look at this mirror function

[shogun]

http://dd.jpn.org/BMW_HP/20051018/after02.jpg
from E46
The whole story in Japanese is described here
http://dd.jpn.org/BMW_HP/20051018/index.shtml
Use altavista translation and give the above URL into altavista
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
and select translation Japanese to English, not perfect. but understandable what he is saying.

[shogun]

I would like to have it on my E32, but at that time it was not yet available.
Indeed it would be very nice if I had that too.
Parking lots are very small, I even cannot open my doors wide in my parking lot.

[zuzuk212]

I saw this on a newer M3 or M5 ... I don't remember which. It was in front of me at the car wash ... when he rolled the window down to start the car wash the mirror flipped ... and then I did ... I wasn't expecting that.

Ken

[Jay 535i]

It's a common feature outside of North America on expensive cars so that they fit more easily into parking spots and garages.

They're not really necessary in the US or Canada.

[Paul in NZ]

i had a nissan that the mirors folded in with the push of a switch.The mirrirs do fold in,yiu just have to push them to wards the rear of the car

[Traian]

If you park in a spot tight enough that it requires folding your mirrors, does that mean you exit through the sunroof?

[Jon K]

i dont think you guys realize what youre looking at. all BMW mirrors will fold in toward the window... this is a mirror that pivots up and in. the e39 m5 had power folding mirrors

[Traian]

Um, right.....

Anywho, I think this explains everything:

http://dd.jpn.org/BMW_HP/20051018/kaba.jpg