A while back my drivers side mirror developed the eternal green leak, the electro-chromatic tint fluid all leaked out. My car had the optional heated mirrors, but I couldn't find one of those. I was able to get a good condition tinting mirror, but couldn't find a heated one at the time, so I got it and put it in. No problem, tints fine, but doesn't heat.

So, this year I found a used driver's side mirror with the tinting and heating (defrost) in great shape. I finally got around to installing it, and it says in the FSM to push with the flat end of a 2x4 until it snaps into place. Not wanting to scratch it, I also covered the end of the block with a few rags, but unfortunately it popped a fluid leak.

So, I put the non-heated on back in.

Here's my issue. I could care less about the tinting/dimming part. It's neat, but I've been fine without it for years and years in all my other cars. What I really miss is the heated part. It's a great way to dry the mirror off when it's got cold morning dew on it, and deicing in the winter is great.

GM sold it's stock of these mirrors to a third party company who has 29 of them in stock according to their website, and they are charging well over $400 for them.

I am interested in finding a third party to make some of these, maybe a lot of 100 or something. As far as I know, the tint goes bad in every. single. one. So, just skip the tint, and make them clear with the defroster rows glue to the back of it.

What does everyone think? Who would buy one? How much would you pay? Would you want the crappy tinting that's just going to fail again? Or be sensible and skip it?

At this point I still have no idea who I could turn to to get one made, the only thing I know is that nobody makes one. I have a busted sample to send out if anybody knows someone.

Can we find out who actually made the original pieces for GM?

I would pay maybe $100 for a new, non-tinted, heated mirror. I'm in the market for one right now, too. Great idea, I hope we can find a supplier!

So that's what happened to my mirror. Glad to see I'm not the only one that's dealing with this.
I'd like to keep it stock in that respect but you're right. I called around and got a $324 quote
Regardless, is it difficult to remove the mirror (ie: has someone done a write-up?)

mine too! there must be a way to service the mirror right? if the fluid gets in ,cant it come out?

Wow... I was wondering what the hell was wrong with my mirror.

Now I know. I have to find this write-up...

and I thought my mirror was supposed to look gold.

what causes the mirror to turn gold?

That's how my tint failed, it went gold first then starting turning green about a year later.
My experience was once it turned a goldish color it no longer tinted or changed, just stayed gold for quite a while, until it started oozing fluid, then it went a funky green color bleeding down from the top of the mirror,
I changed it out with a tint only mirror but am still looking for a heated one also.

And it's not just on Riviera's. My brother bought an '00 Audi S4, and the driver mirror hadn't leaked, but it turned yellow and didn't function any more.

I have a couple of inquiries in with PPG auto glass, they do make a "fit over" mirror with tinting, but I'm not sure how that would work without the wiring... Has anyone ever tried it?

I sent emails to a couple of high level people at PPG, I'm curious to see what they come back with.

In the event that a third party agrees to make the mirrors, will we be re-using the black frame that surrounds the mirror and mounts to the motor? Becuase correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the mirrors "gooped" on there really well?