Control cluster (dash)

My gas gauge light went out on me 2 days ago, anyone got a Diy on how to fix it? I'm assuming its the bulb since i just had a tail light go out on me.

Side note while i was looking around i saw this AWESOME blue Dash cluster set-up. Is it possible to do this?



My cluster does'nt look like this, but you understand what i'm going for.

Pro-tip: use Google to search for "E36 instrument cluster bulb DIY".

That color blue would look silly in a BMW. It would look silly in anything other than a VW. And the typeface, while fine in its own right, is very Japanese, and would also be super out of place in a BMW.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

Pro-tip: use Google to search for "E36 instrument cluster bulb DIY".

That color blue would look silly in a BMW. It would look silly in anything other than a VW. And the typeface, while fine in its own right, is very Japanese, and would also be super out of place in a BMW.

But his mein auto says 525

Stick with stock orange reddish OE cluster! BMW picked it for a reason-the color preserves your night vision.

Also, blue is very VW, and nobody wants a VW. I know, because I've already asked everyone.

Def keep them red/orange, the reason BMW uses that color is ease of read and BMW being an aircraft builder along time ago it still shows its heritage to the old aviation days, as that's the illumination still used on current aviation controls, just my 2 cents

Btw my low gas light went out in my M3, It doesn't bother me, it's replaceable but I don't really need it with my OBC I can tell how many miles I have left on a tank (and I never park it with low fuel)

Wonder why they put blue on that cluster. I know the green was bland but i always see people putting in Amber LEDs to match the guages on Type-Rs

I'm looking to sell it soon, and it just seems somthing "Cool" the kids might like.

If you really really want to do it, you can probably find an overlay for it. However, that being said, you'd be limiting your market by doing that. Sure the "kids" might think it's fast because of some spiffy lights, but average Joe adult will see it and maybe think "Oh no, this may have been riced out... run away!"

Just a thought. Good luck on fixing the bulb!

HOLY CRAP!!!!!

AMBER WE MiSSED YOU!

Originally Posted by jonesin

HOLY CRAP!!!!!

AMBER WE MiSSED YOU!

Aw I feel so loved!!!!!!!!! I missed y'all too!!!!!

Originally Posted by DinanM3e36

Def keep them red/orange, the reason BMW uses that color is ease of read and BMW being an aircraft builder along time ago it still shows its heritage to the old aviation days, as that's the illumination still used on current aviation controls, just my 2 cents

German aircraft largely used a long persistence green phosphor during WWII. Night fighters used red because the pilot might be wearing red googles while flying in and around FLAK searchlights. Brave guys. On the other hand, British aircraft did use orange dial markings, excited by UV (black) light.

Civilian aircraft largely switched to information-specific instrument colors some years ago. As far as I can tell, BMW uses soft orange more as a trademark than anything else. They have used other colors, for example, white in the Z4M.