325i Cluster Swap

[Bauhaus]

Hi all,

I'm looking to swap a 93 325i instrument / gauge cluster with another one (unforeseen events occurred and am in need of a cluster...)

I know the following:
-Needs to be another E36 cluster w. same cylinders

But still concerned about...
-Can I swap in a later E36 w. the same cylinders? (eg. 96 328i)
-Some places/people are selling "uncoded" ones--what does that mean for me?
-Does OBDI + OBDII play a role in compatible gauge clusters?

Thanks much...

[Onslaught35]

You can put any E36 cluster (never thought about the same cylinder part I guess), for example my car is a '93 325i and I ended up putting in a cluster from my friend's old '97 M3. I'm not sure what uncoded would mean for you. If you do ODBI to ODBI one, it will be plug and play. If you do ODBI to ODBII, you're going to need a part called the "lead adaptor" (dealership has it for about 18 bucks). It requires some soldering to install but if you look in the DIY section of the board someone was kind enough to post the shop guide installation diagram.

Your mileage isn't going to display properly (this is the problem I ran into), and it's really hard to find someone who can offer the service of setting it correctly. For example, I actually want to INCREASE the mileage on my new gauge and there still isn't anybody who will touch it with a ten foot pole due to legality issues. On an unrelated side note, I believe people with ODBII clusters can plug in another ODBII cluster and there is a way to get the mileage to display properly. For us ODBI owners, no such luck.

[Bauhaus]

Thanks Onslaught.

In looking for some, I've found that there are 155mph speedos and 160 speedos...it originally came w. a 160, would it make a diff/read wrong if I got a 155mph?