I'm with minilink... there are mirrors for looks and mirrors for looking....

However, one of the main performance determinants is not really the mirror per se (bigger is always better) but how and where it is mounted... While most mirrors have a degree of adjustability, the optimum mounting angle may well be outside the mirror's adjustability envelope.

You really need sit in the driving position while your (beautiful) assistant moves the mirror around to determine the best location/orientation.  Having found the optimum, in many cases the mount won't allow the mirror to be attached to the car in this position... 

Have a look in the various Minimags.  You see lots of pictures of intermedaite brackets that people have fabricated to allow the mirror to be usefully mounted...

Cheers, Ian

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i recently installed the Tex bullet mirrors to replace my previous black rectangular mirrors. I would admit the retangular mirrors provides the most viewing coverage. where the Tex bullet mirror, eventhough it's convex, it does the job... just enough. At a glance, you can see enough of the rear traffic. But to see more area near your blind spot, you need to move your body from side to side to see more.

I think it all comes down to choosing better looks(subjective) or better function. The Tex bullet mirrors gave my mk4 a facelift. Looks great in person and in photographs. (pageant blue mini in the pic's mine)

I guess the real problem I have with the reqtangulars as they were beat up when I got the car. I don't mind them that much....Maybe these.... Such indecision!!!

//www.7ent.com/products/door-mirror-chrome-stainless-convex-glass-gam0217-8.html

I have seen the first ones mounted to the front latch on sliding window Mini's, i guess the negative is the mirror moves closer to you when the window is open and changes the viewing angle.

I had the second set and replaced with the first set.  The Tex mirrors sit above the window line and are useful but small.  They provide the minimum amount of coverage I would consider safe.

I have a sliding windows, so the slider hardware does cover up some of the mirror with the window in certain positions.

The bullet mirrors are worthless with those mounts, when I had them they were unusable.

Don't go with the second set they are useless unless mounted on a fender imo. I have the second set and they are a lot better but as Jed said they are not as good as the rectangulars which i use when towing a trailer.

In my opinion--- Round mirrors are Horrible to actually use.

A friends mini "ugraded" to your  option number 2  and the mirror part is too close to the glass and it is hard to get a good view of anything off of the body of the.  I know both of his mirros are flat pane'd too - so view is not helped there either.  Not friendly to adjust . adjust for 1 person OK - that person or position changes re adjust bleh ...  Not for me.  

The rectangular mirrors cover a broader viewing area no matter what. easy to adjust and use

So I'm in the search for some new side mirrors? I have the plastic/painted reqtangular on the car now and don't care for them. I like the chrome bullet style. Anyone else have these and really like them. I have looked on the site here and others. Any others out there people know about that I may be missing?

Here is some ideas I have considered....

//www.minimania.com/part/MDM2/Tex-Bullet-Left-Hand-Door-Convex-Mirror

//www.minimania.com/part/GAM107-P/Bullet-Mirror-Various-Styles-Make-A-Selection