Get missing dash pixels repaired by BMWNA (E39)

Guys,

Just wanted to give a followup on my success of getting BMWNA to pay for the pixel repair on my 2000 540i. For those of you contemplating getting them fixed and paying for it out of your pocket, contact BMWNA first. Basically BMWNA will pay for the parts, you will be responsible for the 1 hour of labor. Here is what you need to do:

First, send an email outlining your problem, something like:

I have a (Year & Model BMW) and a number of pixels in the instrument cluster either function sporadically or no longer function at all. Does BMWNA have a repair/replacement program in place for issues such as this?

(You don't have to type word for word, but you get the picture. ASK, don't demand!!)

Send the email to:

> Leonora Vlaovich
> Customer Relations Coordinator
> BMW of North America, LLC
> 201-573-7742 (phone)
> 201-930-8362 (fax)
> Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com

She will in turn send you a response email asking for this information:

As coordinator for National Customer Relations, I will assign a representative to assist you; however, I need some additional information. Please respond to this email with the name and address on the registration, contact phone numbers, mileage to date, and the last 7 digits of the VIN.

Also, please identify your BMW dealer.

Thank you for your cooperation.

************************************************** *******************
My assigned Rep from BMWNA was Brandi. She was very quick at contacting me and just had me make an appointment with a BMW dealer here in Dallas, I used Dallas BMW (Formerly John Roberts). She then contacted the service manager at the dealership and advised what BMWNA was handling. I dropped the car off in the morning and it was done by 3pm the same day. It cost me a whopping 90.00 bucks, and the DASH now looks great.

I hope this information can be useful to members on the board. Good luck!

Dave
fourwindsflight@yahoo.com
www.tail-wheel.com

Originally Posted by jetpilot10

Guys,

Just wanted to give a followup on my success of getting BMWNA to pay for the pixel repair on my 2000 540i. For those of you contemplating getting them fixed and paying for it out of your pocket, contact BMWNA first. Basically BMWNA will pay for the parts, you will be responsible for the 1 hour of labor. Here is what you need to do:

First, send an email outlining your problem, something like:

I have a (Year & Model BMW) and a number of pixels in the instrument cluster either function sporadically or no longer function at all. Does BMWNA have a repair/replacement program in place for issues such as this?

(You don't have to type word for word, but you get the picture. ASK, don't demand!!)

Send the email to:

> Leonora Vlaovich
> Customer Relations Coordinator
> BMW of North America, LLC
> 201-573-7742 (phone)
> 201-930-8362 (fax)
> Leonora.Vlaovich@bmwna.com

She will in turn send you a response email asking for this information:

As coordinator for National Customer Relations, I will assign a representative to assist you; however, I need some additional information. Please respond to this email with the name and address on the registration, contact phone numbers, mileage to date, and the last 7 digits of the VIN.

Also, please identify your BMW dealer.

Thank you for your cooperation.

************************************************** *******************
My assigned Rep from BMWNA was Brandi. She was very quick at contacting me and just had me make an appointment with a BMW dealer here in Dallas, I used Dallas BMW (Formerly John Roberts). She then contacted the service manager at the dealership and advised what BMWNA was handling. I dropped the car off in the morning and it was done by 3pm the same day. It cost me a whopping 90.00 bucks, and the DASH now looks great.

I hope this information can be useful to members on the board. Good luck!

Dave
fourwindsflight@yahoo.com
www.tail-wheel.com

I also had a successful repair done for one hour of labor.

I exchanged several emails with Leonora. Things were handled quickly and professionally.

I haven't yet made the appointment as my darn pixels are flickering in and out. I just know when I go to take it in that they will be working!!

Originally Posted by Ågent99

I exchanged several emails with Leonora. Things were handled quickly and professionally.

I haven't yet made the appointment as my darn pixels are flickering in and out. I just know when I go to take it in that they will be working!!

I don't think that matters, as long as you were approved for the work you can go in and replace them. It is well known that when they begin to malfunction they come in and out so that shouldn't cause a problem. You might have to wait as long as 6 months for them to go out permanently and when that amount of time passes you might have to call Leonora and complete the process again. Makes more sense to just do it now. I think you are causing yourself unnecessary headaches.

Yes, Sir, Mr. dagoo98...I'll make the appointment!

I contacted BMW because I didn't think the CPO coverage included the pixels.
They told me it did and to take it in. I guess I'll only have to pay the $50.00 visit fee.

