German Car Zone

Hello,

I'm looking at buying a 2010 S4 and took an 09 A4 out for a couple of days and noticed the two side mirrors are huge and actually create a bit of a blind spot.

Anyone know if the S4 mirrors are smaller and more aerodynamic?
Are there smaller aftermarket mirrors available?

The A4 mirrors are befitting of pickup trucks.

J

European safety regulations. All new cars get those "elephant ears", not only Audis. Look at the bright side: you get a much better view of what happens behind you...

Thanks for the info.

Shouldn't need "elephant ears" when you have side assist available and doesn't anyone shoulder check anymore?

C-Class has the same problem. The mirrors are too tall when all they should have been is wider/longer, not taller. All I need to see is the front section of the car in the next lane, not the driver's face!


M

That's been changed for 09. GLK side mirrors; longer and shorter. Same area, but differently arranged. I'm sure you can retrofit them on yours if it really bothers you, furthermore they are more aerodynamic and make less woind noise too.

But that doesn't change the fact that recent cars have big mirrors...

Yip, the size is due to European regulations as coolrauol pointed out. The S4 mirrors are the same as the A4 mirrors (except for the aluminium effect housings). These mirrors make lots of wind noise at high speed. They're badly designed imo. I haven't seen any aftermarket mirrors for the S4 yet.

Yes its the new laws. BMW 1-serie MY10 also have new sidemirrors and I dont like them. I prefer the ones I have.

2010 model year Audis have differently shaped side mirrors. They are wider and lower.


vs

Side assist isn't standard on all cars, thus the need for standard "elephant ears."

Looks sleeker indeed.

Just like the MY 08 vs 09 (EU versions) for the C-Class.

Maybe the regulation has been made a bit more adaptable so that the carmakers could make less "intrusive" mirrors while retaining the increased mirroring area.