My previous car was a 3 series BMW, that had curved mirror glass on both sides and after being used to that for four years it just seems a bit strange driving without it. Prior to the BMW I had a sucession of alfas, think the 156's had curved glass but the 145's didn't?
As for the legality of it I can remember my grandad had a fiat uno years ago that didn't even have a passenger side wing mirror as it was an option that hadn't been ticked so I'm sure it would be fine!
Good thinking with the LHD - hadn't thought of that - I'll investigate with VW next week & post prices up here.