Really? I had a 2006 E90 330i (bought in very early 2006) and my instrument panel did not light up, unless I had the lights set to parking lamps, ON or Auto.

This "issue" is the one thing that has been really hard, coming going from a 2010 7 Series to an E70. The electroluminscent dash on the current 7 Series is always backlit, with crisp white lighting, with vibrant blues, oranges and reds. It is very high tech! The E70 is black unless the lights are on, and even when on...The dash is very basic looking and just orange. I know the next X5 will look like the new 7, 5, 6 and X3. Since the 6 Series is now cancelled, waiting for the new 6 to debut...our E70s are the last model to have to "old" instruments (the 6 Series, 5 Series and E70 had the same instruments). The instruments and layout (even the HVAC layout and digits look very dated and super basic compared to the new 5 and 7 Series) on my E70, is the only real disappointing thing I find about my new 2011!
Here is a pic of what the 7 and 5 Series insturments look like, with the lights off. They are always magnificently lit! I do miss them, and the writing...outside temp, odometer, etc...was smooth and modern, no little orange dots like cars had in the 80's and 90's