CONFIRMED - No TFT Instrument Panel on MY 2013 7 Series LCI

Does US get the A/C vents in the roof ?

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

I also agree in the very near future, TFT will be much, much more cost effective for auto companies than elegant, classic analog gauges

Also TFT is 1 display world wide - programmed separately. How many different variations with metric/imperial, languages etc. variations are there with the analog gauges?

Well, pulled the trigger yesterday on another new Designo S class with a one year lease.

That will put me into the position to look at the new 2014 S class and compare to the LCI 7 which will hopefully have the TFT by 2014.

I wish i had know this earlier as I just ended up with two one year leases for the last 2 cars now. Not the cheapest way to have gone. UGH

Originally Posted by LovinM6

Well, pulled the trigger yesterday on another new Designo S class with a one year lease.

That will put me into the position to look at the new 2014 S class and compare to the LCI 7 which will hopefully have the TFT by 2014.

I wish i had know this earlier as I just ended up with two one year leases for the last 2 cars now. Not the cheapest way to have gone. UGH

Nice. You only live once and can't take $$ with you so a short lease is great whilst waiting on the right thing if one can afford it.

When you guys are talking TFT, do you mean a fully customizable unit and not just TFT electronic gauges. In my mind, there is no point in having TFT if I can't configure the cluster to my tastes.

Originally Posted by chrischeung

Also TFT is 1 display world wide - programmed separately. How many different variations with metric/imperial, languages etc. variations are there with the analog gauges?

That is the beauty of software.

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

Our 2008 S550 had the TFT for the instrument cluster as well, and watching the fake needles was very annoying. I do not think analog is nascar (as another member stated). Analog is Rolls Royce and Bentley and Porsche.....We've had TFT in 2 high end cars, and what we have (real needles and real gauges) in our 7 Series, G55 and SLS AMG are IMO far superior to some artifical digital TFT screen.

I think the mistake is to simulate analog needles on the TFT screen, because no matter how hard you try, it simply does not look like the real thing.



The potential of TFT screen is to have graphics and digital representation instead of using needles:

A little late but here are a few pictures of my 2012 MB S550 Designo. The colors are very comparable to my 7er.



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Woo la la, my favorite interior color combo, except my favorite exterior is pearl white! Simply stunning man! Btw, how do the Merc's 4.7tt engine feelcompare to 7er's? Does feel faster?

I have just picked up my 2013 750LIX M sport. It was a massive disappointment to see the old instrumental cluster in the car. BMW of North America has no answers and all advertisement material including the driver's manual provided refer to the new panel. BMWUSA.com is still showing images of the new instrumental panel on site. I expect them to change it as soon as it becomes available I guess, or .......replace it for all I care.

There's some ad for a new Caddy that's airing on TV with a full TFT instrument panel, it look kind of cool but a bit too futuristic and cheesy for my taste.

Originally Posted by stkpick101

I have just picked up my 2013 750LIX M sport. It was a massive disappointment to see the old instrumental cluster in the car. BMW of North America has no answers and all advertisement material including the driver's manual provided refer to the new panel. BMWUSA.com is still showing images of the new instrumental panel on site. I expect them to change it as soon as it becomes available I guess, or .......replace it for all I care.

My dealer showed me a memo on the 2013 7 models that they will NOT be getting the TFT display for the 2013 model year. He didn't know off-hand, but when I asked him to research it, he found the document and showed it to me. BMWUSA actually says in the specifications section of the 7 series "digital and analog" instrument cluster... which prompted me to ask dealer for clarification in the first place.

I ordered a non-M sport 750, and so far the 2013s coming to the dealership have not had the style 426 wheel that they're supposed to have. Hopefully that's just the first batch of 2013 750s because I'd like the new wheel they advertise on the website and in the specifications.

Originally Posted by f01driver

There's some ad for a new Caddy that's airing on TV with a full TFT instrument panel, it look kind of cool but a bit too futuristic and cheesy for my taste.

