Instrument panel swap question... 1987 325is

Hey guys, I know this is probably a lame-brained question but being a relative newbie, hope you'll go easy on me. Basically, the odometer on my 1987 325is is broken and a friend has one from a 1986 325e he is willing to sell. The question is, will it fit? I imagine the actual dimensions are the same, but in terms of any different connectors, would it fit?

If anyone has any information, I'd really appreciate it as it would save me some time. Or if anyone knows of a place to find an exact replacement, I'd appreciate that as well. Thanks guys!

should be perfectly fine

it will work and your odometer will carry on with the milalge of your friends, no nee to set back the miles if if less than yours]

Great, thanks guys! That's what I though but the paranoia of something not fitting correctly always gets me. Looks like I have a Saturday morning project now. And yes, his odometer reads approx. 155,000.

you will notice that the rev gauge is different.. thats the only thing. the Eta gauge will red line at about 4 rpm i believe, where as the i red lines at 6500. the eta gauge will just carry on right round though

It'll redline a little higher than 4K. Its about 5 1/2, give the eta some credit

Replace you SI Board batteries before you put the instrument panel in. They are 1.5V NiCads, (AA size). Some other people might know some good places to get them. They have a tendency to die and leave your tach, speedo, and other gauges not working.

Thanks for the tip! For a minute I thought the batteries in the is were dead and that's why the odometer stopped working, but the other gauges work fine so that's not the case. Anyway, think Radio Shack would have those batteries? It's been forever since I went to a Radio Shack now that I think of it...if anyone else knows of a place, please let me know. Much appreciated!

I don't know to be honest about radio shack, but if they did I'd bet they'd have to be ordered special as its old tech.
But, if you have to order them anyways check this out, as I just searched it. The high mAh rating, the longer they last. 600 mAh should be fine for this app

http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=nicad

I've do a bit of amp/guitar pedal build and primarily order parts from this site, very reliable.

here is where I bought mine...

http://store.batteryspecialists.com/cr14250seft.html

I ordered them on Sunday night and got them Tuesday. Paid nothing for shipping.

Originally Posted by fcsteve

should be perfectly fine

IIRC, some plugs on the back of the cluster vary.

Originally Posted by 1979Marshall

It'll redline a little higher than 4K. Its about 5 1/2, give the eta some credit

sorry! i have never ever seen an Eta in the flesh before because they were never imported/sold here! im just going from memory of photos