Here is something a bit curious, never saw mention of this before.. The first pic is of one of my new Euro Power folding mirrors - you can find these mirrors advertised at Detsche Auto Parts (DAP) and perhaps other places..
the second pic is of an earlier power folding mirror (I believe the Chinese folding mirrors as well as earlier Euro folding mirrors including Kufatecs look like the second pic.)
The third pic (for reference) is of a standard, non-power, spring-folding mirror like North American cars come with from factory..
I am sure it is a change that is precipitated by the all mighty dollar, and is a cost savings measure just like the composite oil pans, the composite shift cable brackets, relay levers etc. I am curious to know if there was a better reason besides strictly financial. The gearing appears to be all metal (without disassembling it), and the lower arm is still cast metal, it's just the upper part of the assembly that attaches to the mirror body that is composite. These mirrors are noticeably lighter than their Chinese counterparts from what I recall, but that was only using my arm scale.
It has been suggested that the mid-cycle change was for weight-savings, to offset the added weight of the power folding mechanism and thus put less stress on the assembly. his is what I am hoping - and that it was a mid-cycle production improvement as opposed to strictly a cost thing.. It is clear the earlier power folding mirrors use much of the same casting as the spring-folding, with the added weight of the mechanism as you mention. I am curious to see if these composite ones are better synchronized on open-close. For reference, my Power folding mirrors were manufactured 18/12/2016.
If people could get me an accurate weight down to the gram of what their power folding mirrors weigh, and indicate if it was an AliExpress Chinese folding mirror, or a Kufatec, or a VW Accessories/aftersales parts mirror, that would be appreciated!
Here is another interesting thing I thought I'd share. I Bought this Euro power folding mirror switch from Europe..
Just as everyone has said about the Euro switch versus the switch that comes with the Chinese folding Mirrors from AliExpress, these are not painted on the backside. Some have speculated the Chinese market AliEx ones were molded in a different plastic (black as opposed to white), however I can assure you the chinese ones are just painted on both sides, look close on a chinese switch and you will see certain spots in the crevasses that are lightly covered or not painted at all.
The second thing I can confirm is the switchgear on this Euro switch is definitely similar to the mirror switch in our cars now, being a 'soft-touch' or 'soft-click'. The AliExpress ones have almost an audible/crisp snap/click, Now this totally comes down to personal preference. I would say I prefer the 'soft-click' of the Euro piece, however the Chinese piece looks to be better finished on the backside if that matters. There were a few complaints of the AliEx illumination not matching the rest of the car, but those could have just been a bad piece, as most all I've seen look to be spot on.
Now here is the kicker.. this Euro switch - Hecho in China lol!!
Edit - I actually did snap some pics this time around of the Chinese folding mirrors I had in hand prior to selling..
You can clearly see the backside of this switch is painted (look in the deep crevasse, you will see the paint is not fully applied), the piece is not folded in black plastic.
Just a pic of the Chinese switch against the stock piece in my R. Looks good.
Thought I'd share this in the body of this original post to help people distinguish between Chinese/Euro
Originally Posted by carchrism5
Thanks for doing this research. One additional thing to note is that the AliExpress ones are different. Some vendors are selling OEM China market mirror and switches while other are selling aftermarket mirrors and switches. Some are indistinguishable in pictures and you will notice the aftermarkets do not show any part numbers on the units. Just make sure to message the seller and ask explicitly.
Yes this is most certainly true.. Some vendors are quite vague in their description. There are some telltale signs that mirrors may be the Chinese AliEx versions..
1) Price. Not always a qualifier as many are selling these at a premium over what one can buy for straight from China. I have seen Chinese sets listed for $500USD+.
2) Do they come with mirror caps and glass pre-installed? Almost a dead giveaway they are Chinese. Especially if the caps are white. Lately, Chinese sellers have been offering different colour caps, most notably black or silver.
3) the rubber grommet that the main wire passes through and attaches to door metal - is it white or is it black? Chinese Mirrors tend to have black grommets, whereas Euro tend to be off-white rubber, like your originals.
4) are the wire bundles taped or heat-shrinked? Chinese mirrors are heat-shrunk near the connector whereas Euro (and your factory mirrors) are taped near the door connector.
5) is the back of the switch panel white or black? Chinese versions are almost always painted black on both sides, Euro pieces tend to not be painted on the backside.
6) does the set have Blind Spot Assist wires? I have NEVER seen a Chinese AliEx set come with such a feature unless someone has modified them/transferred the BSM wires over.
7) Is the main body/bracket all metal? or a combination of metal lower and plastic upper (as in my pics above).. Chinese sets are always all metal.
