Not what you asked, but I believe you can drive without a cluster...at least you could in an E39, and the E53 is based on the E39...

It may not be what you want to do...

__________________
'99 E39 528i 5-speed 130k
'06 325Cic auto 115k
'05 X5 3.0 auto 173k-SOLD
'03 530i - manual swapped - 430k miles - Parting