Get missing dash pixels repaired by BMWNA (E39)

That's the deal I received--but I had only purchased mine a few months before, though I've had other BMWs previously. How long have you owned yours? The two main considerations I think that they use are length of time of ownership and whether or not the odometer is still legible.

So BMW is offering me a 25% off the part. So the question is.... how much does this 'part' cost?

Originally Posted by mattinraleigh

Hello, has anyone had any luck in trying to get BMW North America to up their offer. I have a 2002 530i and both the odometer and stereo have the pixel issue. I contacted them and they responded today offering to cover half of the parts for both and I pay full labor.

Thanks to all for any assistance,
-Matt

That is exactly what they quoted me and they hope you will accept. Keep haggling, they will cover 100% of parts.

I emailed BMW 2 weeks ago and got a call last week. I'm taking my car in tomorrow. They will cover the parts but labor estimate is $145.

This tread was really old, but i am a new owner of a 1998 540i, and i am wondering what person you e-mailed at BMW? I would also like to try and get this replaced for just the labor cost. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mpyle

This tread was really old, but i am a new owner of a 1998 540i, and i am wondering what person you e-mailed at BMW? I would also like to try and get this replaced for just the labor cost. Thanks!

Call BMWNA customer relations at 800-831-1117 and tell them your issue; they'll ask for some info and assign you a case worker to make arrangements for the cluster replacement.

As stated earlier BMWNA will ask how long you have owned the car and how many pix are defective. My length of ownership (2 months) is the main reason I was only offered 25% coverage on the part. However, when I let the dealership do the call for me they got the part covered 100%. It is nice when you can call on the dealership to do the legwork (after the fact) and they get the results you expect!

bimmerd00d,
can you show us the original e mail you sent to Leonora Vlaovich.
i see that some people didn't get an answer back, im wondering if you said something she liked and helped you out with it..
im asking so i know what to say to her, and get the job done..
also another question is that, is it necessary that you had to buy your BMW from a dealer. i bought mine private.
this is my first post so i apologize if im missing something.
thank you

or anyone else..

I don't have the original email, but I did get a fairly quick response. I would definitely tell her that you can no longer read the odometer--this is one of the determining factors as to how much they will cover. You will have to provide them with a copy of your registration or registration info, how long you've had the car, where you get it serviced, etc. These are all factors they apparently consider. Good luck and post your results!

I have been trying to figure this all out without much success. I just purchased an '03 540i from a dealership in Davenport Iowa. The pixel issue was negotiated. They told me it was a $500 fix and we "split" the cost. I went to get it fixed in Des Moines and it was quoted to me as $1700. I have problems in the climate control panel and instrument panel. I was told this is all one board with a price of $1400. The $300 is the labor to install.

The Davenport dealer is "perplexed". "Come in and we'll fix your instrument panel for $514". The climate control fix is separate. How is this possible if it is all one board?


Anyone have any idea if there is some truth in there somewhere. (I am also working with BMW, but they have come forward with no offers yet - just the same questions asked of other posters)

This is frustrating as heck!

To fix the odometer area, they replace the instrument panel (speedometer, etc). The radio or climate control pixels would be a separate issue.

well i called them yesterday and faxed my registration, and "dee" said they would be in touch in 1-2 days so i guss wait to see what happens

well dee called yesterday to say she got my info and someone from BMW should be calling me on monday.

well bimmer called today and took down my info, and she said she wont be back until thursday so i guss ill wait and see what they come back with

can this be applied outside the USA , i live in egypt .and i have got all that screen not working .

After reading this thread today, I called the 800#, and was told I would be contacted within 48 hours. I faxed a copy of the registration and received a call back within 3 hours. They are providing the part for free and I pick up the ~$150 labor charge. What a blessing!

Invaluable thread. My radio is starting to go, so I may give this a shot when I have a few moments to spare.