EXACTLY!!! For those who are getting the 2013 7 Series, DO NOT worry about or be angry that you do not have the TFT panel. The 2009-2012 combined version of "analog" and TFT is the best. These 3 years of 7 Series production, have the most elegant, modern, "cutting edge" and classic BMW look. I had "digital" instruments on my 2008 S550 and all TFT on my 2011 Supercharged Range Rover. While both were excellent, there was for sure a dis-connect, a coldness and the needlees looked and sometimes moved artifically. I am SO, SO happy my 2012 model does not have the TFT. Now...the LED Corona Rings, that's another story

The new multifunction instrument display is currently optional in Europe for about $800.

The standard one is the same as we get in the US.

Of course, BMWNA may make it standard in the US when it becomes available or part of a package.

For now, it looks like you will eventually be able to get either one.

My dealer has not mentioned anything, and as I mentioned earlier, BMW of North America could not comment, other than they will look into it. Whatever package is going to be a part of I already have I hope the cluster is interchangable, so when it comes out, I will be able to have it replaced. Other than the driving performance and navagation, aesthetically the M sport is identical to 2012. Furthermore, it is mentioned that seats have been modified......I'd like to know how, since I can't tell at all.

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

EXACTLY!!! For those who are getting the 2013 7 Series, DO NOT worry about or be angry that you do not have the TFT panel. The 2009-2012 combined version of "analog" and TFT is the best. These 3 years of 7 Series production, have the most elegant, modern, "cutting edge" and classic BMW look. I had "digital" instruments on my 2008 S550 and all TFT on my 2011 Supercharged Range Rover. While both were excellent, there was for sure a dis-connect, a coldness and the needlees looked and sometimes moved artifically. I am SO, SO happy my 2012 model does not have the TFT. Now...the LED Corona Rings, that's another story

I agree. Not really a fan of 100% TFT... wouldn't mind a big digital display in middle like Audi but prefer the looks of gauge needles. The sports mode reminds me of that little turbocharged Honda and its mph read-out on the dash... hardly classy... and I'm pretty sure sports mode is what I will be staying in most of the time.

My 2013 will have the LED headlights I didn't get the M-Sport package (although it is free option for now) because I'm ordering a white car and don't like the graphite look of the rear bumper with M-Sport. I said the same thing on another blog and apparently in Europe, you can customize M-Sport to not have the graphite rear bumper insert and instead get a body color-matched insert... no such luck in the U.S.

Originally Posted by ericiu

I didn't get the M-Sport package (although it is free option for now) because I'm ordering a white car and don't like the graphite look of the rear bumper with M-Sport. I said the same thing on another blog and apparently in Europe, you can customize M-Sport to not have the graphite rear bumper insert and instead get a body color-matched insert... no such luck in the U.S.

I was hoping to get TFT because I like the eco sport functionality. I nixed Alpine white for the same reason you did not like it; however I thought the M Sport without Alpine White vs the chrome on the air intake was the lesser of two evils. My current E61 is Alpine White.

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

Ticks me off that many manufacturers treat the US as an unwanted stepchild. VW and Ford are famous for keeping their best products in Europe. The lack of rear fog lights is typical as if to say that the US does not get fog. Truth be told, US drivers are so clueless they wouldn't use it anyway. My 92 Alfla 164 had rear fog lights on the US model. Name one item on a US model that is not available on the European model? The 85 mph speedometer of the late 70sto mid 80s is not a good example. Ford had a brilliant response to that on the Xr4ti. They put a 140 mph speedometer in and had the numbers read only to 85 with hash marks for the remainder of the numbers to 140.

VW and Audi are horrible about it. I agree completely, but BMW is getting up there. I want a 535d.

Originally Posted by LovinM6

A little late but here are a few pictures of my 2012 MB S550 Designo. The colors are very comparable to my 7er.



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Beautiful Interior!

I can't believe the S Class is looks so good and high quality, even in its LAST year of production