[sparkymarky]

Just a post to say i did this mod over the weekend. I was unsure about the white over the red. I like the red understated look. However, after being in a friends brand new bmw m135 with its white leds and a brand new golf gtd over the weekend with its white and red leds also, I made up my mind to have a go.

Really glad I did it so far. Anyone on the fence should do it. So much nicer to look at with the red needles in the daytime and the white at night is really nice. Given the car a much more modern/newer and sportier feel on the inside of the cabin, just what i was after. I wouldn't be so keen if this was a less powerful car, it would be misplaced i feel. But a mapped 330d @280bhp is just about deserving of some better eye candy gauges.

I fitted m3 style silver rings, original needles overlaid with red lense tape from halfords and smd leds super white soldered in.

Tip: You must buy a small point solder iron tip. I had to go buy one as the big one i had made it impossible to solder these tiny smd leds. Also some solder braid to mop up solder. And a pair of tweezers is essential. And patience. Especially when wrapping the needles and soldering. Rest is easy, apart from getting the speedo glass out.

[bimmaguy]

Pics?

[OGM2LCI]

Apparently there's a guy on facebook who will do this for you if you send him your dials, would be interesting to see what it looks like, did you change the centre read out lights as well or just the dials?

[Black widow]

PICS

[Soul_Glo]

[sparkymarky]

Ok so was waiting until I coded V speed before photos. The red centre information bit is much brighter and much clearer than the camera is reproducing it, and it blends perfectly with the lense tape needle colour in the flesh.

Here you go:

Daytime:








Dusk:




Nighttime: Struggling with the glare. He's the only one thats not blurry but its too much of a close up. Will get some more night ones.


As well as V speed, l also just coded with carly for bmw (great app!) auto key eject, alarm chirp, interior light on with extra press of the lock button. All useful small things.

[Len_Beach]

Looks spot on.

Where did you get the M logo?

I bought one that had a crappy border around it.

[sparkymarky]

Thanks! The key to a good look is getting all smudge marks off the inside of the glass before you refit it - using a microfibre and some plastic polish did the trick! You get a nice glossy reflection in light and its crystal clear through to the gauges now. Before i'm sure it was hazier/less transparent. The M badge is off ebay, perfect size. Came as a pack of two, the first one was slightly angled but this one was perfect. will try and find the link for you if you want?

[Thermobaric]

What's that screen on your dash?

[Len_Beach]

Originally Posted by sparkymarky

Thanks! The key to a good look is getting all smudge marks off the inside of the glass before you refit it - using a microfibre and some plastic polish did the trick! You get a nice glossy reflection in light and its crystal clear through to the gauges now. Before i'm sure it was hazier/less transparent. The M badge is off ebay, perfect size. Came as a pack of two, the first one was slightly angled but this one was perfect. will try and find the link for you if you want?

A link would be great. The stickers I bought were the right size but had a border which really bugs me.

How did you illuminate the M?

[Soul_Glo]

I really like it. Looks great. Well done.

[sparkymarky]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

What's that screen on your dash?

Ha i wondered how long it would before someone noticed it. I dont have idrive so i installed a touchscreen sony xperia 6.5 inch tablet inside an f20 surround and recessed the unit into the centre speaker grill on the dash . Installed music, nav etc. Works great. search my posts for the install.

[sparkymarky]

Originally Posted by Len_Beach

A link would be great. The stickers I bought were the right size but had a border which really bugs me.

How did you illuminate the M?

will find it The m is not illuminated though. Didnt go that far, as good as it would be.

[OGM2LCI]

That looks really good, I've seen one chap do the LED's and we swapped the centre screen read out to white as well and it didn't look great, keeping them orange looks really good