2000 E46 328i Cluster

[kerim]

hey guys,

i got a 2000 E46 328i sedan, and was wondering if i was to change my cluster, can i just put another one in there from the same/similar car without changing anything else, as in direct replace, or does there have to be other things changed as well.

I'm asking this because, i was told that if i just change the cluster, it might not show properly and it might play up, i only heard of this once nad was wondering if it is true or not


thanks
kerim

[James]

I am fairly certain that you can do the installation yourself, but a BMW-specific tool from the dealership is needed to properly code the cluster. If you are looking to upgrade the appearance of your cluster you could simply replace the gauge faces with colored ones.

Check out www.nrauto.com

[kerim]

hi,
i don't want to change the appearance,
when you mean BMW-specific tool what do you mean by that, what does it do, so your saying its not a plug and play job or....

[AlpinweissM3]

If you are switching clusters out you well need to have a special tool to set the milage on the new cluster.

[kerim]

would i still need that tool even if i bought a second hand cluster, coz i am looking at buying a second hand one

[AlpinweissM3]

It doesn't matter if the cluster is new or used. When you plug the second hand cluster in, it wont just automatically update the milage. It well still read the milage of the car it came out of I believe. Thats why you need the tool to set the milage to what your car currently has.

[sjpgoalie]

Why are you getting a new cluster if you don't want to change the looks? I don't get it.

[AlpinweissM3]

Like anything else in a car they do malfunction and quit working.

[sjpgoalie]

He never said it doesn't work.