How to change instrument gauge COLORS??

smellygas · 03-14-2006, 08:28 PM

Anyone know how to change out the light bulbs that light up the instrument gauge? I can't stand the monochromatic red. Red needles on blue lettering would look better. Thanks!

SmellyGas

SocalTy · 03-14-2006, 08:39 PM

You're going to have to replace all the bulbs to blue, its going to be a bitch. Heres a link to the thread where some german guy did this:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=gauge

puck724 · 03-14-2006, 08:40 PM

you mean something like this

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=blue+lights

puck724 · 03-14-2006, 08:40 PM

wench...beat me to it..lol

M3ti Compact · 03-14-2006, 08:49 PM

Hey...
How come this car seems to have an adjustable redline??? My car doesn't do this??

bavarian19 · 03-14-2006, 09:00 PM

IMO, the guy should have left the arrows in the reddish orange color. I think it would give a much needed contrast to the blue...

Now, the blue all together...

David328M-Sport · 03-14-2006, 09:33 PM

The orange colour has been a BMW trademark for many years. I love it. A nice warm and inviting glow.

SocalTy · 03-14-2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puck724

wench...beat me to it..lol

HAHA, by one minute

smellygas · 03-14-2006, 09:34 PM

Thank you to SocalTy and puck724 for the link! Those pics are exactly what I'd like to do... do you guys or anyone else know of a DIY or instructions? I think I could probably figure out how to dismantle the dash, but then I'm wondering if I'd have to replace light bulbs (easy) or desolder/solder surface-mount LED's (HARD).

SmellyGas

(And yes, I realize the amber/red color is almost a BMW trademark, but I honestly think the red looks dated and boring.)

shragon · 03-14-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3ti Compact

Hey...
How come this car seems to have an adjustable redline??? My car doesn't do this??

wondering same thing.

gos · 03-14-2006, 10:04 PM

red interferes with night vision significantly less than blues/whites, that's why most flashlight lenses for night reading use red... whiter guages means that you won't be able to see as well when you look back out the front windshield

BMW F22 · 03-14-2006, 10:13 PM

oo la la the blue/white gauges look great.

E24 · 03-14-2006, 10:21 PM

I will go out on a limb here but anyone who changes the dash lighting on a BMW has no respect for the history and/or heritage of this fine automobile. I'm cool with mods (in moderation) but you don't screw with the dash lighting. Correct that - you can but you may as well be behind the wheel of a 2 or 3 generation old Honda Accord with a muffler the size of a.......I'll leave it at that.

Squawks · 03-14-2006, 10:24 PM

I don't understand the adjustable redline- that totally defeats the point of a redline in the first place. Sounds retarded to me - perhaps it was a person (retarded one, that is) comparing a diesel pic to an non-disel pic.

M3ti Compact · 03-14-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawks

I don't understand the adjustable redline- that totally defeats the point of a redline in the first place. Sounds retarded to me - perhaps it was a person (retarded one, that is) comparing a diesel pic to an non-disel pic.

The adjustable redline for when the engine is cold...like what the M3 and M5's got...and would be useful for us considering we don't got an engine temp gauge!

Squawks · 03-14-2006, 10:32 PM

The redline for those models aren't adjustable - they give you warnings instead.

SocalTy · 03-14-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellygas

Thank you to SocalTy and puck724 for the link! Those pics are exactly what I'd like to do... do you guys or anyone else know of a DIY or instructions? I think I could probably figure out how to dismantle the dash, but then I'm wondering if I'd have to replace light bulbs (easy) or desolder/solder surface-mount LED's (HARD).

SmellyGas

(And yes, I realize the amber/red color is almost a BMW trademark, but I honestly think the red looks dated and boring.)

No problemo. Good luck, take some pics if you decide to go through with this. Don't think there has been any DIY threads posted on this.

IMO, i like the amber lights, its easy on the eyes. The Blue is pretty cool looking, but its too bright for my taste.

a burrito · 03-15-2006, 12:17 AM

maybe it isnt a 3 series gauge? i know for a fact that the 6 series gauge has a automatic adjustable redline. Works just like the M gauge, but doesnt light up in stages, instead that circular bar moves up and down.

smellygas · 03-15-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E24

I will go out on a limb here but anyone who changes the dash lighting on a BMW has no respect for the history and/or heritage of this fine automobile. I'm cool with mods (in moderation) but you don't screw with the dash lighting. Correct that - you can but you may as well be behind the wheel of a 2 or 3 generation old Honda Accord with a muffler the size of a.......I'll leave it at that.

Yeah, real solid reasoning there, chief. Enhancing the plain monochrmatic red color with more modern colors suddenly transforms a BMW into a 3-generation old Accord...because without the ugly red dash color, people will confuse this BMW with a 10-year old Japanese import with a large exhaust. Yeeaahhh. I don't even know where people come up with this crap.

SmellyGas

deutsch100 · 03-15-2006, 12:50 AM

I think the blue looks really, really hot, albeit a bit bright. I also think the monochromatic orange is completley boring. I would love to see some white, blue and true red. Being on my 5th Bimmer now, I think I am really tiring of the orange instrument lighting. Heritage or no heritage...updating a look is just part of life. Deal with it BMW AG.

paullo · 03-15-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E24

I will go out on a limb here but anyone who changes the dash lighting on a BMW has no respect for the history and/or heritage of this fine automobile. I'm cool with mods (in moderation) but you don't screw with the dash lighting. Correct that - you can but you may as well be behind the wheel of a 2 or 3 generation old Honda Accord with a muffler the size of a.......I'll leave it at that.

Thank YOU!!!