Thanks all,

Ben

I too am a recent new owner of a 2003 540i sport that has the pixel problem in the instrument cluster. I called BMWNA yesterday around 10:00 am EST to initiate a goodwill warranty replacement of the cluster. By 3:30 pm they had returned my call, processed my registration and called me back to inform me that they would supply a replacement cluster free of charge with my paying only one hours labor for installation. Today I received a call from the local BMW dealer and scheduled the work for tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. I was also advised by the dealer SA that they would only charge me one hour labor even if it ran a little over that amount. I'm one happy Dude....

Originally Posted by BadBrad

I too am a recent new owner of a 2003 540i sport that has the pixel problem in the instrument cluster. I called BMWNA yesterday around 10:00 am EST to initiate a goodwill warranty replacement of the cluster. By 3:30 pm they had returned my call, processed my registration and called me back to inform me that they would supply a replacement cluster free of charge with my paying only one hours labor for installation. Today I received a call from the local BMW dealer and scheduled the work for tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. I was also advised by the dealer SA that they would only charge me one hour labor even if it ran a little over that amount. I'm one happy Dude....

Congrats! That's great news!

I just got an email back stating that Leonora V. is no longer there. Melissa responded with a request for my registration. Just thought I would let everyone know.

The original contact person at BMWNA, Leonora V., is not listed in thei BMWNA email directory any more. I have sense attempted contact with several alternative Customer Relations employees in hopes of better results. Nina Englert is on several months absense (per her email response). I was referred to Alan Harris, VP, Aftermarket Customer Relations, BMWNA, and Michele Fuhs and Sarah Maier at Customer Relations at BMW.DE.

Here is the letter I sent, but was subsequently returned as the addressee is out of the office for several months.

Fingers crossed that this old problem still gets some attention. With the recession and all, not sure what to expect.


Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 4:09 PM
To: 'nina.englert@bmwna.com'
Subject:


Dear Ms. Englert:

I am writing to you to request assistance in servicing my 2002 BMW530i. I am the original owner of my vehicle. The specific nature of my problem concerns the pixel display in the instrument cluster. Over the last two years, I have been progressively losing columns of pixels in my instrument cluster. While under extended warranty, I was told that the display was not severely enough effected to be worthy of a warranty replacement. Now that the automobile is out of warranty, and pixels continue to fail, I am finding that I cannot read some of the letters and numbers, including warning messages. All of my timely services have been performed by my local BMW dealership, Irvine BMW, Irvine, California.

I have come to realize that my problem is not unique. In fact, my research indicates that this has been a long-standing issue with many of the BMW models with the pixel display configuration. More importantly, many clients have been satisfied with your supportive response to their request. As for me, I would have been pleased to have paid the original deductible for repairs in extended warranty ($50.00), if that option had been made available to me. I hope BMW NA hasn’t changed their accommodative position on this issue and that I can count on BMW NA remaining committed to customer satisfaction by authorizing the repair or replacement of this malfunctioning display as a customer accommodation.

Thank you for entertaining this request and I look forward to having a pleasantly readable dash display once again.

Regards,

Steven

My CD player has dead pixels (just started last week). '03 525i with 74K under CPO warranty.
My dealership says CPO will not cover audio components; I just sent BMWNA the e-mail regarding this.

Does anyone have a good POC/email addy for a CSR at BMWNA ref pixel/cluster replacement goodwill?

Originally Posted by BadBrad

I too am a recent new owner of a 2003 540i sport that has the pixel problem in the instrument cluster. I called BMWNA yesterday around 10:00 am EST to initiate a goodwill warranty replacement of the cluster. By 3:30 pm they had returned my call, processed my registration and called me back to inform me that they would supply a replacement cluster free of charge with my paying only one hours labor for installation. Today I received a call from the local BMW dealer and scheduled the work for tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. I was also advised by the dealer SA that they would only charge me one hour labor even if it ran a little over that amount. I'm one happy Dude....

What exactly is a "goodwill warranty replacement"?