E39 M5 Dodgy Dash Display

[Bazzal]

Anybody know about problems with M5 (Y Reg) LCD Dash Display (the long strip below the main clocks) it has missing vertical strips, the dealer i got it from reckons their all like it and it will be fine when it gets warmer....BMW want £750 for a replacement so he's squirming about sorting the problem out.
When i test drove it it was 95% allright just a bit dim in places, now it's just 50% on or off, it hasn't responded any better with a hairdryer to warm it up.

Any help much appreciated.

Cheers

[m3evo2]

I think thats a new dash, not heard of heat affecting it before.

Edit - If its under warranty get them to sort it.

Edited by m3evo2 on Sunday 21st January 18:05

[seesure]

Dealer is talking out of his proverbial ....

They DO NOT all do that, he's lying, the E39 series and others were/are prone to missing / failing pixels and would mean a dash replacement, if under warranty get them to do it FOC.

If it isn't can you source another elsewhere ? Or can you live with it?

My dash display does not take time to "warm" up, and neither are any pixels missing, so they don't all do it!!!

[dazren]

Happens to mine in the winter. Not so bad in the summer.

Edited by dazren on Sunday 21st January 19:05

[drivin_me_nuts]

comes to most E39s at some time. Will be replaced under warranty or extended warranty otherwise dealers will play hardball and want what you have said. I believe they can be repaired. I had mine replaced three years ago under warranty. Lot of money for what is essentially a design problem with the instruments and not a 'fault' that should appear through wear and tear. Bad design = big bill

[Andrew330Ci]

I've heard of many of these displays losing pixls and it is a new dash replacement and from memory they are around the £750 mark supplied and fitted.
Why did BMW build cars with these probs like the VANOs units on M3's

You have to love them though!!!

[blackspider]

Thats common with all the High clusters.X5,E39,E38
The pixels break up or fail in lines-needs a new one unfortunately.

[cableguy]

As mentioned this is a common fault on the e39 Cluster, I had mine changed recently under warranty with no questions asked.

Have a look at www.speedofixer.co.uk as a cheaper alternative to purchasing a new cluster.

C.

[ian_cab28]

Blackspider is spot on this, all models with this spec of dash go the same way I have an e39 and an X5 both are going, the e39 had it done under auc warranty and 3 years later it is going again. The X5 has spread to the mileage reading which I understand is an mot failure point. The dash is made by vdo and is clearly flawed in design, I find it incredible that bmw's quality control doesn't spot and rectify these endemic problems. Cold temp does make it worse in my experience but the dealer is trying to wriggle out of this one it is a gradual decline a good one is the same at +20 as -5 degrees.