8) Are they noisy on operation? There have been reports Chinese mirror motors are much more audible than their European counterparts
the second pic is of an earlier power folding mirror (I believe the Chinese folding mirrors as well as earlier Euro folding mirrors including Kufatecs look like the second pic.)
The third pic (for reference) is of a standard, non-power, spring-folding mirror like North American cars come with from factory..
I am sure it is a change that is precipitated by the all mighty dollar, and is a cost savings measure just like the composite oil pans, the composite shift cable brackets, relay levers etc. I am curious to know if there was a better reason besides strictly financial. The gearing appears to be all metal (without disassembling it), and the lower arm is still cast metal, it's just the upper part of the assembly that attaches to the mirror body that is composite. These mirrors are noticeably lighter than their Chinese counterparts from what I recall, but that was only using my arm scale.
It has been suggested that the mid-cycle change was for weight-savings, to offset the added weight of the power folding mechanism and thus put less stress on the assembly. his is what I am hoping - and that it was a mid-cycle production improvement as opposed to strictly a cost thing.. It is clear the earlier power folding mirrors use much of the same casting as the spring-folding, with the added weight of the mechanism as you mention. I am curious to see if these composite ones are better synchronized on open-close. For reference, my Power folding mirrors were manufactured 18/12/2016.
If people could get me an accurate weight down to the gram of what their power folding mirrors weigh, and indicate if it was an AliExpress Chinese folding mirror, or a Kufatec, or a VW Accessories/aftersales parts mirror, that would be appreciated!
Here is another interesting thing I thought I'd share. I Bought this Euro power folding mirror switch from Europe..
Just as everyone has said about the Euro switch versus the switch that comes with the Chinese folding Mirrors from AliExpress, these are not painted on the backside. Some have speculated the Chinese market AliEx ones were molded in a different plastic (black as opposed to white), however I can assure you the chinese ones are just painted on both sides, look close on a chinese switch and you will see certain spots in the crevasses that are lightly covered or not painted at all.
The second thing I can confirm is the switchgear on this Euro switch is definitely similar to the mirror switch in our cars now, being a 'soft-touch' or 'soft-click'. The AliExpress ones have almost an audible/crisp snap/click, Now this totally comes down to personal preference. I would say I prefer the 'soft-click' of the Euro piece, however the Chinese piece looks to be better finished on the backside if that matters. There were a few complaints of the AliEx illumination not matching the rest of the car, but those could have just been a bad piece, as most all I've seen look to be spot on.
Now here is the kicker.. this Euro switch - Hecho in China lol!!
Edit - I actually did snap some pics this time around of the Chinese folding mirrors I had in hand prior to selling..
You can clearly see the backside of this switch is painted (look in the deep crevasse, you will see the paint is not fully applied), the piece is not folded in black plastic.
Just a pic of the Chinese switch against the stock piece in my R. Looks good.
Thought I'd share this in the body of this original post to help people distinguish between Chinese/Euro
Originally Posted by carchrism5
Thanks for doing this research. One additional thing to note is that the AliExpress ones are different. Some vendors are selling OEM China market mirror and switches while other are selling aftermarket mirrors and switches. Some are indistinguishable in pictures and you will notice the aftermarkets do not show any part numbers on the units. Just make sure to message the seller and ask explicitly.
Yes this is most certainly true.. Some vendors are quite vague in their description. There are some telltale signs that mirrors may be the Chinese AliEx versions..
1) Price. Not always a qualifier as many are selling these at a premium over what one can buy for straight from China. I have seen Chinese sets listed for $500USD+.
2) Do they come with mirror caps and glass pre-installed? Almost a dead giveaway they are Chinese. Especially if the caps are white. Lately, Chinese sellers have been offering different colour caps, most notably black or silver.
3) the rubber grommet that the main wire passes through and attaches to door metal - is it white or is it black? Chinese Mirrors tend to have black grommets, whereas Euro tend to be off-white rubber, like your originals.
4) are the wire bundles taped or heat-shrinked? Chinese mirrors are heat-shrunk near the connector whereas Euro (and your factory mirrors) are taped near the door connector.
5) is the back of the switch panel white or black? Chinese versions are almost always painted black on both sides, Euro pieces tend to not be painted on the backside.
6) does the set have Blind Spot Assist wires? I have NEVER seen a Chinese AliEx set come with such a feature unless someone has modified them/transferred the BSM wires over.
7) Is the main body/bracket all metal? or a combination of metal lower and plastic upper (as in my pics above).. Chinese sets are always all metal.
8) Are they noisy on operation? There have been reports Chinese mirror motors are much more audible than their European counterparts
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not a fact but who knows . 
