Get missing dash pixels repaired by BMWNA (E39)

Dealer replaced instrument cluster for 1 hour labor ($105 plus tax). The receptionist was trying to charge me like $700 or something like that and I told her BMWNA is paying for the part, then the SA had to fix it.

When I first drove the car, the idle seemed a little high (750RPM while warm). I knew that it used to idle at around 500, sometimes even below 500, so I took it back and they were like "that's normal". By the end of the day, it started idling at 500 again...

I wonder what that's all about.

Oh I'm also quite happy about this whole thing because the bulb for the temperature was out since I bought the car in January, now it's lit up like the rest!

After driving a few times w/ the new cluster, I noticed that the display now remembers which reading it was displaying last and will display it again on the next start. For example, it will display the RANGE the next time you start the car if you leave it on that.

The other thing I noticed is that the battery light will flash for half a second when shutting the ignition off. I don't remember if this occured with my other cluster, is this normal?

FYI-
I got my 1999 540i with 90K miles ok'd by BMW North America for 100% parts only.
The dealer here in san Diego will charge me the labor under warranty rates.
Two hours $80.00 total.
My contact person in BMW is Nancy Mcdonald 1-201-263-8225

Originally Posted by Asharus

After driving a few times w/ the new cluster, I noticed that the display now remembers which reading it was displaying last and will display it again on the next start. For example, it will display the RANGE the next time you start the car if you leave it on that.

The other thing I noticed is that the battery light will flash for half a second when shutting the ignition off. I don't remember if this occured with my other cluster, is this normal?

Mine does that too!

Jogus, which one? The memory or the batt light flash?

Originally Posted by pinoysche

FYI-
I got my 1999 540i with 90K miles ok'd by BMW North America for 100% parts only.
The dealer here in san Diego will charge me the labor under warranty rates.
Two hours $80.00 total.
My contact person in BMW is Nancy Mcdonald 1-201-263-8225

Thanks alot. I have been having a problem with BMWNA paying 100% for the part, they were offering 50% and thats it. Until I saw your post ,called the number and she told me she will try to help me out even though she was not our rep. Guess what within minutes they called back telling me they will be paying for 100% for the part and it will be going into the dealer on Monday.


Thanks alot Pinoyshe

Sweet, it is so wonderful to hear how so many folks are successfully getting their dash lights fixed!

Originally Posted by Boost Infection

Thanks alot. I have been having a problem with BMWNA paying 100% for the part, they were offering 50% and thats it. Until I saw your post ,called the number and she told me she will try to help me out even though she was not our rep. Guess what within minutes they called back telling me they will be paying for 100% for the part and it will be going into the dealer on Monday.


Thanks alot Pinoyshe

I'm going to go back in and ask the rep to cover mine 100% they offered 50% plus labor...I'm OK with the labor, but I see some here have the same year as mine and got it covered....This is my fourth BMW so I'm faithful to the car so that should pull some weight!

Jet10 thanks.

Service scheduled for next Monday at my local dealer. My cost is just for labor.

This is a great sticky - my '99 540i has quite a few dead pixels, and I am sick of playing Wheel of Fortune with the status messages!

F_S__N S___ B_L_

Fingers crossed that I will only have to pay the ~$100 labor on the repair.
Thanks again to the OP!

Originally Posted by dboy11

I'm going to go back in and ask the rep to cover mine 100% they offered 50% plus labor...I'm OK with the labor, but I see some here have the same year as mine and got it covered....This is my fourth BMW so I'm faithful to the car so that should pull some weight!

Why BMW N/A did not give you the 100% parts replacement in the first place? What happen to your fourth BMW.. Do you think they will do it now? What did you tell them in the first place. You forgot to tell them that, this is your fourth BWW?

This morning on the way to work the pixels on the environmental cluster went out. I just emailed BMWNA a couple minutes ago. I'm curious to see what will happen.

I got my 02 540i last Friday. Emailed Lenora at 9:30 on Friday night. Got an email back from her asking the VIN number, dealer and contact information and she will assign a representative to me.....at 8:50 AM yesterday..Monday. Not bad so far....

I got the pixels fixed on my 99 540i6 yesterday. I paid $350 for the new dash including labor. Would have been nice for them to fix it for free, but I've got 103,000 miles and have only owned it for a few months. It's nice to be able to read the mileage and trip for the first time.

Does this only deal with the "dash" pixels or does it extend to the radio pixels as well?

The 1 and 2 are intermittent. At times the read out is very faint on them, then the are fully lit after a few minutes.

Applies to both. Dealer charged me about 1.7 hours of labor.

Dropped off the 540iT last night at Sterling BMW in Newport Beach, CA. Picked it up today with a new dash display and a new radio installed - both courtesy of BMWNA. I mentioned the warranty labor rate when I dropped it off, and the Service Advisor was going to "see what he could do". The total came to $100 in labor for both displays and I'm VERY happy. Strange what a difference just a few pixels in the right spots can make...

On an observational note: The new radio seems to be a slightly different shade of black than the old. No big deal - it looks fine (and new) - but it's definitely different.

Thanks again to the person who started this thread and to everyone who has posted. If it wasn't for the thread, I'd be driving around with dead pixels forever (way too $$$ to justify the swap for full price).

\ Henrik (Gr8dane)

These kinds of helpful threads and subsequent posts are what the 'Fest is all about!

Originally Posted by jetpilot10

Guys,

As coordinator for National Customer Relations, I will assign a representative to assist you; however, I need some additional information. Please respond to this email with the name and address on the registration, contact phone numbers, mileage to date, and the last 7 digits of the VIN.

Also, please identify your BMW dealer.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Since I didn't buy my car from a BMW dealer, what should I answer for "Please identify your BMW dealer"? (I got mine from a reputable used-car dealer)

Originally Posted by domiguy

Since I didn't buy my car from a BMW dealer, what should I answer for "Please identify your BMW dealer"? (I got mine from a reputable used-car dealer)

Mine was from the same all they ask is where you brough the car how long you've owned it and what is the closed BMW dealer to you....at the worst case they will cover 50%

Since my car is a 97' even though there are only 57k miles on her, They are only willing to pay for half of the cost to repair the pixels. I think it should go by miles not years. grrrrrrrr. Is there anyway to get her to change her mind? I hate the way it looks but I didnt want to come out of pocket 300 to get it done. damn old cars...

Originally Posted by domiguy

Since I didn't buy my car from a BMW dealer, what should I answer for "Please identify your BMW dealer"? (I got mine from a reputable used-car dealer)

All that means is what dealer do you want to take your car to to have the work done.

Originally Posted by Swells707

Since my car is a 97' even though there are only 57k miles on her, They are only willing to pay for half of the cost to repair the pixels. I think it should go by miles not years. grrrrrrrr. Is there anyway to get her to change her mind? I hate the way it looks but I didnt want to come out of pocket 300 to get it done. damn old cars...

Well, if you read the WHOLE thread, some folks have only gotten BMW to pay for half the cost of the cluster unfortunately. Still, that ain't all bad...they could just completely brush you off. Why don't you inquire further about this, tell them about this long thread. Can't hurt.

Originally Posted by Swells707

Since my car is a 97' even though there are only 57k miles on her, They are only willing to pay for half of the cost to repair the pixels. I think it should go by miles not years. grrrrrrrr. Is there anyway to get her to change her mind? I hate the way it looks but I didnt want to come out of pocket 300 to get it done. damn old cars...

I agree free or only having to pay for one hour of labor is a great deal......but I'll take $300+1 hour of labor over $600+1 hour of labor any day.......but I guess that's just me.