Originally Posted by Ågent99

Yes, Sir, Mr. dagoo98...I'll make the appointment!

Just curious . . . .I had my dash pixels repaired on my '02 530 under the manufacturer's warranty at about 32K. Can I now expect them to last the life of the car or will they go out again?

Just wanted to follow up my earlier post and report it was taken care of, as advertised. I had a bit of an issue in that the dealer had a problem coding the new cluster and said it kept displaying a message that my car was an automatic. When it finally got resolved they said the cluster installed first was meant for an e38. It was unclear whether they are two different clusters, or the software was the problem, but it was fixed and I paid for one hour of labor. I drove one of their 325's around for a week while they got it figured out (I did have some other work done).

My 2002 540i BMW sport has the same problem. I sent off an e-mail today and I will keep the forum updated on the outcome.

Thanks for providing the information!

Good to hear this stuck post keeps helping everyone!

Wow,

Thanks for this post. I just sent off my email to Leonora. Let's see if it works. I have (original owner) a '97 540 with 192K on the clock. Can no longer read trip odometer nor outside temp and roughly half of the message pixels are gone.

Gary

Was contacted by Leona today via telephone to confirm car and dealer info. Next week I will be taking the car in for a "goodwill" fix. I will post how much I was charged and who my dealer is.

I emailed as you recommended and had a response by phone within 48 hours.
They offered to pay for 50%of new module.
I complained and they paid 100% 0f part - $168 for labor oop.
I am second owner 1998 540 - 102k

Wow, $168 for labor!? Well, I guess it is better than the $800 or so you'd be charge for a new instrument cluster! I paid $125 labor to get mine replaced. That was an hour's charge, BTW.

Originally Posted by laertes

I emailed as you recommended and had a response by phone within 48 hours.
They offered to pay for 50%of new module.
I complained and they paid 100% 0f part - $168 for labor oop.
I am second owner 1998 540 - 102k

I too was given a 50% "Goodwill offer" from BMW. I have to pick up the balance of the part and 100% of the labor. I asked why things have changed and was advised that the decision was made on a "case-by-case basis." This is interesting. On what basis do they choose? Wondering what kind of "complaining" works and to whom. I have been speaking with Petra from BMWNA.

< 90

I had mine done by the dealer after the e-mails with BMW's customer service. It cost me $125 (seems steep for one hour of labor), and the display has begun to go out again less than a year later! The replacement is no better than the original...

I believe there is a two-year warranty on the replacment part. I seem to recall hearing/reading that somewhere.

Today BMW Motowerks in Bloominton, MN fixed my VDO on the goodwill repair policy that BMW has in place. It cost me one hour of labor which was $98.00.

Thanks to this board I saved a great deal of money.

thanks

Mr. ---------,

I just received a message from Lionel and he stated the parts only will be covered for you as goodwill. You will be required to pay labor.

Please contact Lionel at your convenience to set up an appointment.



Thank you.

Brandi




BMW of Dallas looked at my car, and confirmed the state of my instrument cluster, and looks like i'll get it replaced as soon as i can get in for an appointment! Hopefully will only cost 1hr labor, Lionel informed me it was 3 or 4 hrs labor

It's an hour. I'd call Brandi back and see about using a different dealership if they want to charge you more than $100-110.

Actually, my dealer will pay for the whole thing. no need to pay for labor or parts. Not even the 50 dollar copay. its all taken care of. So for all of you out there, try to tell them that its not your responsibility to pay for the labor since its CPO and all electronics are covered under the warr.
The only thing you might pay for is the copay.

Has anyone had any success getting this replaced in Canada?

I emailed Leonora and in her email she says they can only assist those in the US.

I just had some work done on my 2002 530i at the dealer. (Out of warranty with 70k miles) I asked them about the pixel issue and they referred me to BMWNA Customer relations. Placed a call, and they took the info, and said someone would get back to me within 2 days. The next day, they had called and said to call the dealer and ask for a specific service advisor, and BMW was paying 100% parts, and all I had to pay was labor. Placed a call the next day, and was told the part would be in sometime next week. They would call me to arrange a day to make the swap, once the part arrives. So far I've been very pleased with my dealer and BMW!

I just wanted to briefly say that my dealer ordered the whole dash piece at no cost and will replace it tomorrow. It is covered by the CPO.