E90 to E70...quick question.
 

Hey guys!!! Been lurking for a while and I'm very thankful for all the info I've gotten from this forum.

I recently switched from an 06 e90 330xi to an 08 e70 4.8 such that I got used to having the instrument panel lit all the time while driving my e90. Is it common for the e70 not to have the instrument panel lit unless you turn the light swith on?

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
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...00314346_m.jpg

We had a '07 E90 and the instrument panel did not light up on ours unless the lights were on.

I always leave mine on AUTO, but no - they don't light up unless the lights are on.

It may not seem very "attractive" but it's very useful - it is not distracting and my eyes rarely have to move anywhere they don't belong when driving.

The Lexus was lit up like a Christmas tree when the lights were on, which at first I missed.. then I realized it was MUCH less distracting to drive in the dark the way BMW does it.

Just my opinion.

I had 2 Lexus RX Hybrids....and I used to call it my Japanese Christmas tree dashboard :) It was too bright and distracting! The current 7 Series and new 5 Series is electroluminescent like the Lexus (and Mercedes AMG models, SL and S Classes), but the BMW and Mercedes dashes are not annoying and overly bright! I think the next X5 will look great with an updated dash!

Just get a X5 with the HUD. Then you rarely look at the dash, under normal driving conditions.

:iagree:

There's no temp gauge, I rarely look at the tach on this one, and speed, directions and check control messages (low on fuel) all appear on the HUD.

It's a WONDERFUL feauture.

:iagree:100% I think HUD has become to me what Park Distance, Back up Camera and Comfort Access are....mandatory on a new car for me!!!