If you are gonna go red/blue combo on the dash, go buy a VW... come on!

Dizzy330i · 03-15-2006, 02:10 AM

VW red/blue lighting is terrible!

It's so busy to me, ugh! Especially the red ambient lights. And if you like it, please explain yourself. White/red is much better.

And the lights in BMWs are amber (or orange), but not red. Get it right.

Oh and I heard the adjustable redline was supposed to be a feature on the E90 but they scratched it. So I think the adjustable piece can still be moved around, but when installed, there is nothing in the dash to move it.

03-14-2006, 08:28 PM	#1
smellygas Private First Class 13 Rep 142 Posts Drives: '06 325i (very soon) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	How to change instrument gauge COLORS?? Anyone know how to change out the light bulbs that light up the instrument gauge? I can't stand the monochromatic red. Red needles on blue lettering would look better. Thanks! SmellyGas
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03-14-2006, 08:39 PM	#2
SocalTy Flushing, Queens stand up!! 35 Rep 830 Posts Drives: AW E90 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (3) Garage List 06 e90 [0.00]	You're going to have to replace all the bulbs to blue, its going to be a bitch. Heres a link to the thread where some german guy did this: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=gauge __________________ l 20% Tints l Osram 6000k Xenons l Brex l Blacklines l White Led Sidemarkers l PIAA Superwhite Turn Signals l 19" Breyton Spirits l H&R Sport Springs l Koni Yellow Adjustable Dampers l ACS Roof Spoiler l Painted Carbon Spoiler l Luminics Fogs l Oem Chrome Grill l
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03-14-2006, 08:40 PM	#3
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	you mean something like this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=blue+lights __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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03-14-2006, 08:40 PM	#4
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	wench...beat me to it..lol __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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03-14-2006, 08:49 PM	#5
M3ti Compact Private First Class 8 Rep 106 Posts Drives: E36 318ti, E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 BMW 318ti [0.00] 2006 BMW 325 [0.00]	Hey... How come this car seems to have an adjustable redline??? My car doesn't do this??
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03-14-2006, 09:00 PM	#6
bavarian19 General 519 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	IMO, the guy should have left the arrows in the reddish orange color. I think it would give a much needed contrast to the blue... Now, the blue all together...
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03-14-2006, 09:33 PM	#7
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	The orange colour has been a BMW trademark for many years. I love it. A nice warm and inviting glow. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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03-14-2006, 09:34 PM	#9
smellygas Private First Class 13 Rep 142 Posts Drives: '06 325i (very soon) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Thank you to SocalTy and puck724 for the link! Those pics are exactly what I'd like to do... do you guys or anyone else know of a DIY or instructions? I think I could probably figure out how to dismantle the dash, but then I'm wondering if I'd have to replace light bulbs (easy) or desolder/solder surface-mount LED's (HARD). SmellyGas (And yes, I realize the amber/red color is almost a BMW trademark, but I honestly think the red looks dated and boring.)
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03-14-2006, 10:04 PM	#11
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	red interferes with night vision significantly less than blues/whites, that's why most flashlight lenses for night reading use red... whiter guages means that you won't be able to see as well when you look back out the front windshield
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03-14-2006, 10:13 PM	#12
BMW F22 Major General 3578 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	oo la la the blue/white gauges look great.
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03-14-2006, 10:21 PM	#13
E24 DUBYA 28 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2012 328I - 6MT Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I will go out on a limb here but anyone who changes the dash lighting on a BMW has no respect for the history and/or heritage of this fine automobile. I'm cool with mods (in moderation) but you don't screw with the dash lighting. Correct that - you can but you may as well be behind the wheel of a 2 or 3 generation old Honda Accord with a muffler the size of a.......I'll leave it at that.
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03-14-2006, 10:24 PM	#14
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 53 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	I don't understand the adjustable redline- that totally defeats the point of a redline in the first place. Sounds retarded to me - perhaps it was a person (retarded one, that is) comparing a diesel pic to an non-disel pic. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
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03-14-2006, 10:32 PM	#16
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 53 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	The redline for those models aren't adjustable - they give you warnings instead. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
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03-15-2006, 12:17 AM	#18
a burrito Lieutenant Colonel 56 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: Urus, 958.2 TTS, 997 S Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	maybe it isnt a 3 series gauge? i know for a fact that the 6 series gauge has a automatic adjustable redline. Works just like the M gauge, but doesnt light up in stages, instead that circular bar moves up and down. __________________ Peanut Butter Chunky
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03-15-2006, 12:50 AM	#20
deutsch100 Colonel 4027 Rep 2,427 Posts Drives: i7 60, XM, M3 Comp, 911 GTS Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calabasas, CA iTrader: (0)	I think the blue looks really, really hot, albeit a bit bright. I also think the monochromatic orange is completley boring. I would love to see some white, blue and true red. Being on my 5th Bimmer now, I think I am really tiring of the orange instrument lighting. Heritage or no heritage...updating a look is just part of life. Deal with it BMW AG.
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03-15-2006, 02:10 AM	#22
Dizzy330i Private 6 Rep 95 Posts Drives: BMW 330i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami, FL USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	VW red/blue lighting is terrible! It's so busy to me, ugh! Especially the red ambient lights. And if you like it, please explain yourself. White/red is much better. And the lights in BMWs are amber (or orange), but not red. Get it right. Oh and I heard the adjustable redline was supposed to be a feature on the E90 but they scratched it. So I think the adjustable piece can still be moved around, but when installed, there is nothing in the dash to move it. __________________ 2006 330i SG/Terra ZPP Step OEM Spoiler...and Blacklines!!
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