Why the F10 does not get the F07 instrument cluster???

Last week I was looking at a new GT and noticed that even when the dashboard is almost identical to the F10 5 Series, they get the real black-panel instrument cluster, just like the 7 series. I can imagine that they did that to lower the cost (cheaper to paint the speedometer and tachometer markings vs using a screen), and I understand that.

What bothers me is that the bottom part of the cluster on the 5 series has 2 LCD components, one underneath the tach (displaying the MPG/Efficient Dynamics), another piece in the center displaying the OBC and nav directions, but clearly there is something missing from the left panel, underneath the speedometer...

I wonder if you could actually replace the instrument cluster with one from the GT or 7 series...

When I drove a 535i loaner recently, I didn't see the Efficient Dynamics red/blue graphics an gauge under the tach. Did some model versions not include this?

Originally Posted by markl53

When I drove a 535i loaner recently, I didn't see the Efficient Dynamics red/blue graphics an gauge under the tach. Did some model versions not include this?

That sounds really strange... I thought it was a standard feature.

Yes, GT dash (and the ambient lighting) looks fantastic. I just love the way it lights up when you open the door.

Originally Posted by alex_c

What bothers me is that the bottom part of the cluster on the 5 series has 2 LCD components, one underneath the tach (displaying the MPG/Efficient Dynamics), another piece in the center displaying the OBC and nav directions, but clearly there is something missing from the left panel, underneath the speedometer...

There is just one TFT LCD display, but in this case, a small one - just extending from the middle to under the tach; the new X3 has a similar dash.

The GT on the other hand has a wide TFT LCD display extending to the whole bottom part of the dash. The bottom part of the Speedometer and the Tachometer outer circles are missing in the GT when unlit - the circles only complete with the display lights up.

I wonder if you could actually replace the instrument cluster with one from the GT or 7 series...

It will be very expensive, and I am not sure if there is the necessary hardware or software to drive the different display/dash.

Originally Posted by markl53

When I drove a 535i loaner recently, I didn't see the Efficient Dynamics red/blue graphics an gauge under the tach. Did some model versions not include this?

I believe you can turn the display off using iDrive.

I believe the Sept. productions will have the extended display. I was hoping the 5 series would have the same "Black Panel" display as the 7 and 5 GT's. According to the literature the 5's are supposed to have it. My dealer couldn't give me an answer either.

Originally Posted by alex_c

Last week I was looking at a new GT and noticed that even when the dashboard is almost identical to the F10 5 Series, they get the real black-panel instrument cluster, just like the 7 series. I can imagine that they did that to lower the cost (cheaper to paint the speedometer and tachometer markings vs using a screen), and I understand that.

What bothers me is that the bottom part of the cluster on the 5 series has 2 LCD components, one underneath the tach (displaying the MPG/Efficient Dynamics), another piece in the center displaying the OBC and nav directions, but clearly there is something missing from the left panel, underneath the speedometer...

I wonder if you could actually replace the instrument cluster with one from the GT or 7 series...

The 5er GT also gets the 7er's back seat legroom. The GT is supposed to be a little less than the 7er and a little more than F10 5er. It really is designed to be what it's called - a Grand Tourer.

Originally Posted by Ian_C

I believe the Sept. productions will have the extended display. I was hoping the 5 series would have the same "Black Panel" display as the 7 and 5 GT's. According to the literature the 5's are supposed to have it. My dealer couldn't give me an answer either.

That's a really expensive change to make 4 months after production began. What literature are you referring to? Do you have a link maybe?

http://f10.5post.com/goodiesforyou/f...s-brochure.pdf

(Regarding Black Panel Display) page 50/51.


http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/07/14/se...es-in-the-u-s/

I re-read the above link and I may have misinterpreted the upgrade. What's your interpretation?

The change only applies to the 535 GT which now one standard display.

Originally Posted by smhoer

The change only applies to the 535 GT which now one standard display.

Yes, that's correct. Previous 535GT without Navigation option has narrow display; now they all get the same display with or without Navigation option. This does not apply to F10 or F11.