I thínk it was an Alfa. Also the mirrors on my Pontiac Fiero were of very similar design.
The current ones are as basic as it comes and plastic; can´t be 300 grams even.


(https://www.europaspares.com/media/catalog/product/i/t/item_370066117_451211.jpg.jpg)


The legal issue is unclear but if the unit is unobtrusive and in style with the car it is unlikely to draw attention/comment.

I might go for a set of plastic Sebrings. They are as light as it comes, cheap and crtainly look the part.
Not a fan of painting as that wíll chip on the plastic.
So, chrome or the tectured matt black?
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: steveash on June 24, 2019, 07:59
I think the mounting base may be GRP as one of mine was chipped when I bought the car and underneath it had a cream coloured GRP-like texture. I wonder if these could be cut down?
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Petrus on June 24, 2019, 08:13
Quote from: steveash on June 24, 2019, 07:59I think the mounting base may be GRP as one of mine was chipped when I bought the car and underneath it had a cream coloured GRP-like texture. I wonder if these could be cut down?

The housing is a fiber reinforced material yes. The internal stucture/mounting bracket with the two integrated studs is a cast metal piece.


(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SvMAAOSwkBNc2bL-/s-l1600.jpg)



Being that the design team went to pretty extreme lengths to design lightness, the unit shoúld be relatively light. Nevertheless, or thus, both the 1 kilo and the 3 kilo numbers seem odd.

Surely there must be someone with a unit lying about.
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Carolyn on June 24, 2019, 08:54
Yes, I have one 'lying about'.

.8 Kg
Title: Re: Weight again; side mirrors
Post by: Petrus on June 24, 2019, 09:05
Quote from: Carolyn on June 24, 2019, 08:54Yes, I have one 'lying about'.

.8 Kg

Carolyn saving the day, again.
Succinct as ever and problem solved; no go.

Darn Toyota for doing such an incredibly good job at weight saving.