Ok people in England (and Australia)
As you are aware, our stupid laws require that you have flashing side repeater lamps on the front of the vehicle.
The MOT regs state that you must stand level with the rear bumper, move 1 meter to the left and then you must be able to see either the front indicator (impossible) or a side repeater lamp.
If you have a 2002 or older model, you can buy an M3 type mirror that has Orange bulbs but none are available for the 2003.
The indicators in the mirrors (on a 2003) fit legal criteria but all indicator lenses MUST be orange. The original Red lenses will not do.
To avoid drilling a hole in your front fender for a side repeater lamp, I did this.........
1. Remove the mirror cover to access the lamp. Red lamps are Verbotten !!!!
2. Take a small drill and swiss cheese the lens. Be careful. It's easier to remove material than put it back.
3. Take a junior hacksaw blade and cut the middle of the lens out.
4. No going back now. Take various Files/Dremmel/what have you and smooth the hole out till it looks like this.
5. Take a piece of card and make a template of the hole. (This bit makes you feel a bit like Chip Foose but a lot less talented)
6. Transfer the outline onto a suitable Orange lens and draw it out
7. Hack away with your drill and saw till you have the rough shape.
8. Take your file/dremmel again and make the new orange lens the same shape as the hole in the original lens. Yes, this is the tricky part.
File, measure, file, measure. Go slowly.
9. When you are happy with the fit, glue the insert in.
10. To finish off, and remove any last traces of the red lens, I painted the outline in black paint. Looks factory
The results.........
Video of the original Red lenses (Click on image to play)
Pic of the new Orange lenses
Video of the new Orange lenses (Click on image to play)
Does it all make a difference? In my opinion No but now it is legal and will pass an MOT without having to fit side repeaters on the front.
You might be lucky and get away with the originals for your MOT. It all depends on the guy doing the test but this way it's 100% even for a VOSA pull on the side of the road.