Please make this a home page link! Free cluster replacement minus labor!!!
 

Big Thanks to SeattleTopaz!!! When I bought my 2000 X5 this year, with no warranty, I knew that the Pixels were shot. I fell in love with the sport package and 19"'s, I could go on and on and on.. Anyways, I could barely make out the odometer, etc... I figured that it would be a pretty easy fix. So I brought my X to my local dealer to have a vehicle inspection. Just to make sure there was no major problems with my new X5. Long story short they wanted $625 to have my cluster fixed!! I first thought he meant $6.25 but the invoice showed $625!!! And I almost said go ahead and fix it since that was the only problem I was having.

Well I happened to see the post that Seattletopaz made and I couldn't believe that it was true. BMW was willing to replace any year, warranty or not, X5 gauge cluster with faulty pixels for free!!!! You just have to pay for labor. $90 for one hours work. I just made the appointment with my local dealer and they confirmed that it would be covered:thumbup: . BMW really stepped up to the plate on this one. :)

Here is my original invoice from the dealer that is now only charging me $90 instead of $625 a $535 savings, yippe!! SeattleTopaz let me buy you a beer!!:beerchug: Click on the pic to enlarge the invoice.
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../th_ripoff.jpg

So if it's alright with the admins please replace or edit the pixel fix thread on the home page with the following information:

This has been posted all over, but here's the info you need... BMWNA has a goodwill replacement policy in place for the 5/7 series (includes the x5).... I recently had this done for my out of warranty '02 X5. In my case, about 50% of my pixels in the odometer were dead.. I paid for the the 1 hr labor charge, but the cluster was covered by BMWNA under this replacement plan. I've heard of some dealers charging 1/2hr, but this varies.... they take out the old cluster and pop in and reprogram a new one.

"Have the following information ready when you call BMWNA (details for that follow), which you'll also fax or email to them, as well.

Year and model of vehicle
Vehicle mileage
VIN number
Name, address and phone number of the registered owner
Name of your nearest/preferred dealer
Description of the defective unit (e.g., "Instrument cluster pixels" and/or "MID pixels", etc.)

Then contact BMWNA at:

Leonora Vlaovich
BMW North America (BMWNA)
201-573-7742
201-930-8362 fax
leonora.vlaovich "at" bmwna.com"

Leonora is the coordinator for this program. A rep will be assigned to your case who will work with your local dealer to get this fixed. In my case I received a call in the next day or two from a nice rep at BMWNA...

Good luck.

Why didn't the dealer let you know about the replacement plan in the first place?

I have no idea, but now it's payback, haha!

Well if you think about it; they still made $90 from you.

I'm also pretty sure the dealership was aware of this but didn't want to inform you about it.

$90 is better then making $625 ++ from me.

They replaced mine on my 01 as well. I am not sure that's par for the course on all production years, but you can contact BMW of North America and inquire.

BTW, I got the lowering kit on Monday. Thanks for the fast turn around and I'll keep u posted on the install.

When I installed my gauge rings on my '02 X5 last week, I noticed that the seal on my cluster was dated 08/2004. Apparently the cluster was swapped out during the CPO process which took place in Jan '05. The CPO process works very nicely.

That's great info to have. Thanks for sharing!

BMWNA agreed to replace the instrument cluster on my out of warranty '03 X5. :thumbup: I just have to pay the labor.
However, they are not willing to replace my Nav screen that also suffers from dead pixels.

Anyone have luck getting your Nav screen replaced under the goodwill policy?