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Thread: compatible instrument clusters

  1. #1
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    compatible instrument clusters

    What are the compatible instrument clusters for the e38? Specifically the 01' models? I know the e39 is supposed to be and so is the x5?

    What about the e46 (m3) though? Has anyone tried that one? It seems to be similar shape, but I'm not sure of the size.
    "A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering." - Freeman Dyson

  2. #2
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    Has anyone tried to fit a 3 series cluster into a 7 series?
    "A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering." - Freeman Dyson

  3. #3
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    Initially I had doubts...basically because I don't follow the 3 series...so I'm not that familiar with how they are set up...but I was under the assumption that they use the base cluster (K/KOMBI bus). So I went out on the net and googled the e46 M3 instrument cluster...and every image showed the low/base instrument cluster (uses the Graphic Display instead of the 20 digit alpha/numeric display for check control messages)...which would operate over the K/KOMBI bus.

    All e38s imported to the US market use the high cluster and also use the I/K/M/P CAN/Diagnostic communication bus. So installing an e46 M3 cluster would have to acommodate a retrofit to a different communication bus since the IKE (cluster) is the main gatekeeper of the communication bus in that just about everything runs "to it" or "through it" as modules pass data along the bus.

    If you're looking to upgrade to an M cluster...I'd stick with searching for e39 & e53 high clusters from the e39 M5 or e53 X5 4.6is & 4.8is models.

    {e46 M3 cluster - uses Graphic Display}


    {K/KOMBI Bus vs I/KM/P/CAN/Diagnostic Bus}







    {e39 M5 high cluster - uses 20 digit alpha/numeric display}



    {E53 4.8is high cluster - also uses 20 digit alpha/numeric display}

    Last edited by Qsilver7; 10-15-2017 at 12:00 PM.
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
    Initially I had doubts...basically because I don't follow the 3 series...so I'm not that familiar with how they are set up...but I was under the assumption that they use the base cluster (K/KOMBI bus). So I went out on the net and googled the e46 M3 instrument cluster...and every image showed the low/base instrument cluster (uses the Graphic Display instead of the 20 digit alpha/numeric display for check control messages)...which would operate over the K/KOMBI bus.

    All e38s imported to the US market use the high cluster and also use the I/K/M/P CAN/Diagnostic communication bus. So installing an e46 M3 cluster would have to acommodate a retrofit to a different communication bus since the IKE (cluster) is the main gatekeeper of the communication bus in that just about everything runs "to it" or "through it" as modules pass data along the bus.

    If you're looking to upgrade to an M cluster...I'd stick with searching for e39 & e53 high clusters from the e39 M5 or e53 X5 4.6is & 4.8is models.

    Good deal. Thanks Q! As usual great pics to show what's going on along with a solid explanation
    "A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering." - Freeman Dyson

  5. #5
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    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

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