Best price on a new instrument cluster from dealer

[vegasX5]

I'm finally at a point where I can't really read anything on my instrument cluster - no odometer, trip meter, etc. I also reached a fairly decent deal with BMW NA for them to cover 50% of the part cost if I pay for the other 50% of the part and 100% of the labor.

I called a couple places, and the best price I've seen for the part alone is $587 and then $157 for labor. Is $587 for the part price the best that you all have seen? I know I've read reports of people getting BMW NA to pay 100% of the part, but I figure for a vehicle to be this far out of warranty and my lack of service history though the dealer that 50% is a very reasonable and fair offer.

FWIW, this is what my cluster looks like now.

[o. l. t.]

I wouldn't replace an entire unit for simply a failing screen connection. It's not even the screen as the pixels still work when told to, an actual connection to the screen. Replacing the screen might be the end result, I am unsure since I have not opened that unit (yet).

I wish someone would send me one. I saved the Lexus SC world singlehandedly. I'd like to see what's in these.

[vegasX5]

I really doubt it's just a failing connection as I've seen individual pixels fade little by little over the course of 6 years. This is such a common failure for E39s and E53s that I'm sure BMW NA would love the issue to be as simple as fixing a connection. I'm sure their goodwill and warranty expenditures have been quite costly for the pixel problem.

[IMOLA 4.6is]

Yes its the pixels are dead I have had four 5 series since 1999. WHen I had my brand new one under warrenty I had it replaced 3 times even if one small pixel went out at no cost...

I had my latest 5 series cluster replaced by the dealer in Novemeber. BMW North American paid 75% of part and labor rate at warrentey rate less the normal... Push for more they first hit me with 50%. will go up to 75% I had to push them and say it is still over my budget and they came back with a 75% offer

dont replace it any other way the miles will be incorrect.

I will be doing it to my X5 soon

Originally Posted by vegasX5

I really doubt it's just a failing connection as I've seen individual pixels fade little by little over the course of 6 years. This is such a common failure for E39s and E53s that I'm sure BMW NA would love the issue to be as simple as fixing a connection. I'm sure their goodwill and warranty expenditures have been quite costly for the pixel problem.

[CTSportX5]

Thats friggin ridiculous. You shouldnt have to pay a penny for an inherent defect.

[Patrick-Irish]

Maybe I'm missing something here but it's a known fact that in these situations, the pixels are NOT dead. It's a strip of ribbon cabling connecting the pixels to the PCB that has deteriorated.

Search this forum and you'll find countless examples. Many people including myself have replaced their ribbon cable with 100% restoration of pixels. I think it's madness to replace the whole unit.

[btmed]

I went thru this last year after reading all the posts. Thanks to every member here. Yes they offered me 50%. I spoke with a very nice lady who called me back with the offer. When she offered that i mentioned i was a little disappointed because i really believed that the pixel issue was a severe safety issue in that i would not be able to read any warning that might come up alerting me to brake, transmission problems ect. She advised she would do some more research and get back with me. A week or so later she called back to let me know that BMW would be happy to replace the whole cluster, 100%. I bought the car used, 2001 3.0 95k miles. Never had taken it to any dealer for repairs. It was my option where to take it for install in which i would pay labor. I was going to take it to dealer in arlington $130 where i had bought parts but happened to call plano dealer that did it for $80 plus they detailed the car no charge!
Heres the deal, it is a safety issue that should be a recall. Instead BMW does this offer when it is brought to them. I would imagine a lot less costly seeing many wont even check on it.
I might have the contact numbers saved in the initial emails. Let me know if you need them.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by btmed

I went thru this last year after reading all the posts. Thanks to every member here. Yes they offered me 50%. I spoke with a very nice lady who called me back with the offer. When she offered that i mentioned i was a little disappointed because i really believed that the pixel issue was a severe safety issue in that i would not be able to read any warning that might come up alerting me to brake, transmission problems ect. She advised she would do some more research and get back with me. A week or so later she called back to let me know that BMW would be happy to replace the whole cluster, 100%. I bought the car used, 2001 3.0 95k miles. Never had taken it to any dealer for repairs. It was my option where to take it for install in which i would pay labor. I was going to take it to dealer in arlington $130 where i had bought parts but happened to call plano dealer that did it for $80 plus they detailed the car no charge!
Heres the deal, it is a safety issue that should be a recall. Instead BMW does this offer when it is brought to them. I would imagine a lot less costly seeing many wont even check on it.
I might have the contact numbers saved in the initial emails. Let me know if you need them.

I think calling these dead pixels a saftey issue is a stretch. But if it worked more power to you.

[o. l. t.]

Originally Posted by vegasX5

I really doubt it's just a failing connection as I've seen individual pixels fade little by little over the course of 6 years. This is such a common failure for E39s and E53s that I'm sure BMW NA would love the issue to be as simple as fixing a connection. I'm sure their goodwill and warranty expenditures have been quite costly for the pixel problem.

Well then go pay the dealer buddy. Never mind the fact I build speedo units for the last decade and designed a product that revolutionized the industry for Lexus owners. Sometimes I chime in and try to help folks out, I see I several instances on this board most just like rolling out the checkbook like you. Ill leave you to it. Enjoy.

[vegasX5]

Originally Posted by o. l. t.

Well then go pay the dealer buddy. Never mind the fact I build speedo units for the last decade and designed a product that revolutionized the industry for Lexus owners. Sometimes I chime in and try to help folks out, I see I several instances on this board most just like rolling out the checkbook like you. Ill leave you to it. Enjoy.

Contrary to your apparent belief, I don't just "roll out the checkbook" at every available opportunity because I love supporting the dealership or enjoy getting taken advantage of. You're new here so I'll take your post with a grain of salt. I have actually never once taken my X5 to a dealer, and I have only taken it to a independent one time in 6 years of owning my X. I have replaced the brakes, brake lines, MAF, cam sensors, 2 CV joints, 2 window regulators, multiple FSRs, re-soldered and repaired multiple tail lights, 2 batteries, coolant exp tank with hoses, done all regular services, etc. in my garage with my tools on the weekends.

I have also bought and sold many, many cars and there is one HUGE red flag I have always avoided like the plague with every car I have ever looked at - a title deficiency. There is something called TMU - true miles unknown - that can make a perfectly good car nearly worthless in a business sense. I do not want to take the risk of trying to save $300-$400 and causing an issue with my cluster that could render such an issue that the mileage cannot be confirmed. If the dealership replaces the part with the correct tools and the correct part with the correct documentation, I can be confident I haven't devalued my investment in my vehicle because I accidently broke something or caused a tamper light to come on trying to save a couple hundred dollars. Do I like having to pay anything out of pocket? Of course not - however I'd rather do it this way than regret a little science experiment I did with my car to save money.

I've been driving around with my pixels going out for some time now, but the X is getting old and soon the time will come to sell it. I'd prefer to get top dollar out of it, and one way to assure that is to have a 100% functional cluster replaced by the dealer not hamfistedly repaired by me.

BTW kudos for helping the Lexus guys. I had an LS400 with a cluster issue so I'm well aware of the deficiency there.