Well guys...it worked. Contacted BMWNA regarding the bad pixel issue on my '00 540iAs with approx. 96k on the OD and they authorized a 100% part replacement for me. All I have to do is fork out the bucks for the labor. Unfortunately, the stealership I chose here in NorCAL charges $180/hour and told me it would take an hour and a half. I know...helluva lot cheaper than forking out the dollars for the cluster AND the install but I still am trying to get BMWNA to allow me to do the install at a non-stealership (Bavarian Professionals in Berkeley cause they only charge $110/hour). I'll keep you posted on the results of this request...
For those of you experiencing this problem, don't give up on this issue as we all know BMW is obligated to take care of this very common and frequent problem. I am the second owner of this fairly high mileage 540 so this just proves they know that they are responsible for the problem...
'00 540iA Sport w/235k+ Original TCG's, Vanos and transmission.*Trans failure at 244k+...FS Now
wtf...$180 an hour
my pixel on the radio is crapping out on me too....29k miles on a 2003... how did u get BMWNA to agree to it?
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I called them directly and they called me back. They asked a couple questions and authorized the repair. I'm not sure about the radio as it isn't critical like the safety warning system on the speedo cluster, however, your '03 should definitely be covered if my '00 is...GL!
'00 540iA Sport w/235k+ Original TCG's, Vanos and transmission.*Trans failure at 244k+...FS Now
I hope that includes a "happy ending"
That is a lot an hour for labor.
I just had both the instrument cluster and MID replaced at the dealership without any qustion or hesitation - this is without even contacting BMWNA. Most dealerships (many E39's out there) know of this problem and it really depends on their service quality. I think I paid around four hundred for both peices to be installed. The MID included a new CD player as well.
IIRC...$130/hour
so even if your car is out of warranty, the dealer is willing to replace the dead pixel out of the goodness of their heart? I find that kinda hard to believe
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I'm still waiting for my BMW field rep to reprogram the new cluster to match the old cluster since the dealer can't do it At least the part is free
-Loe- 2004 M3/2000 328Ci (some mods)
$180/hour? OMG!!!
I had my MID replaced under BMW goodwill a few months back. All I had to pay was half-hour of labor, and even for that the dealership ended up giving some discounted labor rate so all it cost me was around $40.
My cluster was replaced due to dead pixels a few years back, while the car was still under warranty (previous owner).
.
http://vdorepair.com/
Has anyone seen this? And if so, has anyone any experiance in this? They say they fix your current cluster and fix it so this won't happen again. And they charge 300 bucks for it + plus shipping offcourse.
Don't know if they're any good but I guess I'll find out when this happens to my car (and I say when, not if).
1998 Honda Civic 1.5i
1999 E46 320i
2001 E46 330i
2017 VW Polo 1.2 tsi
Are we talking here about the dash pixels, or radio? A couple of radio display pixels have started to go on mine, right after purchase of course!
It's probably not out of the goodness, dealer is getting paid by us for labor and the part is prob compted by BMWUSA, so why not say yes?
BLUE HEAVEN:
Interlagos 2006 M3, AutoLogic tune, K&N CAI, Agency Power midpipes and exhaust, Fortune Auto coilovers, ///M Pedal Kit, UUC SSK. MRegistry listing here
Le Mans 2002 M5, Black/Tech Graphite, Rogue SSK, Dinan exhaust, PSS9 coilovers, Conforti/Shark tune. MRegistry listing here
Congrats! I had BMWNA replace my instrument cluster and all I had to pay was labor. Luckily it only cost me $80. I noticed I have 1 line of pixels out on my radio, but I don't think they will be so kind a second time to replace my radio for me.
Thanks Michel for the contact. It's just a few pixels now, but when it gets worse that's just what I'll do. Is it a two hour job? That's $250 I believe at Fairfax.Chris, go to BMW of Fairfax and ask for Glen Walker. He will replace the MID and all you have to do is pay for labor. You will not have to contact BMWNA, especially since your car is an '01 and low mileage.
BLUE HEAVEN:
Interlagos 2006 M3, AutoLogic tune, K&N CAI, Agency Power midpipes and exhaust, Fortune Auto coilovers, ///M Pedal Kit, UUC SSK. MRegistry listing here
Le Mans 2002 M5, Black/Tech Graphite, Rogue SSK, Dinan exhaust, PSS9 coilovers, Conforti/Shark tune. MRegistry listing here
Just read this. I will be contacting BMWNA soon myself..
e39 been around for 7 yrs and I would guess they have the dead pixel ironed out by then. I have 2003 models and mine started to crap out in 2006 and the radio is crapping out on me now. What a awful problem to have. :
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Is there a DIY for the MID?? Is the entire MID replaced or something behind it that shows the pixels??
Current:
2016 BMW 535i xDrive
2017 Volvo XC60
2000 BMW 540i
Past:
2012 Audi A4 S-Line
2011 BMW X5 50i
2010 Mercedes ML350
2002 Lexus IS300
1998 Audi A6 Quattro
1988 Honda Prelude
few weeks ago i just replaced mine for 80 bucks... they were trying to make me pay alot more...but you can call near by dealerships and they have to match thier prices... and some dealers are just nicer!
FS:NEW_BF_Goodrich_245/35/17
I got mine covered 100%, and the dealer charged $70/hour based on it being a warranty repair. Their standard rate is $110/hr. BMWNA initially offered 50%, but after explaining what a BMW nut I am, they upped the offer.
Once you contact BMWNA, and they will follow it up with you. Got mine replaced at a dealer $110.
It stinks to see those dead pixels and having to explain to someone when they ride in the car.
Just spoke with Jason at BMWNA and it's a no go with Bavarian Professionals ($110/hr.). They MUST be an authorized BMW dealership so I asked to change locations (considering Concord BMW wants $160/hr. and 1-1/2 hrs. labor ). I explained that I know how much time it actually takes to replace the cluster and recode it so Jason said no prob and that he will also notify Weatherford BMW ($155/hr. OUCH) that I should be charged no more than one hour for labor.
Sooo...if all goes well, it should only set me back $155 and some of my time. Not bad for a $1000 job...although many of you seem to be getting a better deal.
Last edited by ViolinARC; 09-21-2007 at 11:07 PM. Reason: pricing misquote
'00 540iA Sport w/235k+ Original TCG's, Vanos and transmission.*Trans failure at 244k+...FS Now
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